The first weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament saw several notable performances from players who didn't survive the second round. Three players, including Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner and High Point's Rob Martin, were named on the All-First Weekend first team. Despite their teams' struggles reaching the Sweet 16, both players have received recognition due to their outstanding performances. Darius Acuff Jr. was the standout player for Arkansas, scoring 60 points in their wins over Hawaii and High Points. Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9-foot transfer from Saint Louis, showed why he is an All-American. No. 1 seed Arizona was not considered a standout due to its well-balanced team. Other notable performers included Iowa State's Joshua Jefferson and Michigan State's Lendee.