March Madness: Top 10 candidates for Final Four most outstanding player

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) makes a basket with .3 seconds left against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) handles the ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina

Sindarius Thornwell is arguably the best player remaining the NCAA tournament. And he is the sole reason South Carolina is on this surprising ride.

Thornwell can score on all three levels and is shooting the ball as well as ever. The thing about the 6-5 senior, who is also a very good defender, is that he makes plays. Against Florida in the Elite Eight, Thornwell gave the Gamecocks its last lead of the game with a pair of free throws and followed that up by assisting on Mark Kotsar’s four-point play. The East Region MVP scored eight points down the stretch against UF and came up with a steal with 40 seconds remaining.

Thornwell has tallied 20 points in each of the four tournament games. He is averaging 25.7 points, 10 rebounds, along with 2.5 dimes. He has made 40-of-60 shots (66.6%) from the field, 11-of-26 (42.3%) from beyond the arc, and 32-of-39 (82.5%) from the free throw line. Additionally, he has contributed eight steals and four blocks.

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