Top 10 Best Players During March Madness 2022

Who should you keep an eye on in March Madness 2022? The 2017 NCAA men’s tournament will include the best talent on the field, from future NBA All-Stars to some of the best athletes in college football.

While the best player in college basketball may not win the national championship, many of the game’s top players will lead their teams to victory in 2022.

Following NCAA Selection Sunday, March Madness started on March 15 and 16 with the First Four games to determine the final bracket. Notre Dame’s double overtime win over Rutgers headlined that set of games.

• First Round: March 17-18
• Second Round: March 19-20
• Sweet Sixteen: March 24-25
• Elite Eight: March 26-27
• Final Four: April 2

The NCAA men’s national championship game will be played on April 4 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 players to keep an eye on in March Madness 2022.

1. Jabari Smith, forward, Auburn Tigers

Jabari Smith is one of the most exciting college basketball players to watch. We’re seeing a trend in the NBA toward bigger shooters, and Smith Jr. fits the bill perfectly. In his rookie season, the 6-foot-10 forward hit 42.5 percent from the three-point range, averaging 2.3 three-pointers per game. In addition, he has scored 20 points or more in 12 games this season.

Smith isn’t only a scorer; he’s also capable of defending several spots with his length and athleticism. Smith may not be as good a defender as the other top NBA Draft prospect in March Madness, Chet Holmgren, but he’s far more likely to take over a game with his shooting. It’ll be a tight race for the top spot on draft boards, and Smith can make a strong case with his performance in March.

Auburn is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest region for those interested in seeing Smith, such as Detroit Pistons fans seeking for a great companion for Cade Cunningham. If we’re lucky, he’ll be up against someone from this list in the Sweet 16.

2. Chet Holmgren, center, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Chet Holmgren – 247 Sports’ No. 1 recruit in 2021 – were given off to a piece of a sluggishbegin with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The 7-foot middlecompleted with five rebounds, four fouls and a couple offactors in his 2nd game. On Nov. 26 towards Duke – a matchup with Paolo Banchero – the thin-framed middlebecame outplayed via way of means of Duke’s begin. Fortunately, we’re seeing an evolving model of Holmgren recently. Chet Holmgren stats (Jan. 8-Feb. 24): 16.four ppg, 11.2 rpg, three.five bpg, 1 spg, 2.zero 3PM, 28 mpg This is the precisepossibility for Holmgren to show he have to be the No. 1 choosewithinside the 2022 NBA Draft. While he won’t be a quantity scorer like Smith, Gonzaga’s 7-foot sensation is one of thesatisfactory defenders in basketball. Racking up double-doubles with 3s and blocks to steer a Final Four run, as a way to make Holmgren the No. 1 choose. This is a enormoussecond for Holmgren, a lock to be a top-threechoose. Whether you’re a university basketball fan or love the Houston Rockets and needto peer who may want toprobably pair with Alperen Sengun, Gonzaga is the No. 1 seed withinside the NCAA match and it’s going to be the Chet show.

3. Jaden Ivey, guard, Purdue Boilermakers

Indiana loves basketball and within the heart of the state is Purdue Boilermakers guard Jaden Ivey. The 6-foot-4 guard joined the program as a four-star recruit, rated because the 89th-best player in 247 Sports’ 2020 class rankings. Fast forward to March Madness 2022, basketball fans can get an early check out one among subsequent exciting NBA guards.

Credit to Ivey for taking an enormous leap in his second season. After shooting just 25.8% from the perimeter as a freshman he’s now at 37.1% this year. He’s also gotten to the free-throw line more, attempting nearly three free-throw attempts more per game compared to his first year on campus. As a result, he became a candidate for the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

Jaden Ivey stats: 17.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.8 3PM, 53.1% FG, 30.8 mpg

One thing to stay in mind, Ivey is accomplishing all this during a scheme tailored for Purdue’s bigs. Despite not being the right fit, the sophomore guard is making those around him better and is even turning it up as lately . With 11 20-point outings this season, we all know what Ivey can do.

4. Keegan Murray, forward, Iowa Hawkeyes

One of the high-scoring players in basketball will placed on a clinic during March Madness. Keegan Murray, Iowa’s 6-foot-8 forward, is flourishing in his sophomore season. The 21-year-old entered March averaging 1.7 3s per game, hitting 38.8% beyond the road . because of his size and length, he’s also an efficient rebounder.

Keegan Murray stats: 23.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2 bpg, 1.3 spg, 1.3 apg, 31.1 mpg

There are some important things to stay in mind with Murray. First, he dropped 35 points in his lone neutral site game this season. It marked the fourth time he scored 30-plus points on the year. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic sees some similarities to Tobias Harris which sort of player thrives in college.

One potential dream March Madness scenario within the Midwest region would see Murray face Jabari Smith within the Elite Eight. it might be the sort of head-to-head matchup that would send Murray’s draft stock rocketing up the boards.

5. Johnny Davis, guard, Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin native is making everyone proud. during a clash with Purdue, Johnny Davis (16 points, 8 rebounds) came through for the Badgers. While it wasn’t his best day from the sector (41.6%), the 6-foot-5 guard finished perfect from the road (6-for-6) and came through in clutch moments.

Keep in mind, Wisconsin’s five isn’t exactly loaded. Davis is usually carrying them, trying to find ways to attain and snagging rebounds to show defensive stops into points. He can play quality defense against college guards and his ability to explode at any moment (37 points vs. Purdue on Jan. 3) should be exciting for casual basketball fans tuning certain the primary time this year.

6. Paolo Banchero, forward, Duke Blue Devils

Fans are getting to learn tons about Paolo Banchero in March. First, he sweats tons and it can cause him handling cramps and losing significant weight during games. Second, Banchero remains capable of becoming the simplest player on the court no matter the opponent at any moment.

Paolo Banchero stats: 16.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3 apg, 23.7 PER

There are levels of inconsistency with Duke’s 6-foot-10 forward. He averaged 17.8 ppg in November, 15.8 ppg in December, 18.7 ppg in January and 14 ppg in March. Of course, there are incredible stretches of brilliance. He scored 21 points against Gonzaga, despite being limited by cramps. It’s a secure bet he’ll be a top-5 pick, but Banchero needs a dominant run to be a top-3 pick.

7.Oscar Tshiebwe, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

The road to becoming one of the must-see players of March Madness didn’t come easy for Oscar Tshiebwe. The 6-foot-9 big grew up within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, first playing soccer then transitioning to basketball. After moving to us in 2015, Tshiebwe caught the attention of school scouts and enrolled as a four-star recruit at West Virginia in 2019.

A few years later, he’s a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. He caused havoc thereon end of the court, combing for 3.3 blocks+steals per game. Where he really stands out is on the boards, leading the state in rebounds per game (15.3). Kentucky likes to feed him near the rim and he can finish authoritatively. He’s likely not getting to be a first-round pick, but he’ll make some new fans together with his play throughout March Madness.

8. Ochai Agbaji, guard, Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks don’t have that can’t-miss NBA Draft prospect, but Ochai Agbaji may be a very intriguing player. Viewed as a possible lottery selection within the upcoming class, the 6-foot-5 guard is that the biggest reason why the Jayhawks finished with one among the simplest records within the country.

Ochai Agbaji stats: 20.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 42.2% 3PT, 48.7% FG

There are other great reasons why basketball fans without a team to root for might want to ascertain Agbaji take Kentucky far. The Kansas City native may be a senior who stuck around with the Jayhawks for all four seasons, steadily earning minutes and improving his game. A future 3-and-D player at subsequent level, you’ll back Agbaji dropping 20-plus points with some fantastic shots.

9. Kofi Cockburn, center, Illinois Fighting Illini

For those trying to find a lesser-known player who could make an enormous impact in March Madness, we submit Kofi Cockburn. The 7-foot center from Jamaica moved to ny as an adolescent , later finding a home because the overpowering center for the Fighting Illini.

A consensus second-team All-American in 2021, Cockburn may be a wrecking ball within the paint. Opponents can’t match his size and power, resulting in him shooting 60.1% from the sector during the regular season. he’s everything for Illinois, averaging 23 points and 11.4 rebounds in wins compared to fifteen .2 points and 5 rebounds in losses.

10. AJ Griffin, forward, Duke Blue Devils

Rounding out our list of players to observe is AJ Griffin, arguably Duke’s best player as lately . The 6-foot-6 freshman is averaging just 10.4 points across 30 games. However, he started slowly while recovering from a knee injury. From Jan. 4-Feb. 27, Griffin averaged 2.5 three-pointers made per game, hitting 50.6% of his shots from outside the perimeter.

A five-star recruit just a year ago, athleticism is that the most enjoyable element of Griffin’s game. He’s not asked to be the first scorer on a loaded Duke team, but his ability to take a seat behind the road and fire the spot-up shot complements Holmgren’s passing perfectly. We wouldn’t be surprised to ascertain Griffin drop a 20-burger early within the NCAA tournament.