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Jeff Borzello
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Jeff Borzello
ESPN Staff Writer
- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of University of Delaware.
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Myron Medcalf
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Myron Medcalf
ESPN Staff Writer
- Covers college basketball
- Joined ESPN.com in 2011
- Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato
Multiple Authors
The NCAA tournament is defined just as much by the individual players on the court as it is by the widespread practice of filling out brackets.
Star athletes possess the power to lead their teams to a national championship, a feat exemplified by Carmelo Anthony for Syracuse in 2003 and Kemba Walker for UConn in 2011. Aspiring NBA draftees can significantly boost their stock, similar to how Walter Clayton Jr. improved his projection from the second to the first round last season after guiding Florida to the title.
This philosophy guided our ranking of the top 50 players to watch during March Madness, where talent alone wasn’t the sole criterion. While the most gifted athletes—All-Americans and future lottery picks—still occupy the top spots, their anticipated influence on their teams’ tournament journey was also a critical factor. Consequently, highly talented players whose teams were unlikely to advance beyond a game or two received lower rankings (or were omitted) in favor of those expected to make deeper runs.
We also made sure to highlight potential breakout stars from mid-major teams with double-digit seeds, individuals who could grab national attention during the first weekend of Cinderella stories.
Five programs had three players selected for this list: Arizona, Florida, Iowa State, Michigan, and UConn. Additionally, another six teams contributed two players: Duke, BYU, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee, and Louisville.
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50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1
Miami (Ohio) | G | Sr.
Following the RedHawks’ defeat to Akron in the MAC tournament final last season, Suder informed coach Travis Steele of his decision to decline NIL offers from major programs and remain at Miami. This commitment inspired other key players to return, setting the stage for Suder and his teammates to achieve a perfect regular season, a feat accomplished by only four other Division I men’s college basketball teams this century. Suder currently averages 14.6 points and 4.0 assists, with an impressive 42.9% accuracy from three-point range. — Myron Medcalf
Hofstra | G | Jr.
Davis began his collegiate journey with stints at Iona and then St. John’s, but it was at Hofstra under coach Speedy Claxton that he truly blossomed. Davis has cemented his status as one of the nation’s elite mid-major scorers, posting 20.2 points per game this season while converting nearly 40% of his 6.0 three-point attempts per game. His capacity for explosive scoring is evident from his 29.0-point average in December victories against Pitt and Syracuse. — Jeff Borzello
California Baptist | G | Sr.
If you’re seeking a player capable of erupting for 30 or 40 points in a 4-13 matchup, Daniels is your prime candidate. He ranks fifth nationally in scoring, averaging 23.2 points per contest. He delivered 41 points in the WAC semifinals and hit the decisive shot in the conference championship. Earlier this season, he also notched 47 points against regular-season league champion Utah Valley and 31 against Utah in December. Daniels is an undeniable scoring threat. — Borzello
McNeese | G | Fr.
Billy Armstrong, in his inaugural season, clinched the Southland tournament title—emulating former coach Will Wade’s achievement from the previous year—thanks in part to Johnson. The redshirt freshman, a transfer from Creighton, averaged 17.5 points for a Cowboys team that mirrors last season’s squad, which advanced to the tournament’s second round. — Medcalf
South Florida | F | Sr.
Nelson accompanied coach Bryan Hodgson from Arkansas State to South Florida and has since become arguably the nation’s premier mid-major big man. The American Conference player of the year boasts averages of 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting over 56% from the field. His production isn’t limited to lesser opponents: he recorded 25 points and 12 boards against Alabama, 16 points and 12 boards against VCU, and another double-double versus Utah State. — Borzello
Missouri | G | Sr.
Dennis Gates consistently relied on Mitchell throughout Missouri’s journey to secure another NCAA tournament bid. When his team’s aspirations for a spot in the dance required a boost, Mitchell delivered with 23 points in a February win over Tennessee. He also contributed a combined 35 points in consecutive January victories against Kentucky and Florida. He has proven to be clutch for the Tigers whenever they’ve needed him. — Medcalf
Arkansas | G | Fr.
When Darius Acuff Jr. struggled with his shot in the SEC tournament semifinals (7-for-21), Thomas stepped up, ultimately scoring 29 points in the overtime victory against Ole Miss. Thomas has demonstrated similar clutch performances throughout the season, including a 30-point outing in the regular-season finale at Missouri, one of his eight games with 20 or more points this season. He also led the SEC in conference play with an impressive 49% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. — Medcalf
Arizona | F | Fr.
The Wildcats’ standout freshman announced his presence with an exceptional showing—30 points, seven rebounds, and five assists—in a season-opening win against reigning champion Florida. The 6-foot-8 NBA prospect’s season then saw mixed results as he battled a lower leg injury and typical freshman adjustments. However, since January 1st, he has reached 20 or more points in five games, including a 21-point, six-rebound effort in the Big 12 tournament championship victory over Houston. — Medcalf
UConn | C | Sr.
Dan Hurley has openly stated that Reed’s performance could dictate UConn’s ultimate potential. The 6-foot-11 center is achieving career bests in scoring (13.7) and rebounding (8.1), highlighted by several dominant outings: 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks against St. John’s; 21 points and nine rebounds against Seton Hall; and 21 points and eight rebounds against BYU. Reed also registered four double-doubles across his final six regular-season games. — Borzello
Kansas | F | So.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Darryn Peterson’s freshman season, Bidunga provided Kansas with much-needed stability. The Jayhawks remained a top-10 defensive unit throughout the season largely due to Bidunga, one of the nation’s most imposing 6-foot-10 players. Kansas performs 19.5 points per 100 possessions better when the sophomore is on the court, according to advanced analytics site EvanMiya. He averages 13.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. — Medcalf
UCLA | G | Sr.
Dent was a highly sought-after point guard in the transfer portal last spring, yet for much of the season, he appeared poised to fall short of expectations. The senior transfer from New Mexico is having his lowest-scoring season since his freshman year, but he transformed into one of the nation’s elite point guards in the final weeks leading up to the tournament. In the last eight regular-season games, Dent recorded 78 assists against only six turnovers. He also achieved the first triple-double in Big Ten tournament history with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists against Rutgers in the quarterfinals. — Borzello
Iowa State | G | Sr.
After Lipsey spearheaded Iowa State to a 15-0 start, head coach T.J. Otzelberger proclaimed the Cyclones possessed the “best point guard in the country.” Lipsey spent the majority of last season hampered by various ailments. Now fully healthy, he has set career highs this season in points (13.3) and assists (5.0). Furthermore, Synergy Sports rates him as a “very good” defender. — Medcalf
Kentucky | G | Sr.
As injuries accumulated in Lexington, Oweh’s influence on the Wildcats’ offense expanded until he became the undisputed primary scorer in SEC play. He averages 18.2 points for the season, a figure that climbed to over 21 points in conference matchups. His aggressive, downhill driving style is nearly unstoppable in transition, making him a crucial asset in late-game situations. He has also developed a more dangerous perimeter game this season, attempting 3.6 threes per game at 33.6% accuracy. — Borzello
Duke | G | So.
Instead of relying on the transfer portal, Jon Scheyer looked to his bench in preparation for the departures of Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. The significant development of Evans—whose scoring jumped from 6.8 to 14.9 points per game with a 39% three-point shooting rate in ACC play—enabled the Blue Devils to reclaim their position among college basketball’s elite, despite losing two players currently contending for NBA Rookie of the Year honors. — Medcalf
Florida | C | Jr.
Chinyelu is a strong contender for National Defensive Player of the Year, spearheading defensive efforts for a Florida team that ranks within the top 10 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Standing at 6-foot-10, opponents achieve an adjusted offensive efficiency of merely 82 points per 100 possessions against him—a performance level comparable to UConn’s underwhelming display in a 20-point loss to St. John’s in the Big East tournament championship. The junior is setting career highs in scoring (11.2) and rebounding (11.5). — Medcalf
BYU | G | So.
When BYU’s “Big 3” was reduced to a “Big 2” after Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending ACL tear, Wright’s importance to BYU’s postseason ambitions grew immensely. He now serves as the crucial supporting player to AJ Dybantsa’s leading role and will need to deliver significant offensive performances for the Cougars to advance. Wright is certainly capable, having scored at least 25 points six times this season, including a 39-point outburst against Colorado on Valentine’s Day. He is averaging 18.2 points and 4.7 assists. — Borzello
Miami | F | Sr.
At Indiana, the 6-foot-9 forward showed promise during his junior season under former head coach Mike Woodson. Now playing for Jai Lucas at Miami, Reneau has fully realized his potential, averaging 18.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and shooting 59% from inside the arc. A series of strong performances from Reneau—24 points against Louisville, 26 against NC State, and 16 against North Carolina—were vital in the Hurricanes securing their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2023. — Medcalf
UConn | G | Jr.
UConn entered last offseason in urgent need of a point guard and successfully acquired Demary, who has transformed the Huskies on both ends of the court, once again making them a Final Four contender. He is among the best perimeter defenders in the Big East and has developed into an outstanding distributor, ranking within the top 20 nationally in assists (6.2). His composure and improving three-point shot are valuable assets against the tighter defenses encountered in March. — Borzello
Michigan | C | Jr.
After starting only nine games across two seasons at UCLA, Mara transferred to Michigan, where he immediately solidified his position as the starting center for a national championship-contending team. He is one of the country’s elite rim-protectors, averaging 2.6 blocks per game, while also anchoring a Wolverines defense that ranks third in two-point percentage defense, third in block rate, and first in average two-point attempt distance allowed. Moreover, Mara is contributing 11.6 points on an impressive 67.4% shooting from the field. — Borzello
Michigan | F | So.
Johnson faced the challenge of carving out a role within America’s strongest frontcourt, anchored by Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg. This was no simple task, but the Illinois transfer succeeded. He has made 67% of his shots near the rim and has limited opposing players to a 46% success rate on similar attempts. This two-way excellence has been a fundamental aspect of a Michigan team that enters the NCAA tournament with the nation’s top defense. — Medcalf
Louisville | G | Sr.
Conwell is at his fourth institution in as many years, but he is concluding his senior season with the best scoring statistics of his career. The Indianapolis native averages 18.7 points and significantly boosted his output with Mikel Brown Jr. sidelined for the final four games of the season, scoring at least 22 points in three of those contests. If Brown returns to full health, Pat Kelsey will command one of the nation’s elite offensive backcourts. — Borzello
North Carolina | C | Jr.
After Caleb Wilson suffered a left hand fracture, followed by a season-ending injury to his right thumb, Veesaar stepped up as the leader of a North Carolina squad in need of one. He has averaged 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over the past six games. The Tar Heels have maintained a top-35 ranking in adjusted offensive efficiency during these games, avoiding a collapse despite their best player being sidelined. — Medcalf
Nebraska | F | Jr.
A year ago, Sandfort reached double figures in Iowa’s victory over Nebraska in the Big Ten tournament. This season, he joined the Cornhuskers, who commenced the 2025-26 season with an undefeated 20-0 run. He has started every game for Fred Hoiberg’s team, converting 62% of his shots inside the arc and 40% of his three-point attempts. His 32-point performance in a December 13th win over Illinois compelled any skeptics to take Nebraska seriously. — Medcalf
Tennessee | G | Sr.
Gillespie ascended into a starring role as a senior, responding with career-best averages in scoring (18.0) and assists (5.5) to establish himself as one of the premier guards in the SEC. He experienced a perimeter shooting slump late in the season, but delivered 21 points with three three-pointers in the Vols’ SEC semifinal loss to Vanderbilt, leading us to anticipate his return to form in the tournament. — -Borzello
Iowa | G | Sr.
Stirtz’s production has remained consistently high since he followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake to Iowa. Stirtz continues to be the same high-usage, incredibly productive playmaker he always has been, averaging 20.0 points and 4.5 assists while hitting nearly 38% of his three-point attempts. He truly found his rhythm in Big Ten play, scoring 30 points three times across a four-game stretch, and ranking third in scoring during the conference schedule with 22.2 points on 50% shooting from the field. — Borzello
Louisville | G | Fr.
The major question mark is Brown’s health for the NCAA tournament. The freshman guard missed the final four games of the season due to recurring back issues, having previously sat out eight games earlier in the season with the same injury. When active, Brown is one of the nation’s most dynamic guards, averaging 18.2 points and 4.7 assists. He delivered a spectacular 45-point performance against NC State in February, sinking 10 three-pointers. — Borzello
Ohio State | G | Sr.
Pound-for-pound, Thornton stands as one of the country’s elite players. The 6-foot-2 guard was the crucial factor distinguishing the Buckeyes’ anxious wait on Selection Sunday from confidently securing a spot in the field—he averaged 21.0 points over a five-game stretch to conclude the regular season, which included a vital win over Purdue. — Medcalf
Tennessee | F | Fr.
While we had witnessed glimpses of the five-star freshman’s potential, he significantly elevated his game once the calendar turned to 2026. Beginning with a 29-point effort in a January 24th win at Alabama, Ament has averaged 20.4 points over the subsequent 13 games. The 6-foot-10 projected NBA draft lottery pick presents one of the most challenging matchups in the NCAA tournament due to his rare combination of exceptional talent and size. — Medcalf
UConn | F | Sr.
Karaban earns a higher ranking for being a pivotal player on two national championship-winning teams during his career. He is someone who has confidently taken—and successfully made—crucial shots in high-pressure situations. Although his statistics have been inconsistent in Big East play, Dan Hurley recognizes he will heavily depend on Karaban in the NCAA tournament. We anticipate the senior forward will rise to the occasion. — Borzello
Florida | F | Jr.
Despite discussions about Condon’s perceived step back from last season, the Australian big man ranks third in KenPom‘s SEC Player of the Year ratings and is achieving career highs in scoring (15.0), rebounding (7.7), and assists (3.5), all while shooting nearly 55% from the field. He has been as productive as any frontcourt player in the SEC, particularly since the start of February, averaging over 18 points and shooting almost 63% from the field during that recent stretch. — Borzello
Wisconsin | G | Jr.
Boyd has rapidly ascended this list in recent weeks, as the San Diego State transfer has been operating at an incredibly high level offensively in the latter part of the season. He delivered a spectacular performance against Illinois in the Big Ten tournament, tallying 38 points and six assists, and has scored at least 20 points in 15 of 21 games since the beginning of 2026. In Big Ten play, Boyd ranks fourth in scoring and tenth in assists, averaging 20.6 points for the season. — Borzello
Iowa State | F | Jr.
The Cyclones’ star is on track for one of the most prolific three-point shooting seasons in recent college basketball history. Since the 1992-93 season, only 15 players have made 50% of their three-point attempts (with a minimum of 2.5 per game); Momcilovich is currently averaging 49.6% from beyond the arc heading into the tournament. Not even some of college basketball’s all-time greatest shooters, such as Steph Curry, Reggie Miller, and JJ Redick, matched this level of production from deep. — Medcalf
Arizona | G | Fr.
The Wildcats feature seven players averaging at least 9.0 points, yet Burries stands out as their leading scorer at 15.9 points, with a 36.7% shooting clip from three-point range. The freshman has demonstrated his worth on a talented roster by rising to the occasion in significant matchups, scoring 28 points in a December win over Alabama and 20 in a February victory against Kansas. He also contributed 10 points in the first half of the Big 12 tournament championship against Houston. — Medcalf
Arizona | G | Sr.
You witnessed his game-winning buzzer-beater against Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament, didn’t you? That single moment almost suffices to describe the Big 12 Player of the Year, who is recognized as one of the country’s top two-way players and a master of late-game situations. His statistics—13.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists—may not be flashy, but he consistently delivers winning plays when it matters most. — Borzello
Gonzaga | F | Sr.
Since Braden Huff (17.8 PPG) sustained a left knee injury in January, Ike has commendably shouldered the additional burden for a short-handed Gonzaga squad. He has averaged 22.5 points with Huff sidelined, surpassing his season mark of 19.7, and the Bulldogs have maintained a top-10 defensive ranking during that period. — Medcalf
Michigan State | G | So.
Fears is enjoying a breakout season as a redshirt sophomore, leading the nation in assists per game with 9.2. He has also more than doubled his scoring average, rising from 7.2 last season to 15.7 this season. He has become even more aggressive as a scorer in Big Ten play, averaging nearly 18 points in conference games. Fears exerts immense pressure on opposing defenses when he has the ball and is also the leader of one of the nation’s elite defensive units. — Borzello
Florida | F | Jr.
Haugh was a vital part of Florida’s rotation during their national title run last season. Now, he stands as the Gators’ leading scorer (17.1), almost doubling his offensive output from the previous season (9.8). He has converted 59% of his shots around the rim, according to Synergy Sports, and has notched 20 or more points in five games during a 12-game winning streak that concluded with a loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament semifinals. — Medcalf
Vanderbilt | G | So.
One of college basketball’s most electrifying players, Tanner sets the two-way tone for a Vanderbilt team harboring ambitions of a deep NCAA tournament run. The local Tennessee product ranks within the top 50 nationally in scoring (19.1) and assists (5.1); he also places in the top 10 for steals (2.4). This sophomore sensation demonstrated his ability to carry the Commodores when backcourt partner Duke Miles was sidelined earlier this season. — Borzello
St. John’s | F | Sr.
A unanimous All-Big East selection, Ejiofor delivered his best performances in the latter half of the season when the Red Storm were nearly invincible, boasting a 19-1 record in their final 20 games to secure a Big East tournament title. He recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in St. John’s 81-72 victory over UConn on February 6th, which proved to be the decisive win in their second consecutive regular-season Big East championship. He averages 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. — Medcalf
Kansas | G | Fr.
Peterson is one of the most polarizing college basketball players in recent memory. The projected No. 1 NBA draft pick has missed 11 games and failed to complete others due to injuries and cramping, with questions about his availability overshadowing one of the most efficient freshman seasons in recent history: 19.8 points and 38.4% shooting from three-point range in 28.4 minutes per game. The 6-foot-6 guard is an effortless scorer whenever he is available. — Medcalf
Purdue | G | Sr.
Smith is just two assists shy of breaking Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA assists record (1,076) and is experiencing the most efficient offensive season of his career. Although Purdue hasn’t fully lived up to its preseason No. 1 ranking, and Smith won’t secure the National Player of the Year title as initially predicted, he has consistently demonstrated why he is among the best point guards in college basketball. He averages 14.0 points and ranks second nationally in assists at 9.1 per game. — Borzello
Houston | G | Fr.
Despite being the lowest-ranked recruit among Houston’s three top-25 freshmen, Flemings has emerged as one of college basketball’s top guards and the primary offensive catalyst for the Cougars. He has become their leading playmaker and go-to scorer, even with the return of Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, both of whom started in last season’s national title game. Flemings averages 16.4 points and 5.3 assists, and has overcome a shooting slump that persisted for most of February. — Borzello
Iowa State | F | Sr.
On a team featuring both Lipsey (13.3 PPG) and Momcilovic (17.1 PPG), Jefferson is the most crucial player on the roster. The Cyclones are 20.5 points better per 100 possessions when the 6-foot-9 forward is on the court, according to EvanMiya. He averages 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.7 steals. — Medcalf
Texas Tech | G | So.
It was evident within minutes of this season’s tip-off that Anderson was poised for an outstanding year, opening with 34 points and 11 assists against Lindenwood. He was already among the highest-usage guards in the Big 12 before JT Toppin’s season-ending injury, and has since taken on an even more significant role without his All-American teammate. Anderson averages 18.9 points and ranks third nationally with 7.6 assists; he has also recorded five games with 20 points and 10 assists. — Borzello
Alabama | G | So.
Last season, the 6-foot-4 guard connected on just 31.5% of his three-point attempts. This season, he has improved dramatically, hitting 40.2% of those same shots. Philon has also evolved from a “good” to an “excellent” offensive player, according to Synergy Sports, which has enabled an Alabama team that lost 2024-25 All-American Mark Sears to maintain its top-five ranking in offensive efficiency. — Medcalf
Illinois | G | Fr.
Wagler’s journey is one of the season’s most compelling stories: he entered high school as a relatively unknown recruit before transforming himself into an All-American and projected NBA draft lottery pick in just one year. The star freshman has delivered some of the most exceptional individual performances in college basketball this season, including his 46-point outburst at Purdue. Averaging 17.9 points and 4.4 assists this season, Wagler needs to regain his momentum in the tournament—he hasn’t shot 50% from the field in a game since February 10th. — Borzello
Michigan | F | Sr.
Lendeborg’s statistics—14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists—may not be as eye-catching as some others on this list, but he has been a fundamental player for one of the national championship favorites and is arguably the country’s best transfer. He is capable of massive scoring outputs, can dominate the boards, create plays, and is a strong defender. He has also developed a consistent three-point shot after transitioning from the center position at UAB to small forward at Michigan. — Borzello
Arkansas | G | Fr.
No player in the country displayed more dominance than Acuff during the final month of the regular season. He has averaged 28.2 points on 50.7% shooting from beyond the arc, along with 7.2 assists, since the beginning of February. He has built a strong case as the best guard John Calipari has coached at this level. — Medcalf
BYU | F | Fr.
In most college basketball seasons, a 6-foot-9 freshman who led the nation in scoring (25.3) and excelled in arguably the country’s strongest conference would be the frontrunner for the National Player of the Year award. Dybantsa recorded eight games with 28 or more points in the second half of the season, including a 43-point performance against rival Utah on January 24th. He also averages 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists. — Medcalf
Duke Blue Devils | F | Fr.
The National Player of the Year favorite since the initial weeks of the season, Boozer has been one of the sport’s most consistent and dominant players. He ranks within the top 15 nationally in scoring (22.8) and rebounding (10.2), while also distributing 4.1 assists and shooting nearly 58% from the field. He concluded one of the most decorated and successful high school careers in modern history and has seamlessly transitioned that reputation into college. — Borzello
Just missed: Thijs De Ridder, Virginia; Boopie Miller, SMU; John Blackwell, Wisconsin; Dailyn Swain, Texas; Motiejus Krivas, Arizona; Emanuel Sharp, Houston; Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue