With a loaded Sweet 16, there’s no shortage of talent left in March Madness.
1. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas Razorbacks
I’ve got Acuff in first because I don’t care what defender your team has; if he wants to drop 30 on you, he’ll find a way. He’s been unguardable all year long, and the way it’s been in March, it’s hard to argue with Acuff being the potential first overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. He’s just that lethal of a scorer.
2. Cameron Boozer, Duke Blue Devils
We nearly saw Siena knock out Duke in the round of 64, which would have been something else. But here they are still standing in the Sweet 16. Boozer will likely be named the Player of the Year when it’s all set and done, and he’s risen to the occasion in March Madness. 20.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game are some great numbers for a freshman with all the pressure on the big stage.
3. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan Wolverines
Lendeborg is just insane. Michigan is so deep, and if that weren’t the case, he’d probably be putting up north of 20 points per game. And we saw what he can do when needed, with 25 against Saint Louis in the second round. It can be anyone’s night on this Michigan team, but most of the time, it’s Yaxel’s.
4. Braden Smith, Purdue Boilermakers
Braden Smith has had one HECK of a college basketball career. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, he passed Bobby Hurley to become the new all-time leader in career assists. Now he’s back in the Sweet 16 looking to guide the Boilermakers to a memorable run. He had a rough game against Miami, but with 11-seed Texas up next, don’t think Braden won’t bounce back in a big way.
5. Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s Red Storm
Zuby Ejiofor is a WORKHORSE, and while his talent is also very high, his ability to outwork other big men is why St. John’s is here in the Sweet 16. With Duke and Cameron Boozer up next, it will be interesting to see how the talented freshman deals with Ejiofor’s size and physicality.
6. Labaron Philon, Alabama Crimson Tide
With no Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon may be asked to score 30 points per game, and I’m not kidding when I say that. Bama wants to score 90 a game, and Holloway was their second leading scorer. But Philon leads them in points and had 29 against Hofstra. NINE points against Texas Tech, though? Yeah, he just went out and dished 12 assists to a team full of scorers. Like, seriously, what can’t he do?
7. Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State Spartans
Is any point guard playing better than Jeremy Fears right now? 11 assists against North Dakota State is one thing, but SIXTEEN against Louisville? Sure, he isn’t shooting great from the field and also had five turnovers versus the Cardinals, but that almost makes it crazier that he’s still drawing the attention and finding ways to get the ball to teammates for those looks.
8. Keaton Wagler, Illinois Fighting Illini
Wagler’s numbers in the tournament may not jump off the page, but he’s clearly a walking bucket, once scoring 46 in a game at Purdue. Will he do that against Houston in the Sweet 16? Probably not. But against this Cougars defense, it should say something that a freshman talent is their best option to drop 15-20 points.
9. Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State Cyclones
Jefferson got hurt early in Iowa State’s opening-round game against Tennessee State, and it looked like the Cyclones didn’t even need him in the next round against Kentucky. That’s a scary thought for how good ISU may be once Jefferson returns from injury, which is looking like it could happen in time for the Sweet 16. He’s certainly their best overall player, as a scorer, rebounder, and big-time playmaker, averaging 4.8 assists as a 6-foot-8 forward. Hopefully, he can return to the madness and not have to continue watching from the sidelines.
10. Kingston Flemings Jr., Houston Cougars
Flemings hasn’t been at his best in March Madness, but two games shouldn’t tell the full story of a whole season. On a Houston team with a trio of great guards, Flemings is the most talented overall and big-shot maker for the Cougars. When push comes to shove, he’s a lottery pick in the NBA Draft and one of the top freshmen in the country.
11. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa Hawkeyes
Stirtz hasn’t been great so far in March Madness, but don’t let that fool you. While he draws the most attention from opposing defenses, he’s still usually able to get his 20 points and 5 assists. And every once in a while, Stirtz can go out there and win a game for the Hawkeyes. And that’s difficult with their slow pace of play, but good scorers always find a way.
12. Jaden Bradley, Arizona Wildcats
Bradley is the perfect example of stats don’t always tell the full story. Obviously, 13.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds are great numbers, but on an Arizona team where everything is practically even, the stats don’t show his clutch genes, game control, and leadership as a senior on a somewhat young team. Plus, he was the Big 12 Player of the Year, so it’s not just me telling you this.
13. Aday Mara, Michigan Wolverines
While we’ll get to another dominant big man just down this list, Aday Mara’s dominance is just different. Offensively, this Michigan team is dominant, and he is one of the many who can get the Wolverines 15-20 points on any given night. But can they control the paint defensively as he can? At 7-foot-3 with an 8-foot wingspan, Mara is in a league of his own, averaging 2.7 blockers per game. He had three against Howard in the first round and four against Saint Louis, proving to be a key player for many reasons for Michigan’s March Madness run.
14. Nate Ament, Tennessee Volunteers
Zero points against Miami (OH) and their defense is inexcusable for a player of Ament’s talent, but following it up with 16 against Virginia can help Vols fans relax. And sure, in the whole month of March, Ament’s numbers haven’t been great, but at his best, few players can score in the ways he does. Tennessee will need all they can get from him against Iowa State in the Sweet 16.
15. Tarris Reed Jr., UConn Huskies
Reed’s outburst of 31 points and 27 rebounds against a pesky Furman team tells you all you need to know. He’s a beast to handle in the paint, and he’ll find a way to grab board after board and dominate inside for the Huskies. This UConn team is sort of by committee, with Alex Karaban, Silas Demary Jr., Braylon Mullins, and Solo Ball all tough to handle, but it’s Reed’s overall dominance inside that can really change the game for them. Few big men can match up.
16. Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State Cyclones
Momcilovic is the best three-point shooter in college basketball, and I’m not sure it’s particularly close. Making nearly half of your threes (49.3%) is one thing, but when you’re attempting almost eight per game, it’s really a wild stat. Opposing teams know Momcilovic has the green light, yet he still finds a way to can them game in and game out. And over the last three games, he hasn’t missed a beat, going 15-of-30 from outside.
17. Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Boilermakers
Kaufman-Renn’s regular season was not up to standard, but he’s been outstanding in March Madness, and this is when it matters most. And honestly, we can look at a dip in six points per game, but he’s taking fewer shots per game, yet is still extremely efficient from the floor. Plus, his rebounding has gone up, and Purdue just feels more complete. And when the game’s on the line, you know Kaufman-Renn’s experience is going to pay dividends.
18. Alex Karaban, UConn Huskies
Some guys might have better numbers and may even affect the overall game a little bit more. But are they two-time National Champions who just always seem to hit the kill shot? That’s what Alex Karban does, and he’s having arguably his most efficient season overall.
19. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee Volunteers
Gillespie has been on a TEAR and has been playing like Tennessee’s best player lately. He poured in 29 points and 9 assists against Miami (OH) in the first round and then 21 and 6 against Virginia. With Ament struggling, Gillespie has picked up the slack in a major way.
20. Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska Cornhuskers
The leading scorer of this Nebraska team, Sandfort, is having an all-time season. He’s more than doubled his scoring average from last year at Iowa, has seen an uptick nearly everywhere on the stat sheet, and he’s hitting 41.0% of his threes. He’s shooting nearly nine of them a game, so if you’re in the vicinity of Sandfort, you’d better get your hand up and defend.
21. Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State Cyclones
On a loaded Iowa State team, Lipsey is easy to overlook. Joshua Jefferson is the star, and Milan Momcilovic is the shooter. But Lipsey is no third wheel. He’s a defensive master, and against Kentucky, he showed his offensive skill sets with 26 points and 10 assists. And 8 steals in two March Madness games? Don’t be weak with the ball around Lipsey.
22. Brayden Burries, Arizona Wildcats
When Burries catches fire, Arizona can be virtually unbeatable. You know Bradley will control the game. Koa Peat and Mo Krivas will do their work inside the arc. But Burries is the sharpshooter who can help the Wildcats go on a big run in a jiffy. And in an outstanding freshman class, it’s easy to look past Burries because of Arizona’s depth. But his talent is supreme.
23. Rienk Mast, Nebraska Cornhuskers
At his best, Mast is a matchup nightmare because of his passing ability as a big man. But he’s been overshadowed by some of his teammates, and a midseason injury may have also affected his play since. But Mast is still one of the most efficient players in March Madness and can change the game without dropping 20-25 points.
24. Bryce Hopkins, St. John’s Red Storm
While Zuby Ejiofor is the (literally) biggest reason for St. John’s success, don’t overlook Hopkins. He’s been healthy, a reliable second option, and has been playing some of his best basketball here in the Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament. In fact, in those five games, he’s averaging 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and shooting 60% from the floor.
25. Emanuel Sharp, Houston Cougars
Emanuel Sharp is the heart and soul of this Houston team. Like Milos Uzan, he’s been with the program for four years and gives it his all on both ends. He’s also having a career year on the offensive end, which can’t go unnoticed.