25. Cameron Krutwig, Loyola-Chicago
One of a handful of NCAA players who has already played in a Final Four, Krutwig hopes he can lead the Ramblers on another magical run through March. In 2018, Krutwig was the fifth-leading scorer for Loyola-Chicago — all five leading scorers averaged double-digits.
This year, Krutwig led the way for the Ramblers and was the team’s only double-digit PPG scorer. The burly big man is efficient down-low, and posted a well-rounded stat-line of 15.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG.
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24. Quentin Grimes, Houston
The former Kansas Jayhawk has taken off in Year 2 with the Cougars. Grimes has developed into one of the top guards in the country, finishing third in the American conference with 18.0 PPG. He’s gotten better in every facet of the game during his junior season.
His three-point percentage has jumped from 32.6-to-40.8, he’s rebounding and defending at a high-rate (6.0 RPG and 1.3 SPG). He was absolutely on fire during Houston’s conference tournament run, knocking down 14 threes in Houston’s three victories.
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23. Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton
Creighton spiraled down the stretch, and are coming off a brutal loss to Georgetown in the Big East Tournament final. However, the Bluejays remain a tough out — thanks in large part to their junior point guard. Zegarowski is one of the top point guards in the country over the last two seasons, and is capable of carrying this team to a deep postseason run.
One of the top marksmen in the tournament, Zegarowski has never shot below 41.2-percent from beyond the arc in any of his three collegiate seasons. He appears locked-in, having made 30 of his last 44 shot attempts (68-percent) including 13-of-20 on threes.
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22. McKinley Wright IV, Colorado
Colorado’s senior leader is one of the toughest players in the nation. Making his first NCAA Tournament appearance, McKinley Wright IV is sure to produce some fireworks for the Buffs. Listed at a generous 6-foot-0, Wright is a diminutive dynamo who can cut into the teeth of the defense at his will.
His speed and playmaking could turn the tide of a game in an instant. If he continues to score at an efficient rate (over 50-percent shooting in five of his last eight), Wright will be a problem for whichever team matches up opposite Colorado.
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21. Mac McClung, Texas Tech
Get your popcorn ready when Texas Tech is getting ready to play. Mac McClung is worth the price of admission. The viral high school star is an exciting offensive player who is capable of going off for 30-plus any given night.
He’s been mired by inconsistency, but the talent is there. The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year hopes to return the Red Raiders to where the team reached the last time we had an NCAA Tournament — the title game.
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20. Austin Reaves, Oklahoma
The Wichita State transfer has been a revelation for his new team. Buried within a stacked Shockers rotation, Reaves changed course to Oklahoma where he has thrived over the last two years. Going from an off-ball wing in Wichita to operating as the Sooners’ point guard has been a beneficial transition for Reaves.
The 6-foot-5 Arkansas native is a gifted passer (4.7 APG) and has also shown an innate knack for getting to the foul line (6.7 FTA). If his outside shot ever returns (30.6-percent from three after being a 40-percent marksmen at Wichita State), Reaves will be a difference maker in this year’s tournament.
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19. E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
If the Buckeyes want to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2012, they will need major contributions from their best player, Liddell. The sophomore forward has scored double-digits in 16 of Ohio State’s last 17 games and was named by the coaches to the All-Big Ten First-Team.
He’s a tough nightly matchup due to his combination of size (6-foot-6, 240-pounds) and ability to put the ball on the floor and knock down the occasional outside jumper.
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18. Cam Thomas, LSU
LSU’s Trendon Watford stole the show in the SEC Tournament, but Cam Thomas was the Tigers’ leading scorer throughout the year. Only a freshman, Thomas averaged 22.6 PPG for LSU and poured in at least 18 points in every game since the calendar flipped to February.
His shot selection is questionable at times and his percentages aren’t pretty — 40.5 from the field, 32.0-percent from three — but his ability from the line (88.0) makes up for it slightly. If Thomas gets hot, the Tigers can be problematic.
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17. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
With Collin Gillespie out for the year with a knee injury, all eyes will be on Jeremiah Robinson-Earl when Villanova takes the floor. The second-year forward has been a standout all year for the Wildcats, as he leads the team in both scoring (15.7) and rebounding (8.3).
Robinson-Earl has plenty of room to grow — mainly with his shot — but the forward is already a two-way force for the team. With Gillespie out, the Kansas City native will need to play out of his mind for Nova to make a run.
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16. Chris Duarte, Oregon
Oregon hasn’t gotten the credit they deserve, as the committee deemed the Ducks only worthy of a 7-seed. However, don’t be surprised if the Pac-12 regular season champs make a run in March. If they do, Chris Duarte will likely be at the center of it all.
Duarte is a great shooter — 52/41/83 en route to 16.7 PPG — and a great defender for his position (1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks). Duarte is one of the best players in the country.
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15. Miles McBride, West Virginia
Over the past 10+ years, we have become accustomed to West Virginia playing tough, menacing defense. In 2021, the Mountaineers have become more of an offensive-minded team. Leading the charge is Miles McBride. A sophomore guard, McBride leads WVU in scoring (15.4 PPG) and assists (4.7) while shooting 39.2-percent from beyond the arc. McBride is also a capable defender who often gets his hands into passing lanes and disrupts his opponents.
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14. Jay Huff, Virginia
He may not be the most recognizable player on Virginia’s team, but Jay Huff is a very solid player. The 7-foot-1 center is the focal point of Virginia’s defense, and is capable of getting a bucket when he is called upon. The senior blocked 2.6 shots per game, and also finished the regular season shooting 40.6-percent from three.
Huff is nearly unstoppable at the rim, doesn’t allow any easy looks on the defensive end, and can drain a three if he finds himself out of the paint — Huff is a difference maker.
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13. Jared Butler, Baylor
Baylor’s leading scorer and best player, Jared Butler is going to wreck havoc on opponents in the tournament. In his third-year with the program, Butler has taken his game to the next level. The 6-foot-3 guard is shooting a career-high 42.9-percent from three and is pouring in 17.1 PPG.
Butler is not only a playmaker on offense (4.8 APG), but on the defensive side of the ball, as well. Baylor’s star averaged 2.0 steals per game this year and is capable of locking down a team’s best guard on any given night.
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12. Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
Illinois entering the tournament as a No. 1 seed is no fluke. The Illini are a deep, talented squad led by two bonafide studs. While one of those men operates on the perimeter, Cockburn dominates on the inside.
A sophomore from Jamaica, Cockburn has become one of the best big men in the country this season. He enters the tournament averaging 17.6 points, 9.6 boards, and 1.2 blocks per game. Cockburn is a gamechanger.
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11. Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Gonzaga is absolutely loaded. The Zags feature three or four players that would be the best player on most other teams in the nation. As a sophomore, Timme is one of those players. The 6-foot-10 big man is an absolute force in the paint.
On the year, Timme is averaging 18.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. With a bevy of moves, good footwork, and a soft touch, it is not shocking to see Timme shooting 65.6-percent for the year.
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10. Scottie Barnes, Florida State
Florida State always seems to have that sort of dude on its roster. You know, the freak athlete who moves like a guard but is built like a power forward? Just like Jonathan Isaac and Patrick Williams before him, 6-foot-9 guard Scottie Barnes is following in their footsteps. The future first-round pick is only averaging 11.0 PPG on the year.
With that said, he’s shooting 50-percent from the field. Barnes also is an excellent passer. He loves to push the ball in transition — normally looking for teammates in the process. He’s the sort of matchup nightmare that most teams simply cannot handle.
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9. Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
We knew the 7-foot-1 260-pound freshman would be good. But we didn’t know he’d be this good. Dickinson led the No. 1-seeded Wolverines in PPG (14.2), RPG (7.6) and BPG (1.4). A true force in the middle of the paint, he recently dominated Luka Garza — holding him to 6-of-19 shooting and only four rebounds.
Dickinson has the size and touch to really be a disruptive force, particularly versus smaller opponents. With a strong March, he’ll increase his NBA stock even further.
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8. Davion Mitchell, Baylor
One member of Baylor’s three-headed monster, Mitchell sets the tone for Baylor in more ways than one. He plays the game with relentless passion and energy. The toughness Mitchell brings to the floor rubs off on the rest of his teammates in a very profound way. Not only is he elite defensively, but Mitchell can score the basketball a bit too (14.2 PPG, .462 from three, .515 from the field).
Without a doubt, he — along with MaCio Teague and Jared Butler — is a huge reason why Butler is more than capable of winning a National Championship this year.
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7. James Bouknight, Connecticut
Every top college program has an elite guard leading the charge, and UCONN is no different. James Bouknight is easily one of America’s most talented combo guards. He can score from the perimeter with ease, and can also drive the ball to the cup at a moment’s notice. The Huskies do a great job in getting Bouknight into sets via off-ball motion.
With his impressive length, Bouknight is a nightmare for smaller guards to try and check him defensively. The Brooklyn native is averaging a solid 19.0 PPG on the year. If UCONN is to make a deep run into March, Bouknight is the guy who will take them to the promised land.
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6. Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois
In a league chock-full of elite guards, Dosunmu might be the best one of all. The Chicago native has made back-to-back All Big Ten First-Teams. At 6-foot-6, he has the size to bother traditional guards. Duly, his athletic ability makes Dusunmu a tough match up for bigger players. Dosunmu added some weight when coming back for his junior campaign.
It’s not only made him stronger, but also more explosive in transition. With the ability to score on all levels (.387 from three, .488 from the field), Dosunmu is truly one of college basketball’s most dynamic athletes.
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5. Corey Kispert, Gonzaga
Picture a glue guy on steroids, and you get Kispert. The senior out of Seattle has been through it all during his time in Spokane with Mark Few and company. Kispert knows how to play the game of basketball at an exceptionally high level.
He makes the extra pass when required, and also can take it upon himself to score the rock. Kipert leads the team in scoring with 19.2 PPG. He’s also shooting a blistering .444 from beyond the three-point arc.
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4. Luka Garza, Iowa
Every year, there’s that one veteran big man who outmuscles virtually anyone he plays against. Garza is a National Player of the Year candidate. Essentially, the walking double-double is good for at least 20 points and 10 rebounds a contest. He doesn’t rely on athletic ability.
Rather, Garza is excellent in using his body to create space for himself in the paint. While a below-average defender, his sheer size is a deterrent for most big men in the college game. He’s the type of guy Iowa can lean on for an (at minimum) Sweet 16 run. Garza is simply that darn good.
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3. Evan Mobley, USC
Mobley starred on the Pac-12’s most talented team. To put into context just how impressive he was, Mobley was the conference’s Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Defensive Player of the Year. His ability to block shots is unparalleled with anyone in college basketball.
Though still a bit slight from a frame standpoint, Mobley makes up for the lack of bulk with plus athletic ability and a high-energy motor. He could be the primary reason for a deep run in March. Mobley is projected to be a top-three pick in this year’s upcoming NBA Draft.
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2. Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
The freshman out of Minnesota proved to be Gonzaga’s most gifted player this past year. A powerful guard, Suggs often bullied smaller players with his 6-foot-4 frame. A dead-eye shooter, he connected on an impressive 51.2-percent of his shots. We also like Suggs and the toughness he brings to the floor.
Despite being green in terms of experience, he doesn’t shy away from the big moment. In fact, Suggs welcomes taking the ball and going to work towards the latter stages of games. He’ll surely be called upon to do just that as the Bulldogs make what many think is a title push.
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1. Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
The presumptive future No. 1 Overall pick did nothing to hurt his draft stock throughout Big 12 play this year. Acting as Oklahoma State’s chief playmaker, Cunningham led the Pokes to the Big 12 Championship game (narrowly losing to Texas by a score of 91-86). There’s really not much Cunningham can’t do on the floor.
At 6-foot-8, his ability to see over the defense makes him a threat not only scoring the basketball, but also in terms of facilitating for teammates. Cunningham led his team in both scoring and steals this season. He was also second in rebounds, assists, blocks, free-throw percentage, and three-point percentage.
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