How Louisiana natives fared in men’s NCAA Tournament first weekend

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Louisiana’s list of representatives in this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament thinned substantially during the first weekend, but not without substantial performances — and even historic milestones — prior to eliminations.

Only two of the nine Boot natives participating in 2026 March Madness survived the opening rounds of the fast-developing bracket action.

Houston teammates Chris Cenac Jr. and Joseph Tugler, the former Isidore Newman standout and the Monroe native, and their Cougars will return to the program’s hometown for a Sweet 16 date in friendly territory.

But the rest of the Louisiana contingent is just heading home for the offseason.

Here’s the rundown of how everyone fared (or is faring) as the NCAA Tournament enters its second weekend.

Chris Cenac Jr. (Isidore Newman), Joseph Tugler (Monroe native) | Houston

No. 2 Houston dominated both of its games this weekend in Oklahoma City to advance to the Sweet 16 back home in Houston, and the Cougars’ manhandling of the boards — including big contributions from their Louisiana natives — was a major factor. Coach Kelvin Sampson’s squad rolled through Idaho, 78-47, on Thursday and Texas A&M, 88-57, on Saturday. Cenac grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds, along with seven points and a steal, in the opening round against the Vandals, whom Houston out-rebounded, 47-32. Tugler finished with 13 points, four rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal in the game. The Cougars out-rebounded Texas A&M, 46-29, on Saturday with Cenac once again leading all players with nine. The former Isidore Newman standard was also among the leading scorers with 17 points and blocked a shot. Tugler had six points, five rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists against the Aggies. Houston will face No. 3 Illinois on Thursday.

Kam Williams (Lafayette Christian) | Kentucky

The former Lafayette Christian star and his No. 7 Wildcats got the best of the weekend’s lone matchup of Louisiana natives on both sides as they survived a near-upset by No. 10 Santa Clara and former Ponchatoula star Allen Graves. Williams, in just his fourth game back from injury, didn’t load up the state sheet, but did come up with a pair of back-to-back highlights at a pivotal juncture late in the second half with a steal and then go-ahead 3-pointer that combined for a swing from Kentucky potentially falling behind by two possessions to instead claim a lead. The Wildcats had to weather a series of clutch baskets from Graves to force overtime on an acrobatic Otega Oweh 3-pointer and then took down the Broncos, 89-84, in the extra period. Sunday’s second-round game proved far less favorable, though. Kentucky started strong against a No. 2 Iowa State adjusting without an injured star, but the Cyclones eventually settled in and dominated the second half en route to an 82-63 win. Williams finished with five points, including another 3-pointer, and two steals in his final game of the season.

Allen Graves (Ponchatoula) | Santa Clara

A couple miscues and controversial calls that went the other way ultimately sank No. 10 Santa Clara’s upset bid of No. 7 Kentucky late in overtime of one of the most thrilling games of the opening round. Graves battled foul trouble much of the afternoon, but still managed to prove himself among the best players on the floor down the stretch of the 89-84 loss. The former Ponchatoula star finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, one blocked shot and one assist and was a go-to for the Broncos when on the floor, including three go-ahead baskets late. The Wildcats just continued to find answers, including an acrobatic, buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of regulation and then a pair of Brandon Garrison blocks on the perimeter late in the extra period. The NCAA Tournament appearance was Santa Clara’s first since 1996, and Graves showed why he’s starting to garner some NBA Draft buzz.

Corey Dunning (Lafayette), Tai’Reon Joseph (Scotlandville), Lance Williams (St. Michael) | Prairie View A&M

Prairie View A&M coach Byron Smith, the Bossier native and former Airline and Northwestern State player, helped lead the Panthers to their first NCAA Tournament win in program history Wednesday in the First Four with all three of the Louisiana natives on his roster participating as usual. Williams was the most productive in the 67-55 defeat of Lehigh with his 10 points, four rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist. Dunning had a rebound, a steal and two assists, and Joseph chipped in five points and a rebound off the bench.

The No. 16 Panthers’ trip to Tampa on Friday for the Round of 64 was less successful as they ran into a buzzsaw in defending champion No. 1 Florida. The Gators eliminated Prairie View A&M, 114-55. But the Louisiana trio was once again productive. Williams finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists, and Dunning got into the scoring column with four points. Joseph scored a team-high 16 points off the bench, plus a rebound and an assist, as Prairie View A&M’s most efficient weapon in the game at 5-for-9 from the field, including a pair of 3’s, and 4-for-5 from the foul line.

Jaron Pierre Jr. (St. Augustine) | SMU

SMU pulled back even with Miami (Ohio) in the teams’ First Four matchup, 50-50, about six and a half minutes into a back-and-forth second half. But the one-loss RedHawks responded with a scorching 13-0 run over the next seven possessions, highlighted by 3-for-4 shooting from deep.

The Mustangs continued battling, including nine of their Louisiana native’s 18 points coming during the rally attempt the rest of the way, but Miami never allowed the margin to be trimmed back any closer than seven on its way to the 89-79 win.

Pierre finished a strong 8-for-16 (50%) from the floor, but could never find a rhythm from beyond the arc where he was just 1-for-7 (14.3%). He added four rebounds, four assists and a game-high three steals in SMU’s final game of the season.