2024 NCAA Tournament: Ranking the Top 20 players from the East Region
By Joey Loose
![Nov 15, 2022; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) and guard Nov 15, 2022; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) and guard](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4089,h_2300,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/184/01hsabwvhb2f3wz8j17q.jpg)
12. Jaylin Williams (Auburn)
A former Top 100 prospect, Williams has turned in quite the career across the last five seasons at Auburn. A major part of Bruce Pearl’s program he was a starter and major contributor as a sophomore and senior and has put up his best numbers in his fifth season while helping Auburn into fantastic position, including last weekend’s SEC Tournament championship.
Williams put up 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game was more than just numbers for the Tigers on the season. He hit 40% of his 3-pointers, ranked among the best true shooters in the SEC, and rated as one of the conference’s most efficient offensive players. The raw numbers aren’t super impressive on their own, though Williams did have several 20-point outings during conference play, but Williams plays a great role in a talented Auburn frontcourt.
11. Marcus Domask (Illinois)
A star at Southern Illinois for four seasons, Domask opted to transfer to Illinois this past offseason. He had been All-MVC three times in his career but has really caught national spotlight in this final season with the Fighting Illini. This program really leaned on Domask this season, especially when they were dealing with Terrence Shannon Jr.’s suspension earlier in the year.
Domask started the year somewhat slowly but has averaged 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on the season. He’s one of the best free throw shooters in the Big Ten at 88% and first rose into the spotlight with a 33-point outing against Florida Atlantic in December. He’s become a consistent and sometimes explosive scorer for the Illini and just had 26 points in the finals of their Big Ten Tournament championship.