We’re down to 16 teams left in the NCAA tournament and the competition is only getting tougher. Through one week, we’ve seen stars shine and unsung heroes make a name for themselves. With just two wins left to make it to the Final Four, the margin of error is smaller than ever. For each team, the difference between a national title and an early exit is razor-thin. Here are 16 players who could make all the difference for their team down the stretch.
DJ Burns Jr. — No. 11 NC State
DJ Burns is probably the best overall player on this list. He’s NC State’s second-leading scorer, a former Big South Player of the Year, and was named MVP of the ACC tournament. The Wolfpack will go as far as Burns can carry them. Burns has bullied everyone in his path for the past couple of weeks. But, don’t get it twisted. The 275-pound big man is as agile and skilled as it gets for a player of his stature. Burns has excellent touch near the basket and is a solid passer when teams have sent double teams. He’ll be key in generating offense to keep pace with Marquette.
Joseph Girard III — No. 6 Clemson
When teams gameplan for two-time All-ACC selection PJ Hall, it opens up opportunities for Clemson’s prolific role players. Among them is sharpshooter Joseph Girard, one of the most lethal deep threats in the game. Girard is a well-known name among college basketball circles. He was a four-year starter at Syracuse before deciding to play his final year at a different ACC program. Girard shot a career-best 41-percent from three this year. Even more notable is his reliability from the free-throw line where he converted on 95-percent of his attempts in ’24. So many NCAA tournament games turn into a free-throw contest. Having a weapon like Girard to close out late-game situations is a huge advantage for Clemson.
Lamont Butler — No. 5 San Diego State
Last year’s runner-up is looking to make another run. San Diego State was expected to step back after losing its top two scorers from last season. Though, that hasn’t been the case. That is primarily due to the emergence of Jaedon LeDee. LeDee has blossomed into a star in 2024 after being more of a role player for last year’s team. However, the steady play of guard Lamont Butler should not go unnoticed. Butler was a key cog during last year’s run posting three double-digit scoring performances and providing excellent defense. His outside shot will play a huge role moving forward with teams looking to double LeDee. Butler hit a pair of threes against Yale and will need to continue knocking down open looks.
Braden Huff — No. 5 Gonzaga
This Gonzaga team was expecting a lot of their young freshman. It wasn’t the season Mark Few envisioned, but the first-year Bulldogs could be clicking at the right time. California product Dusty Stromer poured in 10 points versus McNeese. And, big man Braden Huff was key in the Bulldogs’ win over Kansas. Huff is one of the top per-minute scorers in the nation. On the year, Huff averaged 9.5 PPG in just 13.5 MPG. He obviously doesn’t need a lot of playing time to make an impact. At 6-foot-10, Huff is a tough matchup due to his touch in the low post and ability to knock down the occasional three. If Few decides to unleash him, Huff could easily have a 20-point performance during one of Gonzaga’s remaining games.
Jared McCain — No. 4 Duke
Duke’s freshman guard had a coming out party in the Round of 32. Jared McCain was on fire against James Madison, cashing in six threes before halftime. He ended the game with 30 points as the Blue Devils routed a JMU team that won 32 games this year. Throughout the year, McCain often took a backseat to Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach. That should change as Duke attempts to make it out of their region. McCain has the offensive skillset to shoulder the load. Even when his shot is falling, McCain has the awareness to not settle and to continue attacking. Through two tournament games, McCain has scored 45 points on just 24 shots. He’ll need to maintain a similar level of efficiency if Duke wants to reach an 18th Final Four.
Aaron Estrada — No. 4 Alabama
Aaron Estrada has been doing it all for the Crimson Tide as of late. While scoring machine Mark Sears gets most of the recognition, Estrada has done all the little things for Alabama’s elite offensive attack. Through two tournament games, Estrada has 17 rebounds, 14 assists, and five steals. The 6-foot-3 senior led the team in all three of those categories during the regular season. We wouldn’t be surprised to see him post a triple-double at one point this tournament.
Dain Dainja — No. 3 Illinois
Illinois’ Dain Dainja hasn’t missed a shot since the Big Ten tournament semifinal. He’s made 17 in a row during that stretch. Dainja is finishing everything at the rim right now and is playing lights out on the defensive end. It’s not all just wide-open dunks, either. He produced a highlight in the win over Morehead State when he pulled off a silky crossover into a euro-step layup. Dainja finished 9-for-9 with 21 points in Round of 64 victory. Illinois is 8-0 on the year when Dainja scores double-digits. They’re unbeaten when he produces. That’s the very definition of an “x-factor”.
Steven Ashworth — No. 3 Creighton
The former Utah State standout is now the fourth option for Creighton. And, that is a major role for a team that has no depth. Greg McDermott’s team plays just seven players (sometimes, six) throughout the whole game. Ashworth has to be knocking down shots to complement Creighton’s stars. He was dreadful during the regular season this year — 38-percent from the field and 34-percent from three. However, he’s plenty capable. He shot over 43-percent from three last year with the Aggies and nailed five threes in the second-round win over Oregon. Opponents have no shot of defending the Blue Jays if Ashworth is hitting from deep.
Jonas Aidoo — No. 2 Tennessee
The Volunteers are a defensive-minded team that relies on All-American guard Dalton Knecht for a majority of its offense. Knecht being off of his game for even one half could ultimately doom Tennessee’s season. It will take a major defensive performance to withstand a poor shooting night from Knecht. And, that defense starts with big man Jonas Aidoo. Over his last 19 games, Aidoo has averaged 8.1 RPG and 2.4 BPG. If the Vols are forced to muck it up, Aidoo will have to be perfect on the defensive end of the floor to secure a Tennessee win.
Curtis Jones — No. 2 Iowa State
Supersub Curtis Jones has been invaluable for the Cyclones thus far. An Iowa State team that struggles to score consistently will gladly take all the shot-making it can get. Jones brings a different sort of energy when he’s entered into the game. The Cyclones were scoreless for the first five minutes of their second-round matchup against Washington State. Jones ended up hitting the team’s first field goal at the 13:53 mark. He made a triple toward the end of the half to tie the game. Jones is a gifted scorer who can stretch the defense. Any shooting is a plus when you play defense as well as Iowa State does.
Pelle Larsson — No. 2 Arizona
The Wildcats are familiar with the highs and lows of March Madness. They were eliminated by a 15-seed in the first round last year. Two seasons ago, Arizona advanced to the second weekend only to get upset by an up-and-coming Houston team that hounded them from the opening whistle. The five top scorers from that Sweet 16 team are gone, and the sixth scorer was Pelle Larsson. Larsson was named the Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year that season but is now a full-fledged starter for Tommy Lloyd’s club. His experience will be invaluable for the Wildcats. The starting backcourt in Arizona can be hit-or-miss. Caleb Love’s play can be erratic and starting point guard Kylan Boswell didn’t make a single field goal in the Round of 32. Larsson provides a steadying force as a ball handler and scorer.
Chase Ross — No. 2 Marquette
Marquette has one of the best backcourts in the country featuring All-American point guard Tyler Kolek and lefty marksman Kam Jones. But, don’t forget about the other guards on this team. Stevie Mitchell solidified a starting role over the last two years by being one of the most active defenders in the country. Plus, reserve guard Chase Ross has performed when called upon. Ross barely made an impact in Marquette’s first tournament game but was on fire in the 81-77 win over Colorado in the Round of 32. Ross nailed 5-of-6 shot attempts (3-of-4 from three) and added a pair of blocks and steals. Ross’ energy is infectious and he will be vital off the bench for the Golden Eagles.
Jae’Lyn Withers — No. 1 North Carolina
North Carolina’s stars will find ways to be productive. RJ Davis is arguably the best lead guard in the country, Armando Bacot is a walking double-double, and both Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan have been excellent for the Tar Heels thus far. Jae’Lyn Withers’ role is a bit more murky. The senior forward was a primary rotation player for Louisville last year and has seen his minutes basically cut in half with North Carolina. However, he has seen his role increase through two tournament games. Coach Hubert Davis likely prefers Withers’ experience over the youth of freshman starter Elliot Cadeau. Withers has been excellent in the dunker spot when teams have sent double teams to Bacot in the post. He also provides size on the defensive end and hauled in 10 rebounds against Wagner.
Braden Smith — No. 1 Purdue
Purdue’s Braden Smith is the quintessential point guard. He looks to set up his teammates early and often. The sophomore is averaging 7.3 APG this year and posted a season-high 16 dimes in a win over Northwestern in January. It makes sense for Smith to be the table-setter on this team. After all, dumping the ball off to Zach Edey is typically a good decision. But, the Boilermakers are a completely different ball club when Smith is looking to score. Teams will force somebody other than Edey to beat them. Smith has to be willing to put up some shots. He shot 44-percent from three on the year and had 20-point performances versus Michigan State, Alabama and Arizona.
Emanuel Sharp — No. 1 Houston
Emanuel Sharp has been absolutely sensational for the Cougars. Anybody unfamiliar with his game was introduced to Sharp in the Round of 32. The sophomore guard posted a career-high 30 points in a thrilling overtime win over Texas A&M. He was carrying the way despite the entire Houston team dealing with foul trouble. Sharp has already nailed 10 threes in the tournament. L.J. Cryer and Jamal Shead will get theirs, but having Sharp as a third option is an absolutely lethal proposition for opposing defenses. Most teams do not have enough perimeter defenders to match up with three scorers.
Hassan Diarra — No. 1 UConn
The Connecticut Huskies have arguably the best roster in the field. Their starting five is filled with talent including All-American Tristan Newton, big man Donovan Clingan, sharpshooters Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban, and future lottery pick Stephon Castle. Having an elite starting lineup is great, but even last year’s title-winning team needed contributions from its bench. Senior Hassan Diarra has stepped into a bigger role with this year’s team. He’s essentially in the Joey Calcaterra role from last year. Diarra won’t put up gaudy numbers, but he’s the only playmaker they have off the bench and gives great effort on both ends.