Only 6 players remain from our original Top 30 Player Ranking.
10: Davide Moretti G Texas Tech
Season Stats: 11.6 PPG 2.5 APG 50.2 FG% 92.2 FT% 1.3 TO
The Italian Mamba doesn’t exactly look like one of the 10 best basketball players in the Final Four, but he is actually one of the most efficient players in College Basketball. A good ball handler who doesn’t turn the ball over and has an unreal shooting line of 50.2/46.3/92.2. A perfect compliment to Culver.
9: Mamadi Diakite F Virginia
Season Stats: 7.5 PPG 4.3 RPG 1.6 BPG 55.7 FG%
Diakite’s stats don’t jump off the page, but his defense and size has been huge for Virginia’s final four run. Not only is he balling out in the tourney to the tone of 13 PPG 9 RPG, but he hit this ugly half jump/half hook shot to send Purdue into OT. His continued solid play will be crucial if Virginia wants to take home the championship.
8: Xavier Tillman F Michigan State
Season Stats: 10.1 PPG 7.3 RPG 1.7 BPG 61.2 FG%
MSU’s top big man Nick Ward has been banged up all post season and Tillman has really stepped up for the Spartans. He played great defense against Zion in the Elite 8 and even dropped a career high 19. Pretty solid night for the future NBA player.
7: Kyle Guy G Virginia
Season Stats: 15.2 PPG 4.6 RPG 44.6 FG% 42.7 3PT%
Outside of the Purdue game, Guy has been building a brick house this tournament. His ability to stretch the floor and hit shots off screens opens up Virginia’s offense and makes life easier on his teammates. If he hots up they are tough to beat.
6: DeAndre Hunter F Virginia
Season Stats: 14.9 PPG 5.0 RPG 51.8 FG%
Hunter is a versatile forward who does a lot of good things for his team. His ability to guard 1-5 on defense are part of what makes Virginia’s defense among the best in the country. NBA draft fans should keep an eye on how he plays these final one or two games as he is a likely Top 10 pick.
5: Ty Jerome G Virginia
Season Stats: 13.3 PPG 4.0 RPG 5.4 APG 1.6 SPG 43.5 FG%
Jerome’s 6’5″ size at the 1 slot allows him to see over the defense and run one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. On the other end of the court, he bullies smaller college guards and forces turnovers. Pretty boring player to be honest, but he’s one of the best in the nation.
4: Bryce Brown G Auburn
Season Stats: 16.0 PPG 1.9 APG 44.0 FG% 41.0 3PT%
Brown is the best pure scorer remaining in the tournament. His 18.3 PPG on a efficient 55% from the field in the tourney have propelled 5 Seed Auburn to the Final Four. Watching him and Harper work together in the backcourt is probably the most exciting combo remaining.
3: Jared Harper G Auburn
Season Stats: 15.4 PPG 2.5 RPG 5.8 APG 1.2 SPG 2.5 3PM
Harper is on a short list of quickest players in the nation. His ability to get in the paint and create easy buckets for his teammates allows Auburn to play fast and outrun opponents. His matchup with Ty Jerome will be fun to watch.
2: Jarrett Culver G/F Texas Tech
Season Stats: 18.9 PPG 6.4 RPG 3.8 APG 1.5 SPG 47.6 FG%
Culver is making a legit push for a Top 3 selection in the NBA Draft. His athleticism and handles make him almost impossible to keep out of the paint at the college level. His playmaking off drives and out of double teams is very impressive for his size. You could easily make an argument for him as the No. 1 player remaining.
1: Cassius Winston G Michigan State
Season Stats: 18.9 PPG 7.6 APG 1.0 SPG 46.7 FG% 40.4 3PT% 83.5 FT%
You know that old guy at the YMCA that gets picked last then drops 20-10 on you? Thats Cassius Winston. His combination scoring, playmaking, and efficiency make him the best guard in the country.
