Ranking top five players in men's college basketball ahead of March Madness

2024-25 stats: 18.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 48.8 FG%, 36.8 3P%

Flagg is the frontrunner for National Player of the Year, and for good reason. Across 32 games, he's putting up 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game, all while averaging 30.4 minutes on the floor. If Duke has any hopes of mounting a serious title challenge, his presence is non-negotiable.

The 2025 NBA Draft is expected to have Flagg as its top overall selection, and his two-way dominance makes that a no-brainer. His offensive and defensive prowess is unparalleled at the college level, with three-point shooting being the only area that raised questions. However, that concern is quickly fading, as he’s connected on 50% of his shots from deep over the past 10 games.

A severe ankle sprain in the ACC Tournament sidelined him, but despite his absence, the Blue Devils still managed to capture the conference title. That said, if Duke hopes to make a deep March Madness run, getting Flagg back at full strength is an absolute necessity.

2024-25 stats: 18.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 51.3 FG%, 28.9 3P%

Johni Broome delivered a stellar 2024-25 campaign as a senior forward for Auburn, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the team. At 6ft 10in and 240 pounds, he proved to be a force on both ends of the floor, blending scoring, rebounding, and defensive prowess to great effect.

His season featured several standout performances, including a dominant 34-point effort on March 8, where he logged 43 minutes, shot 53.6% from the field, and racked up five blocks and three steals against a formidable opponent. Just a few weeks earlier, on February 22, he dropped 31 points, pulled down 14 rebounds, and converted 61.1% of his shots, reinforcing his ability to take over games.

Broome's impact extended beyond the stat sheet, as he regularly controlled the glass, including a 16-rebound performance on January 29, and was a defensive anchor with multiple three-block outings. While free throw consistency remained a work in progress, his efficiency from the field—often above 50%—more than compensated.

2024-25 stats: 18.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.2 APG, 48.8 FG%, 31.5 3P%

There were doubts about whether Jones could successfully shift from wing to guard in just one season, but he quickly put those concerns to rest. In fact, he's been just as effective—if not more so—than last year.

Jones has shouldered a larger share of Marquette's offensive responsibilities without it coming at the cost of efficiency. His playmaking has taken a significant leap, nearly tripling his assist numbers from the previous season (2.4 per game) while keeping his turnovers in check, with only a slight uptick from 1.4 to 1.8 per game.

2024-25 stats: 16.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 8.1 APG, 44.5 FG%, 38.4 3P%

Smith is a maestro with the ball, and somehow, it always seems to end up in his hands. He sits atop the Big Ten in both assists per game (8.1) and steals per game (2.2), all while boasting some of the most efficient shooting numbers among college basketball's guards.

There's no glaring weakness in his game. While he may not post eye-popping stat lines like some of his peers, he has the ability to take control when the moment calls for it. Just this past week, Smith dropped 23 points in consecutive victories over Rutgers and UCLA, proving his ability to step up when needed.

2024-25 stats: 18.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.9 APG, 40.3 FG%, 33.8 3P%

After a somewhat sluggish start to the season, Sears has shifted into high gear. While his ability to take over games has never been in doubt, he has also grown into a true leader on the court.

Even when Alabama comes up short, Sears often keeps them within striking distance. In fact, heading into Wednesday, Alabama had suffered just one defeat by more than 10 points all year—a testament to Sears' remarkable scoring ability and impact on the game.