by After two very eventful weeks, UConn, Alabama, Purdue, and North Carolina State are the last four teams remaining in the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball Tournament. There’s been no shortage of storylines, as both powerhouses and cinderellas have flourished throughout the always wacky month of March. As we come down the final stretch, let’s rank the five best remaining players that’ll be in action this upcoming weekend.
- Tristen Newton, UConn
AP Photo/Nick Wass
In his second year with the program, the All-American point guard has guided his Connecticut Huskies to their second straight final four. Newton has taken a big leap this season and has emerged as the team’s leader with his team-leading 15.0 points and 6.1 assists throughout the duration of the year. While his numbers have slightly dipped during the NCAA Tournament, he’s still been incredibly effective at getting downhill and controlling the game with the ball in his hands. He’s also a great rebounder from the guard spot which has come up big in important moments. If UConn can complete their destiny, it will be because Newton brought them there.
- DJ Burns Jr., North Carolina State
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Every year, a player emerges during the NCAA Tournament that becomes a fan-favorite and Burns has quickly become that guy. The 6’9’’ 260 pound big man has taken the country by storm with his game on the low block that has been nearly unstoppable. Over the four games that the Wolfpack have played during this tournament run, Burns has averaged over 18 points per contest and carved up some of the nations best centers, including Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro. One month ago, hardly any casual fans of college basketball would’ve known his name, but everyone knows him now and he’s two games away from leading a North Carolina State team that was dead in the water before the ACC Tournament to a national championship.
- Donovan Clingan, UConn
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Before the year, expectations were through the roof for Clingan, who showed incredible flashes while backing up Adama Sanogo on last year’s team. However, injuries and an increased workload derailed the budding center’s season slightly and he didn’t have the sort of regular season that some thought he would have. But, as many have come to find out, the NCAA Tournament can mean the start of a brand new season and Clingan has used that to his advantage. He’s come alive in their four games, averaging 15.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while his 3.5 blocks per game have anchored a UConn defense that has been incredibly stout. Not only has Clingan made an incredibly high impact on both ends of the floor lately, but his NBA Draft stock has been shooting upwards and he’s now back in the heart of lottery conversations.
- Mark Sears, Alabama
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On a Crimson Tide offense that has been absolutely electric the entire year, Sears has been the engine that makes them go. The senior point guard has not only earned All-American honors in his second year with the program after a two-year stint at Ohio, but he has taken things to a whole new level in the NCAA Tournament as well. After averaging 21.5 points per game on 43% shooting from three in the regular season, Sears is now averaging 24.3 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. The moment has not fazed him in any way whatsoever, and there isn’t any reason why that shouldn’t continue. Sears’ maturity is unmatched and he’s two games away from immortalizing his name in college basketball history.
- Zach Edey, Purdue
Duane Burleson/AP Photo
Speaking of college basketball history, did you really think that the #1 spot could belong to anyone else? The senior center will without a doubt become the first player since Ralph Sampson in 1982-83 to win the Wooden Award twice and with a national championship under his belt, Edey could feasibly be considered the greatest college player in the history of the sport. After his spectacular 40 points against Tennessee in the Elite 8, he’s now averaging 30.0 points and 16.3 rebounds in what looks to be the final act of his college career (scary fact: he still has another year of eligibility if he wants it). Not to look past Burns and the resilient North Carolina State Wolfpack, but if the Boilermakers are to make it to the National Championship game and face UConn, Edey versus Clingan would be a clash of the titans that’s enough to make any fan’s mouth water.
Honorable mentions: Stephon Castle (UConn), Aaron Estrada (Alabama), Rylan Griffen (Alabama), DJ Horne (North Carolina State), Lance Jones (Purdue), Alex Karaban (UConn), Fletcher Loyer (Purdue), Casey Morsell (North Carolina State), Grant Nelson (Alabama), Braden Smith (Purdue), Cam Spencer (UConn), Jayden Taylor (North Carolina State).
