March Madness 2024: One Player to Watch on Every Team (Seeds 1–9)
By Hayden Shapiro
It’s March Madness time and I’m stoked. Will UConn repeat? How will Purdue bounce back? Those are questions to be answered in the coming weeks. In this piece, I highlight one player from each team (Seeds 1–9) who you should watch out for during the tournament. Whether it’s stellar defense or lights out three-point shooting, all of these guys have unqiue skillsets that I explain in depth right here, right now. If you like what you read, consider hitting that follow button as the page continues to grow! As always, much love and stay cool! Let’s get right into it, starting with the reigning champion UConn Huskies.
1 UConn: Tristen Newton
Tristen Newton might be the most well-rounded superstar in college basketball. He scores 15 points a game, but also puts up a whopping 7 boards and 6 assists. He controls the game for the Huskies; bringing up the ball without turning it over and always has his head up looking for an open teammate. Coming into college as ZERO STAR, yes ZERO-star recruit, the leaps he has taken are monumental and, in my opinion, he might be the most talented player in this tournament. As an absolutely loaded UConn team looks to repeat, Newton is in the spotlight, and he won’t disappoint.
1 Purdue: Zach Edey
Edey’s frame is simply unguardable. He has great footwork in the paint and dominates on the glass, but don’t let that take away from how good of a passer he is. Edey is the heart and soul of this Boilermakers squad and if they are going to break the stereotype of them not performing in March, Edey has to bring his regular season play into the tournament.
1 Houston: Jamal Shead
Shead plays the point guard position to a tee. His 6 assists per game produce a lot of opportunities for the Cougars and his 13 points per game elevate this offense. This team is so defensively sound, and it starts with Shead. He is feisty off the ball, consistently rushing opposing guards to make quick decisions and forcing turnovers. The Houston PG is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country and plays with so much speed, two things Houston is going to need if they want to make a run.
1 UNC: RJ Davis
The definition of electric; RJ Davis just makes playing basketball look fun. He is so good on the perimeter with the ball in his hands, as well as being a very capable inside scorer. Davis is one of the most fun players to watch in the country. He excels at step back threes and off-balance shooting, something he makes doing look so easy. Davis and Armando Bacot lead a Tar Heels team primed for a tournament run.
2 Iowa St: Keshon Gilbert
Gilbert is a long, athletic guard who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make a difference. He excels at driving to the net and finishing through contact, but he can really stroke it from deep as well. Something really specific I noticed while watching his tape was how good he is at spacing the floor. He knows exactly where to be in order for the ball to find him; that is if he is not bringing up the ball. This Iowa State team has all the tools to succeed in March, and it starts with their combo-guard.
2 Tennessee: Dalton Knecht
Arguably one of the most dynamic players in college basketball, Knecht has the unique ability to take over a game all by himself. He is often unfazed by opposing defenders, pretty much doing whatever he wants with the ball. My buddies and I are huge Knecht fans, and for good reason. The dude had the ability to take it strong inside and pull up from deep. My comp for him has been and will still be Demar Derozan. He’s got a great pull up mid-range jumper and has very long arms. This Vols team is stacked, and Knecht sits at the top of the roster.
2 Marquette: Tyler Kolek
Kolek is a true PG who keeps his head up with the ball. He led the nation in assists and plays with passion. He is a matchup nightmare given his quickness and basketball IQ.
2 Arizona: Caleb Love
The UNC transfer is a pure scorer. If Love is hot, watch out because this dude can go for 30 on any given night. His release is so fluid, and he comes off of screens faster than anyone in the country. He is truly a special talent in the iso game and is going to be very difficult for opposing teams to prepare for, given the plethora of moves he has in his repertoire.
3 Kentucky: Rob Dillingham
This freshman simply does not play like a freshman. He is so electric and plays with so much energy, two things that will serve him and the Wildcats very well in the tourney. Dillingham’s release is so quick, and his shiftiness makes him almost impossible to guard. This Kentucky team is young, but they might shock some people this year as a 3 seed.
3 Baylor: RayJ Dennis
This ex-Toledo and Boise St guard is not only one of the best defenders in the tournament, but a phenomenal passer too. He makes highlight reel plays night in and night out, allowing for his teammates to get open looks from three and inside. He drives so strong, drawing a defender in, then kicks it out for an open three; and he does it A LOT. I’m really starting to like this Baylor team and RayJ definitely caught my eye.
3 Illinois: Terrence Shannon Jr
Plain and simple, Shannon Jr is a top three scorer in college basketball. He does it on all three levels and is deceptively strong which allows him to get inside on his defender. I love his game because of this, but also because he is a willing passer. He excels in iso ball and can shoot it from pretty much anywhere. This Illinois team is a complete roster headlined by Shannon. The Fighting Illini are looking to play in the half court and execute, something they do extremely well.
3 Creighton: Baylor Scheierman
Scheierman can shoot off the catch and dribble. His big frame and high release almost negates the coverage on him. Along with his three-point prowess, he is a great rebounder. Creighton always runs great plays that confuse the defense, and with Scheierman on the wing, this team is dangerous.
4 Auburn: Chad Baker-Mazara
The Dominican prospect is the heart and soul of this Auburn team. He may not put up the most points or shoot the lights out, but his attitude and hustle make this Tigers squad a force to be reckoned with. He talks trash, gets into the grill of his matchup, and is a phenomenal defender. I really like his game and Auburn as a whole. They could make some noise in this tournament for sure.
4 Duke: Jared McCain
McCain is a high energy guy who plays with so much heart. He is a pest off the ball and a great rebounder for a guard. The ex-TikTok star is much more than a dancer, though he hopes Duke does some dancing in this tourney. BONUS: He is literally Josh Hart.
4 Kansas: Johnny Furphy
Furphy really came on late in the year, and he possesses the skills to succeed in the tournament. He can shoot the three ball and defend on the perimeter, typical 3-and-D wing for this electric Jayhawks squad.
4 Alabama: Mark Sears
Sears scores at will and plays big for a guard. He has a fluid release and is great on the defensive end. This Crimson Tide beats its matchup up inside, and that’s exactly where Sears excels. Great footwork and an accurate shot maker.
5 BYU: Fousseyni Traore
Hailing from Mali, Traore is a force on the defensive side of the basketball. He can guard pretty much 1–5, something so insanely valuable in March. He drives strong to the hoop and looks to get fouled. In his tape it was evident how comfortable he was without the ball, using off ball screens and baseline runs to his advantage.
5 San Diego State: Jaedon LeDee
Ledee is legit. This dude can score at all levels and puts up a very impressive 22 points per game on 55% shooting. He is also a great defender using his long arms to disrupt passing lanes. San Diego State always preaches defense, but this year they have an offensive superstar in LeDee.
5 Saint Mary’s: Augustas Marciulionis
The Lithuanian guard consistently draws double teams due to his passing ability. He is the gear that makes this offense turn, and boy can they go fast. This team is so good in transition and it all starts with the outlet pass. Marciulionis is a great ball handler and controls this offense.
5 Wisconsin: Chucky Hepburn
Hepburn has really come into his own these last couple weeks. He was phenomenal during the BIG 10 tourney and it’s evident how much the team trusts him with the ball in his hands. He is a true point guard, a guy who doesn’t turn it over, but also has the ability to pull up from deep. The Badgers are a really well-rounded squad led by Hepburn, though the stat sheet may not always show it.
6 Gonzaga: Graham Ike
The Wyoming transfer, Graham Ike, plays so physically and I’m all over it. I absolutely love his game. Hustling for big rebounds and an amazing shot blocker at the other end. This Gonzaga team is confusing and inconsistent at times, but Ike gives them his all every night. He has also developed a good floater/mid-range flip shot, something that will help the Bulldogs churn on offense.
6 Clemson: PJ Hall
Hall is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated players in the nation. His hustle and heart beats out anyone else. He truly cares about winning every game and will do whatever he needs to get it done. He can stretch the floor, as well as go to work inside. Hall’s got great footwork and a really smooth jumper. He moves really well for his size and is a decent anchor on defense when matched up with opposing forwards.
6 Texas Tech: Joe Toussaint
The Bronx native is so unbelievably fast, it’s really a joy to watch. He is one of the best defensive guards in the country and can lock down pretty much any opposing point guard. He puts so much pressure on the ball-handler and has some of the quickest dribble moves across the nation. I like this Texas Tech squad, as they are very defensively sound and deploy multiple units and strategies on that side of the ball.
6 South Carolina: Collin Murray-Boyles
If you couldn’t tell already, I think defensive stars are HUGE in March Madness. That’s exactly what Murray-Boyles is. He’s going to lock down the opposing team’s number one option and give you a steal + block every game. The 6’7 freshman has insanely long arms and uses his athleticism so well on defense. He can also play downhill on the offensive side of the ball, something that makes this Gamecocks squad so hard to beat.
7 Florida: Walter Clayton Jr
The Iona transfer has been nothing short of spectacular this season for the Gators. He seems to always hit big shots and has the juice to energize the crowd at any given moment. I love his game. He can finish through contact, shoot contested threes, and spread the ball. Clayton leads this Florida team who really exceeded expectations this season.
7 Washington State: Myles Rice
Being one of the youngest players in the country isn’t always a recipe for success, but Rice puts that stigma aside. He is so shifty with the ball and can shoot from anywhere across halfcourt. This Cougars team can really score, they play extremely fast, and Rice’s style of play is just perfect for the tournament and the way Washington St wants to play.
7 Texas: Dillon Mitchell
Mitchell is one of the most physical and tenacious rebounders in the tournament. He boxes out so well, while also giving you 10 points a game on extremely efficient shooting.
7 Dayton: DaRon Holmes II
This highflyer is one of the most exciting players to watch in all of CBB. He scores 20 points a game and does so very efficiently. Shooting 54% from the field while being a threat inside and out helps this Dayton team win games.
8 Nebraska: Keisei Tominaga
If Tominaga is hot, call it a game. He’s one of the streakiest players in the nation and can shoot it from anywhere. Off the dribble, his release is so quick and in catch and shoot situations, he doesn’t need to be set. The dude is a game changer, and if he’s on, Nebraska is going to surprise people.
8 Utah State: Great Osobor
Great Osobor is a top five defender in the country, averaging over a steal AND block a game. With that being said, he’s also dynamic offensively. He puts up 18 points a game and grabs 9 boards. Really well-rounded player who makes the Aggies a really dangerous team in March.
8 FAU: Johnell Davis
We’ve seen this guy before and he’s back for more. FAU retained a lot of players and is primed for another MM run, and it all starts with superstar Johnell Davis. He is a three-level scorer and a fantastic finisher through contact. He is the heart and soul of the Owls and if he’s on, watch out for the Boca Boys because they can really light up the scoreboard.
8 Mississippi State: Tolu Smith
Smith is a bowling ball inside the paint and a great rim protector. He sets some of the toughest screens in the country. This Bulldogs roster is feisty and hungry for some wins. Tolu Smith is their anchor on defense, who also gives them 15 points a game.
9 Michigan State: Tyson Walker
This Michigan State team is extremely well coached and likes to play in the half-court, running screens and fades for their star. Walker can shoot it and defend, great 3 and D guy who’ll help the Spartans attempt to make a little run in March.
9 Texas A&M: Wade Taylor IV
Not only a great perimeter defender, Taylor IV is one of the most polished offensive players in the country, he seems to pull out new moves every game and puts on a show whenever he’s on the floor. This A&M squad is very underrated and Wade Taylor IV leads them with his game and mental toughness. The dude’s really, really good.
9 TCU: Jameer Nelson Jr
Nelson Jr plays so fast. He leaves his defenders in the dust and has great vision. He is the leader of this Horned Frogs team looking for a couple wins early on in the tournament; something they are very capable of doing.
9 Northwestern: Boo Buie
For some reason, people don't acknowledge how incredibly talented Buie is. He can score on all three levels and is electric with the ball. He wants to hut the big shot and can go for 30 on any given night.
