March Madness unfolding across Indiana and Texas

Men’s bracket, women’s newcomers. Scores, updated brackets: sports.usatoday.com

NEWCOMERS TO WATCH

From true freshmen to early enrollees to transfers, these players made an immediate impact in college women’s basketball this season. Some of them are new to college and some of them are playing with a new team, but all of them will play a crucial role this month as the NCAA women’s tournament tips off Sunday.

Kierstan Bell, Florida Gulf Coast, G, 6-1, Soph.: After spending her freshman year at

Ohio State, the Eagles’ Bell is fifth in the country with 24.3 points per game and is one of a few players nationally to average a double double (10.8 rebounds).

Katie Benzan, Maryland, G, 5-6, Sr.: The Harvard transfer is the best sharpshooter in the game, leading the nation with a 50.6% 3-point percentage.

Cameron Brink, Stanford, F, 6-4, Fr.: She averages 10.2 points per game, shoots 58.2% from the field and ranks 13th nationally in blocks with 64.

Paige Bueckers, Connecticut, G, 5-11, Fr.: A candidate for National Player of the Year,

Bueckers acts like a veteran, hitting clutch shots and rallying her team whenever necessary. She averages 19.7 points, 6.1 assists (ranking ninth in the nation), 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals while shooting 53.9% from the field and 47.4% from deep.

DiJonai Carrington, Baylor, G, 5-11, Sr.: A graduate transfer from Stanford, she averages 13.5 points and 4.7 rebounds.

Caitlin Clark, Iowa, G, 6-0, Fr.: The Big Ten Freshman of the Year leads the nation with 26.7 points per game and is second nationally with 7.2 assists per game.

Charlisse Leger-Walker, Washington State, G, 5-10, Fr.: The New Zealand native joined sister Krystal on the Palouse and averaged 18.9 points per game – second in the Pac-12 – and 3.9 assists.

Raina Perez, North Carolina State, G, 5-4, Sr.: After winning Big West Player of the Year at Cal State Fullerton, the graduate transfer ranks eighth in the country with a 2.92 assist-toturnover ratio. She averages 9.1 points and 4.9 assists.

Talia von Oelhoffen, Oregon State, G, 5-11, Fr.: An early enrollee, von Oelhoffen’s impact was immediate. She has become OSU’s first player off the bench, averaging 12.5 points and 3.9 rebounds. The Beavers have gone 8-3 since she joined in January.

Destiny Slocum, Arkansas, G, 5-7, Sr.: The graduate transfer and former National Freshman of the Year is on her third school in four years after stops at Maryland and Oregon State, where she honed her scoring and passing skills. She’s thrived in Fayetteville, averaging 15.5 points and 4 assists per game while shooting 49.2% from the field.