We’re identifying the 25 NCAA Tournament players who will be the most influential in shaping this year’s March Madness bracket.
From senior stars to freshman phenoms, the NCAA Tournament is shaped by the moments and performances of its individual players. From Jack Gohlke’s 10 3-pointers in Oaklands upset win over Kentucky last March to Kemba Walker’s unforgettable championship run with UConn in 2011, every tournament has players that will go down in the history books.
This year we have already seen Amarr Knox hit a last second layup to secure Alabama State’s first NCAA Tournament win, while the RJ Davis-led North Carolina Tar Heels silenced the criticism with a 27-point drubbing of San Diego State. The other First Four winners provided some memorable moments of their own, including emphatic dunks from Jedy Cordilia of Mount St. Mary’s and Xavier’s Zach Freemantle.
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 Heat Check CBB:
- Region previews: South | East | Midwest | West
- The only six national title contenders
- Why the First Four could be a tournament launchpad
Johni Broome, Forward, Auburn
The catalyst behind Auburn’s No. 1 overall seed, Johni Broome is a favorite for National Player of the Year and a unanimous AP First Team All-American. Broome is an elite player on both ends of the floor, averaging an 18.9 point, 10.6 rebound double-double while also blocking multiple shots per game. His passing vision is also excellent for a big, and it makes him the central figure in the Tigers’ offense. Auburn stumbled into the tournament after losing three of its final four games, but Broome gives them a chance to turn that around every time he steps on the floor.
Cooper Flagg, Forward, Duke
It seems like every season, there emerges a freshman who is immediately compared to the top NBA prospects of the past. For years, Duke’s Cooper Flagg has been called one of the best prospects of all time. In his first, and likely only, season for Duke, however, Flagg might have surpassed even the loftiest of expectations. He is an elite multi-level scorer who can defend multiple positions, he attacks the boards with aggression, and he has been perhaps the best “clutch” player in the country. There is a mantra that star freshmen generally can’t shoulder championship runs, but Flagg has the talent and mental toughness to be one of the few who can.
LJ Cryer, Guard, Houston
LJ Cryer is the last remaining member of the 2021 national champion Baylor Bears, one of the best teams of all time. Now, Cryer has this Houston team in a position to get over the hump as well. Cryer is an unbelievable tough-shot maker, shooting 42.2% from deep, with many of his attempts coming off the dribble. He has also improved as a defender since arriving in Houston, which has helped him to further cement himself as one of the best guards in the country. If Houston cuts down the nets in San Antonio, there is a good chance Cryer is the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.
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