NCAA Tournament’s 15 Most Intriguing Players, from Star Freshmen to Key Subs As March Madness tips off, how these players perform will determine if their teams keep dancing. Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images It’s not just the top players in the NCAA Tournament who give reason to tune into the madness this March. Plenty of others are intriguing for one reason or another. Do they rise to play their best during the most important time of the year? Can star freshmen deliver on the biggest stage? Can players climb up (or tumble down) draft boards or compensate for injured teammates? Over the next three weeks, we’ll find out. The Athletic presents, in alphabetical order by last name, the 15 Most Intriguing Players of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas It’s impossible to predict how freshmen will play on college basketball’s biggest stage, but if there’s a young guard who can put a team on his back and deliver a deep run, it’s Acuff. He had the highest scoring game of any power conference player this season (49 points vs. Alabama, albeit in a double-overtime loss), so don’t be surprised if he goes off when the Razorbacks need it most. Christian Anderson, Texas Tech The second-best player for the Red Raiders is now the de facto option with JT Toppin lost for the season to a torn ACL. How good can Anderson, who already plays the most minutes of anyone in the tournament (38.2 per game), be for a team that will need his heroics? He has one of the prettiest shots in hoops, but without a true big man to pull defenses to the paint, how many good perimeter looks will he get? Robbie Avila, Saint Louis (12.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.1 apg) The player famous for wearing sports goggles finally gets his shot in the NCAA Tournament.#darius_acuff_jr #ncaa_tournament #robbie_avila #march_madness #christian_anderson
Can I Interest You In A Billiken? March Madness has arrived, and with it comes the chance to root for obscure teams from places you’ve never visited. After the NCAA tournament bracket is revealed, I’d like to introduce you to the Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball team. Based in Missouri, not some off-brand St. Louis, this squad has a quirky mascot and a history of first-round tournament success in the 2010s. Though they haven’t advanced past the first round since 2019, their recent performance has reignited interest. Here are five reasons to care about them. The Billikens recently played two thrilling games in the Atlantic 10 tournament. While I wasn’t following their season closely, their games were worth watching. They entered the tournament as the top seed but had a rocky start to the year. After a 24-1 record with just one loss—a one-point defeat to Stanford—they struggled in their final six games, culminating in a 29-point blowout by George Mason. Their Atlantic 10 opener against Washington was a rollercoaster. The Revolutionaries built a 21-point lead in the first half, but the Billikens fought back, eventually winning 88-81. Their semifinal against Dayton was even more dramatic. Saint Louis held a lead in the second half but went cold, allowing Dayton an 18-2 run. The game became a back-and-forth battle, with the final moments featuring three potential game-winning shots without a whistle. Even though they lost, the intensity of the finish was unforgettable. Robbie Avila is the team’s standout player. A senior center, Avila has been a fan favorite since his days at Indiana State, with fans joking about his puns. Now in his first NCAA Tournament game, Avila is a versatile big man who can shoot and pass at the college level.#saint_louis_billikens #atlantic_10 #robbie_avila #kenpom #somto_cyril
Robbie Avila: The Viral NCAA Star Known as "College Jokic" March Madness has arrived, marking another year of intense competition and cultural significance in college basketball. The NCAA tournament, a staple of American sports for eight decades, features four regions, 68 teams, and a blend of fierce rivalries, dramatic comebacks, and unforgettable personalities. This year, one player has captured the spotlight in a way that transcends traditional NBA prospects: Robbie Avila, the Saint Louis Billikens power forward. Avila, born on September 10, 2003, has become a viral sensation during the tournament. As the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region, he is set to make his March Madness debut, drawing comparisons to NBA legend Nikola Jokic due to his unique playing style and appearance. The 22-year-old, who has Mexican heritage through his father, stands out not only for his skills but also for his distinctive look, including protective sports goggles and an unconventional build. These traits have fueled social media buzz, with fans dubbing him "College Jokic" and other playful nicknames. Avila’s journey to NCAA Division I basketball began at Oak Forest High School in Illinois, where he emerged as a top interior player. During his junior season, he averaged 25.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. As a senior, he led his team to a 25-8 record while posting 23.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and two blocks. He also became his school’s all-time leading scorer. His standout performance earned him a spot at Indiana State University, where he played for the Sycamores in the Missouri Valley Conference before transferring to Saint Louis. On the court, Avila is a skilled scorer who moves effectively in the post despite not being the fastest player.#ncaa_tournament #saint_louis_billikens #nikola_jokic #robbie_avila #march_madness
Robbie Avilla Nicknames Highlight Reverse Racism in the Basketball World The growing list of nicknames for Saint Louis center Robbie Avila has sparked debate about race, humor, and double standards in sports culture. St. Louis, MO – A series of racially themed nicknames circulating online about Saint Louis University basketball star Robbie Avila has sparked discussion among fans about perceived double standards in sports culture. Avila, a 6-foot-10 center for the Saint Louis Billikens and the 2026 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, has become a fan favorite for his unique playing style and recognizable look, including protective goggles he wears during games. But alongside the attention has come a wave of nicknames shared on social media, many referencing famous NBA players in racially altered forms regarding Avila being a white man. The trend has sparked debate among fans about humor and racial double standards in sports. Some nicknames reference legendary Black NBA players using racially altered wordplay. Saint Louis center Robbie Avila has gone viral for several fan-created nicknames online. Among the nicknames circulating online are “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” “Milk Chamberlain,” and “Larry Nerd,” riffs on the names of Hall of Fame players Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Another nickname, “College Jokić,” references Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, whose passing ability and offensive versatility have been compared to Avila’s playing style. The nicknames have appeared across sports broadcasts, fan discussions, and social media platforms as Avila’s profile has grown during his college career. Screenshots and graphics listing the nicknames recently circulated widely online, drawing a range of reactions from fans.#atlantic_10 #robbie_avila #saint_louis_university #st_louis_mo #nba_players
