As March Madness approaches, fans are beginning to wonder: which players are going to immortalize themselves on college basketball’s biggest stage? Just last year, we saw a player like Jack Gohlke put himself on the national radar with a tremendous first-round performance to help Oakland upset Kentucky.
However, while America may love an underdog story, the players that will likely have the biggest impact on the NCAA Tournament are the stars we already know. So, who are those players? And who is the best of the best?
Here are the top 10 players in men’s college basketball with March Madness just a few weeks away.
The best players in men’s college basketball
All stats entering play Wednesday.
10. LJ Cryer, Houston
2024-25 stats: 15.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 41.9 FG%, 42 3P%
Although Cryer’s stats don’t pop off the page, his talent is undeniable. He’s an obvious shooting threat, leading the Big 12 in 3-point percentage, but that alone isn’t what makes him the likely Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s also an outstanding athlete with great handles. His playmaking could certainly use some work, though.
9. Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
2024-25 stats: 16.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.0 APG, 53.1 FG%, 20.9 3P%
Although Kansas has lost three of its last five games, that has been no fault of Dickinson, who has recorded four double-doubles in that span and was one rebound away vs. Texas Tech from making that five of five.
While Dickinson’s stats are not as gaudy as they were a season ago, it’s merely because he’s playing fewer minutes as the Jayhawks now boast a solid backup option in Flory Bidunga. The option for Dickinson to play fewer minutes could pay massive dividends come NCAA Tournament time, as he should be fresher than ever. That said, the Jayhawks have struggled against top-tier opponents this season, so perhaps even Dickinson’s stellar play and fresh legs will not be enough.
8. Bennett Stirtz, Drake
2024-25 stats: 18.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 49.7 FG%, 38.1 3P%
Stirtz is almost single-handedly carrying the Drake Bulldogs into relevancy this year. He’s been outstanding and seemingly has gotten better as the season’s progressed. He’s scored 20 or more points in eight of his last 10 games. While Drake’s competition certainly isn’t the toughest in the country, Stirtz has the Bulldogs earning top-25 votes for a reason.
7. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
2024-25 stats: 17.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 42.5 FG%, 40.7 3P%
While Lanier does struggle a bit with consistency, having produced six games where he shot under 30% from the floor, he has also produced nine games shooting over 50%. When Lanier gets going, he’s nearly impossible to stop; the Volunteers are a stellar 11-0 when Lanier scores 20 or more points.
6. PJ Haggerty, Memphis
2024-25 stats: 21.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 49.1 FG%, 40.9 3P%
Many people were unsure if Haggerty’s incredible stats at Tulsa a season ago would translate to a team like Memphis, looking to make noise during March Madness. They have, and Haggerty has looked stellar all the while, racking up over 21 points per game for the second consecutive season.
Haggerty’s remarkable ability to get to the free throw line has played well all season for the Tigers, including in their runner-up finish at the Maui Invitational. He’s maintained that same level of play all season and has the Tigers looking for a No. 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
5. Mark Sears, Alabama
2024-25 stats: 19.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 41.2 FG%, 36.1 3P%
After a relatively slow start to the season, Sears has taken his game up another level, averaging 22.1 points per game over his last eight. We all knew Sears could take command of games at a moment’s notice, but he’s really come into his own as a leader as well. Even in games where Alabama loses, Sears is often able to keep the contests close. In fact, Alabama entered Wednesday with only one loss by more than 10 points all season. Much of that can be attributed to Sears’ incredible knack for scoring.
4. Braden Smith, Purdue
2024-25 stats: 16.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 8.7 APG, 44.6 FG%, 40.6 3P%
Smith is a wizard with the ball in his hands — and the ball always finds a way into his hands. He leads the Big Ten in both assists per game (8.7) and steals per game (2.4), and he does it all while maintaining some of the best shooting numbers among guards in college basketball. There isn’t a single area of Smith’s game where he struggles. Although he doesn’t light up a box score like most other players on this list, he’s more than capable of taking over games when he needs to. As of Wednesday, he’s scored 23 points in back-to-back games en route to solid wins over Rutgers and UCLA.
3. Kameron Jones, Marquette
2024-25 stats: 18.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.2 APG, 48.8 FG%, 31.5 3P%
There were a few skeptics wondering whether Jones would be able to transition from wing to guard in just one season. Those skeptics were quieted quickly. Jones has been just as good, maybe better, than he was a season ago. He’s carrying more of Marquette’s offensive load, all without being a detriment in the turnover department. In fact, he’s averaging almost three times as many assists as last year (2.4) while only marginally increasing his turnover rate (1.4 to 1.8 per game).
2. Johni Broome, Auburn
2024-25 stats: 18.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 50.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%
Sure, Broome is on a bit of a cold stretch. He’s scored fewer than 10 points four times all season, but two of those instances have come in Auburn’s last two games. Still, despite the recent struggles, Broome is performing at elite levels for a big man, especially on the defensive end, where he leads the SEC in both rebounds per game and blocks per game (2.4).
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
2024-25 stats: 19.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 49.7 FG%, 38.2 3P%
Flagg is assumed to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and deservedly so. Flagg’s incredible skill on both the offensive and defensive ends are unmatched in college basketball. His only drawback so far has been his 3-point shooting, but that has been tremendous of late, with Flagg shooting 50% from beyond the arc over his last 10 games.