68 Names to Know Heading Into March Insanity

[ad_1] It is virtually time for school basketball's largest stars to hit the dance flooring and make their mark on March Insanity.

This yr's NCAA Males's Match area is loaded with star energy from freshman standout Cameron Boozer at No. 1-seeded Duke to junior ahead TJ Energy at 14th-seeded Penn.

It is lots to know, however we're right here to type by way of all of it.

Listed here are the 68 names to know heading into the 2026 NCAA Males's Basketball Match.

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EAST REGION Cameron Boozer, Duke

Duke ahead Cameron Boozer (12) reacts after making a shot and being fouled throughout the ACC Males's basketball event. (Picture by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

He’s essentially the most dominant participant in faculty basketball this season – full cease. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound freshman standout is averaging 22.5 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per sport, all of which lead the No. 1-seeded Blue Devils. Boozer is the betting favourite to take dwelling each the Picket and Naismith Awards and is the top-ranked participant in FOX Sports activities’ Casey Jacobsen’s remaining Participant of the Yr Ladder. He has an opportunity to guide Duke to this system’s first nationwide championship in 11 years.

Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

Ohio State’s all-time main scorer is among the prime bucket-getters within the nation. Thornton has the power to take over a sport along with his lethal outdoors taking pictures and power to dominate smaller guards. He's certainly one of simply 22 present power-conference gamers to play on the identical faculty all 4 years.

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s

The Crimson Storm are a harmful 5-seed, and Eijofor is an enormous cause why. He performs the sport in a throwback model and is instinctually gifted with the power to complete robust across the basket. The 6-foot-9 senior huge man leads St. John’s in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks. It will likely be thrilling to see how far he can carry the Johnnies within the Massive Dance.

Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks handles the ball throughout the first half towards Texas Tech. (Picture by John E. Moore III/Getty Pictures)

Probably the most perplexing participant within the sport, Peterson’s freshman marketing campaign has not gone as anticipated resulting from his lack of availability all through the season. When he’s at his finest, he appears to be like like a future NBA All-Star. However there have been too many questions surrounding his play and availability to really feel assured about what model of Peterson goes to indicate up throughout the Massive Dance. If it’s the model followers noticed within the Jayhawks’ regular-season finale towards Kansas State – 27 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists on 10-15 taking pictures from the ground in 29 minutes – it is a Kansas workforce that would make a Ultimate 4 run.

Dominique Daniels Jr., Cal Baptist

The 5-foot-10 senior guard from Compton, California is the nation’s fifth main scorer, placing up 23.2 factors per contest. He has scored 30 or extra factors on seven events this season, together with an enormous 41-point outing within the Lancers’ WAC Match semifinal win over Utah Tech.

Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

How wholesome will Brown be for the Massive Dance? Louisville introduced that their star freshman guard can be out for the Cardinals’ first-round sport towards South Florida resulting from a again harm. His availability for a possible second-round sport appears to be up within the air. If the Cardinals are going to make a run this March, they are going to want their standout freshman, who averages 18.2 factors per sport and put up a 45-point efficiency on 10-16 taking pictures from 3-point vary in a regular-season win over NC State.

Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida

Nelson adopted head coach Bryan Hodgson from Arkansas State to South Florida and developed into the American Convention Participant of the Yr. The 6-foot-10 senior ahead is a double-double machine, recording 18 to date this season. He has performed excellent towards good competitors, with arguably one of the best sport of his season coming towards then-No. 16 Alabama, when he posted 25 factors and 12 rebounds in a 104-93 loss to the Crimson Tide.

Jeremy Fears, Michigan State

Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans talks to a referee together with head coach Tom Izzo. (Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Pictures)

One of many hardest gamers within the nation, Fears has loved a memorable redshirt sophomore marketing campaign. The Spartans’ do-it-all guard is averaging 15.7 factors per sport and leads the nation in assists at 9.2 per contest. There have been just a few questionable moments late within the season involving extracurricular exercise, however that should not take away from what a magical yr Tom Izzo’s level guard has had. Michigan State will go so far as Fears take them.

Donovan Dent, UCLA

No participant has improved extra all through the season than Dent, who averaged 16 factors and 11 assists per sport throughout a seven-game stretch from Feb. 21-March 13 the place the Bruins went 6-1 and cemented their spot within the Massive Dance. His capability to get to the lane and create photographs for his teammates is second to none. He recorded the primary triple-double in Massive Ten Match historical past with 12 factors, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in a quarterfinal win over Rutgers.

Alex Karaban, UConn

Probably the most beloved gamers in faculty basketball, Karaban selected to forgo the NBA on a number of events to return to UConn. Now a senior, the 6-foot-8 ahead has helped lead the Huskies to a 29-5 file and a No. 2 seed within the NCAA Match. He's the center and soul of a UConn workforce that's seeking to get again to school basketball’s largest stage after successful back-to-back nationwide championships in 2023 and 2024.

Isaiah Evans, Duke

Evans has additionally been one of the crucial improved gamers in faculty basketball, going from 6.8 factors to 14.9 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 39% from 3-point vary in ACC play. He's a mismatch for smaller guards, standing at 6-foot-6 with the power to attain in a wide range of methods.

Tarris Reed, UConn

The 6-foot-11 senior is having a profession yr, averaging 13.7 factors and eight.1 rebounds for the second-seeded Huskies. Whereas Karaban is the emotional chief of this UConn workforce, Reed is the participant who elevates this workforce’s ceiling. When he's at his finest, Dan Hurley’s group can play with any workforce within the nation.

Jon Scheyer, Duke

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips presents Duke coach Jon Scheyer with the trophy throughout the ACC Males's basketball event championship sport. (Picture by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

He did the inconceivable — taking on for a legend in Mike Krzyzewski and never permitting the Blue Devils to overlook a beat. Since changing into Duke’s head coach in 2022, he has compiled a 121–24 file and now has his sights set on main this system to its first nationwide title of his tenure.

Rick Pitino, St. John’s

What he’s completed in simply his third season as the top coach at St. John’s is nothing in need of exceptional. After taking on a program that hadn’t gained greater than 21 video games in a season since again in 1998, Pitino has compiled a 78-24 mark in three years, which incorporates back-to-back Massive East regular-season and event titles. He has the Crimson Storm enjoying in addition to any workforce within the nation proper now, successful 19 of their final 20 video games heading into the NCAA Match.

Invoice Self, Kansas

This has been a tough season for Self, who has needed to reply query after query about his star freshman Darryn Peterson and his well being. Nonetheless, Self has led the Jayhawks to a different NCAA Match look, this time as a No. 4 seed within the loaded East Area. Self is simply the seventh head coach in faculty basketball to win a number of NCAA Match championships because the area expanded to 64 groups in 1985.

Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo walks out of the tunnel earlier than a sport towards Rutgers. (Picture by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

The longest-tenured coach within the Massive Ten, Izzo is a staple of the NCAA Match. He has guided the Spartans to twenty-eight consecutive appearances within the Massive Dance — the longest lively streak within the nation. Izzo has additionally taken Michigan State to eight Ultimate Fours, together with successful a nationwide championship in 2000 — the final time a Massive Ten workforce gained all of it.

Mick Cronin, UCLA

Cronin has drawn some headlines this season, however the fiery head coach — now in his seventh yr in Westwood — has helped flip the Bruins’ season round. After sitting at 17–9 and squarely on the event bubble in mid-February, Cronin’s workforce has gained six of its final eight, together with a trio of spectacular ranked wins over Illinois, Nebraska, and Michigan State.

Dan Hurley, UConn

He’s 194-74 in eight seasons as UConn’s head coach. He has two nationwide championships and has gained 23 or extra video games in 5 straight years. He’s by no means completed worse than third within the convention standings since UConn moved again to the Massive East forward of the 2020 season. If Dan Hurly is on the sideline, UConn has an opportunity to win all of it.

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SOUTH REGION Thomas Haugh, Florida

There wasn't a warmer workforce in faculty basketball on the finish of the common season than the Florida Gators. Haugh is the engine that makes this Florida workforce go, averaging 17.1 factors and 6.2 rebounds per sport for the defending nationwide champs. He has reached double figures in 30 of the Gators' 33 video games this season.

Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz goes to the basket towards Jayden Brewer of the Western Michigan Broncos. (Picture by Matthew Holst/Getty Pictures)

A standout switch from Drake, Stirtz is a do-it-all guard who averages 20 factors and 4.5 assists per sport for the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes. He has scored in double figures in all however two video games this season en path to incomes All-Massive Ten honors. This Iowa workforce performs at one of many slowest paces within the nation below first-year head coach Ben McCollum, which makes Stritz’s scoring numbers all of the extra spectacular.

Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt

Tanner is the ground basic for a Vanderbilt workforce that's enjoying excellent basketball heading into the NCAA Match. He leads the Commodores in each scoring and assists, placing up 19.1 factors and 5.1 assists per sport. Tanner’s 34-point, seven-assist, five-rebound outing towards Ole Miss earlier this month was one of many prime particular person performances of the yr.

Larry Johnson, McNeese

Johnson leads the Cowboys in scoring and rebounding, placing up 17.5 factors and 5.5 boards per sport this season. The redshirt freshman guard has an opportunity to make some noise on this yr’s event and lead McNeese on one other memorable March run.

Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska

An argument could be made that there hasn’t been a greater story in faculty basketball this season than the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Having made simply eight earlier NCAA Match appearances and by no means gained a sport within the Massive Dance, Sandfort has helped lead Nebraska to a 26-6 file to a No. 4 seed on this yr’s Massive Dance. The 6-foot-7 junior ahead leads the Cornhuskers in scoring at 17.8 factors per sport on 47% taking pictures from the ground and 40% from 3-point territory.

Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

When star freshman Caleb Wilson went down with a season-ending harm, all eyes turned to the 7-foot junior. After spending his first two years at Arizona, Veesaar transferred to UNC this offseason and has been a drive on each ends of the ground for the Tar Heels. He has scored in double digits in 10 straight video games, together with a 28-point, 17-rebound outing towards Clemson within the ACC Match.

Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Keaton Wagler #23 of the Illinois Preventing Illini dribbles throughout the second half towards Nebraska. (Picture by Steven Branscombe/Getty Pictures)

One of many prime breakout performers in faculty basketball this season, Wagler arrived at Illinois as a three-star prospect and shortly grew to become the workforce’s go-to participant. The Massive Ten Freshman of the Yr is averaging 17.9 factors, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for a roster loaded with expertise from prime to backside.

TJ Energy, Penn

The 6-foot-9 junior ahead put collectively one of many single-best performances in faculty basketball this season, scoring 44 factors and grabbing 14 rebounds within the Quakers’ win over Yale within the Ivy League Match championship sport. He began his profession at Duke earlier than transferring to Virginia and ultimately touchdown at Penn. Search for Energy to make his presence felt in a first-round matchup towards Illinois.

Paulius Murauskas, Saint Mary’s

Murauskas, a junior ahead from Lithuania, has been one of the best participant all season for a Saint Mary’s workforce that sits at 27-5 heading into the Massive Dance. He averages 18.8 factors and seven.7 rebounds per sport for the Gaels, who open up event play towards Texas A&M. Murauskas has scored in double-digits in 30 of Saint Mary’s 32 video games this season, together with a 32-point, 15-rebound outburst towards Pacific again on Feb. 15.

Kingston Flemings, Houston

The Massive 12 Convention featured a flurry of freshman standouts this season and Flemings was among the many better of the group. He's the highest participant for the second-seeded Cougars, averaging 16.4 factors, 5.3 assists and three.9 rebounds per sport. If Houston goes to get again to the Ultimate 4 for a second consecutive yr, Flemings can be an enormous cause why.

Rueben Chinyelu, Florida

Rueben Chinyelu #9 of the Florida Gators reacts to a play within the third spherical of the 2026 SEC Males's Basketball Match. (Picture by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Pictures)

Chinyelu is arguably one of the best defensive huge man in faculty basketball. The 6-foot-10, 265-pound junior anchors a Florida protection that ranks sixth within the nation in adjusted defensive effectivity. He's a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging 11.2 factors, 11.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per sport for the No. 1-seeded Gators.

Todd Golden, Florida

Thought of by many to be one of the best younger coach within the sport, Golden is seeking to lead the Gators again to school basketball’s largest stage after capturing this system’s third nationwide championship final yr. He's 159-76 in 4 years in Gainesville, together with a formidable 16-2 mark in SEC play this season.

Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska

Nebraska has by no means gained an NCAA Match sport. After cruising to a 26-6 file and a No. 4 seed on this yr’s Massive Dance, that would change this yr for Hoiberg and the Cornhuskers. A two-time Massive Ten Coach of the Yr, Hoiberg owns a 110-114 file since being named Nebraska’s head coach forward of the 2019 season.

Brad Underwood, Illinois

This marked the seventh straight yr that Underwood has led the Illini to a 20-win marketing campaign, ending the common season with a 24-8 file and 15-5 mark in Massive Ten play. He's 189-109 in 9 years as this system’s head coach, which incorporates two Massive Ten Match titles and one regular-season championship. Regardless of his regular-season success, Underwood has solely led the Illini previous the Candy 16 as soon as, which got here in 2024 when the workforce reached the Elite Eight earlier than falling to eventual nationwide champion UConn.

Kelvin Sampson, Houston

He's approaching 50 years within the faculty teaching career after starting his profession as a graduate assistant at Michigan State below Jud Heathcote again in 1979. Now, 12 years into his fifth head teaching cease, Sampson has revived Houston’s program. He's 327-90 since taking on as the top coach of the Cougars again in 2014. Sampson has led Houston to the Candy 16 or additional in every of the previous six NCAA Tournaments, together with a visit to the nationwide championship sport final yr.

[MEN'S TOURNEY: 1 Thing To Know About Every Men's Team]

MIDWEST REGION Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles towards the Purdue Boilermakers. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)

There isn’t a participant within the sport who gives extra positional versatility than Lendeborg. The Wolverines’ senior standout can guard all 5 positions, and there isn’t a weak spot to his sport. Lendeborg averaged 14.6 factors and seven.2 rebounds per sport whereas main the Wolverines to a Massive Ten regular-season title. He was additionally named the Massive Ten Participant of the Yr, the primary Michigan participant to obtain that honor since Nik Stauskas again in 2014.

Robbie Avila, Saint Louis

The Billikens have seven gamers averaging no less than 9 factors per sport, led by A-10 Convention Participant of the Yr, Robbie Avila. The 6-10 senior is a stat-sheet stuffer, averaging 12.9 factors, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per sport. After beginning the season 24-1, Saint Louis has misplaced 4 of its final eight video games. This group may not be prepared for the massive stage, particularly with Avila coping with a sore foot.

Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

Christian Anderson #4 of the Texas Tech Crimson Raiders handles the ball throughout the first half of a sport towards TCU. (Picture by John E. Moore III/Getty Pictures)

After dropping All-American JT Toppin to a season-ending harm, there was a worry that Anderson was the following Texas Tech star to go down after he misplaced his footing and limped to the sideline within the workforce’s Massive 12 Match loss to Iowa State. Nonetheless, Anderson seems to be good to go within the Massive Dance, which is a big aid for the Crimson Raiders. He's averaging 18.9 factors per sport and shelling out 7.6 assists, which ranks fourth within the nation.

Tavari Johnson, Akron

Johnson is a rarity in faculty basketball: a senior who has stayed at a Mid-Main program for 4 years. He has established himself as one of many premier mid-major scorers within the nation, averaging 20.1 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 51.2% from the sector. He's able to big-time performances, which Akron will want if they'll pull off a 12-5 upset over Texas Tech.

Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama

One of many prime bucket-getters in America, Philon powered the Crimson Tide to a 23-9 file and a No. 4 seed within the Massive Dance by averaging near 22 factors per sport on 51% taking pictures from the ground and 40% from 3-point territory. When Philon is on, he is as potent as any guard within the nation.

Cruz Davis, Hofstra

After stops at Iona and St. John's, Davis has discovered his place at Hofstra below head coach Speedy Claxton. The 6-foot-3, Plano, Texas native is averaging 20.2 factors per sport this season, which led all CAA gamers. Davis had a 30-point displaying on 5-of-9 taking pictures from 3-point vary in Hofstra’s CAA Match quarterfinal win over William & Mary.

Nate Ament, Tennessee

Nate Ament #10 of the Tennessee Volunteers on the court docket throughout a sport towards the Arkansas Razorbacks. (Picture by Wesley Hitt/Getty Pictures)

One of many prime recruits within the nation, Ament has had an up-and-down freshman yr for the Vols, however when he’s on his A-Sport, there aren’t many higher pure scorers within the sport. At 6-foot-10 with the power to play a number of positions, Ament could be a mismatch for opposing gamers. He has scored 22 or extra factors in 5 of the Vols’ final 11 video games.

Peter Suder, Miami (OH)

He’s one of the best participant on the workforce that has been one of the best story in faculty basketball this season. Suder is averaging 14.6 factors, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists whereas taking pictures 43% from 3-point vary for a Miami workforce that completed the common season with an ideal 31-0 file.

Thijs De Ridder, Virginia

The 6-foot-9, 238-pound freshman from Belgium has been distinctive for the Virginia Cavaliers this season. He has scored in double-digits in eight of the workforce's final 9 video games and has helped information Virginia to a 29-5 mark and a No. 3 seed within the Massive Dance.

Otega Oweh, Kentucky

The Wildcats reportedly spent over $20 million on their roster this yr, which included retraining Oweh, the SEC’s preseason Participant of the Yr. The 6-foot-4 senior guard has averaged over 18 factors per sport for Kentucky this season, however issues haven’t precisely gone accordingly to plan for Mark Pope’s workforce, which enters the event with a 4-6 file of their final 10 video games.

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

Joshua Jefferson #5 of the Iowa State Cyclones walks down the court docket throughout the remaining minute of a loss to BYU. (Picture by Chris Gardner/Getty Pictures)

Iowa State has been among the many prime groups within the nation all through the whole season, and Jefferson is an enormous cause why. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound senior ahead averages 16.9 factors, 7.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per sport for the second-seeded Cyclones. Each hardcore faculty hoops fan is aware of him by now, however he hasn’t taken off with informal followers but. That’s about to vary.

Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

Whereas Lendeborg was essentially the most helpful participant for the Wolverines this season, it’s Johnson who might need the very best ceiling. The 6-foot-9 switch from Illinois has been a stalwart on each side of the ball for No. 1-seeded Michigan. He has made 67% of his makes an attempt around the rim and has managed to carry opposing gamers to 46% on the identical makes an attempt.

Aday Mara, Michigan

The 7-foot-4 huge man has been one of the crucial improved gamers within the sport this season. After beginning solely 9 video games at UCLA final season, Mara has developed right into a dominant drive down low for the Wolverines, averaging 11.6 factors, 6.9 rebounds and a pair of.6 blocks per sport for a workforce that ranks within the prime 10 nationally in each offensive and defensive effectivity.

Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State

He's the highest 3-shooter within the nation and is on tempo to have one of many biggest single seasons in faculty basketball historical past in that class, at the moment taking pictures it at a 49.6% clip from downtown. If Momcilovic is hitting from past the arc, this Iowa State workforce can be robust to beat.

Dusty Could, Michigan

Head coach Dusty Could of the Michigan Wolverines appears to be like on throughout warmups earlier than a sport towards Michigan State. (Picture by Rey Del Rio/Getty Pictures)

After a memorable six-year stretch at Florida Atlantic, which included main the Owls to a Ultimate 4 in 2023, Could has been a revelation in his second season in Ann Arbor. The 49-year-old head coach led the Wolverines to a formidable 31-3 mark this season, which included a Massive Ten regular-season title and a No. 1 seed within the Massive Dance.

Nate Oats, Alabama

Oats has introduced this Alabama program again to nationwide relevance after arriving in Tuscaloosa forward of the 2019 season. He has posted a formidable 168-72 file in seven seasons, which incorporates six NCAA Match appearances, 4 Candy 16s, three Elite Eights and one Ultimate 4. He must navigate being with out certainly one of his prime gamers this postseason after junior guard Aden Holloway was arrested Monday morning on a felony drug cost.

Rick Barnes, Tennessee

Barnes is among the most profitable coaches in faculty basketball historical past. His 858 profession wins at the moment ranks second amongst all lively coaches, trailing solely Calipari. He has led the Volunteers to eight straight NCAA Match appearances, which incorporates 4 Candy 16 and two Elite Eights.

Mark Pope, Kentucky

Pope, who's in his second season at Kentucky, has led the Wildcats again to the Massive Dance this season, however the strain is on to have displaying on faculty basketball’s largest stage. He has helped information UK to a 21-13 mark and a No. 7 seed within the NCAA Match, however that’s not sufficient for this fan base. They demand success.

T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State

He has had immense success since arriving at Iowa State in 2021, guiding the Cyclones to the Massive Dance each season since he took over. Otzelberger has posted a 122-52 file on the helm, which incorporates three straight 25-plus win seasons, a convention event title and a pair of Candy 16 appearances.

[MEN'S TOURNEY: Expert Predictions and Analysis]

WEST REGION Brayden Burries, Arizona

Arizona Wildcats ahead Koa Peat (10), ahead Ivan Kharchenkov (8) and guard Brayden Burries (5) file a publish to social media after a sport towards Kansas State. (Picture by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

The Wildcats characteristic certainly one of, if not one of the best backcourt in faculty basketball, and Burries is among the primary the explanation why. A five-star prospect out of San Bernardino, California, Burries made a direct impression throughout his freshman marketing campaign, serving to information the Wildcats to a 32-2 file and a Massive 12 regular-season and convention event title. He's a pure scorer, placing up 20 factors or extra on 13 totally different events this season, together with a 21-point outing towards Houston within the Massive 12 Match championship.

MJ Collins Jr., Utah State

Collis is at his third faculty in 4 years, however he’s ending his senior season with one of the best scoring numbers of his profession. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging a team-high 17.6 factors per sport this season and has a 40-point outing to his title, which got here in a 94-60 win over Davidson again in late November. Collins will play an enormous position if Utah State goes to get by Villanova within the first spherical.

Nick Boyd, Wisconsin

The Badgers’ sharp-shooting guard can get scorching right away, which might spell hassle for Excessive Level, or probably Arkansas within the second spherical. This can be a Wisconsin workforce that has wins over Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois (twice) this season. Boyd has scored 25-plus factors on eight separate events, together with a 38-point outburst towards Illinois within the Massive Ten Match quarterfinals.

Terry Anderson, Excessive Level

An elite-level wing who leads the Panthers in scoring and rebounding, Anderson has established himself as one of many prime mid-major gamers within the nation. He has scored in double-digits in 9 straight video games, together with a 25-point, 12-rebound outing within the Panthers’ Massive South Match semifinal win over UNC Asheville.

Darius Acuff Jr, Arkansas

The SEC Participant of the Yr and AP first-team All-American rolls into the Massive Dance enjoying his finest basketball of the yr, having scored 20 factors in 13 of his final 14 video games. He averaged 30.3 factors and seven.6 assists per sport within the SEC Match, main the Razorbacks to a convention title. The NBA compassion to Stephon Marbury is spot on for this famous person freshman.

AJ Dybantsa, BYU

AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Younger Cougars swings from the rim after dunking towards the Arizona Wildcats. (Picture by Chris Gardner/Getty Pictures)

There isn't a higher pure scorer in faculty basketball than Dybantsa. Whereas the Cougars have misplaced 5 of their previous 9 coming into the NCAA Match, it is a time for the freshman phenom to step up and present why he's worthy of the highest decide on this yr’s NBA Draft. He led the nation in scoring at 25.3 factors per sport and topped the 30-point mark on seven separate events this season. That is Dybantsa’s time to shine.

Graham Ike, Gonzaga

The WAC Participant of the Yr has been a drive for the Zags this season. Ike leads Gonzaga in each scoring (19.7 PPG) and rebounding (8.2 RPG) and has produced 14 double-doubles whereas main his workforce to a formidable 30-3 mark and a No. 3 seed heading into the Massive Dance. He's the one lively Division I participant who has totaled 2,000 factors and 1,000 rebounds in his faculty profession.

Malik Reneau, Miami

The previous Indiana huge man has emerged as one of many prime transfers within the sport this season. He’s averaging 18.8 factors and 6.6 rebounds per sport en path to incomes first-team all-conference honors. He has recorded 9 double-doubles this season and has developed into one of many elite huge males in faculty basketball, combining size with explosive athleticism.

Mark Mitchell, Missouri

After spending the primary two years of his faculty profession at Duke, Mitchell has blossomed into one of many prime gamers in America since transferring to Missouri. Now in his second season at Mizzou, the 6-foot-9 wing is placing up 18.3 factors and 5.3 rebounds per sport whereas taking pictures 55.1% from the sector. He's recent off back-to-back 32-point video games towards Arkansas and Kentucky.

Braden Smith, Purdue

Smith is among the most well-respected gamers within the nation. He’s a senior who has spent all 4 years of his collegiate profession on the identical faculty, which is uncommon at the moment. He has additionally performed unimaginable basketball for the Boilermakers, solely needing two assists to go former Duke star Bobby Hurley for essentially the most in Division I historical past. Smith desires to complete his faculty profession with a bang, and he has the prospect to do this with the Ultimate 4 going down in Indianapolis, which is 60 miles from Purdue’s campus.

Jaden Bradley, Arizona

Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after scoring a basket towards the Oklahoma State Cowboys. (Picture by Chris Coduto/Getty Pictures)

He's the nearer for an Arizona workforce that could be a widespread decide to chop down the nets this season. Bradley averages 13.3 factors, 4.5 assists and three.6 rebounds per sport for the No. 1-seeded Wildcats and makes his presence felt on each side of the ball. If Arizona goes to win this system’s first nationwide title since 1997, Bradley can have an enormous half in that.

Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

Lloyd, who's in his fifth season at Arizona, has been pretty much as good as any head coach within the sport. In reality, his 144 wins in these 5 seasons is essentially the most by any head coach in Division I historical past. Regardless of all of the success within the common season, Lloyd has but to guide the Wildcats previous the Candy 16.

John Calipari, Arkansas

Calipari is among the prime coaches within the sport of school basketball, at the moment rating fifth on the NCAA Division I all-time winningest coaches record. In his second yr at Arkansas, Calipari helped information the Razorbacks to a 26-8 file and a No. 4 seed within the Massive Dance. He led the Razorbacks to a 15-5 file in SEC play this season, which included a convention event title.

Sean Miller, Texas

Miller has the Longhorns again within the NCAA Match in his first yr on the helm. He helped information Texas to a 19-14 mark and a win over NC State in a first-four sport on Tuesday evening. Now, Miller’s workforce faces a stiff check towards the nation’s main scorer, AJ Dybantsa, and the BYU Cougars.

Mark Few, Gonzaga

Probably the most profitable lively coaches in faculty basketball, Few has been the top coach at Gonzaga since 1999, posting a formidable 722-155 file. He's a 14-time WCC Coach of the Yr and two-time Naismith Coach of the Yr, main the Bulldogs to the NCAA Match each season he’s been on the helm.

Matt Painter, Purdue

Purdue head coach Matt Painter high-fives Braden Smith towards the Northwestern Wildcats. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)

A five-time Massive Ten Coach of the Yr, Painter is among the many most profitable head coaches within the sport. This may mark the seventeenth time he has guided the Boilermakers to the Massive Dance in his 21 years on the helm. Painter has a 498-223 file throughout his time as Purdue’s head coach, which incorporates eight Candy 16 appearances, two Elite Eight appearances, one Ultimate 4 and one title sport look.