There are dreams made and realities broken during the magic that is March, and the NCAA Tournament is the ultimate example of both the thrill of victory and the bitterness of defeat. Among those 68 teams competing, the West Region boasts some clear favorites to cut down the nets in Indianapolis and is quietly a region filled from top to bottom with impressive players. Now we’re doing what we can to figure out just which of those players is most important in figuring out just who makes the Final Four out of this group.
10. Oscar Cluff (Purdue)
Last season Cluff was one of the nation’s top rebounders while at South Dakota State and he’s certainly settled into a major role with the Boilermakers. He averages 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and really knows his purpose in this very talented offense .Cluff has made 70% of his field goal attempts and is a dominant force in the paint on both ends. He’s exactly the kind of presence this team has needed to fill that Zach Edey-sized hole in the middle of the offense and this Tournament run depends on him greatly.
9. Brayden Burries (Arizona)
With how this team has played all season, Arizona is another team that could easily have half a dozen players among the most important in the Region. We’re looking closely at Burries, as the freshman has really starred this season while putting up 15.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game. He’s only a few weeks removed from a 31-point game at Colorado but even when the shots aren’t falling he finds ways to impact the game. If Burries is on his game these next few weeks then the Wildcats are in great shape.
8. Mason Falslev (Utah State)
It’s not a surprise to find the Mountain West Player of the Year on a list like this, though Falslev and his teammates may have been a bit surprised to only get a 9-seed for their efforts. Falslev averages 16.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, sitting among the best in the Mountain West in those final two figures. He leads a very hungry Utah State crew looking to make their mark in this Tournament. He’s not the type of player you expect will drop 30 every night in this Tournament but his consistency and reliability make him a major threat all over the court.
7. Malik Reneau (Miami)
Whether or not Miami has a major run in them it’s pretty clear that Reneau has found quite the second act to his collegiate career. The former Indiana forward now averages 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Hurricanes and is a major reason for this team’s resurgence and subsequent 7-seed. Reneau struggled in their ACC Tournament loss to Virginia but when he’s on his game he can be a major threat on both ends and any potential run depends on him and the rest of this new talent clicking.
6. Jaden Bradley (Arizona)
When you look just at the raw numbers, some may have been confused when Bradley was named Big 12 Player of the Year last week. He’s averaging 13.3 points and 4.5 assists per game but isn’t even the top scorer or playmaker on a loaded Wildcats roster. Regardless, he showed up in a major way during a Big 12 Tournament title run and certainly is more than inspired to lead the Wildcats to even more postseason glory ahead. If Bradley’s offense can get back on track after a few rough games then watch out because Arizona is pretty loaded even beyond him.
5. Graham Ike (Gonzaga)
The WCC Player of the Year is doing legendary things once again with the Bulldogs now in his third year on the court for Gonzaga. Ike averages 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game, leading the WCC in scoring and field goal percentage. He’s been a consistent scorer and has even developed his long-range game a bit this season. Gonzaga always seems to have an impressive forward leading their charge and Ike’s experience and talent are a major reason if this 3-seed has another deep run ahead.
4. Nick Boyd (Wisconsin)
There’s so much to say about Boyd, who’s certainly no stranger to the NCAA Tournament. After all, he made the Final Four with Florida Atlantic three years ago before dancing with San Diego State last season. At Wisconsin he’s averaging 20.6 points and 4.2 assists and has become one of the most dynamic playmakers in the entire Big Ten. That was on full display while dropping 38 points on Illinois during the Big Ten Tournament and it wouldn’t be a shock if Boyd was one of the top scorers in the NCAA Tournament as well.
3. Braden Smith (Purdue)
While Smith didn’t repeat as Big Ten Player of the Year this season, his importance is pretty clear to Purdue’s NCAA Tournament hopes. The senior remains one of the top point guards in the whole country, averaging 14.0 points and 9.1 assists per game this season as a true leader for Purdue. Smith led this team to the title game two seasons ago and has had some very gaudy assist numbers down the stretch this season, especially during the team’s Big Ten Tournament championship run.
2. Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas)
There’s no mistake that Acuff is one of the best and most important players in the entire NCAA Tournament field. Named both SEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, he’s been good for 22.9 points and 6.5 assists per game, stats that both lead all SEC players on the season. Acuff has been outrageous down the stretch, averaging nearly 30 points a game and helping the Razorbacks to the SEC Tournament title last weekend. He’s an explosive playmaker and the very reason this 4-seed wins the games it does.
1. AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
From a raw talent perspective it’s hard to top what Dybantsa brings to the table, especially as the nation’s top freshman recruit. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game and currently leads the nation in scoring and other offensive categories. However, Dybantsa’s importance goes beyond just putting up a ton of points in the NCAA Tournament, as BYU plays without injured star Richie Saunders. Dybantsa has been electric, including a recent 40-point showing, but needs to really put on a show if the Cougars have a run in them as the 6-seed in the West.