Top 5 College Basketball Players to Watch This March Madness

All college basketball teams are deep into conference tournament play, but Selection Sunday is quickly approaching. Every year, March Madness produces breakout stars, memorable moments, and unforgettable Cinderella stories. This year promises the same excitement. While fans love an underdog story, it’s the top players who keep viewers glued to every game.

Here are the top five men’s college basketball players to watch ahead of March Madness.

5. Mark Sears, Alabama

2024-25 stats: 19.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.0 APG, 41.2 FG%, 35.3 3P%

After a slow start to the season, Sears has elevated his play, scoring 20 or more points in each of his last five games and topping 30 points in three contests. As Alabama’s lead initiator, he commands the offense, setting the tempo and finding open teammates.

Alabama ranks as the top-scoring team in the nation, and Sears leads the charge. He is coming off a season in which he broke Alabama’s single-season scoring record, demonstrating consistency and growth that have cemented him as an SEC scoring leader.

One-on-one, Sears is a nightmare for opponents. His combination of scoring ability, court vision, and leadership makes him a pivotal player to watch as March Madness begins. If Alabama hopes to make a deep tournament run, Sears will need to continue carrying the offense and delivering in high-pressure moments.

4. Braden Smith, Purdue

2024-25 stats: 16.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 8.7 APG, 44.6 FG%, 40.6 3P%

Smith exemplifies the quintessential point guard, elevating the performance of every teammate on the court. Notably, he is the only player in college basketball this season averaging 16+ points and 8+ assists while shooting over 40% from three, according to StatHead.

Although Smith’s stats may not always appear flashy, he can take control of a game. He is one of only 10 Boilermakers in school history to score 30+ points while shooting at least 50% from the field and 40% from three in a single game. Impressively, he has accomplished this more than once this season.

This achievement puts Smith in elite company. Only two other Boilermakers, Carsen Edwards in 2019 and E’Twaun Moore in 2011, have managed this feat multiple times in a season. As the Big Ten Player of the Year favorite, Smith combines leadership, scoring, and playmaking to make Purdue a serious contender heading into March Madness.

3. Kameron Jones, Marquette

2024-25 stats: 18.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.0 APG, 48.6 FG%, 30.5 3P%

Jones has carried a heavier offensive load for the Golden Eagles this season, with a usage rate of 28.5%, the highest of his career. Despite the added responsibility, he has thrived, averaging a career-best 18.5 points per game.

Defensively, Jones remains impactful, averaging 1.5 steals per game and creating turnovers that fuel transition opportunities. On offense, he has improved as a distributor, averaging six assists per game—three times more than last season’s 2.4.

His ability to balance scoring, playmaking, and defense makes Jones a versatile threat for Marquette. With his elevated performance, he could be a key player to watch when March Madness begins.

2. Johni Broome, Auburn

2024-25 stats: 18.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.3 APG,  2.4 BPG, 50.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%

Earlier this season, Broome looked like a clear National Player of the Year candidate. While his scoring has cooled, with 10 points or fewer in his last two games, he has remained dominant on both ends of the court.

Broome leads the SEC in rebounds (10.7) and blocks (2.4) and is the only college player averaging 18+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks per game while shooting 50% or better from the field.

Missouri will rely on Broome to perform at his peak if the Tigers hope to make a deep run and contend for their first national championship.

1. Cooper Flagg, Duke

2024-25 stats: 19.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 49.7 FG%, 38.2 3P%

Anointed the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Flagg has lived up to the enormous hype. At just 18, he excels on both ends, showcasing versatility as a true two-way player. Flagg is in the National Player of the Year race alongside Broome, demonstrating elite skills and poise for his age.

Flagg is one of four freshmen (Jarvis Lang 1991, Shareef Abdur-Rahim 1996, Kevin Durant 2007) in NCAA history to average 19+ points, 7+ rebounds, 1.5+ blocks, and over a steal per game on at least 45% shooting or better from the field.

He’s a phenom.