We’re identifying the 25 NCAA Tournament players who will be the most influential in shaping this year’s March Madness bracket.
The NCAA Tournament is where legends are made and breakouts happen. Whether it is a role player having the game of his life, a defensive stopper making their opponents miserable or a star putting his team on his back, the NCAA Tournament is often decided on the performances of a few select players.
From top seeds to dark horses to mid-major darlings, this list identifies the 25 players whose performances will determine how the next three weeks unfold.
More tournament coverage:
—March Madness: The only 6 championship contenders | 5 Cinderellas to watch
—Tournament Index: Round-by-round projections, Cinderellas, Dark Horses, more
—Region Previews: South | Midwest | West | East
Fletcher Loyer, Guard, Purdue
Sure, Purdue has the best player in the country in Zach Edey and one of the best point guards in Braden Smith, but it is the play of Fletcher Loyer and Lance Jones that could determine how long the Boilermakers last. A year ago, poor guard play and hesitant shooting allowed Fairleigh Dickinson to swarm Edey and become just the second 16-seed to win a first-round game. This year, Loyer has shown more highs and Jones has become one of the most athletic wing shooters Matt Painter has ever had. However, the second-best 3-point shooting team in the country must shake its poor performance in Minneapolis — Loyer and Jones combined to shoot just 3-of-11 from deep in the Big Ten Tournament — to make a Final Four run and get the “monkey” of Painter’s back.
Cam Spencer, Guard, Connecticut
Like Purdue, UConn’s roster features an elite point guard and center duo in Tristen Newton and Donovan Clingan. Unlike Purdue, UConn’s roster isn’t top 10 in 3-point shooting, but it does feature one of the best pure shooters in the country: Cam Spencer. The transfer by way of Loyola (MD) and Rutgers shoots over 44 percent from deep and 91 percent from the free throw line while boasting the nation’s top offensive rating, per KenPom. During conference play, Spencer became more boom-or-bust from deep, with seven games of at least four made 3s and nine games of one or zero makes. The pop he can provide as a role player can easily turn the tide in the Huskies’ favor in later rounds.
LJ Cryer, Guard, Houston
LJ Cryer may not have played much in the 2021 national championship game — his single minute came as the benches were emptied — but his time as a member of the title-winning 2020-21 Baylor team provided him with valuable experience on what it takes to win the big one. Now, Cryer once again plays for a team that many have pegged as the best in the country — despite its Big 12 championship loss — and plays a much bigger role. Cryer is top 15 in the country (and first in the Big 12) in made 3s, and leads Houston in scoring. The senior guard is also having one of his best shooting stretches of the season, making 43 percent from deep since the start of March.
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