The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises high-stakes drama, with powerhouse programs and rising stars going head to head on college basketball’s biggest stage.
While team narratives will shape the bracket, individual brilliance often decides March outcomes.
Top 6 Players to Watch This Tournament
Here are the five players most likely to leave an indelible mark on this year’s tournament:
Cooper Flagg (Duke)
The nation’s top freshman has lived up to his billing as the projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick, on the way to transforming Duke into title favorites.
Duke’s March Madness odds reflect Flagg’s immediate impact – his 7-foot frame and defensive instincts (2.8 blocks per game) anchor a Blue Devils defense ranked top-10 nationally, while his offensive versatility (18.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG) creates matchup nightmares.
His signature performance—a 28-point, 12-rebound clinic against North Carolina—showcases why analysts compare his two-way impact to a young Kevin Durant.
Johni Broome
The 6-foot-10 senior center has emerged as a Naismith Player of the Year frontrunner, averaging 17.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG, and 2.4 BPG for the No. 1-seeded Tigers.
His tip-in game-winner against Iowa State in November showcased his clutch gene, while his defensive presence (3rd in SEC blocks) anchors Auburn’s top-ranked defense.
Broome’s partnership with Dylan Cardwell gives Auburn the nation’s most dominant frontcourt duo.
Mark Sears
Alabama’s senior guard is averaging 18.9 PPG and 4.8 APG while shooting 35.1% from three.
The SEC’s leading scorer dropped 35 points against Purdue in December and delivered a 26-point, 12-rebound double-double in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
His backcourt chemistry with freshman Labaron Philon (11.6 PPG) makes the Crimson Tide’s offense the 2nd-most efficient nationally.
Liam McNeeley (UConn)
The Huskies’ freshman phenom has been instrumental in their quest for a historic three-peat.
McNeeley’s 6-foot-7 frame and 42% three-point shooting stretch defenses, creating space for UConn’s interior duo Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban.
His 22-point second half against Marquette showcased clutch gene potential, while his defensive footwork (1.5 SPG) defies freshman norms. As coach Dan Hurley noted: “Liam plays like a 10-year pro already”.
Tre Johnson (Texas)
The Longhorns’ five-star recruit has exceeded expectations, averaging 17.2 PPG for a Texas team eyeing its first Final Four since 2003.
Johnson’s mid-range mastery (51% on pull-up jumpers) and improved playmaking (3.8 APG) make him the Big 12’s most complete scorer.
His 35-point demolition of Houston’s top-ranked defense announced him as a March wild card.
NBA teams are reportedly entranced by his scoring polish, with one scout noting: “He’s got Booker-esque shot creation upside.”
Will Talent Tell?
Duke and Kentucky enter as co-favorites, but UConn’s championship pedigree makes them dangerous.
Flagg vs. McNeeley in a potential Elite Eight clash could decide the tournament’s best individual duel. Meanwhile, Texas’s tournament hopes hinge on Johnson maintaining his scoring efficiency against elite defenses.
Sleeper teams like Creighton (behind Baylor Scheierman) and Alabama (featuring Mark Sears) could disrupt brackets, but the spotlight remains on these five stars.
As history shows, March belongs to transcendent talents—and this group has the skills and on-court presence to etch their names in college basketball lore.