Ranking the top 8 big men in the East Region

After Adama Sanogo was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player and Zach Edey has taken the National Player of the Year in back-to-back years, the big man is making a comeback in college basketball and these are the beasts in the East.

By Josh Yourish | Mar 19, 2024, 11:02 AM EDT

San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13) / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

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. Vladislav Goldin. 2276. . Junior. Vladislav Goldin. 7'1" 240 lbs. player. Vladislav Goldin. 5

Last year, when Dusty May led FAU to the Final Four, Goldin was the team’s defensive anchor, but in 2024, he’s developed a more well-rounded game, upping his minutes and his offensive output. This season, Goldin averaged 15.6 points to go along with his 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, still in only 24.8 minutes of play.

Goldin spends much of his time on the offensive end, screening, re-screening, and screening again, for FAU’s guard-heavy lineups, but those guards make sure their big man gets his. Goldin is effective as a rim-runner off pick and roll but is also a more than capable post player and mid-range shooter.

Despite his insane efficiency, scoring over 15 points in less than 25 minutes a game while shooting 67% from the field, Goldin ranks 5th because he’s just not asked to do nearly as much as some of the other bigs on this list. He’s fed high-value looks by Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin all game. For his part, he capitalizes on those opportunities, but so would many of the bigs in the East Region.

FAU should beat Northwestern and Boo Buie in the 8/9 matchup, and then Goldin will have a real test against UConn and Donovan Clingan.

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