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With just two games separating the remaining teams from a trip to the Final Four in Phoenix, the competition in the NCAA tournament continues to ramp up. Through the first weekend, a slew of talented players have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. These are the ’30 Best Players Left In the NCAA Tournament’ — let’s dive in.
30. Pelle Larsson — Arizona
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Pelle Larsson was named the Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year two years ago but is now a full-fledged starter for Tommy Lloyd’s club. His experience is 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.
29. Chase Hunter — Clemson
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Hunter has been magnificent during NCAA Tournament play. In the regular season, he averaged a little less than 13 PPG. Versus the likes of New Mexico and Baylor — two teams noted for their guard play — Hunter averaged 20.5 PPG on 50-percent shooting from the floor. He got anywhere he wanted, whether driving the basketball or spotting up. His ability to give Clemson a balanced attack from the perimeter has enabled the Tigers to take the next step as a basketball program. Arizona is no slouch, though Clemson is playing with a ton of confidence right now. Hunter has to like the matchup going head-to-head with sophomore Kylan Boswell.
28. DJ Horne — NC State
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The 5th year senior transferred to the ACC after a decent run at Arizona State. Horne immediately became NC State’s best perimeter option. He’s streaky — but is the type of guy who can score 20 points in 10 minutes without breaking a sweat. Horne dropped 29 points in the ACC Tournament Final versus North Carolina. He’s also scored in double-digits both games during the NCAA Tournament. Marquette prides itself on pressure defense and ramping up the intensity. Horne thrives in games that go up-tempo — and as such he could be a massive x-factor for NC State in the Sweet 16.
27. Anton Watson — Gonzaga
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Make no mistake about it…Watson is Gonzaga’s best player. He’s one of the most experienced players left in this tournament. He’s a matchup nightmare being able to toggle back and forth between the three and four spots. Watson can take you off the dribble, shoot from three, and also can defend multiple positions. He’s also an underrated component of Gonzaga’s transition game. He’s a fantastic passer and loves to push the ball up the court in transition. Purdue better be careful here, because the Boilermakers don’t have a great natural matchup for him.
26. Emanuel Sharp — Houston
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Emanuel Sharp has been 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 a lethal proposition for opposing defenses. Most teams do not have enough perimeter defenders to match up with three scorers.
25. Braden Smith — Purdue
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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.
24. Cam Spencer — Connecticut
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It’s been an absolute treat for the Huskies to replace one deadeye sharpshooter for another. Danny Hurley’s club saw Jordan Hawkins leave for the draft after the title win last year. His replacement came from Rutgers in the form of Cam Spencer. In some ways, Spencer has been even more prolific than the NBA lottery pick. The fifth-year senior is shooting a blistering 44 percent from beyond the arc while nailing 91.5 percent of his free throw attempts. He plays with extreme confidence and has never met a shot he doesn’t like. Spencer’s range plays a huge part in Connecticut’s offensive scheme. Teams must respect his ability to knockdown shots from any spot on the floor.
23. Marcus Domask — Illinois
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Illinois’ Marcus Domask does a bit of everything for his team. While Terrence Shannon Jr. is the team’s primary scorer, Domask is the reliable playmaker who sets up his teammates. He put on a clinic during Illinois’ first-round matchup against Morehead State. Domask did it all for the Illini in the dominant win, posting the tournament’s first triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists) since Ja Morant in 2019. Domask followed that performance up with a 22-point showing in a blowout victory over Duquesne. When he and Shannon are locked in, this Illinois team is a tough guard for even the country’s best defenses.
22. Graham Ike — Gonzaga
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The burly forward has been rock-solid for Gonzaga so far during the tournament He’s averaging 15.5 PPG and 9.5 RPG through the first two rounds. It’ll be interesting to see how Ike’s effectiveness will be in the paint when going up against Zach Edey — a guy who’s got a good seven inches on Ike from a height standpoint. We could see a scenario in which Ike opts to initiate contact to get quick fouls on the National Player of the Year. Either way, he’s the best post scorer on the team and someone who helps get Gonzaga buckets when the game slows down in the half-court.
21. Armando Bacot — North Carolina
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There isn’t much that UNC big man Armando Bacot hasn’t seen on a basketball floor. The longtime Tar Hell has suited up in Carolina blue for 168 games over five seasons. He’s been a starter since Day 1 and a stalwart down-low. While his numbers took a slight dip this year, Bacot’s overall play has improved steadily throughout his time at UNC. He’s a better passer than ever before and is always finding ways to impact the game defensively. If the Tar Heels hope to make a fourth Final Four since 2016, Bacot will have to be on his A-game.
20. Jared McCain — Duke
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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. McCain has the offensive skillset to carry this team for a few more games. 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.
19. L.J. Cryer — Houston
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Houston has a reputation as a physical, tough team with versatility and athleticism all over the court. Rarely do you associate the Cougars with shooting or skill. This is where Cryer comes into play. The veteran guard is essentially automatic from beyond the arc. What he lacks in size or athleticism he makes up for with moxie, intelligence, and feel. Cryer knows how to get open, and is a master getting to his preferred spots on the floor. When Houston’s offense gets bogged down, you can bet the Cougars will get Cryer coming off a screen to give him a good look at the hoop.
18. Kam Jones — Marquette
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The 6’5″ guard is an integral member of Marquette’s frenetic yet measured offensive scheme. He averaged 17 a game during the regular season and hasn’t slowed during postseason play. In Round one versus Western Kentucky, Jones dropped a cool 28 points. During the last game against Colorado, he notched 18 points. Jones is a tough matchup from the standpoint he can take you off the bounce with plus athleticism — yet he’s also shooting over 40 percent from three. NC State does have a set of good guards. Keeping the Tennessee native from going off will be integral for the Wolfpack to pull the upset.
17. Ryan Kalkbrenner — Creighton
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Kalkbrenner is one of the most complete bigs left in the tournament. He’s proven capable of scoring around the rim with either hand. His range extends beyond the three-point line, and he’s also an above-average presence when protecting the rim. Tennessee’s big man Jonas Aidoo is an All-SEC defense selection. He’ll try to be physical with Kalkbrenner in the post. Kalkbrenner may have the advantage of drawing his counterpart away from the bucket before going to work with his unique skill set. The Blue Jays need Kalkbrenner to play well from a balance standpoint. If he doesn’t things could get dicey.
16. DJ Burns Jr. — NC State
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DJ Burns has been a revelation for the Wolfpack. 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.
15. Donovan Clingan — Connecticut
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The man in the middle for the defending champions is the 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan. Some wondered if Clingan would enter the NBA Draft after helping the Huskies win the national title last year. Instead, he returned for his sophomore season and improved across the board. Now, he’s a projected lottery pick. And, it’s not difficult to see why. Clingan is an absolute force in the paint on both ends. He’s averaging 2.3 BPG and shooting over 64 percent from the field. Anytime an opposing player gets past the initial defense, they’ll have to contend with Clingan’s ability to alter shots from all sorts of angles. Nothing comes easy against Connecticut’s defensive stalwart.
14. PJ Hall — Clemson
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Clemson’s PJ Hall has been a steady force for the Tigers over the last four seasons. 2024 was his most prolific year to date. Hall averaged career highs in points (18.5), rebounds (6.4), and blocks (1.5). His floor-spacing ability continued to improve as he nailed 50 threes on the campaign. Hall was named an All-ACC First-team member this year and was a major reason for Clemson’s success in the conference. His size and skill will make the Tigers a tough out.
13. Terrence Shannon Jr. — Illinois
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After spending his first three seasons at Texas Tech, Terrence Shannon Jr. has found a home in Illinois. The 6-foot-6 Chicago native has been unstoppable on the offensive end at points for the Illini. He’s over 21 PPG on the year — good for second in the Big Ten. He’s always had great size and range for the position, but this year Shannon has shown a level of comfortability that we haven’t seen before. He can get to his spots at will and finish in traffic. He’s shooting 58 percent on two-pointers this year. Anything inside the arc is automatic for Illinois’ gifted scorer.
12. Tamin Lipsey — Iowa State
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Iowa State’s pesky guard Tamin Lipsey has a motor that never stops going. The 6-foot-1 sophomore was named an All-Big 12 First-Team selection. While he didn’t put up the same offensive numbers as some of the other members, Lipsey gets it done in all other areas of the floor. He averaged 12.5 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.7 RPG, and a staggering 2.7 SPG. He’s been everywhere for the Cyclones through two tournament games. Teams can be prone to mistakes during the NCAA’s due to fatigue or nerves. You can’t make mistakes around Lipsey. He’ll force turnovers and completely turn a game upside down.
11. Mark Sears — Alabama
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Mark Sears is a crafty, lefty guard who leads the nation’s top offense. He’s drawn comparisons to New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson. When comparing the two players, Sears is having a better season than Brunson had during his final year at Villanova. Brunson was named National College Player of the Year in 2018 with averages of 18.9 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 3.1 RPG on 52.1/40.8/80.2 shooting splits. Sears is up to 21.5 PPG, 4.2 APG, and 4.2 RPG on 50.7/43.5/85.8 splits. Just like Brunson, Sears never appears out of control and can heat up in a hurry.
10. Baylor Scheierman — Creighton
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Creighton’s chances as a national contender hinge on the play of South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman. He took a year to fully adjust to Big East play and has been excellent for the Blue Jays in ’24. He impacts the game in a variety of ways. Since February, Scheierman is averaging 19.5 PPG and 10.5 RPG while also being one of the best shooters in college basketball. The Blue Jays lean on their starters more than any team in the field. Scheierman showed no signs of fatigue after playing a whopping 50 minutes in the double overtime win over Oregon in the Round of 32.
9. Caleb Love — Arizona
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Landing in Arizona with head coach Tommy Lloyd was the best thing that could have happened to Caleb Love. The streaky guard has played free all year and was the key cog in Arizona’s elite offense. We know that he can take over a game in the tournament because he’s already done so on multiple occasions previously. During the ’22 tournament, Love had massive performances in wins over UCLA (30 points) and Duke (28 points). The biggest thing since then for Love has been in his ability to impact the game in more ways than just scoring. In 2022, Love posted a total of 20 rebounds, 14 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in six tournament games. He’s already up to 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks through Arizona’s first two games this year.
8. RJ Davis — North Carolina
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The 2024 ACC Player of the Year is looking to cap off a tremendous season. With Caleb Love leaving in the offseason, Davis decided to take it upon himself to carry the Tar Heels. He increased his scoring output and emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the country. Davis is averaging 21.3 PPG while knocking down 3.1 threes per contest. Perhaps the most important attribute of a lead guard is composure. Davis is never out of sorts and keeps his mistakes to a minimum. He’ll give the Tar Heels a fighting chance against any team in the nation.
7. Kyle Filipowski — Duke
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Duke star Kyle Filipowski escaped serious injury earlier this year and was selected to a second All-ACC team. Court-storming situation aside, Filipowski is an athletic, two-way big who will give any team trouble. With his improved shooting numbers from three this season, there aren’t any holes in his game. He’s now capable of stretching the floor, and teams have to respect his ability to knock down an open three. Once defenses close out on him, Filipowski can put the ball on the floor and finish with authority in traffic.
6. Jaedon LeDee — San Diego State
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Mountain West Player of the Year Jaedon LeDee has been a revelation for the Aztecs. His emergence as a star is why many believe this year’s San Diego State team could even contend with last year’s national runner-up. LeDee was on that team but was more of a role player with averages of just 7.9 PPG and 5.3 RPG. This year, the hyper-active forward is posting 21.5 PPG and 8.4 RPG. Teams have no answer for LeDee on any area of the floor. He’s shooting 56 percent from the field and taking nearly nine free throws per game. When teams pack the paint against SDSU, LeDee is shooting 45 percent from three. He’s an absolute force who could lead the Aztecs to a second-straight Final Four appearance.
5. Tristen Newton — Connecticut
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Pundits who thought Connecticut could potentially take a step back in 2024 probably didn’t account for Tristen Newton emerging as one of the top guards in the nation. Newton was solid for the Huskies last year during their title run. However, he was overshadowed by a team featuring three future NBA players (Jordan Hawkins, Andre Jackson, and Adama Sanogo). This year, Newton has taken charge and emerged as Connecticut’s do-it-all star. He’s a matchup problem for most guards with his size (6-foot-5) and has always shown great vision as a passer.
4. Tyler Kolek — Marquette
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Tyler Kolek was nursing an oblique injury entering the tournament and hadn’t played a game since late February. He showed no rust in his return during the Round of 64. Kolek has been dominant through two tournament games (19.5 PPG, 11.0 APG, 63 percent from the field). The Big East Player of the Year in 2023, Kolek has led the Golden Eagles for the past three seasons. In addition to leading the team in assists with 7.6 per game, Kolek is second in scoring (15.0 PPG) and rebounding (4.7 RPG).
3. Jamal Shead — Houston
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Teammate L.J. Cryer may be more well-known by fans across the country, but Houston’s Jamal Shead is a very good player in his own right. In addition to being Houston’s second-leading scorer (13.2 PPG), Shead leads the Cougars with 6.4 assists per game. Shead has been a three-year starter for the team and has a history of performing well in big games. As a sophomore in 2022, Shead scored 21 points in a win over No. 1 seed Arizona in the Sweet 16. Last year, the guard scored double-figures in all three of Houston’s tournament games.
2. Dalton Knecht — Tennessee
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Knecht’s journey to stardom has been fascinating. Before landing at Tennessee, Knecht spent two years in junior college and then two more at Northern Colorado. Knecht leads the Vols in scoring at 21.1 PPG and has seven 30-point games overall. Knecht is a matchup nightmare due to his ability to shoot the ball. He is shooting 40.5 percent from three on over six attempts per game. If the Vols make a run to Phoenix, Knecht will be the man to lead the charge.
1. Zach Edey — Purdue
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If your school retires your number before you even finish playing, you must be pretty good. Edey’s No. 15 was retired by Purdue during his final home game. The towering center was the AP Player of the Year in 2023, and he is the favorite to win the award again this year. Playing for a No. 1 seed, Edey averaged 24.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game this year. He is the most dominant player in the nation and gives the Boilermakers an immediate advantage every time they take the court.
