The 2024 March Madness NCAA tournament is here, with the best collegiate basketball players in the nation ready to battle it out for a national championship.
This annual tournament never fails to deliver jaw-dropping moments, unbelievable upsets, and legendary performances that basketball fans won’t soon forget.
Of all the stars taking the court this March, here are the top 5 players to keep your eye on.
Explore the best places to bet on March Madness!
Cody Williams – Colorado
Cody Williams has already stepped out of the shadow cast by his older brother Jalen Williams, a forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 19-year-old small forward for Colorado has affirmed himself as a lethal scorer from all over the court. He’s a smart playmaker, using picks to create space for shots or distribute to open teammates.
The NBA lottery is within reach for Williams if he continues his sharp upward trajectory.
Scouts love his scoring instincts, court vision, and 6’7″ (2.00m) size. He’ll need to hit the weight room and sharpen his three-point shot before reaching the next level.
Rob Dillingham – Kentucky
Kentucky‘s roster is packed with elite freshman talent, but none shine brighter than electric point guard Rob Dillingham.
The undersized scoring machine pours in points at a prolific rate. He carved up SEC defenses all season, dropping 35 points on Tennessee in just 27 minutes of play.
Dillingham is still developing his floor general skills after playing primarily as a shooter in high school.
But when March rolls around, coach John Calipari will have the reins off his most dynamic weapon. Dillingham should have free rein to flash his dazzling scoring ability that could power a Kentucky March Madness run.
Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
No player in college basketball catches fire quite like Tennessee shooting guard Dalton Knecht.
When he steps on the floor, anything can happen thanks to his limitless shooting range and unwavering confidence.
He’s liable to erupt for 30+ points at any moment no matter how smothering the defense.
Knecht took the JUCO route before emerging as a star at Northern Colorado last season. Now on Rocky Top, the 6’6″ (1.98m) sharpshooter has taken his game to new heights.
Come March Madness, Knecht will have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. If his three-point bombs start falling, Tennessee could soar all the way to the Final Four.
Zach Edey – Purdue
At 7’4″ (2.23m) and 300 pounds (136kg), Zach Edey is an absolute giant.
But beyond his hulking physique lies exceptional skill and deft footwork. Edey deploys an array of back-to-the-basket moves that overwhelmed defenders all season long.
He dropped 24.4 points per game on his way to consensus National Player of the Year honors.
Edey‘s dominance helped Purdue earn a #1 seed for March Madness.
Now he’ll aim to power the Boilermakers to their first Final Four since 1980. If Edey keeps scoring at will in the paint while anchoring Purdue‘s defense, this year could bring the storybook ending for one of basketball’s gentle giants.
Caleb Love – Arizona Wildcats
Few players will arrive in March Madness with a bigger chip on their shoulder than North Carolina point guard Caleb Love.
His sensational freshman season ended in the 2022 National Championship game loss. As a sophomore, Love‘s inefficient play exacerbated UNC‘s shocking struggles.
After transferring to Arizona this offseason, Love has regained his mojo. He cleaned up his shot selection and shot a career-best 51% from the field, powering the Wildcats to a #2 seed.
With all eyes on Love in March, UNC fans fear their former star coming back to haunt them.
If Love channels his motivation properly, Arizona could win it all with their battle-tested leader guiding the way.
How To Bet On March Madness
Now that you know some key players to watch, it’s time to put your hoops knowledge to profitable use. While filling out brackets is fun, you can take March Madness excitement to another level by betting on games.
Placing wagers makes sweating out close contests way more enjoyable. Nothing adds adrenaline to a buzzer-beating finish like having your bankroll riding on the outcome. Plus winning a bet offers a rush no bracket can replicate.
Turning basketball insights into cash simply comes down to picking the best platform to bet on March Madness games.
Most sportbooks offer plenty of betting variety too:
- Moneylines – Wager on which team will win straight-up
- Point Spreads – Bet against the point spread for an underdog or favorite
- Totals – Predict whether teams will combine to score over or under a set number
- Props – Wager on player or game occurrences like points scored or rebounds
With so many games and endless betting options, gaining an edge by studying key players like those profiled above becomes even more important. Their performances could make or break any March Madness bet.
Sources:
en.as.com/ncaa/five-players-to-watch-in-march-madness-2024-what-are-their-projections-in-the-draft-n/
www.goal.com/en-us/lists/players-to-watch-mens-ncaa-march-madness/blt0ab7d8e6f0d74c2f
theathletic.com/5349759/2024/03/18/ncaa-tournament-most-intriguing-players-to-watch/
