The NCAA Tournament is nearing, and with it, a chance for many unknown players to get the spotlight. What players do fans need to know heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Here is the one player to know on each 2025 NCAA Tournament team.
1. Auburn Tigers- Johni Broome, F
Broome is in contention to win National Player of the Year after posting 18.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. He is Auburn’s go-to player and is a star in the sport.
16. Alabama State Hornets- TJ Madlock, G
Madlock is just the third-leading scorer, but he leads the teams in rebounds and assists from his guard position.
16. St. Francis Red Flash- Riley Parker, G
Parker leads the team in scoring and assists. He is a capable 3-point shooter who will need to get hot in the tournament for the Red Flash.
8. Louisville Cardinals- Terrence Edwards, G
While Chucky Hepburn has had the better all-around season, Louisville is best when Edwards has his shot falling. He had 29 points against Duke in the ACC Tournament, which gave Louisville a chance.
9. Creighton Blue Jays- Ryan Kalkbrenner, C
Kalkbrenner is an NCAA Tournament veteran. Not only does he average 19.7 points per game, but he is a great rim protector as well.
5. Michigan Wolverines- Danny Wolf, F
Danny Wolf transferred in from Yale and has developed into a star. The 7-footer brings the ball up the court, runs the pick and roll and scores. He averages 13.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
12. UC San Diego Tritons- Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, G
Along with having an awesome name, Tait-Jones leads the team in scoring, rebounds, assists and blocks. If the Tritons pull off an upset, he may have to hit his average of 19.5 points per game.
4. Texas A&M Aggies- Wade Taylor, G
Taylor had his jersey put in the rafters on Senior Night. He’s had a great career and averaged 15.7 points per game this season. While he can be inefficient, he can also get hot and make incredible shots.
13. Yale Bulldogs- John Poulakidas, G
Yale lost some talent in the transfer portal, but Poulakidas has really stepped up. He averages 19.2 points per game and can help his team keep up with the bigger conference teams.
6. Ole Miss Rebels- Sean Pedulla, G
The Rebels have six players averaging double-figures, but Pedulla leads the way. He also leads the team in assists and steals while being able to make incredible shots.
11. San Diego State Aztecs- Nick Boyd, G
Boyd has a Final Four during his time with Florida Atlantic. Now he is with San Diego State and averaging 13.4 points per game to lead the team.
11. North Carolina Tar Heels- RJ Davis, G
RJ Davis has had an incredible career at North Carolina. He is averaging 17 points per game this season and if he gets going, the Tar Heels could get a win or two.
3. Iowa State Cyclones- Curtis Jones, G
Keshon Gilbert is out for the tournament, so more will be asked from Jones. He came off the bench this season, but averaged 17.1 points per game.
14. Lipscomb Bisons- Jacob Ognacevic, F
Ognacevic averages 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He can pose a matchup problem even for teams from a bigger conference.
7. Marquette Golden Eagles- Kam Jones, G
Jones has been at shooting guard for his career, but this season took over at point guard. He is still scoring at a high clip, 19.3 points per game, but also is averaging 5.9 assists per game.
10. New Mexico Lobos- Donovan Dent, G
New Mexico has a star in Dent who scores 20.6 points per game and shoots over 40 percent from 3-point range. He also averages 6.4 assists per game.
2. Michigan State Spartans- Jase Richardson, G
Michigan State has a team of solid players, but the emergence of Richardson has improved their ceiling this season. He averages 12 points per game and is one of the few players on the team who can stretch the floor with his shot.
15. Bryant Bulldogs- Earl Timberlake, G
Timberlake does a little bit of everything for Bryant. He averages 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.
1. Florida Gators- Walter Clayton, G
While Broome and Cooper Flagg get a lot of the headlines, Clayton is right up there with them. He is averaging 17.5 points and 4.3 assists per game this season.
16. Norfolk State Spartans- Brian Moore Jr., G
Moore is the leading scorer for the Spartans at 18.4 points per game.
8. UConn Huskies- Liam McNeeley, F
UConn is a much better team when McNeeley is able to suit up. He can hit outside shots and averages 14.5 points per game.
9. Oklahoma Sooners- Jeremiah Fears, G
Fears is a freshman who has outplayed his recruiting ranking. He can light it up, as he averages 17.0 points per game, but also sets up his teammates well with 4.1 assists per game.
5. Memphis Tigers- PJ Haggerty, G
With starting point guard Tyrese Hunter’s status being up in the air, Haggerty will be more important. He averaged 21.8 points per game this season.
12. Colorado State Rams- Nique Clifford, G
Clifford leads the team in several categories and will be crucial for their chances to advance. He has put up 19.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
4. Maryland Terrapins- Derik Queen, C
The Terrapins have a good starting five that is nicknamed “the Crab Five” and star freshman Derik Queen leads them. He puts up 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
13. Grand Canyon Antelopes- JaKobe Coles, F
Coles will be tasked with generating some offense, as the Antelopes struggle to shoot from outside. He averages 14.8 points per game.
6. Missouri Tigers- Mark Mitchell, F
Mitchell transferred in from Duke and helped Missouri make a great turnaround. He is great at scoring in the paint and will need to find shooters around him to help Missouri reach their potential offensively.
11. Drake Bulldogs- Bennett Stirtz, G
Stirtz averages 19.1 points per game and what makes it more impressive is that Drake plays at such a slow place.
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders- JT Toppin, F
At 18.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, Toppin fuels the offense for Texas Tech. He scores for himself and the shooters on the team stretch the floor for him.
14. UNC Wilmington Seahawks- Donovan Newby, G
Newby leads the team in scoring and assists at 14.6 and 3.5 respectively.
7. Kansas Jayhawks- Zeke Mayo, G
Kansas has Hunter Dickinson on the inside, but the inconsistent guard play has hurt them. Zeke Mayo scores over 14 points per game and will likely have to carry the scoring from guards in the tournament for Kansas to go on a run.
10. Arkansas Razorbacks- Johnell Davis, G
Davis made a Final Four with Florida Atlantic and now brings veteran leadership to Arkansas. With the Razorbacks dealing with injuries, Davis will be relied upon to score more.
2. Saint John’s Red Storm- Kadary Richmond, G
RJ Luis and Zuby Ejiofor were in contention, but Richmond does a little bit of everything for Saint John’s. His averages this season: 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
15. Omaha Mavericks- Marquel Sutton, F
Sutton averages nearly 20 points per game, but will have a tough matchup in the first round.
1. Duke Blue Devils- Cooper Flagg, F
Flagg is dealing with an injury, but should be able to play. He leads Duke in every major statistical category and is a lock to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
16. American Eagles- Matt Rogers, F
Rogers is American’s leading scorer at 17 points per game, which comes from inside and from the perimeter.
16. Mt. St. Mary’s Mountaineers- Carmelo Pacheco, G
While he is the fifth-highest scorer, Pacheco is the best 3-point shooter on the team and could really lift the team with a good performance.
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs- Josh Hubbard, G
Hubbard is a microwave at times and scores over 18 points per game. He has some inefficient games, but if he is on, Mississippi State can go on a run.
9. Baylor Bears- VJ Edgecombe, G
Edgecombe is a star freshman for Baylor who will likely be headed to the NBA next season. He scores 15 points per game.
5. Oregon Ducks- Nate Bittle, C
Bittle is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Ducks. The seven-footer can be a mismatch for other teams in the tournament.
12. Liberty Flames- Kaden Metheny, G
Metheny is the second-leading scorer, but was hot to end the C-USA Tournament. He had two 20-point games to help Liberty lock up their bid.
4. Arizona Wildcats- Caleb Love, G
Arizona goes as Love does. He has some inefficient games, but also can have games where it feels like he can’t miss. He is scoring 16.6 points per game this season.
13. Akron Zips- Nate Johnson, G
MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson averages 14 points and 1.8 steals per game.
6. BYU Cougars- Egor Denim, G
Denim is a projected first-round pick in the NBA Draft. He averages 10 points and over five assists per game as a unique talent.
11. VCU Rams- Max Shulga, G
Shulga puts up 15.1 points, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He can help the Rams turn defense into offense.
3. Wisconsin Badgers- John Tonje, G
Tonje has had a breakout season for the Badgers after a long college career. He is averaging nearly 20 points per game and has helped revamp the Badgers’ offense.
14. Montana Grizzlies- Money Williams, G
Money Williams is one of the best names in the tournament, but also leads the Grizzlies in scoring and assists.
7. St. Mary’s Gaels- Augustus Marciulionis, G
Marciulionis leads the team in scoring, assists and steals. His averages are 14.3, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores- Jason Edwards, G
Edwards has been a star for Vanderbilt, as he averages 17 points per game. He scored 24 and 20 points in his last two games.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide- Mark Sears, G
Sears is averaging 18.7 points and 4.9 points per game. More pressure will be on him if Grant Nelson isn’t 100 percent for Alabama.
15. Robert Morris Colonels- Kam Woods, G
Woods scores 15.1 points per game and does well at getting to the basket for Robert Morris.
1. Houston Cougars- LJ Cryer, G
Cryer spent some time at Baylor, but most recently has been scoring for Houston the last two seasons. With J’Wan Roberts injured, Cryer might have to pick up more of the scoring load after averaging 15.2 points per game.
16. SIU Edwardsville Cougars- Ray’sean Taylor, G
Taylor has been the leader for the Cougars this season after putting up 19.1 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
8. Gonzaga Bulldogs- Ryan Nembhard, G
Gonzaga had Nembhard last year and he is still running the show. He scores just 10.8 points per game, but also has 9.8 assists per game.
9. Georgia Bulldogs- Asa Newell, F
Newell does most of his damage on the interior, averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The freshman could leave for the NBA after the season.
5. Clemson Tigers- Chase Hunter, G
Hunter was a big part of the team that went on the tournament run last season. He is scoring 16.4 points per game this season.
12. McNeese State Cowboys- Javohn Garcia, G
Garcia leads the team with 12.6 points per game, but also does in steals with 1.6.
4. Purdue Boilermakers- Trey Kaufman-Renn, F
Zach Edey may be in the NBA, but they have another good interior presence in Kaufman-Renn. He is averaging 20.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
13. High Point Panthers- Bobby Pettiford, G
Pettiford formerly played at Kansas and now is helping High Point with 3.4 assists per game. His tournament experience will help the Panthers.
6. Illinois Fighting Illini- Kasparas Jakucionis, G
Not only is Jakucionis an NBA Draft prospect who could be a top-10 pick, he has been very good for Illinois. He puts up 15 points and 4.6 assists per game.
11. Texas Longhorns- Tre Johnson, G
Johnson is one of the best NBA Draft prospects in the tournament after averaging 19.8 points per game. He is a scorer who can get the ball in the basket in many different ways.
11. Xavier Musketeers- Ryan Conwell, G
Conwell transferred to Xavier from Indiana State and has lit up the scoreboard with his shooting. He averages 16.8 points per game and had 38 points against Marquette in the Big East Tournament.
3. Kentucky Wildcats- Otega Oweh, G
Kentucky has had injuries, but Oweh has stepped up and helped this team earn a no. 3 seed in the tournament. He scores 16.2 points per game and also gets 1.6 steals per contest.
14. Troy Trojans- Tayton Conerway, G
With averages of 14.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game, Conerway makes an impact on both ends of the floor.
7. UCLA Bruins- Kobe Johnson, G
UCLA isn’t one of the best-scoring teams, so they need to lock in on defense. Johnson leads the team with 1.7 steals per game.
10. Utah State Aggies- Mason Falslev, G
Falslev averages 14.9 points per game, but impacts the game in other areas too. He gets 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as well.
2. Tennessee Volunteers- Chaz Lanier, G
Tennessee has several good defenders, but Lanier is their scoring punch. He averages over 17 points and when he is on, they usually win. When he doesn’t they can get into trouble.
15. Wofford Terriers- Corey Tripp, G
Tripp puts up 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for the Terriers.
