NCAA Tournament: Zion, Brandon Clarke among top players in Sweet 16

NCAA Tournament: Zion Williamson, Brandon Clarke among top players in Sweet 16

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

#8 – Admiral Schofield, Tennessee

Admiral Schofield, the first of two Tennessee players on this list, has been one of the best players in the SEC in the past two years.

Schofield, a senior, is averaging 16.4 points and six rebounds per game, leading the Volunteers to a two seed, and playing a big role in making them a national force in the college basketball word.

Schofield, when paired with his fellow all-SEC forward Grant Williams, forms one of the best duos in the entire country.

Schofield’s play has led the Volunteers to a top-three seed in back-to-back seasons, and he’ll look to get to the final four in his final season.

#7 – Grant Williams, Tennessee

Williams, the better of the duo, is one of the top players in the country, and the best player on a stacked Vols team.

On the season, Williams is averaging 19 points and eight rebounds per game, playing a major role in Tennessee’s rise to the top.

Williams is one of the most dangerous post players in the country, and is an absolute force on defense.

The top player on the top two seed in the field, Grant Williams is the superstar player on a dangerous Tennessee squad.

#6 – Carsen Edwards, Purdue

Perhaps the biggest star of the tournament so far, Carsen Edwards has scored the most points in the NCAA Tournament through the first two rounds.

The star junior point guard dropped 42 points, the first forty point game in the tournament since 2003, against Villanova, knocking off the reigning National Champions.

Edwards was a popular pick to win the national player of the year heading into the season, and while a mid-season slump slowed those aspirations, Edwards’ astounding 24 points per game should speak for itself.

#5 – Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Like Edwards, Michigan State point guard Cassius Winston has been the lead player on one of the Big 10’s finest teams.

Winston, the Big 10’s Player of the Year, averaged 19 points and eight assists per game, leading the Spartans to a two seed despite a rash of injuries.

Winston is the best point guard remaining in the field, and has performed as such, helping the Spartans avoid an upset in both rounds.

The Spartans looked awfully thin coming into the season, but thanks to the play of Winston, the Spartans have exceeded expectations, and are a championship favorite.

Home/March Madness