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March Madness: Top 100 players in the 2019 NCAA Tournament

By Tristan Freeman

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 15: Teammates Zion Williamson #1 and Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils await a free throw with Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game in the semifinals of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 15: Teammates Zion Williamson #1 and Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils await a free throw with Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game in the semifinals of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

There are many great talents part of March Madness. Who are the top 100 players in the 2019 NCAA Tournament?

Since the start of conference tournaments, March Madness has been taken over by the best players in college basketball. And while some were on teams not good enough to make the NCAA Tournament, there are still plenty of incredible talent left over. The following is a ranking of the top 100 guys who’ll be fighting for the 2019 national championship.

*Sports Illustrated Realtime Brackets is the first bracket game that lets college basketball fans switch their picks, in exchange for points, between and during live tournament games to keep their brackets alive all month long. Sign up now!

*All stats are courtesy of cbb sportsreference

100. David Efianayi – Gardner-Webb

2018-19 stats: 18.3 ppg 3.7 rpg 2.9 apg

The top scorer of the best Bulldogs team in school history, Efianayi had some big performances to get them into the NCAA Tournament. That included a 25-point game in the Big South quarterfinals win over High Point. If they’re going to have any shot at Virginia is the Round of 64, he’ll have to have a performance like Jairus Lyles did.

99. Tariq Owens – Texas Tech

2018-19 stats: 8.8 rpg 5.7 rpg 0.8 apg

At first glance, the numbers wouldn’t warrant a spot on the list for the St. John’s grad transfer. However, it’s been the elite defense from the 6’10 forward that propelled the Red Raiders to co-overthrown Kansas for the Big 12 Regular Season title. One of the top shot blockers in the country, Owens is capable of guarding any big man in he country.

98. Ashton Hagans – Kentucky

2018-19 stats: 7.7 ppg 2.4 rpg 4.4 apg

There are other Wildcat players who’ll received most of the credit for the mid-season turnaround into a true national title contender but it was after Coach Calipari gave the keys to the offense to the freshman Hagans. While not much of a scorer, the 6’3 guard is a good defender and facilitator, evident by his career-high 12 assists against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament.

97. Gary Blackston – Prairie View A&M

2018-19 stats: 15.2 ppg .0 rpg 1.8 apg

A JUCO transfer who has thrived in his two years with the Panthers, Blackston led the team in both points and rebounds on their way to dominating the SWAC. He started the season out hot with a 30-point effort to beat Santa Clara, while performing well in all three games against Texas Southern, the biggest threat to them this year.

96. BJ Taylor – UCF

2018-19 stats: 16.0 ppg 2.2 rpg 3.3 apg

Consistently the top scorer for the Golden Knights throughout his four-year career, Taylor has been the main source of offense for the slow-paced team. He’s a good shooting and underrated playmaker who had 22 points and six rebounds in the tournament-clinching win over Cincinnati.

95. Skylar Mays – LSU

2018-19 stats: 13.4 ppg 3.4 rpg 2.2 apg

While the five-star players have gotten most of the attention for the Tigers, the 6’4 junior has been just as important to the team’s success this season. There are games where he’s not as big a factor offensively but between his two steals a game and the 12 times he’s had over 15 points in a game, Mays must be on opposing teams’ radars. If he has a good night, LSU can beat anyone in the country.

94. Neemias Queta – Utah State

2018-19 stats: 11.9 ppg 8.9 rpg 1.7 apg

Ever since he had that breakout 24-point and nine rebound game to beat Saint Mary’s, the 6’11 center has been one of the best freshmen in the country. In the ladder half of the season, Queta has become a consistent double-digit scorer and a beast on the boards. He also blocks 2.4 shots a game for added measure. An unknown big man from Portugal to start the season, Utah State found a true goldmine in the offseason.

93. Elijah Hughes – Syracuse

2018-19 stats: 13.4 ppg 4.4 rpg 1.4 pg

There were questions how much a former role player at East Carolina would figure into the system at Syracuse. But turns out, Hughes is the reason why the Orange are dancing this year. Between him being healthy to begin with, the 6’6 wing has been perfect for the 2-3 zone, while being a consistent offensive option all season for a team that at times lacks playmakers.

92. Nojel Eastern – Purdue

2018-19 stats: 7.7 ppg 5.8 rpg 2.5 apg

When it comes to looking for the second-best player for Purdue this season, the all-around Eastern gets the nod due to his stellar defense and being the team’s de-facto second point guard. The sophomore isn’t much of a scorer and doesn’t do anything great outside of defense but he fills the voids for a Boilermaker team who lost a ton of production a year ago. Eastern’s development has been the reason why.

91. Xavier Sneed – Kansas State

2018-19 stats: 10.6 ppg 5.4 rpg 2.0 apg

The junior forward may not have increased his scoring production compared to last year but is still a capable shooter and above average defender. With Dean Wade likely out for the NCAA Tournament for Kansas State, Sneed will have to produce at a high level to advance. He did so last season as an All-Region player.

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