X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Ranking the Top-10 Players in the Men's NCAA Tournament Final Four

Mark Sears - CBB DFS Picks, NCAA Daily College Fantasy Basketball

There's only four teams left in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, but some amazing players will take center stage in Phoenix on Saturday. Ryan ranks the top-10 players of this year's Final Four.

There's only one week left in the college basketball season, but the three most important games of the year have yet to tip off. This year's tournament hasn't necessarily been the most exhilarating in terms of buzzer beaters and massive upsets, but the incredible ride NC State has taken to the Final Four is one of the greatest stories in sports over the past few years, which helps make up for the lack of drama.

1-seeds UConn and Purdue, 4-seed Alabama, and 11-seed NC State round out the four surviving teams in this tournament. All took very different paths to get here, but are ultimately fighting for the same glory in the end.

Each of these teams boasts some legitimate star power. This year's Final Four player pool features a Wooden Award winner, another first-team All-American, and several All-Conference players. Here are the 10 best players in the 2024 men's Final Four.

 

1. Zach Edey, Purdue

This isn't a debate. Edey just dropped 40 and 16 in Purdue's Elite Eight win over Tennessee, which gives him an average of 30 points and 16.2 boards in the tournament this year. You might not like it, but Edey is inevitable due to his combination of size and skill. No one looks equipped to stop him, and for good reason. It's because you can't. You can only hope to contain him, but so far no team has come close.

 

2. Mark Sears, Alabama

Sears is my pick for best guard in the Final Four, not the first-team All-American below him. The Ohio transfer has been lights out during the Crimson Tide's run, putting up 24.3 points, 3.8 assists, and almost two steals per game while shooting above 50%. Sears also leads the field in three-point makes with 17, which includes a 7-of-14 performance against Clemson in the Elite Eight. He'll likely need to go well over his average to take down UConn, which will be even more difficult if matched up with Stephon Castle, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

 

3. Tristen Newton, UConn

Once a relatively unknown transfer from East Carolina that was nowhere near any top-50 portal player rankings two years ago, Newton has blossomed into a legitimate superstar for head coach Dan Hurley. After leading the Huskies in scoring in last season's National Championship, Newton rode that momentum into a first-team All-American season, one of nine Huskies in history to earn that honor.

Newton leads this balanced attack in scoring at 15.0 points per game, is tops in assists, and second in rebounds. The impact and experience he brings for the No. 1 overall seed really cannot be understated. Newton does everything for this team, and if you didn't know, he's also the cousin of former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones!

 

4. Donovan Clingan, UConn

While Newton had the best overall season of any UConn player, Clingan has been the best player during this Final Four run. The sophomore big man has been a one-man wrecking crew in the paint, exhibiting absolute domination on both ends of the floor only matched by Zach Edey. Clingan made mincemeat of 3-seed Illinois in the Elite Eight, gashing them for 22 points, 10 boards, and five blocks in only 22 minutes of action.

 

5. Braden Smith, Purdue

Contrary to popular belief, Purdue isn't just the Zach Edey show. The Boilermakers would not be in the the position they are in without the stellar play of first-team All-Big Ten and Cousy Award finalist Braden Smith. The sophomore is one of the steadiest floor generals in the nation, and already has two double-doubles in this tournament. He's leading the field in dimes by a wide margin with 38 through four games, including a masterful 14-point, eight-rebound, and 15-assist performance against Gonzaga in the Sweet 16.

 

6. Cam Spencer, UConn

Like his backcourt mate Tristen Newton, Spencer also earned first-team All-Big East honors and was a few additional made shots away from joining the illustrious 50-40-90 club. The former Rutgers transfer is the best three-point shooter remaining in the tournament (95 makes on 44%), but he's an incredibly underrated playmaker as well, ranking second on his team in assists and seventh nationwide in assist-to-turnover ratio.

 

7. DJ Burns Jr., NC State

America's hero. Big man DJ Burns has won over the country with his nimble footwork, feathery touch in the paint, and joyful personality while the Wolfpack have gone on this unprecedented run. Burns, once a three-year player at Winthrop, absolutely dominated the Wolfpacks' Elite Eight game against Duke, scoring 29 points on 13-of-19 shooting.

The Blue Devils had no answer for Burns, who routinely cooked whoever was matched up against him, which included 7-footer and second-team All-American Kyle Filipowski. Burns will have his work cut out for him with Zach Edey looming, but he's beat the odds for nine straight games, so who's to say he can't do it again?

 

8. DJ Horne, NC State

The other DJ of NC State's incredible duo, Horne has shouldered the scoring load in the backcourt for the Wolfpack over their nine-game wining streak. He's also shown out when the stakes have been highest, dropping 29 on UNC in the ACC Tournament final and pouring in 20 against Duke in the Elite Eight.

Horne is one of those dynamic but streaky microwave scorers that can help carry a team in March and that's exactly what he's done in 2024. Head coach Kevin Keatts may need his senior guard to push for 30+ in Phoenix if he wants to take down Purdue, which Horne is capable of doing.

 

9. Stephon Castle, UConn

UConn already has two backcourt players on this list, why not throw on another one for good measure? The five-star freshman is already one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. Castle has elite lateral quickness and utilizes his his 6-foot-6, 215-pound frame to make life hell for opposing ball handlers.

His offensive game still needs some polish, but he is still a relentless finisher at the rim who can score through contact. If you don't think Castle should be on this list, just take a look at what he did to Terrence Shannon Jr., the best perimeter scorer in the country who had been unstoppable for the past month and a half.

 

10. Alex Karaban, UConn

The last member of UConn's starting five checks in at No. 10 on this list, which rounds out the entire lineup. This is the reason why they are -200 to win the title entering the Final Four. Karaban is a versatile stretch four that has a 39% three-point conversion rate over two seasons, and is almost automatic from the line at 88%. Having him as a fourth or sometimes fifth option on offense is simply unfair.

More March Madness Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Lamar Jackson

Throws for Four Touchdowns in Week 2 Win
James Cook

Scores Two Touchdowns in Rout of Jets
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Rome Odunze

Scores Twice in Loss
Ja'Marr Chase

Snags 14 Receptions, Finds End Zone in Week 2
Russell Wilson

Throws for 450 Yards, Three Touchdowns in Loss
Jared Goff

Throws Five Touchdowns
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Scores Three Touchdowns
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short-Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP