Udoka Azubuike
Udoka Azubuike has been one of the best players in the country for quite some time now. Kansas’ big man averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds as a sophomore in 2017-18, and was putting up similar numbers a season ago in limited action. As a senior this season, Azubuike has improved across the board. Currently averaging 13.1 points, 10.3 boards and 2.6 blocks per game, Azubuike has been a dominant force for the Jayhawks. When it comes to the tournament, the Jayhawks will likely go as far as Azubuike can carry them.
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Malachi Flynn
A former two-year starter for the Washington State Cougars, Malachi Flynn has taken his game to the next level as an Aztec this year. Through 29 games, Flynn is averaging 17.6/5.6/4.5 and shooting nearly 39 percent from three. As a result, SDSU is 28-1 and in position to secure a No. 1 or 2 seed. Because the Aztecs play in the Mountain West, a majority of the country has no idea who Flynn is. However, that will all change in a few weeks time.
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Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin is a stud. Period. A finalist for the Wooden Award, Toppin has propelled the Dayton Flyers into the upper-echelon of college basketball this season. Shooting above 63 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three, Toppin is averaging 19.8 PPG. Hauling in a shade under eight boards per game as well, Toppin’s impact goes far beyond the offensive end. Entering March, Toppin is performing as well as anyone in the country. If Dayton advances deep into March, it will be because of No. 1.
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Kaleb Wesson
As the 2019-20 season began, the Ohio State Buckeyes were a popular pick to cut down the nets at seasons end. The main reason for the optimism surrounding the Buckeyes? Kaleb Wesson. Wesson hasn’t been as dynamic as some may have hoped, but there is no denying his impact. The 6-foot-9 junior is shooting 43 percent from three (44.4 percent from the field) and is close to averaging a double-double — 14.0 points and 9.6 rebounds.
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Anthony Cowan Jr.
Anthony Cowan Jr. is very talented — perhaps the most talented player on the Terrapins. He, however, is also capable of ending Maryland’s season prematurely. Despite averaging 16.1/4.7/3.6, Cowan is shooting an ugly 38 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. In Maryland’s six losses, Cowan has failed to score more than 16 points. If Cowan shoots well, the Terps will win. Unfortunately, he is just as likely to shoot the Terrapins out of the tournament.
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Killian Tillie
Gonzaga’s tournament fate may come down to Killian Tillie’s ability to stay on the court. The Zags will enter the West Coast Conference Tournament at 29-2, ranked No. 2 overall. However, the senior from France has only appeared in 22 games thus far — a season removed from playing in just 15 contests. In 24 minutes per game, Tillie has averaged 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. His ability to stretch the floor (41 percent from three) is crucial to Gonzaga’s offense. With the field being relatively week this year, Tillie has the talent to swing the tournament in Gonzaga’s favor.
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Lamar Stevens
Following a 14-18 record a season ago, the Penn State Nittany Lions didn’t have lofty expectations entering the new year — despite Lamar Stevens being on the roster. Well, Stevens has helped the Lions surpass their timid expectations. The senior, averaging 17.7 and 6.9, has carried PSU to a 21-8 record and a near-certain chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. Though the team has hit a lull as of late, Stevens and co. will be a tough out in the tourney.
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Jordan Nwora
From one-and-done to National Champs? Virginia accomplished the feat last year, so what’s to say Louisville cannot double down on the trend? ACC Preseason Player of the Year Jordan Nwora will have to fire on all cylinders for Louisville to do so — but it isn’t that big of a stretch. Shooting 40 percent from three on the season, Nwora is averaging 18 PPG and 7.6 rebounds. Louisville’s leader has been inconsistent this year at times, but Nwora also has the ability to take over a game in a matter of moments.
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Devon Dotson
The second Kansas player to make the cut, Devon Dotson will have a huge impact on this year’s NCAA Tournament. Leading the Jayhawks in points (18.2) and steals (2.1) per game, Dotson is capable of changing a game on both sides of the court. The sophomore hasn’t found a rhythm from beyond the arc — 30.4 percent — but has still managed to accumulate a lot of points. Should he find the range from three, Dotson may be the deciding factor as the tournament progresses.
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Jalen Smith
While Anthony Cowan Jr. continues to get more attention nationally, forward Jalen Smith has been Maryland’s best player throughout the 2019-20 season. A 6-foot-10 sophomore from Maryland, Smith has vastly improved in his second season with the team. The local kid is averaging 15.3 PPG, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. His three-point percentage has climbed to 38 percent (26.8 percent as a freshman) and has also improved more than 10 percent at the free throw line (76.1). Cowan’s shooting may change the course of Maryland’s season come tournament time, but make no mistake about it — the Terps wouldn’t be in this position without Smith’s great production.
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Ayo Dosunmu
Having avoided a major injury against Michigan State a few weeks ago, Ayo Dosunmu and the Fighting Illini must feel like they’re playing with house money. Dosunmu appeared to severely injure his knee in early February — but only missed one game. Since his return the Illini are a perfect 4-0. The future NBA player is averaging 20 PPG in those contests and 16.4 for the year. With Dosunmu healthy, both he and the team may be peaking at the right time.
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Myles Powell
Amongst the favorites for Player of the Year, Myles Powell has put Seton Hall in position to win the regular season Big East title. Sporting a two-game advantage over Creighton and Villanova with two contests remaining, the Pirates are in a great position entering March. Powell — despite a poor shooting performance this year — is averaging 21.5 PPG. Powell scored 27 points in the NCAA Tournament last March, so you know he won’t be intimidated by the bright lights this time around.
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Markus Howard
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Markus Howard is leading the nation in scoring with 27.6 PPG. Howard is lethal from beyond the arc (40.5 percent) and at the line (84.6 percent). Over his last three contests, Howard has scored 38, 30 and 37 points. However, despite his Herculean efforts, Marquette is 1-2 in those games. Howard’s ability to drop 40 points is reason enough to watch the Golden Eagles in the tournament.
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Cassius Winston
As the season began, Cassius Winston was generally considered the best player in college basketball. Playing for what was presumed to be the best team in the nation, Winston was also faced with a ton of pressure. Although Michigan State has underachieved thus far, Winston has largely backed up the hype. The All-American is averaging 18.5 PPG on 42.5 percent from three, while also doling out nearly six assists per game. The Spartans — led by Winston — have won four-of-five overall, including three victories over ranked opponents.
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Payton Pritchard
It feels like Payton Pritchard is about to play in the NCAA Tournament for his 10th time. In reality, Oregon’s best player is nearing the end of his senior year. An above-average shooter, Pritchard is averaging a career-high 20.2 PPG on 46.1 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from three and 80.8 percent from the line. In addition to scoring more this year, Captain Duck is rebounding (4.3) and assisting (5.4) at a career-rate. Pritchard’s skill and experience will make the Ducks a tough team to beat.
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Zavier Simpson
While the Michigan Wolverines play with a ‘win by committee’ approach, Zavier Simpson remains the most important player on the squad. Five players score more than 10.0 PPG, but Simpson is the co-leader with 13.0 PPG. When it comes to assists? Nobody is close to Simpson. The senior is averaging 7.9 — nobody else is above 2.0 per game. This version of the Wolverines isn’t great, but Simpson is worth tracking.
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Luke Garza
Luke Garza is a monster. After averaging a tick over 13 points and four rebounds per game as a sophomore, the Hawkeye is pouring in 23.7 PPG and snagging 9.8 rebounds as a junior. His three-point percentage has climbed to 35.6 percent — up from 29.2 — and he is blocking close to two shots per contest. In Iowa’s latest victory over Penn State, Garza posted 25 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks.
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Jared Butler
While some experts believed Baylor had an opportunity to be a fringe top-10 team this year, few were under the impression the Bears would be a top contender to cut down the nets. Jared Butler’s play is one of the many reasons why Baylor has a legitimate chance to win. The sophomore guard leads the team in scoring (15.8 PPG) and is shooting close to 39 percent from three. Baylor is an incredibly guard-heavy team, and Butler is atop the group.
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Immanuel Quickley
As Kentucky’s season began, much of the hype surrounding the Wildcats was focused on Tyrese Maxey. A freshman guard, Maxey has delivered to the tune of 14.0 PPG, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He has been good, but Immanuel Quickley has been better. The second-year player is averaging 16.3 PPG — leading the team — while shooting an impressive 42.0 percent from beyond the arc. When you factor in his 92.2 percent clip from the charity stripe, Quickley is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
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Filip Petrusev
When we talked about Killian Tillie earlier, we acknowledged his potential influence on Gonzaga’s tournament hopes. When healthy, he is arguably the Zags best player. Playing alongside Corey Kispert and Filip Petrusev, the trio is the best frontcourt in America. Who is Filip Petrusev, you ask? A sophomore from Belgrade, Serbia, Petrusev was a bench player for the Zags as a freshman. In limited action, the Serbian averaged 6.5 PPG and a little over two rebounds. Now a full-time starter, Petrusev has blossomed into a star. He leads the team in both scoring (17.8 PPG) and rebounding (7.8) — while playing just 26.0 minutes per game. You may not be familiar with him now, but you won’t forget his name after watching him play this March.
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Saddiq Bey
The National Champions in 2016 and 2018, Villanova shouldn’t be completely counted out this time around. Leading the way for the Wildcats are forward Saddiq Bey and guard Collin Gillespie. Bey leads the team in scoring with 15.9 PPG — Gillespie is averaging 15.4 PPG — and three-point shooting (45.1 percent). If Bey can stay out of foul trouble, he will be a huge factor in the tournament.
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Yoeli Childs
Unless you are an avid fan of the BYU Cougars or you watched the team hand Gonzaga its second loss of the season a few weeks ago, we are willing to bet you have never heard of Yoeli Childs. And if that is the case, it is time to start paying attention to the big man. The 6-foot-8 senior has appeared in 18 of BYU’s 31 games, but has been dominant while on the court. Averaging 22.2 PPG and 8.9 rebounds, Childs has been on fire shooting the ball. The Cougar is shooting above 58 percent from the field and a staggering 48.8 percent from three — up from 32.3 percent last season. Winners of nine in a row, BYU will be a tough team to knock off in the tourney.
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MaCio Teague
The second head of Baylor’s backcourt monster — MaCio Teague. Teague is contributing 14.0 PPG for the Bears, as well as nearly five boards and two assists. While he has struggled from the field overall (39.9 percent), the junior is shooting well from three (36.4). Teague’s ability to knock down free throws at a high rate — 84.6 percent — bodes well for a Baylor team that struggles from the line as a whole (69.3). When teams start fouling in the tournament, Baylor would love for the ball to be in Teague’s hands.
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Vernon Carey Jr.
Freshman Cassius Stanley may be spotlighted nationally for his explosive dunks (rightfully so), but if Duke is going to make a serious push for the title it will be thanks to Vernon Carey Jr. The 6-foot-10, 270-pound freshman has been Duke’s best player all year. He leads the team in scoring (17.6), rebounds (8.7), blocks (1.6), FG% (57.7) and 3P% (40.0). A probable lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Carey will look to improve his stock in the tournament.
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Marcus Zegarowski
Marcus Zegarowski can score. Currently Creighton’s second-leading scorer (15.8 PPG) behind Ty-Shon Alexander (16.9), Zegarowski is shooting 39.8 percent from three and 47.0 percent overall. Additionally, the sophomore is leading the Bluejays with 4.9 assists per contest. Creighton is ranked in the top-40 nationally in points per game and assists per game — largely because of Zegarowski’s contributions. If you’re looking for a difference-maker down the stretch, look no further.
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