As March Madness approaches, college basketball’s brightest stars prepare to shine on the national stage. Even without any household names in the men’s game as of now, there’s no shortage of standout players making their mark. Here are the 10 best college basketball players right now who are poised to make a significant impact over the next month, including in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Best College Basketball Players Heading Into March Madness
Zach Edey, Purdue
Zach Edey was the runaway victor for National Player of the Year last season and has improved in every aspect of the game. The 7-foot-4 Toronto native is averaging 23.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks while shooting almost 63% from the field and 72% from the line. He has posted at least 15 points and 10 rebounds in 10 of the Boilermakers’ last 11 games.
For the second straight season, Purdue is going to make a case for the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Edey is going to win every individual award imaginable with no real competition. He is, without a doubt, the best player in college basketball on a night-to-night basis.
Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
The previous three years in Knoxville have had the exact same feel to them: an awesome defensive and rebounding team that has a limited ceiling in March because of their inability to score the basketball. This year’s Tennessee basketball team does not have that problem, and it is all because of Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht. He is averaging an extremely efficient 25 points in SEC play while carrying a Vols team that lacks other offensive weapons.
What makes Knecht so special as a scorer is that he can do it in any way from any spot. He can drive to the basket and finish above or below the rim. He’s deadly from the midrange, both off the dribble and from the high post. Along with his combination of size and skills that make him a tough guard inside, Knecht is shooting over 40% from three. Tennessee is in a position to potentially grab the fourth No. 1 seed this year. If they make a run during March Madness, it will be on the shoulders of Knecht’s scoring prowess.
RJ Davis, North Carolina
Much like Knecht, RJ Davis carries much of the scoring load for a team that has National Championship aspirations. He is leading the ACC in scoring, at 21.7 points per game. During Monday’s 75-71 win over shorthanded Miami, Davis scored 42 points, including a barrage of three-pointers in the second half that at one point extended the North Carolina lead to double-digits. He is one of the best shooters in the country and is capable of taking over a game at any moment because of his shot-making ability.
Jamal Shead, Houston
If you simply looked at the traditional box score numbers, you might wonder what warrants Jamal Shead being ranked as the fourth-best player in college basketball. If you watched Houston play on a nightly basis, you might be wondering why he isn’t one or two spots higher in this article. Shead is the best defensive guard in college basketball and is almost certainly going to win Big 12 Player of the Year because of his elite two-way play. He’s also a great playmaker, averaging over six assists per game. The scoring can be inconsistent, but he always seems to come up with baskets at the most important times.
Jamal Shead is 86-12 as the starting point guard for Houston. Plays like this show why and embody everything he’s about as a player.
Donovan Clingan, UConn
This one may come as a surprise, as Donovan Clingan may not appear on any college basketball All-American teams and probably isn’t even in contention for Big East Player of the Year. Part of that is due to the time he missed due to injury, but also his counting stats just don’t suggest he is the fifth-best player in college basketball. However, despite averaging “only” 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, the 7-foot-2 sophomore is one of the more impactful players in the sport.
When Clingan is on the court, the defending champs score 131.6 points per 100 possessions and allow just 95.6. When he is off the court, their offensive rating drops to 121.3, and their defensive rating sits at 101.9. Clingan has some of the Zach Edey effect on opposing teams as everything just becomes harder when he is on the floor, especially around the rim.
Tyler Kolek, Marquette
Arguably the best playmaker in all of college basketball, Tyler Kolek leads the nation in assists while being the catalyst for a Marquette team that boasts a top-20 offensive efficiency. He also scores 15 points per game while shooting 40% from three and pulls down almost five rebounds per game. Kolek has seven games with double-digit assists in just Big East play and is firmly in contention to win the league’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season.
Tristen Newton, UConn
The second Huskie on this list, Tristen Newton has earned the nickname “Mr. Triple-Double” after posting the fourth of his UConn career last Saturday against Villanova. He is averaging 15.1 points and 5.9 assists while leading arguably the best team in the country in rebounds. Newton is the only high-major player in the country with an assist rate of at least 30 and a defensive rebound rate of at least 19.
At 6-5, he can use his length to be a disruptive defender and switch onto just about any perimeter player. He impacts the game in just about every way imaginable and will be in contention for Big East Player of the Year and an All-American spot.
Devin Carter, Providence
The only player on this list not guaranteed a March Madness bid, Devin Carter is doing everything he can to propel the Friars into the field. After losing Preseason All-Big East First Team forward Bryce Hopkins to an ACL tear, Providence has needed every bit of Carter’s 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He has 11 games of scoring 20 or more points on the season, with 10 of them coming against Big East foes and the other against Wisconsin.
If college basketball had an MVP award, Carter would undoubtedly be a top contender, given his significant impact on winning despite a lackluster supporting cast.
Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
In Illinois’ last eight games, Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging over 25 points and has led Illinois to a 6-2 Big Ten record. He is one of the most athletic players in the country and is an absolute blur in transition, averaging 9.5 free throw attempts per game in that stretch. Shannon continues to improve as a scorer from all three levels, making him an extremely tough cover due to his burst. His elite athleticism and NBA frame enable him to impact games on both the glass and the defensive end.
While there are still concerns about his playmaking and ability to score efficiently in the half-court setting, Shannon’s tremendous all-around impact on just about every game is undeniable, although it prevents him from potentially cracking the top five of this list.
Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Due to an injury, fellow Jayhawk Kevin McCullar is questionable to return this season and will not appear on this list for just that reason. Fortunately for Kansas, Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson is one of the most dominant offensive players in the sport and will give them a chance in every game they play, with or without McCullar. Dickinson is averaging 18.3 points and 10.9 rebounds and has turned into a threat from anywhere on the court. He can stretch the floor and make jump shots, is a good passer at his size, and can certainly dominate on the block.
Dickinson still struggles with defending in space and isn’t a great rim protector, which is why he ranks below players like Edey and Clingan. Nevertheless, his impact on his team’s offensive possessions is felt as much as anyone in the country, and he is a big reason why Kansas is still a dangerous team to watch this year in March Madness.
