Category: NBA

The Long Island Nets came into Sunday with a whole new brand look. With Grant Nelson earning a 10-day contract, Ben Saraf getting recalled, and Drake Powell getting assigned to Long Island, this was a completely new look squad. They even just signed a 6’7’ wing, Jahlil White, who grew in Whitesboro, a Jersey suburb of Philadelphia and is a LaSalle product..

Regardless, Long Island still got it done as they powered past the Westchester Knicks in the Battle of the ‘Burbs, 117-111.

The starters on Sunday changed quite a bit from the last game on Thursday night. Sunday’s game saw Malachi Smith get the start at point guard, followed by Tyson Etienne, Drake Powell, EJ Liddell, and Tre Scott. This wound up being a very good starting five for Long Island, despite the head-scratching move of starting the 28-year-old Scott instead of two-way player Chaney Johnson, the team’s youngest player at 23.

For Brooklyn fans looking to the future, the game was a view of the future with both Powell, on assignment, and Johnson, the Nets youngest two-way providing some highlights and some promise. Both spoke exclusively with NetsDaily post-game about their development.

Starting things off with the latest Brooklyn assignee. Drake Powell had a characteristically aggressive game. Powell’s aggressiveness on defense and his athleticism have gotten him to the NBA, taken at No. 22 in the Draft. He’s not afraid to get after the ball, and that was on full display Sunday. On the stat sheet, Powell’s game reads 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. After the game, Powell spoke with NetsDaily about his performance.

Drake Powell on tonight’s performance, his development, time on Long Island, the Flatbush 5, and his goals.@NetsDaily#StrongIsland#NetsWorldpic.twitter.com/njeHnWrBma

— Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) March 2, 2026

“Just to go out there and have fun,” Powell told ND. “I spent some time down here in the past, two games, it’s just a great group of guys to be around. Ultimately, I’m just happy we came out with the win.”

This marked Powell’s third game on Long Island this season. He has spent the majority of his time up in Brooklyn. When asked where he feels like he’s developed the most, Powell said, “I think, just trusting myself with limited dribbles, and to eat up space. I think my first step is pretty quick; that’s just something I want to continue to get better at.”

Now with Powell assigned to Long Island, for who knows how long, he gets to develop under head coach Mfon Udofia. Udofia has a proven track record of developing some of the Nets bright young stars like Drew Timme, Killian Hayes, Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson and now Nolan Traore. Powell was asked what it’s like to learn under Udofia.

“It’s a great relationship with him,” Powell explains. “He’s always telling me to just be confident in myself, and that’s really all a player wants, is for a coach to have confidence in them.”

For this season, all eyes have been on the Flatbush 5, the five rookies drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2025 NBA Draft: Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf, Ben Saraf, and, of course, Powell. When asked about his connections with the other rookies, Powell told ND, “No special connections, but Danny Wolf and I did pre-draft together, so we’re in the same ages.”

Powell keeps his goals and development targets short and sweet. “Just to compete. That’s the main thing,” Powell says, “And to ultimately become a two-way player.”

Brooklyn’s youngest and newest two-way, Chaney Johnson, continued his big-time performances. There was certainly a case for him to be the fifth starter with Nelson called up to Brooklyn but that didn’t stop Johnson from going off from the bench. Indeed, his skillset and mentality spells sixth man.

Johnson had another double-double, his second in four games tallying 15 points and hauling in 10 rebounds and handing out three assists. Over the last three games, the 6’8” hyperathletic forward is averaging 21.3 points a game on 74/62/70 shooting splits while averaging 8.3 boards. He spoke with ND after the game about his performance…

Chaney Johnson on his performance tonight, learning under Mfon Udofia, his development, physicality, and his goals.@NetsDaily#StrongIsland#NetsWorldpic.twitter.com/UUSu0y4yS1

— Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) March 2, 2026

“Credit to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he woke me up today,” Johnson said. “Just praying to him before the game. Keeping me grateful. Allowing me to always have fun and not to be too hard on myself because there are people that are wishing they could have these opportunities. Everybody in the G League has to play the game, the sport they love, and get paid for it. So, it’s just a testament to my faith in him and continuing to fall in love with what I do.”

“I feel like my three-ball is getting there,” Johnson told ND. “I feel like I’m having to think a little bit more on defense, so I’m learning and getting more acclimated to the NBA-style of defense. From team-to-team, it’s different, but it’s similar at the same time. Even though it’s different, the principles and where I was with the Cleveland Charge, it’s kind of the same thing, just learning. I’d say just playing a lot more freely.

“Obviously, at the Charge, I was playing a lot more short roles. Here, he’s allowing me to do everything. Coming off ball screens now, long close-out drives, short roll, pick-and-pop, he’s just allowing me to get better in a lot of things.”

One of the most fun parts of watching Johnson play is the physicality of his game. He’s a legitimate 6’8” with a 6’11” wingspan and max vertical approaching 40 inches, according to his former Auburn teammates.

He isn’t afraid to get up there for strong dunks and lay-ups in traffic, as well for blocks. When asked about this part of his game, Johnson said, “It’s very important,” Johnson tells ND. “God’s blessed me with a strong frame. It’s also a testament to the work I put in in the weight room with just everyone on the staff. Someone who has the frame I have, sometimes, I’m not really used to using it, so I’m still learning ways to use my frame and play as physically as I can without getting charges or blocking fouls. It’s a part of the learning curve. So, just getting used to playing, physical, because it is a physical game.”

When speaking off the camera, Johnson told ND that he’s sure he has at least a 40-inch vertical, but when he’s sprinting, he’s positive he gets well over 40 inches in the air. Watching him play, it’s very easy to see why he thinks that. He can get up there with the best of them to contest shots, and oftentimes sending opposing offensive players packing.

“I still want to be a lot more confident from the three-point line,” Johnson explains. “If I’m caught catching the ball, ready to shoot every time, teams are going to have to respect it. It opens up drives, and it will open up teammates. So, to be able to shoot a lot more confidently. A little bit better on defense. Sometimes I get beat on close outs, and just making sure to continue to get in shape. I’m not used to playing 30 minutes a game. It’s fun though, so just all of those things.”

Malachi Smith led the team in scoring, tallying 22 points. He connected on seven of his 15 shots, including hitting both of his tries from deep. Smith also had three rebounds, four assists, and a steal to go with it. Smith has been continuously putting other teams on notice that he may at least be worth a 10-day contract to have a tryout with a team. Kind of like Grant Nelson is doing now with Brooklyn.

Tyson Etienne and EJ Liddell, the other two Brooklyn two-way players in this one, had a total of 14 points each. This was a great turnaround for Liddell, who only notched four points on Thursday night. He once again flirted with a double-double, hauling in nine rebounds. Trevon Scott, the fifth and final starter, picked up 13 points and had five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block to go with it.

The Nets began the game on a 21-7 run over the first 7:09 in the first quarter. Long Island ended the first quarter with a 34-18 lead after shooting 57.1 percent (4-for-7) from long range and holding the Knicks to 26.3 percent (5-for-19) shooting from the field in the first. Long Island extended the advantage to 20 points with a 21-9 run from 2:58 in the first to 8:47 in the second, but Westchester went on a 14-6 run from 6:50 to 3:52 in the second to close the gap. The Nets finished the second quarter without committing any turnovers and took a 63-52 lead into the halftime break.

The Knicks cut the deficit to a single point with a 15-2 run from 9:23 to 5:34 in the third, but Roberts responded by scoring or assisting on 13 of the team’s final 15 points in the third. Long Island’s defense limited the Knicks to 30 percent (3-for-10) shooting from deep in the third to enter the final quarter with an 83-76 lead. The Knicks started the fourth on a 15-6 run and took a five-point lead before the Nets responded with a 10-0 run to regain the advantage. Long Island pulled away down the stretch with a 19-7 run from 5:04 to 1:35 in the fourth to secure a 117-111 victory. The Nets shot 47.8 percent (11-for-23) from deep and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the win.

Next Up

The Long Island Nets (16-11) now hit the road for their next four games before they finally come home again on March 19th for Brooklyn affiliation night. Now, Long Island gears up for its next game as they travel to North Carolina to take on their old friend, Tosan Evbuomwan, and the Greensboro Swarm. The game tips off at 11:00 a.m. ET and can be watched on the G League website, as well as on the NBA app.

• Boxscore: Long Island Nets 117, Westchester Knicks 111 – G League
• Game Highlights: Long Island Nets 117, Westchester Knicks 111 (Video) – G League

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Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel is the new favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year, taking the lead from his former Duke roommate, Cooper Flagg. 

Knueppel is as low as -200 at theScore Bet, which translates to a 66.7% implied chance to win the award.

Key Takeaways

• Knueppel was behind five other players in opening Rookie of the Year odds.
  
  
• The rookie is third in made threes per game and ninth in three-point percentage.
  
  
• The Hornets are sixth in odds to win the East after missing the playoffs every year since the 2015-16 season.

Knueppel was only a +3000 underdog in NBA Rookie of the Year odds on opening night, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Five players were ahead of him in the odds ladder, including Flagg, who was a -225 favorite before he’d even played one second in a professional game.

The shift in odds first took place last Friday, when theScore Bet installed both Knueppel and Flagg -115 odds to win the award. The former had a slightly higher percentage of bets (17.9% to 14.5%) but a significantly lower percentage of the handle backing him (17.1% to 56.3%).

That same day, DraftKings revealed that it had bumped Knueppel to a -125 favorite, taking over the lead from Flagg (-105). 

Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg are officially “DUKE-ing” it out in the NBA Rookie of the Year race.

Today, Knueppel has leapfrogged his former roommate and teammate in the ROY race 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y99vmYF6Ym

— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) February 27, 2026

As Knueppel continues to grow his lead, Flagg remains sidelined by a left foot injury that has held him out of action since Feb. 10. He is considered doubtful for the Dallas Mavericks’ Tuesday matchup with none other than Knueppel's Hornets. 

Although the NBA Rookie of the Year award does not have the same 65-game minimum requirement like other major awards, such as MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Flagg only seems to be losing ground with every passing day.

Knueppel takes Rookie of the Year lead

Knueppel was the fourth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, behind Flagg, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper, and Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe. 

The 20-year-old has already established himself as a historically-efficient shooter and played a major role in the Hornets’ transformation from a moribund franchise to one that is quickly climbing the standings in the Eastern Conference. He also drew high praise from individuals around the league, including two-time MVP and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“You’re probably one of the smartest rookies I’ve ever seen.” 💯

Giannis showed love to Milwaukee native Kon Knueppel during NBA All-Star! pic.twitter.com/VV82bgtvsy

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 17, 2026

With just about 20 games left in the NBA regular season, here’s how Knueppel compares to his fellow rookies competing for the title of first in class.

• Kon Knueppel: 19.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 48.9% FG, 44.0% 3PT
• Cooper Flagg: 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2% FG, 30.2% 3PT
• VJ Edgecombe: 15.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 43.0% FG, 36.3% 3PT

Anyone with the foresight to bet on Knueppel—assuming he holds onto his lead in Rookie of the Year odds—would’ve won $300 from a $10 bet, or 30 times their investment. 

Here’s a look back at the opening odds for NBA Rookie of the Year:

Knueppel and the Hornets futures odds

Knueppel is on pace to become the second Hornets player ever to win the Rookie of the Year trophy. The first was his teammate, LaMelo Ball, who claimed the award for his efforts during the 2020-21 season.

The Hornets currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, three games above the Milwaukee Bucks and the cut-off for the Play-In Tournament. They’re still 3.5 games behind the 76ers, who are sixth in the East and the last team in a guaranteed playoff position.

FanDuel Sportsbook has the Hornets at -700 (87.5% chance) to make the Play-In Tournament. They’re also tied for sixth in odds to win the Eastern Conference at +3500 (2.8% chance).

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Mmm. Yep. That’ll do it.

Consider me humbled, basketball gods. You built me up and struck me down just like the old stories promised you would. Beautiful work. No notes.

It’s an awfully nasty beat to get pantsed on national television like that, especially on the heels of a week filled with noise from every corner of the basketball universe declaring that the Spurs had “officially arrived” as title contenders.

Be honest with me for a second. How many podcasts, articles, and TV hits did you devour after that Pistons win? A thousand? A million?

I inhaled every single one. I soaked it up like a sponge. When I ran through the ESPNs and the other usual suspects, I started trolling around in corners of the internet I normally wouldn’t even visit with a hazmat suit. Opposing team message boards. Unsanctioned gambling websites. Barstool podcasts. You name it.

I was out there like a junkie, hunting down any “respected voice” willing to say some version of the same thing:

The Spurs are good.
They’re ahead of schedule.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they made the Finals. Heck, maybe even won it.
Victor is in the MVP conversation.
This might already be Victor’s league.
Stephon Castle should be All-NBA.
Nobody in the West wants to see them in a series.
Best supporting cast in the league.
They don’t really have a weakness.
The lack of postseason experience might actually HELP them in the playoffs.

I even saw someone say this Spurs team had swagger.

Swagger!
The Spurs!

Can you even believe it?

Surely letting all of that go directly to my head wouldn’t come with consequences.

Lo and behold, after a week of pushing the pedal to the metal on the hype train, the wall of consequence arrived on Sunday afternoon to stop me in my tracks.

It was a brutal, punishing affair. You could see that MSG crowd feeding off what was unfolding in front of them. They were giddy. They were ecstatic. They were a mirror image of what I imagine my own face looked like watching Cade Cunningham and friends toss wayward shot after wayward shot at the rim in Detroit the other night.

They were reveling in the experience of watching a paper tiger go up in flames in front of their eyes, shouting “Is this your king?!”

And honestly, they should revel. It’s really fun to do.

I’ll just be over here staring into the abyss if you need me.

Look, this isn’t a hard one to diagnose. None of our stuff worked. The shots weren’t falling. We couldn’t hold onto the ball. Rebounds felt like a foreign concept. It just wasn’t our night. Not overly complicated.

If San Antonio was going to lose, this is how it’s going to happen. And I think we’ve seen enough from them at this point in the season to feel confident that they aren’t going to spiral and play like this every night. The Knicks didn’t expose some secret blueprint for how to put the Spurs away. The Spurs haven’t been infected with the “Bad at Basketball” virus or anything.

A game like this could have happened anonymously on a Wednesday night in Toronto. Instead, it happened on a Sunday Showcase in one of the most famous arenas in the world.

So now, instead of brushing it aside and moving on with our lives, we get to spend a week listening to the same voices we so eagerly slurped up last week teasing out twisted, horrifying refractions of what we heard before:

The Spurs are still fun, but they’ve clearly shown they aren’t ready yet.
Shame they didn’t make a move at the deadline.
Probably still a year or two away.
Victor still has a lot to learn.
This is still very much a veteran’s league.
Castle is going to be great… someday.
The supporting cast still has questions.
Their lack of experience showed.
Turns out they do have weaknesses.
Anyone who supports this team as a fan has a series of moral failings that simply cannot be cured.

You know. The usual stuff.

This is the cycle of the league and the media ecosystem and the regular season in general. You get hot, you get cold. You get praised, you get torn down. We shouldn’t, as a fan base, live and die by the highs and the lows. This is not some revelatory new advice and yet it’s something we probably all need a reminder of from time to time.

The noise doesn’t matter. It’s a sugar high. Empty calories.

We know what we have with this team, and I’m sure they’re going to continue to thrill and delight us in the same way they have all year.

It’s important to appreciate that on our own terms.

---

Takeaways

• It’s been a weird journey this year navigating what this Spurs team looks like with Wembanyama on the bench. We had that fun stretch where they not only survived but thrived while Victor was sidelined, and for most of the season they’ve been able to keep the ship afloat when our tall captain is indisposed. Lately though, the non-Wemby minutes feel more exposed. Part of that is just how good everything looks when he’s out there, but Sunday was a reminder that against real, physical teams, those short stretches can snowball quickly once the safety blanket disappears. If the goal is a long, sustained playoff run, the Spurs are going to have to find a way to rest him without everything feeling mortal all of a sudden, otherwise you risk arriving deep in May with a beat-up, exhausted superstar who simply had to carry too much for too long. Something to monitor!
• I think the Spurs have mostly done a good job this year matching other teams when they try to run the old “beat the crap out of them” play. But it makes sense that it wears on you after a while, and this one felt like a game where they just didn’t have it in them. The Knicks kept leaning on them and the Spurs looked tired, like they didn’t feel like doing the whole wrestling match thing for 48 minutes. Honestly, fair enough, I wouldn’t either. The playoffs should be a different animal from a motivation standpoint, but the question of whether or not they can handle the relentlessness of that kind of physicality over and over again is basically the only thing I’m worried about for them.
• I absolutely hate that the Knicks now have two signature wins over the Spurs this season. I know it doesn’t really matter and that one of them doesn’t even count, but it still grinds my gears in a way that does not contribute to the easy-breezy, happy-go-lucky persona I try to project out into the world. You guys mostly pick up on that right? How casual, light hearted and fun I am? It’s not weird, it’s cool. I’m cool.

---

WWL Post Game Press Conference

– You’re cool?

– I’m cool!

– All the coolest people usually make a declaration that they are cool.

– Right, yea. Like you have to announce your coolness to the world, otherwise, how would anyone know?

– What are they supposed to do? Just pick up on it based on how you present yourself to the world? That seems crazy.

– You’re right, it does seem crazy. When I think about cool people in the world, think about Steve McQueen stopping mid-car chase to turn to the camera and say, “Just a heads up, I’m extremely cool.” I think about Miles Davis putting the finishing touches on Kind of Blue, adjusting his sunglasses, and filing a notarized statement confirming his coolness. I think about David Bowie breaking character on stage just to clarify, “This Ziggy Stardust thing? It’s cool. I’m cool.” I think about Michael Jordan doing that commercial with Spike Lee, turning to the camera at the end and saying, “By the way, I’m a cool guy, just so you know.”

– And now you join that distinguished lineage.

– Exactly.

– Very cool.

– I know!

Vanderbilt recently hosted 22-year-old pro point guard Bryce Griggs for an official visit, a source told Rivals. Griggs visited the Commodores for their matchup against Tennessee on Saturday, February 21st.

The 6-foot-3 Griggs initially bypassed college, signing a professional deal with Overtime Elite (OTE) in 2021 and spent two seasons there. In his second season with OTE, he averaged 16.4 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game.

In 2023, the Houston native declared for the NBA Draft but went undrafted. He joined the Philadelphia 76ers for NBA Summer League. In October 2024, he was selected 24th overall in the NBA G League Draft by the Texas Legends, but was waived before the season started.

Griggs then went on to play overseas, signing with KK Kotor in Montenegro. He later joined Rayos de Hermosillo in Mexico, averaging 11.2 points and 4.6 assists per game for the club.

Following his pro career, Griggs is now looking to make the move to college basketball. According to an X post from his agency, Prestige Management Group, Griggs has officially received NCAA clearance to enroll in college and is expected to have at least two years of eligibility.

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The Golden State Warriors welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to the Chase Center tonight at 10 p.m. ET.

With Golden State still depleted, I’m eyeing L.A. to grab a road victory in my Clippers vs. Warriors predictions. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Monday, March 2. 

Clippers vs Warriors prediction

Clippers vs Warriors best bet: Clippers moneyline (-125)

The Los Angeles Clippers are right on the Golden State Warriors’ heels in the West, sitting in ninth with a 28-31 record. The Clips pulled out a thrilling 103-102 victory over their Pacific Division rivals on January 5. 

Ty Lue’s squad got back on track on Sunday with a huge victory over the Pelicans, and the Clippers have won three of their last five road games, beating a few good teams during that span, like the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Nuggets. 

Golden State is still without Steph Curry, and it's 4-6 in its last 10, losing three of its previous four contests at home.

Clippers vs Warriors same-game parlay

Kawhi Leonard has turned back the clock, averaging 27.9 points per game. He’s stayed healthy, and it’s paid off. 

The veteran has cashed the Over in points in two of his last three appearances, posting 30+ in both of those games. 

Brook Lopez is one of the better shooting bigs in the NBA, averaging 1.5 makes on 4.2 attempts for a 35.2% clip. Lopez just drained 4 of 7 threes on Sunday against New Orleans, and he was also 2-for-7 last week against the Timberwolves. 

Clippers vs Warriors SGP

• Clippers moneyline
• Kawhi Leonard Over  27.5 points
• Brook Lopez Over 1.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Jones Keeps Up

Derrick Jones Jr. has cashed the Over in points in five of his last six appearances. 

Clippers vs Warriors SGP

• Clippers moneyline
• Kawhi Leonard Over  27.5 points
• Brook Lopez Over 1.5 made threes
• Derrick Jones Jr. Over 11.5 points

Clippers vs Warriors odds

• Spread: Clippers XX | Warriors XX
• Moneyline: Clippers XX | Warriors XX
• Over/Under: Over XXX | Under XXX

Clippers vs Warriors betting trend to know

[Stat]. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Warriors.

How to watch Clippers vs Warriors

Clippers vs Warriors latest injuries

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The Houston Rockets hit the road for a matchup with the lowly Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena, with the tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. 

Kevin Durant is in his bag, and my Rockets vs. Wizards predictions target him to erupt in his hometown.  

Read more in my NBA picks for Monday, March 2. 

Rockets vs Wizards prediction

Rockets vs Wizards best bet: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points (-120)

Kevin Durant has been a beast since the All-Star break, cashing the Over in points in four of six games. 

The Houston Rockets superstar just torched the Magic for 40 last week, and then he went off for another 32 points on Saturday night against the Heat. Durant is averaging 28 PPG on the road this season, which is just above his season average of 26.2 points. 

A homecoming for Durant will always provide some extra motivation, and he did score 23 against the Washington Wizards earlier in the campaign. 

Rockets vs Wizards same-game parlay

Alperen Sengun is averaging 6.3 assists per game, and he’s cashed the Over in dimes in four of his last six games since the break. Sengun already dished out six assists against the Wizards earlier in the campaign, and Washington allows the second-most dimes in the Association. 

Tari Eason isn’t a household name, but he’s proven to be a key piece for the Rockets lately, hitting the Over in four of his last five outings. 

The 24-year-old had 11 rebounds on Saturday, and another eight last Thursday against the Magic.

Rockets vs Wizards SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
• Alperen Sengun Over 5.5 assists
• Tari Eason Over 7.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Everybody Beats the Wiz

Houston has won six in a row against Washington, and they’ve covered the 15.5-point spread in back-to-back meetings. 

Rockets vs Wizards SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
• Alperen Sengun Over 5.5 assists
• Tari Eason Over 7.5 rebounds
• Rockets -15.5

Rockets vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Rockets -15.5 (-110) | Wizards +15.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Rockets -1100 | Wizards +700
• Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)

Rockets vs Wizards betting trend to know

The Houston Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 25 of their last 35 games (+14.00 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Wizards.

How to watch Rockets vs Wizards

Rockets vs Wizards latest injuries

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As the calendar turns to March and Selection Sunday looms tantalizingly close, the annual heated discussion around the NCAA men’s basketball tournament bubble has once again commenced.

But for all the debate that surrounds who should be in and out of the 68-team field, dozens of other teams across the country that are safely in will be spending the final two weeks of the 2025-26 regular season jockeying for position on the bracket.

At this pivotal time of year, some teams are hitting their stride and looking poised for a deep tournament run. Others, meanwhile, are watching their once-bright hopes fade with loss after loss.

A March Madness prelude: Basketball conference tournament schedule

What teams are surging in March Madness projections? And which ones are starting to stumble?

Here’s a look at the latest list of rising and falling teams for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:

Projected seeds are based on the bracketology update from USA TODAY Sports on Feb. 27

Rising

Florida

Current projected seed: No. 2

The reigning national champions once again look like one of the favorites to cut down the nets with “One Shining Moment” playing in the background. The Gators got off to an inauspicious 5-4 start, but have gone 18-2 since. Their once-struggling backcourt of Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland is starting to round into form while its frontcourt remains arguably the best in the sport.

Florida looks like the clear favorite in the SEC and if its run keeps going, it just might be able to join Duke, Michigan and Arizona as No. 1 seeds.

UConn

Current projected seed: No. 1

If the Gators aren’t able to gobble up that final No. 1 seed, it will likely be because of another recent national champion. The Huskies haven’t been on quite the same run that Florida has — they’re 5-2 in their past seven games after starting the season 22-1 — but one of their recent wins was as impressive a victory as anyone has had this season: a 72-40 beatdown of St. John’s on Feb. 25.

The win helped solidify UConn’s standing as the fourth No. 1 seed, a status aided in part by a Dec. 9 victory at Madison Square Garden against the Florida team that’s chasing it.

Alabama

Current projected seed: No. 4

One month ago, the Crimson Tide were 14-7, coming off a 23-point loss at Florida and were mired in former G League player Charles Bediako’s contentious eligibility fight. Quite a bit has changed since then. Coach Nate Oats’ team has reeled off eight consecutive victories, including against ranked Tennessee and Arkansas teams, and is up to No. 15 in the NCAA’s NET rankings.

Saint Mary’s

Current projected seed: No. 8

The Gaels are coming off their most emphatic, and certainly sweetest, win of the season, a 70-59 victory on Feb. 28 against then-No. 9 Gonzaga in the final regular-season meeting between the rivals as West Coast Conference members. Saint Mary’s won its final eight-season games and is 18-2 since Dec. 15.

With another win against the Bulldogs in a potential WCC championship matchup, the Gaels could maybe manage avoiding a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in a possible second-round NCAA tournament game.

Virginia

Current projected seed: No. 4

Yes, the Cavaliers are coming off a 26-point humbling at the hands of Duke, but there have been few teams better than them nationally since the calendar flipped to 2026. Since a triple-overtime loss at Virginia Tech on New Year’s Eve, Virginia is 14-2, with wins against NC State (twice), at Louisville and against Miami.

Ryan Odom has engineered one of the more impressive one-year turnarounds in recent memory in the sport. It’s the least he could do after upsetting the No. 1 seed Hoos back in 2018 when he was the coach at UMBC.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

Falling

BYU

Current projected seed: No. 6

What was set up to be a magical season for the Cougars with potential No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick AJ Dybantsa has started to unravel in recent weeks. Since starting the season 16-1, BYU is just 4-8 in its past 12 games. While some of that is the unavoidable rigor of a Big 12 schedule, it has also suffered losses against the likes of Oklahoma State and West Virginia, neither of which is projected to make the NCAA tournament. Since Jan. 17, the Cougars are only the No. 60 team nationally, according to Bart Torvik.

A season-ending injury to Richie Saunders on Feb. 14 certainly didn’t help matters, but even before that, BYU was already sliding, with a 2-5 mark in its seven most recent games.

Purdue

Current projected seed: No. 2

A Boilermakers team that was 17-1 and No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll just six weeks ago has been decidedly more mortal the past month and change, going 5-6 in its past 11 games. More recently, it has lost three of its past four games, including an 82-74 loss on Sunday at an Ohio State team desperately fighting for its NCAA tournament life.

Purdue still has one of the best players in the sport in guard Braden Smith, but nearing the end of the regular season, the preseason No. 1 team has fallen comfortably short of expectations.

Houston

Current projected seed: No. 2

“Falling” is a relative term when you’re dealing with a program that’s been as dominant as Houston has the past five years, but the Cougars are 1-3 in their past four games after a 23-2 start. That skid included the program’s first three-game losing streak since all the way back in 2017.

Coach Kelvin Sampson’s team ultimately may not be that hurt by the recent slip-ups. Whether it’s as a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed, the Cougars may end up getting to play Sweet 16 and potentially Elite Eight games in Houston.

Texas A&M

Current projected seed: No. 9

Bucky Ball, the intensely fast-paced system implemented by first-year Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan has encountered its share of speed bumps lately. Texas A&M has dropped six of its past eight games after starting the season 17-4, with three of those losses coming by at least 13 points. Thankfully for the Aggies, there’s a chance for a high-profile rebound, with a home game Tuesday against Kentucky.

Louisville

Current projected seed: No. 6

The Cardinals have quietly been one of the more disappointing teams in the sport this season, going just 13-9 since a 7-0 start that vaulted them as high as No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Some of that could be attributed to an extended injury absence from five-star freshman guard Mikel Brown, who Louisville went 4-4 without, but even with Brown and every other rotation piece, it has lost three of its past four games.

Coach Pat Kelsey’s team is increasingly looking like a squad that will be fortunate to advance past the first week of the tournament, rather than the Final Four or national championship contender it was viewed as in the preseason.

NC State

Current projected seed: No. 7

Will Wade likely has the Wolfpack headed back to the NCAA tournament in his first season at the helm, but they’re currently limping on their way there. NC State has lost four of its past five after an 18-6 start. The losses are bad enough, but the way they’ve come is even more concerning. It was drubbed by 41 at Louisville and 29 at Virginia, and most recently, it lost on the road to a 13-16 Notre Dame team that had lost 12 of its previous 14 games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NCAA Tournament teams rising, falling for March Madness

College basketball is back to being dominated by true freshmen.

Before former Duke forward Cooper Flagg won the Wooden Award in 2025, an upperclassman had earned the honor in six consecutive seasons. Fellow Duke forward Zion Williamson was the last true freshman national player of the year before Flagg, which was in 2018-19.

March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

The 2025-26 freshman class in college basketball has been dominant again this season and appears well on its way to producing another young Wooden Award winner. The 2026 NBA Draft class appears to be stacked as a result.

Many teams are relying on young players heading into conference championship week, where NCAA Tournament seeding is on the line.

Here's a look at the top-10 ranked players in men's college basketball heading into conference tournaments:

Ranking top 10 players in men's college basketball

1. F AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Dybantsa is already a pro-level scorer, as he leads the country averaging 25.1 points per game on wild efficiency, shooting 53.2% from the field.

The 6-9 forward has taken his game to another level since Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending injury for BYU. Dybantsa has scored 29 or more points in his last three outings since Saunders went down, including a 35-point performance in BYU's loss to Arizona and a near-triple double in a win over Iowa State.

Dybantsa is making a strong case to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and has faced tougher competition this season than Cameron Boozer in the Big 12, giving him the nod for now.

2. F Cameron Boozer, Duke

It was a close call between Duke forward Cameron Boozer and Dybantsa, but it doesn't diminish Boozer's chances of being the national player of the year this season.

Boozer is putting up similarly efficient numbers this season, averaging 22.7 points with 10.7 rebounds and four assists per game on 58.3% shooting. The 6-foot-9 forward is also shooting 40.8% from 3-point range and averaging 1.7 steals per contest, making him maybe the most well-rounded player nationally right now.

3. G Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

John Calipari continues to churn out high-level true freshman guards, and Darius Acuff Jr. is the latest. The 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 22.2 points with 3.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this season on 49.9% shooting and is leading an offense that ranks fourth nationally in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency.

Acuff Jr. had one of the best performances in recent memory – albeit in a loss – against Alabama, dropping 49 points with five rebounds and five assists on 16-of-27 shooting in the double-overtime game. He has scored 20 or more points in nine consecutive games and in 12 of the Razorbacks' 15 SEC games.

4. G Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, among the favorites to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft along with Dybantsa, comes in at No. 4 only because of his availability at times this season.

While Peterson played 30 or more minutes in back-to-back games for only the third time this season in Kansas' latest games against Cincinnati and Houston, he has missed 11 total games and a ton of minutes for the Jayhawks as he has dealt with a myriad of injuries and cramps. His talent is clear when he's on the court, though.

The 6-6 guard is averaging 19.5 points per game this season despite playing limited minutes in numerous games. He scored 26 points in only 23 minutes against Baylor and dropped 32 on TCU in an overtime win despite playing 32 minutes.

5. F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg can do a bit of everything for Michigan, perhaps the national championship favorite.

The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 14.2 points with 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season on 49.6% shooting, and also chips in 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest. He can also handle the ball and limits fouls and turnovers, averaging fewer than two each per game.

Lendeborg was one of the top available transfers in the offseason, and he has played like it for the Wolverines.

6. G Braden Smith, Purdue

Four-year Purdue starting guard Braden Smith might not be in contention for national player of the year anymore like he was entering the season, but he's still among the best and most-experience players in college basketball.

Smith needs 72 assists to break Bobby Hurley's all-time assists record of 1,076, which was set from 1990-93. He became the fifth player to ever reach 1,000 career assists in Purdue's loss to Michigan State on Feb. 26.

Smith is averaging 14.8 points with 3.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game this season and is also shooting 40.5% from 3-point range on 4.3 attempts. He'll be very important to Purdue's chances at an NCAA Tournament run.

7. F Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

The fifth true freshman on this list, Caleb Wilson will also hear his name called early in the 2026 NBA Draft after a strong first college season. The 6-10 forward is averaging 19.8 points with 9.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season on 57.8% shooting.

Wilson had scored 20 or more points in five of his past six games before fracturing his wrist against Miami on Feb. 10, although he expects to return for North Carolina's final regular season game against Duke on March 7.

If Wilson looks like himself upon returning, he'd give North Carolina a massive boost.

8. G Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

Christian Anderson scored 22 points in Texas Tech's Sweet 16 win over Arkansas last season as a true freshman, offering a glimpse into his future. He has made a huge jump this season, averaging 19.6 points with 3.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game his season on 49% shooting and a 43.9% mark from 3-point range.

Unfortunately for Texas Tech, star forward JT Toppin suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the Red Raiders' loss to Arizona State on Feb. 17. Anderson has picked up the slack since, though, scoring 21 points with 10 assists in a win over Kansas State before pouring in 21 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists in a win over Cincinnati.

Losing Toppin lowers Texas Tech's ceiling in March Madness, unless Anderson has yet another level to his game.

9. Labaron Philon, Alabama

Like Anderson, Philon was a solid player at Alabama last season as a true freshman, but has taken his game up a notch in 2026.

The 6-3 sophomore became Alabama's go-to scorer this season after Mark Sears left, averaging 21.6 points with 3.3 rebounds and five assists per game. The projected lottery pick also improved his 3-point percentage from 31.5% a year ago to 38.7% this season.

Alabama and coach Nate Oats run a high-tempo offense that keeps defenses on their heels. Philon is a hot streak away from leading the Crimson Tide on another run in March Madness.

10. F Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

Joshua Jefferson started his career at St. Mary's before transferring to Iowa State, where he has turned into one of the more underrated players in college basketball. The 6-9 senior does a bit of everything for national championship contender Iowa State, averaging 16.6 points with 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

The Cyclones' offense runs through Jefferson, one of the best passing big men this season. He can also shoot, with a 36.1% mark from 3-point range on three attempts per game.

Jefferson sneaks into the top-10 rankings over a slew of other worthy players, thanks to his wide-ranging impact on one of the nation's best teams this season.

• Just missed list: Bennett Stirtz (Iowa), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Keaton Wagler (Illinois), Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Keyshawn Hall (Auburn), Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball's top 10 players before conference tournaments

The anticipation and build-up for March Madness continues to grow with just under two weeks until Selection Sunday arrives. In the meantime, however, a few bracket pieces need to be settled.

In addition to who might make it into the 68-team field off the bubble, one of the more frequent topics of discussion heading into the final week of the regular season (yes, some mid-major tournaments get underway this week) is who will join Duke, Arizona and Michigan on the 1-seed line.

One game that could decide that takes place in Tucson, Arizona at the McKale Memorial Center between No. 2 Arizona and No. 5 Iowa State at 9 p.m. ET.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

The Cyclones, led by a big three of Milan Momcilovic, Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey, are one of several teams who remain in the mix for the 1-seed line, despite their recent losses to BYU and Texas Tech setting their chances back a bit for their first 1-seed in program history.

But with time starting to run out, Iowa State isn't the only team looking for that final 1-seed spot.

Here's a look at USA TODAY Sports' predictions for which teams can challenge for the final spot on the 1-seed line for the NCAA Tournament:

March Madness bracket projections: Who could be final No. 1 seed?

UConn

• NET ranking: No. 9
• Quad 1 record: 8-2

UConn kept its chances of keeping its spot on the 1-seed line intact — if not bolstered — with its colossal win over St. John's last Wednesday, where the Huskies defense looked to be back on track after leaking some oil in recent weeks.

The Huskies have an impressive 8-2 Quad 1 record despite not having many opportunities to get those wins in the Big East, which has been down this year compared to past seasons. They hold wins over projected NCAA Tournament teams in BYU, Illinois, Florida, Texas and Kansas in the non-conference schedule, with the latter coming on the road at Allen Fieldhouse, which is known to be one of college basketball’s toughest environments.

UConn is looking for its third national title under Dan Hurley in the last four NCAA Tournaments, and man, they really could pull it off with this roster of Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed Jr., Silas Demary, Braylon Mullens and Solo Ball.

Florida

• NET ranking: No. 4
• Quad 1 record: 11-5

A No. 1 seed looked out of reach for the Gators after not picking up a ranked win in non-conference play, and then again when they lost by nine points to unranked Auburn, which now finds itself on the bubble and a First Four candidate. However, that loss to the Tigers seemed to be a catalyst for Todd Golden's squad, as they've won 10 consecutive games, with three coming against ranked opponents in Alabama, Kentucky and Arkansas.

To find itself on the 1-line, Florida will likely still have to win the entire SEC tournament, even with a strong No. 4 NET ranking and the third most Quad 1 wins in the country at nine.

Purdue

• NET ranking: No. 8
• Quad 1 record: 8-5

Purdue entered the week seen as one of the closest competitors to UConn for the final 1-seed, according to Bart Torvik's TourneyCast. The statistical website had the Boilermakers with a 13.4% chance of getting the 1-seed and a 100% chance of the 2-seed entering Sunday.

However, after a 0-2 week against Michigan State and Ohio State, the latter of which was on the bubble, the Boilermakers' chances and case for the 1-seed now hang in limbo. Their eight Quad 1 wins are tied for the fifth most in the country.

Purdue, led by Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, has an opportunity to salvage its underwhelming week against Wisconsin at home to end the regular season next Sunday. Should the Boilermakers beat the Badgers and make a run in the Big Ten tournament, they could find themselves back in there with giving UConn a run for its money at the 1-seed.

Illinois

• NET ranking: No. 5
• Quad 1 record: 8-5

Illinois hasn't been seeded on the 1-seed line since the 2021 NCAA Tournament. That streak will likely extend this year, though its NET ranking may suggest that it should be right there on the 1-seed line.

The main reason for this is straightforward: the Illini have not helped their case in recent weeks. Since starting 20-3, Illinois has gone 2-4 in its last six games, which features three overtime losses to Michigan State, Wisconsin and UCLA, the latter of the three whom are sitting on the bubble. Though it was by no means a "bad loss" in terms of its impact on its NCAA Tournament resume, Illinois' case was most recently set back by a home loss to Michigan on Friday.

If the Illini were able to pick up a Quad 1 or Quad 2 win or two (or a few) in this recent stretch, their case would be looking a lot better heading into the Big Ten tournament. But alas, Bart Torvik's TourneyCast has Illinois with a 10.8% chance of getting a 1-seed (as of Thursday, Feb. 26).

Iowa State

• NET ranking: No. 8
• Quad 1 record: 6-4

Iowa State looked to have the metrics — led by its top-8 NET ranking — to snag up the final 1-seed when it was put ahead of UConn by the NCAA selection committee in their first in-season top 16 NCAA Tournament seeds on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The 1-seed now looks to be out of the picture for the Cyclones following their recent losses to BYU and Texas Tech. The games against the Cougars and Red Raiders would have been beneficial wins for the Cyclones, as they both were considered Quad 1 opportunities. Iowa State has just six Quad 1 wins going into the final week of the regular season, which is the fewest among teams ranked in the top 10 of the NET rankings.

Bart Torvik's TourneyCast has Iowa State with a 3.1% chance of getting a 1-seed (as of Sunday, March 1). Therefore, it's safe to say that Iowa State's chances of salvaging its chances at the 1-seed really rely on how Monday's game vs. Arizona goes.

Houston

• NET ranking: No. 10
• Quad 1 record: 7-5

Houston is holding onto contention for the final 1-seed by the skin of their teeth. The Cougars' recent three-game losing skid put quite the damper on their chances of getting a spot on the 1-seed line, and they don't have many opportunities before the Big 12 tournament to salvage it.

Bart Torvik's TourneyCast has Houston with a 7.5% chance of getting a 1-seed (as of Sunday, March 1).

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness prediction: Who could be final No. 1 seed in bracket?

Late in the fourth quarter Sunday, with the Celtics one knockout blow away from finishing the 76ers, it was fitting that Neemias Queta provided the final punch.

A man among boys on this particular night, Queta wrestled the ball away from VJ Edgecombe, finished through contact and screamed to fire up the TD Garden crowd even more.

Queta is the first Celtic ever to amass at least 27 points, 18 rebounds, 10 offensive rebounds and 3 blocks in a game.

Add in his .714 FG PCT, 2 assists and 1 steal, he's one of 2 in NBA history to hit all those marks (David Robinson, 2/27/92

An amazing performance!

— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) March 2, 2026

Queta has been terrific all season, and is one of the NBA’s most-improved players, but he had never pieced together a game quite like this one. He finished with a career-high 27 points (10-of-14 shooting), 17 rebounds and 3 blocks (plus-20), becoming the first Celtic since Robert Parish in 1989 to have at least 25 points and 10 offensive rebounds in a game.

It was a balanced effort, but Queta set the tone as the Celtics pulled away for a 114-98 win. Jaylen Brown added 27 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds, Derrick White scored 21 and Baylor Scheierman had his thumbprint all over the game from start to finish.

Here are 10 takeaways:

1) QUETATTACK

Queta made his presence felt early, posting 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal in the first half. That was already his most points in a half ever, and he wasn’t done yet.

In addition to his usual power, he showcased some impressive finesse and delivered crafty finishes at the rim.

He had a particularly fun sequence late in the fourth, before the and-1, where he blocked Tyrese Maxey’s shot and altered VJ Edgecombe’s back-to-back. Queta was everywhere all night and was the engine in this one, even earning M-V-P chants and a standing ovation at various points.

A standing ovation and a pat on the back from Joe Mazzulla for Neemias Queta as he checks out.

Just a monster game from him and we’re not even at the half pic.twitter.com/Rc41kBsYS8

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 2, 2026

2) SECOND HELPINGS

Queta’s play inspired his teammates, as the Celtics racked up 30 second-chance points and out-rebounded the 76ers, 59-37, in a truly dominant effort.

The first quarter wasn’t as kind to the Celtics on the glass, but after that, it was a phenomenal performance. Boston continues to compensate for its lack of traditional height with all-out hustle plays, a high collective IQ and great coaching.

NOT ON NEEMI'S NIGHT 🚫 pic.twitter.com/irzwyJZQWY

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 2, 2026

3) THUMBS-UP FOR SCHEIERMAN

Baylor Scheierman, playing with a fractured thumb on his shooting hand, looked like his usual self Sunday night.

Defensively, he helped hold Tyrese Maxey to 4-of-18 shooting in the first half. Maxey missed some shots he usually makes, and later returned to form, but Scheierman consistently made life difficult alongside his Celtics teammates.

Offensively, he had a crafty play where he faked a lob in transition and cruised to the hoop for two. He also buried a corner 3 at the buzzer to send the Celtics into halftime with a 62-50 edge, giving fans a thumbs-up to let them know he was just fine.

BUZZER BEATER BAYLOR 🚨

Took a page out of the Payton playbook pic.twitter.com/aMGnY9MHOj

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 2, 2026

4) BROWNIE POINTS

Jaylen Brown continued to provide the perfect blend of aggressive scoring and timely facilitating. Brown’s reads have been on point all year, and he’s mastered the art of thriving as the No. 1 option while also not forcing shots.

He posted at least 23 points and seven assists for the fourth time in the last five games. Time will tell if he makes the All-NBA first team, but he’s certainly playing like one of the top-5 players in the league right now.

5) QUARTER POUNDER

After falling behind 28-26 through 1, the Celtics responded convincingly with a 36-22 second quarter. This Celtics team, like many before it, has a unique ability to seize momentum and capitalize when opportunities emerge.

They moved the ball well, got Sam Hauser going from 3 and continued to lean on Queta. Of course, the 76ers weren’t done yet. They stayed within striking distance, and nearly surged ahead, then Boston pulled away once more to seal it.

6) WHITE IS RIGHT

White provided my personal favorite play of the night. You really can’t teach this. What a player. They’re lucky to have him.

Plays like this are what make Derrick White so special. Look at where he starts and where he ends up. He’s behind the 3-point like when Hauser releases it, sprints to the ball, out-hustles two 76ers, tightropes the baseline and finds a wide-open Scheierman. Winner @celticsblogpic.twitter.com/8TbIgPO8QN

— Trevor Hass (@TrevorHass) March 2, 2026

7) PRITCH? PLEASE?

It was a rare quiet night for Payton Pritchard, who was held scoreless for the first time all season. It didn’t ultimately matter too much, but it was interesting to watch him blend in rather than stand out.

Credit to Pritchard for maintaining his poise and finishing plus-seven with five assists. I highly doubt this is going to be the start of a trend. It feels like a weird outlier that won’t mean anything long term.

8) YOU MIGHT GET A KICK OUT OF THIS

One of the more entertaining plays of the night came in the fourth quarter, when Edgecombe dove for a loose ball and accidentally kicked a fan in the face.

She even had a battle scar to prove it. Hope she’s OK. Either way, it’s a good story – and yes, he apologized.

1. One HELL of an effort play from VJ Edgecombe to save this possession for the Sixers.

2. Awesome to see Edgecombe so concerned / apologetic toward the fan that took a bit of a kick to the face in the process. pic.twitter.com/s8FghuuOLx

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) March 2, 2026

9) DRUM STICKS

Apparently, Andre Drummond can shoot 3’s now. After making just 18 total in his first 13 seasons, Drummond is 22 for 59 (37.3 percent) this season after hitting two of his four attempts against the Celtics.

It wasn’t even grotesque, either. He’s not exactly Kyle Korver, but he’s actually capable of knocking them down. Respect.

10) EVEN SPLIT

After all that, the Celtics and 76ers ended up tying the season series, 2-2. It feels like these teams are going to play again, whether it’s in the first round, second round or Eastern Conference Finals.

I think the 76ers will give them a series, but I think the Celtics will win. Boston in 6.

March Madness is quickly approaching with just 13 days until Selection Sunday.

The projected 68-team bracket took a bit of a hit over the weekend with several seed-altering upsets for fighting for the final No. 1 seed, such as No. 8 Purdue going 0-2 on the week with losses to No. 13 Michigan State and Ohio State and Iowa State losing to Texas Tech.

Several bubble teams saw their margin of error on making the field dwindle, looking at you, Auburn and Indiana.

March Madness bracket predictions: No. 1 seeds to first four out

There remain opportunities for teams to salvage or improve their respective NCAA Tournament resumes, as there remains a week left in the regular season for most conferences before teams ship out to their respective tournaments.The first conference tournament starts Monday, March 2 with the Horizon League, while the Big Ten will be the last one to finish just before the bracket reveal Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET.

But which teams have done some work on their March Madness picture that is going a bit unnoticed?

Here's a look at USA TODAY Sports predictions on which college basketball teams are underrated heading into the final week of the regular season and their respective conference tournaments:

Selection Sunday date, TV channel: When does March Madness bracket come out?

March Madness predictions: Underrated teams

For this March Madness prediction exercise, we've added the following filters and parameters: Team must be currently projected as a five seed or higher in ESPN Joe Lunardi's and USA TODAY Sports' latest projections, and their NET and KenPom rankings don't align with their respective projected seeding.

Michigan State

• KenPom: No. 10
• NET rankings: No. 11
• Projected seeding: No. 4 seed on ESPN | No. 4 seed on USA TODAY Sports

It's March, never count out Michigan State and Tom Izzo. The Spartans gave the country an early reminder of that Thursday in West Lafayette when they walked out of Mackey Arena — where they had not won in their past seven trips — with an upset win over No. 8 Purdue.

Michigan State followed that up with a win at Indiana, where it got 21 points each from Jeremy Fears Jr. and Jaxon Kohler, two veteran pieces that can lead the Spartans on a national championship run, in addition to their defense that ranks sixth on KenPom.

The Spartans hold a 14-5 Quad 1 and Quad 2 combined record, and have won 12 of their past 15 games. With a date set with Michigan on Sunday, Michigan State could be in the mix for a 2-seed line before heading to Chicago for the Big Ten tournament.

Kansas

• KenPom: No. 16
• NET rankings: No. 16
• Projected seeding: No. 3 seed on ESPN | No. 3 seed on USA TODAY Sports

Before we get started on this blurb, yes, Kansas is a blue-blood, so how are the Jayhawks "underrated"? They are on here for the same reason Michigan State is: They're coming into form all while jammed in the middle of a packed Big 12, which has been the best conference in college basketball this season.

Since Jan. 13 with its win over then-No. 2 Iowa State, Kansas has all but three of its past 12 games, with four of those wins being against top-ranked wins over then-No. 13 BYU, then-No. 13 Texas Tech, then-No. 1 Arizona and then-No. 5 Houston.

Their seven Quad 1 wins are tied for the second-most in the Big 12 with Texas Tech, only behind Arizona's nation-leading 13 Quad 1 wins.

March Madness power rankings: Ranking top 20 teams based on odds

Virginia

• KenPom: No. 17
• NET rankings: No. 14
• Projected seeding: No. 4 seed on ESPN | No. 4 seed on USA TODAY Sports

The job Ryan Odom has done in Charlottesville hasn't been talked about enough nationally. Most of what has happened in the ACC has been overshadowed by how good Duke has been in the conference (just look at how Virginia's Saturday game played out at Cameron Indoor).

At 25-4 overall on the season, Virginia holds a top-15 NET ranking (they dropped just one spot following its loss at Duke) and a top-20 ranking on KenPom. Virginia is the second-highest-rated ACC team in the NET, on KenPom and on BartTorvik.

Led by Thijs De Ridder (16.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game), Odom has Virginia back in the NCAA Tournament after missing it last season. The 25 wins for the Cavaliers, who have two Quad 2 opportunities to round out the regular season, are the most for a head coach in his first season in program history. It's also a 10-win improvement from last season for Virginia under Ron Sanchez, who took over for Tony Bennett following his abrupt retirement.

Alabama

• KenPom: No. 14
• NET rankings: No. 15
• Projected seeding: No. 4 seed on ESPN | No. 4 seed on USA TODAY Sports

It's hard to remember the last time Alabama wasn't in the headlines daily, and that was largely due to the Charles Bediako-NCAA eligibility case.

Alabama remains in the headlines, but for good measure now, as 23 points and the game-winning shot from Labaron Philon Jr. helped the Crimson Tide steal one on the road against Tennessee that will undoubtedly impact their March Madness seeding projection positively.

The Crimson Tide has won eight straight going into the final week of SEC play, where it will have a Quad 1 road opportunity at Georgia on Tuesday. They have a top-3-ranked offense on KenPom — that features Philon, Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell — and NCAA Tournament metrics that are in a solid spot going into the SEC tournament, where, depending on their matchups, they could work their way to the 3-seed line. Defense will be the question for the Tide come March.

March Madness predictions: 13 teams who can win men's tournament

Nebraska

• KenPom: No. 11
• NET rankings: No. 12
• Projected seeding: No. 3 seed on ESPN | No. 3 seed on USA TODAY Sports

There was no better story in college basketball at the start of the season than Nebraska, as the Cornhuskers started undefeated at 20-0 before sustaining their first loss on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Michigan. That loss to the Wolverines was the first of three losses in a four-game stretch for the Cornhuskers, though all three losses came to top-15 ranked teams with Illinois and Purdue as the others.

Since then, the Cornhuskers have bounced back a bit — though they fell to projected seven-seed Iowa on the road — with four wins in their last five games. They have a top-five-ranked defense on KenPom, rank in the top-15 on both KenPom and in the NET rankings and have an offense that is top-7 in Big Ten play in scoring with Pryce Sandfort leading the charge.

Could this be the year that the Cornhuskers get their first-ever NCAA Tournament win? We'll find out in two weeks.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness underrated teams like Michigan State, Virginia worth watching