Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball •

15 Stars You Need To Watch In The 2016 NCAA Tournament

+Read full article
Getty Images

The 2016 NCAA Tournament is here and I couldn’t be more excited. Thursday and Friday of this week are the most exciting days of the year in the world of sports as there are 16 games starting at noon and not ending until after midnight. When you’re watching the games, make sure you keep an eye out for these 15 players as they’ll be the most exciting to watch.

15. F Jameel Warney, Stony Brook

F Jameel Warney, Stony Brook Getty Images
Warney is averaging 19.8 points and 10.7 rebounds this season for the Seawolves and he's the biggest reason why Stony Brook is in the tournament for the first time ever. Watching him against Kentucky will be extremely entertaining.

Warney is averaging 19.8 points and 10.7 rebounds this season for the Seawolves and he's the biggest reason why Stony Brook is in the tournament for the first time ever. Watching him against Kentucky will be extremely entertaining.

14. G Devonte' Graham, Kansas

G Devonte' Graham, Kansas Getty Images
Graham's full-season stats aren't all that impressive as he averaged 11.7 points and 3.8 assists, but he really stepped up his game down the stretch. Over his last five games, Graham is averaging 16.2 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 53 percent from 3-point range. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Tournament for his efforts.

Graham's full-season stats aren't all that impressive as he averaged 11.7 points and 3.8 assists, but he really stepped up his game down the stretch. Over his last five games, Graham is averaging 16.2 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 53 percent from 3-point range. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 Tournament for his efforts.

13. G Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

G Yogi Ferrell, Indiana Getty Images
Ferrell is the guy that makes the Hoosiers' offense go and they desperately need him to play well in the tournament. With a potential second-round matchup against Kentucky standing in the way, Ferrell will have to be on top of his game.

Ferrell is the guy that makes the Hoosiers' offense go and they desperately need him to play well in the tournament. With a potential second-round matchup against Kentucky standing in the way, Ferrell will have to be on top of his game.

12. G Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

G Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia Getty Images
With the loss of Justin Anderson, we knew someone would have to pick up the scoring for the Cavaliers. Instead of another player stepping up, Brogdon took his game to another level as he averaged 18.7 points this season. If the Cavaliers are going to make a deep run, it's going to be because of Brogdon.

With the loss of Justin Anderson, we knew someone would have to pick up the scoring for the Cavaliers. Instead of another player stepping up, Brogdon took his game to another level as he averaged 18.7 points this season. If the Cavaliers are going to make a deep run, it's going to be because of Brogdon.

11. G Isaiah Whitehead, Seton Hall

G Isaiah Whitehead, Seton Hall Getty Images
Seton Hall is a team full of sophomores and Whitehead is the best of them. He's fearless when he drives in the lane and he can knock down the outside shot. The Pirates' match against Gonzaga will be one of the most entertaining of the first round.

Seton Hall is a team full of sophomores and Whitehead is the best of them. He's fearless when he drives in the lane and he can knock down the outside shot. The Pirates' match against Gonzaga will be one of the most entertaining of the first round.

10. F Jakob Poeltl, Utah

F Jakob Poeltl, Utah Getty Images
As a sophomore, Poeltl is leading the Utes in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (9.0) per game. At 7-foot-1, there's no one else in this tournament who can match up to his height, but it will be up to him to bring the physicality. If he does, Poeltl could put the Utes on his back and take them a long way.

As a sophomore, Poeltl is leading the Utes in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (9.0) per game. At 7-foot-1, there's no one else in this tournament who can match up to his height, but it will be up to him to bring the physicality. If he does, Poeltl could put the Utes on his back and take them a long way.

9. F Dillon Brooks, Oregon

F Dillon Brooks, Oregon Getty Images
Brooks was snubbed by the Pac 12 as he should've won the Pac 12 Player of the Year Award over Poeltl. That being said, the Ducks destroyed the Poeltl and the Utes in the Pac 12 Championship Game which gave them three wins over them this season.

Brooks was snubbed by the Pac 12 as he should've won the Pac 12 Player of the Year Award over Poeltl. That being said, the Ducks destroyed the Poeltl and the Utes in the Pac 12 Championship Game which gave them three wins over them this season.

8. G A.J. English, Iona

G A.J. English, Iona Getty Images
Although Monmouth got most of the spotlight this season in the MAAC, it was Iona who took them down in the conference championship game. English had an off game as he only shot 4-13 from the field, but he was still able to score 19 points. He also averages nine 3-point attempts per game which is what makes him so exciting to watch.

Although Monmouth got most of the spotlight this season in the MAAC, it was Iona who took them down in the conference championship game. English had an off game as he only shot 4-13 from the field, but he was still able to score 19 points. He also averages nine 3-point attempts per game which is what makes him so exciting to watch.

7. F Ben Bentil, Providence

F Ben Bentil, Providence Getty Images
Bentil and teammate Kris Dunn combine to form one of the best tandems in college basketball. Bentil is averaging 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and he and Dunn have the talent to possibly upset North Carolina in the second round.

Bentil and teammate Kris Dunn combine to form one of the best tandems in college basketball. Bentil is averaging 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and he and Dunn have the talent to possibly upset North Carolina in the second round.

6. G Kris Dunn, Providence

G Kris Dunn, Providence Getty Images
Although he's averaging a full assist less per game this year compared to last, Dunn's scoring has gone up. He has the ability to take over any game and the Friars will need him to be at his best in the tournament.

Although he's averaging a full assist less per game this year compared to last, Dunn's scoring has gone up. He has the ability to take over any game and the Friars will need him to be at his best in the tournament.

5. G Gary Payton II, Oregon State

G Gary Payton II, Oregon State Getty Images
Payton plays nothing like his dad who was known more for assists and steals than he was known for his scoring. Payton II averages 15.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists despite only standing 6-foot-3. If you watch the Oregon State vs. VCU game, it's likely you'll be treated to a highlight reel dunk by Payton.

Payton plays nothing like his dad who was known more for assists and steals than he was known for his scoring. Payton II averages 15.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists despite only standing 6-foot-3. If you watch the Oregon State vs. VCU game, it's likely you'll be treated to a highlight reel dunk by Payton.

4. G Tyler Ulis, Kentucky

G Tyler Ulis, Kentucky Getty Images
Ulis is the SEC Player of the Year and is the best point guard in the country. He's averaging 17.2 points and 7.2 assists as he helped lead the Wildcats to the SEC Tournament Title.

Ulis is the SEC Player of the Year and is the best point guard in the country. He's averaging 17.2 points and 7.2 assists as he helped lead the Wildcats to the SEC Tournament Title.

3. G Brandon Ingram, Duke

G Brandon Ingram, Duke Getty Images
Ingram stands 6-foot-9 and 195 pounds which is an odd combination for a guard. Fortunately for him, it works as he's averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds and is considered by some scouts to be the No. 1 overall player in the 2016 NBA Draft. Duke faces UNC Wilmington on Thursday in the first round of the tournament.

Ingram stands 6-foot-9 and 195 pounds which is an odd combination for a guard. Fortunately for him, it works as he's averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds and is considered by some scouts to be the No. 1 overall player in the 2016 NBA Draft. Duke faces UNC Wilmington on Thursday in the first round of the tournament.

2. G Buddy Hield, Oklahoma

G Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Getty Images
Hield is the best shooter in the nation and can put up 40 points on any single night. If the Sooners are on, you must keep an eye on their game.

Hield is the best shooter in the nation and can put up 40 points on any single night. If the Sooners are on, you must keep an eye on their game.

1. G/F Denzel Valentine, Michigan State

G/F Denzel Valentine, Michigan State Getty Images
Valentine is the most exciting player in the country. He scores, rebounds and assists and is the best leader in college basketball. Valentine is the reason I like Michigan State to win it all.

Valentine is the most exciting player in the country. He scores, rebounds and assists and is the best leader in college basketball. Valentine is the reason I like Michigan State to win it all.

Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
Your Favorites
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Kobe Bryant-Esque Performances From ACC Basketball Stars

Kobe Bryant had a storybook finish to his illustrious, 20-year NBA career. In his honor, we're bringing you some of the most dominant, "Kobe-esque" performances from the last 20 years courtesy of ACC legends like Al Thornton, J.J. Redick and Harrison Barnes.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Life At Texas Tech After Tubby Smith

Tubby Smith appears to have reached an agreement with Memphis and is leaving Lubbock. Campus Insiders' basketball analyst Jordan Cornette weighs in on the impact Smith made on the Red Raiders and who Texas Tech should look to as a possible replacement.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Coach K On Steph Curry: You Hope He Misses

Steph Curry leads the Golden State Warriors into the NBA Playoffs after the team set a new NBA record with 73 wins in a season. Mike Krzyzewski has coached Curry on Team USA and talks about the best way to game-plan against the league's MVP.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Villanova Recreated Game-Winning Play Over And Over Again

In case you missed it, the Villanova Wildcats won the 2016 NCAA tournament in thriller fashion. Shortly after, as you will see in the video above, some members of the championship squad recreated the game-winning play over and over again (you know, just to prove that the game-winning shot wasn't a fluke).

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

ACC Honors Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients

The Weaver-James-Corrigan and Jim and Pat Thacker postgraduate scholarships are awarded to ACC student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree and the scholarships are given to athletes who have performed with distinction on the field and in the classroom, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community. Hear what these impressive student-athletes have to say about the honor and the hard work that led to receiving the awards right here.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Sheldon McClellan Official Highlights | Miami Guard

Sheldon McClellan provided senior leadership as well as stellar play and led the canes to one of their deepest NCAA Tournament runs in school history. McClellan's deadly shooting along with big time athleticism made him a headache for ACC teams week in and week out. Check out his official highlights right here!

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Jaron Blossomgame Official Highlights | Clemson Forward

Jaron Blossomgame continued his momentum from his junior season and came into this season as a player to watch and certainly did not disappoint. The versatile forward got it done from the inside and outside and was the catalyst for the Clemson attack. Check out his official highlights right here!

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NCAA Basketball• Videos•

Mountain West Daily (4/12/16)

Boise State football goes paintballing, Wyoming’s Josh Adams accepts an invitation to a prestigious tournament and the Mountain West announces its Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week.

Comment 0 Comments