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NCAA Tournament 2023: Ranking the starting lineups of each Sweet 16 team

By Joey Loose

Mar 18, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) celebrates with teammates after a play during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) celebrates with teammates after a play during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Tournament  Kansas State Wildcats guard Markquis Nowell Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament  Kansas State Wildcats guard Markquis Nowell Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Kansas State (3-seed)

Camryn Carter (Sophomore – Guard)

Underused last year at Mississippi State, Carter has been a decent backcourt weapon as a starter for Kansas State this season. He’s averaging 6.5 points and 2.9 rebounds, the weakest numbers among Wildcats starters, but still contributes in a significant way. He put up 17 points in a road win at Texas earlier in the season and has made a few shots in the Tourney for the Wildcats.

Keyontae Johnson (Senior – Forward)

Johnson’s return to form has been incredible after collapsing on court while starring at Florida three years ago. In his first season with these Wildcats, Johnson is averaging 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds and earned Third Team All-American honors in helping Kansas State to a crazy bounce-back season. He leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage and has had a plethora of great performances, including two decent efforts in the Big Dance this season.

Markquis Nowell (Senior – Guard)

This former Little Rock guard is the other leader of the Wildcats and was also named Third Team All-American for an impressive season. Nowell averages 16.8 points and 7.8 assists per game, leading the Big 12 in steals, assists, and free throw percentage this year. He’s been on the Big 12 All-Defense team the last two seasons and exploded for 27 points and 9 assists to lead Kansas State over Kentucky and into the Sweet Sixteen.

Desi Sills (Senior – Guard)

After good work at both Arkansas and Arkansas State, Sills is finishing his collegiate career on a highnote in this Wildcats backcourt, averaging 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds on this talented team. He’s only been starting down the stretch this season but has had some nice performances, scoring in double figures in four of his last five games, including a 12-point game against Kentucky.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin (Junior – Forward)

A former junior college star, Tomlin has averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in his first D1 season and became one of head coach Jerome Tang’s favorite new weapons. Tomlin sits among the league leaders in rebounds and blocks and has scored at least 12 points in each of Kansas State’s first two Tournament games, shooting 12 of 17 from the field in those performances.

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