(Photo by Jeff Turner)
With the NCAA Tournament about to begin, here’s a look at the best players in the field. It’s important to note that I rank these players based on their performances in college, not their potential as NBA prospects.
1. Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona Wildcats
20.3 PTS, 11.5 REB, 1.9 BLK
The 7’1, 250 pound freshman is a monster in the paint for Arizona. Few teams in the country have the size necessary to slow down Ayton, who recorded 23 double-doubles in 34 games this season. Look for the Wildcats to rely heavily on their star freshman in the coming weeks.
2. Mikal Bridges, F, Villanova Wildcats
18.0 PTS, 5.4 REB, 2.1 AST
Bridges is the most well-rounded player in college hoops. He’s a lockdown defender (1.6 STL and 1.1 BLK per game) who shoots over 50% from the field, 40% from deep, and 85% from the line. He is the glue to a Villanova team that hopes to win its second title in three years.
3. Jalen Brunson, G, Villanova Wildcats
19.4 PTS, 4.7 AST, 3.1 REB
Brunson was a true freshman on Villanova’s championship squad in 2016, and he has improved mightily every year since. A combo guard who runs ‘Nova’s lethal offensive attack, Brunson can play the role of go-to scorer or facilitator. Like his teammate Mikal Bridges, Brunson is incredibly efficient offensively (53.1 FG%, 41.3 3P%, 79.9 FT%).
4. Marvin Bagley III, F, Duke Blue Devils
21.1 PTS, 11.5 REB, 60.5 FG%
When Bagley III decided to forego his senior year of high school and enroll at Duke a year earlier than expected, many analysts and fans still expected the 18-year-old to be a premier college player--he did not disappoint. Duke will need his consistency (21 double-doubles in 29 games) in order to make a run this March.
5. Trae Young, G, Oklahoma Sooners
27.4 PTS, 8.7 AST, 3.9 REB
A couple of months ago, Trae Young was all but a lock to win the Wooden Award as the nation’s best player. However, he disappeared down the stretch, shooting just over 36% from the field and 25% from deep in the month of February. Nonetheless, Young’s had a remarkable season, leading the country in points and assists per game.
6. Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State
16.9 PTS, 6.9 REB, 2.8 AST
Bridges’ combination of size (6’7, 230 pounds) and athleticism is rare; add his ability to shoot from distance (36.9 3P%), and you have a special talent. His vastly improved free throw shooting (up nearly 20% from 2017) should serve the Spartans well in close tournament games.
7. Devonte Graham, G, Kansas
17.3 PTS, 7.5 AST, 3.7 REB
Graham came into the season with the difficult task of replacing Frank Mason and ended up exceeding expectations. He is an experienced floor general who can both score and distribute the ball. Kansas’ hopes of making it to the Final Four rest on his shoulders.
8. Jevon Carter, G, West Virginia
17.0 PTS, 6.6 AST, 4.7 REB
Carter is one of the best two-way players in college basketball, averaging a career high in points as well as coming up with 2.9 steals per game. What he lacks in efficiency (41.3 FG%) he makes up for in toughness and leadership, as he is the heart and soul of his team.
9. Keita Bates-Diop, F, Ohio State
19.4 PTS, 8.8 REB, 1.7 AST
After missing almost all of the 2016-2017 season due to injury, Bates-Diop came back with vengeance and put up career high averages in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. He carried Ohio State to its best regular season (24 wins, .750 winning %) since 2013.
10. Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue
18.5 PTS, 3.5 REB, 3.0 AST
Although he stands only 6’1, Edwards is one of the best pure scorers in the country. He put up almost 20 points per game while shooting nearly 47% from the field and over 40% from deep. He’s the kind of dynamic guard that can take over games in March.
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