THE MEN’S 2026 MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT

March Madness is upon us!  Arguably the most exciting event of any sport anywhere, the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament begins this coming week. The lucky 68 teams are selected on Sunday, March 15, and then on March 17 and 18, the games begin with the “First Four” (these are the first four games, where the lowest-ranked teams have “play-in” games to determine the traditional 64 participants of the big dance). The tournament provides one-of-a-kind excitement, of course, but it is also a chance for middle-aged men (and increasingly, women) to recapture their younger days, reconnect with old friends, and guzzle down far too much beer.  Even your humble correspondent is guilty of some of these things.

Just as importantly, though, the tourney is also a time for a handful of elite college players to display their skills and set the stage for standout professional careers.  With that in mind, here are the young men who are the top six pro prospects according to ESPN’s 2026 NBA draft big board:

1.        Darryn Peterson (Kansas).  Peterson is widely viewed as the premier pro prospect and strong contender to be the top overall pick, thanks to his exceptional scoring talent.

2.        AJ Dybanta (BYU).  He is regarded as one of the top two prospects in his class, showcasing exceptional wing abilities. Dybanta recently surpassed Kevin Durant’s conference tournament scoring record.

3.        Cameron Boozer (Duke).  Carlos is a dominant and highly efficient forward, consistently delivering over 22 points and 10 rebounds per game.

4.        Caleb Wilson (North Carolina).  Regarded as a top-four contender among leading forwards, Caleb is unfortunately out for the season due to a fractured left hand and broken right thumb.

5.        Kingston Flemings (Houston).  Fleming’s scoring, playmaking ability, and decision-making turn him into a sure bet at the next level.

6.        Keaton Wagler (Illinois).  Wagler earned unanimous Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and secured a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team.  He topped the roster by scoring 17.9 points per game.

The four #1 Seeds in the 2026 March Madness tournament will be Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida.  This year’s tournament promises to be thrilling – and I certainly expect some excitement from our Badgers – but I opine that, when it is all over, the Michigan Wolverines will be winning the championship and cutting down the nets.