NCAA Tournament Preview: Player Rankings

NCAA Tournament Preview: Player Rankings

This article is part of our NCAA Tournament Preview series.

Below are our player rankings for this year's NCAA Tournament. Rankings are based on points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Points were awarded for each stat according to the rules of the annual March Madness Draft on RotoWire Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius/XM radio:

PPG = 1 point
RPG = 1.5 points
APG = 1.5 points
SPG = 2 points
BPG = 2 points

Rankings are also based on possible games played. But because balancing those factors can be tricky – a player with a lower scoring average who is certain to play multiple games is a better pick than a higher-scoring player who is likely to play fewer games – possible games are based on seeds to eliminate guesswork from the equation.

Seeds 1-4 have the potential to play six games; seeds 5-7 likely won't advance to the Final Four, but could play four games; seeds 8-9 likely will only play two games because the top seeds are waiting in the second round; seeds 10-14 might be able to advance to the Sweet 16, but probably no farther (three games); and seeds 15-16 aren't likely to get out of the first round. No. 1 seeds were given slightly greater weight atop the list, with No. 16 seeds given slightly lesser weight at the bottom. Players on First Four teams were not given an extra game.

Now, if you think, for example, Washington is going to win the championship (and thus play six games), you'll

Below are our player rankings for this year's NCAA Tournament. Rankings are based on points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Points were awarded for each stat according to the rules of the annual March Madness Draft on RotoWire Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius/XM radio:

PPG = 1 point
RPG = 1.5 points
APG = 1.5 points
SPG = 2 points
BPG = 2 points

Rankings are also based on possible games played. But because balancing those factors can be tricky – a player with a lower scoring average who is certain to play multiple games is a better pick than a higher-scoring player who is likely to play fewer games – possible games are based on seeds to eliminate guesswork from the equation.

Seeds 1-4 have the potential to play six games; seeds 5-7 likely won't advance to the Final Four, but could play four games; seeds 8-9 likely will only play two games because the top seeds are waiting in the second round; seeds 10-14 might be able to advance to the Sweet 16, but probably no farther (three games); and seeds 15-16 aren't likely to get out of the first round. No. 1 seeds were given slightly greater weight atop the list, with No. 16 seeds given slightly lesser weight at the bottom. Players on First Four teams were not given an extra game.

Now, if you think, for example, Washington is going to win the championship (and thus play six games), you'll want to give greater weight to Washington players in your personal rankings. This list is a starting point.

A few tips for using these rankings:

1. For leagues that only use points scored, click the "points rank" column to sort by points-only rankings.

2. One strategy for March Madness leagues is to back a specific team(s), much like in an NFL playoffs draft. With this strategy, the actual rankings become less important than just having a list of players and teams/seeds. Click the "team" column to sort by teams.

3. To target players from certain seeds, click the "seed" column to sort by seed. However, you should still consult the ranks column to account for player values. For example, if you're only targeting players in seeds 1-4, you wouldn't want to ignore Kansas' Dedric Lawson (No. 5 overall) just because he's listed 50-something spots down the order behind every 1-3 seed.

* = Check injury/suspension status. Players out with injury/suspension were eliminated, except for Kansas' Lagerald Vick, whose status is uncertain after he took a leave of absence earlier this year.  For a good roundup of injured players to monitor, go here. Point it out in the comments if one slipped through.

Note: Gonzaga's Killian Tillie, who was out most of the year, is included. His ranking is based on his stats from last year (12.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.8 spg, 1.0 bpg) and expected playing time. Do what you want with him.

Here's to March Madness.

(Click column headings to sort.)

RANKPTS RANKPLAYERTEAMSEEDPTSREBASTSTLBLK
11Zion WilliamsonDuke121.68.82.22.21.8
22R.J. BarrettDuke123.47.54.20.80.4
39Brandon ClarkeGonzaga116.68.51.81.23.2
44Grant WilliamsTennessee219.37.73.31.21.5
514Dedric LawsonKansas419.110.61.81.21.1
620Luke MayeNorth Carolina114.610.52.50.60.6
73Rui HachimuraGonzaga120.66.71.61.00.7
85Cassius WinstonMichigan State219.03.17.61.00.1
96Carsen EdwardsPurdue323.43.53.01.50.3
107Jarrett CulverTexas Tech318.36.23.61.30.4
1121Tremont WatersLSU315.32.95.93.10.1
128Cameron JohnsonNorth Carolina116.85.92.31.30.3
1323P.J. WashingtonKentucky214.97.51.90.81.1
1416Nickeil Alexander-WalkerVirginia Tech416.64.13.91.90.5
1512Admiral SchofieldTennessee216.36.32.00.90.5
1627Ty JeromeVirginia113.54.15.31.40.0
1710Coby WhiteNorth Carolina116.33.24.11.00.4
1813Zach Norvell Jr.Gonzaga115.74.33.11.40.1
1928Kerry Blackshear Jr.Virginia Tech414.57.22.30.60.8
2019Nick WardMichigan State215.16.70.80.31.4
2118DeAndre HunterVirginia115.25.22.20.60.5
2282Zavier SimpsonMichigan29.15.16.31.50.1
2352Josh PerkinsGonzaga111.02.96.61.40.1
2432Jordan BoneTennessee213.43.26.10.70.1
2524Cam ReddishDuke114.33.82.11.80.5
2654Ethan HappWisconsin517.810.44.71.11.2
2725Barry Brown Jr.Kansas State415.14.12.82.00.2
2833Killian TillieGonzaga16.04.21.60.80.9
2937Justin RobinsonVirginia Tech413.73.25.21.60.1
3085Tre JonesDuke18.73.85.32.10.2
3178Xavier TillmanMichigan State29.37.01.71.01.7
3243Dean Wade*Kansas State412.96.22.80.80.5
3336Naz ReidLSU313.36.90.80.80.8
3417Kyle GuyVirginia115.34.52.10.70.0
3511Corey Davis Jr.Houston316.63.22.91.00.0
3626Tyler HerroKentucky214.24.52.31.10.3
3772Jon TeskeMichigan29.76.70.80.72.2
3822Ignas BrazdeikisMichigan215.05.30.90.70.5
3929Keldon JohnsonKentucky213.75.81.70.70.1
4030Armoni BrooksHouston313.76.50.90.70.3
4134Skylar MaysLSU313.63.22.31.90.2
4259Terance MannFlorida State411.56.42.50.70.3
4339Charles MatthewsMichigan212.85.11.41.10.4
4455Reid TravisKentucky211.36.90.90.40.8
4550Ja MorantMurray State1224.15.510.31.90.8
4641Mfiondu KabengeleFlorida State413.15.70.40.61.4
4715Markus HowardMarquette525.03.94.01.10.0
4887Trent ForrestFlorida State49.14.63.81.90.2
4931Lagerald Vick*Kansas414.14.01.91.20.2
5057Devon DotsonKansas411.73.63.51.40.2
5186Bruno FernandoMaryland614.010.52.00.61.9
5261Matt MooneyTexas Tech310.93.23.31.70.1
5391Tariq OwensTexas Tech38.65.70.80.52.4
5456Jordan CarolineNevada717.79.62.00.70.3
5571Xavier SneedKansas State410.35.41.91.40.3
5638Jordan PooleMichigan213.03.02.11.00.3
5742Caleb MartinNevada719.65.12.91.40.8
5853Ja'vonte SmartLSU311.53.32.51.40.1
5988Matt HaarmsPurdue38.85.41.10.22.1
60104Nojel EasternPurdue37.65.72.51.20.4
6146CJ MassinburgBuffalo618.56.43.11.30.2
6264Lamonte TurnerTennessee210.42.73.71.10.1
6380Cameron JacksonWofford714.57.52.61.61.1
6449Ryan ClinePurdue311.82.83.20.70.1
6540Ahmed HillVirginia Tech413.33.91.40.80.0
6665Kamau StokesKansas State410.82.93.41.20.1
6783DeJon JarreauHouston39.23.83.30.70.4
6858Jordan NworaLouisville717.37.71.41.00.4
6947Quinndary WeatherspoonMississippi State518.54.92.61.60.3
7048Jarron CumberlandCincinnati718.44.43.51.20.4
7162Jordan BowdenTennessee210.53.42.20.90.2
7268Dylan WindlerBelmont1121.110.32.51.40.6
7345Phil BoothVillanova618.63.93.90.80.2
7451Davide MorettiTexas Tech311.61.92.61.10.0
7563Eric PaschallVillanova616.56.12.20.80.5
7644Marial ShayokIowa State618.75.12.00.90.2
7776Sam HauserMarquette514.87.12.40.60.5
7870Anthony LambVermont1320.88.02.10.82.0
79102Chuma OkekeAuburn511.96.82.01.61.2
8073Jared HarperAuburn515.22.65.91.10.0
8167Anthony Cowan Jr.Maryland615.93.74.30.90.2
8292Jeremy HarrisBuffalo613.26.12.91.10.6
8379Matt McQuaidMichigan State29.33.32.30.60.1
8475Shamorie PondsSt. John's1119.84.35.22.60.3
85105Cody MartinNevada711.64.45.11.30.7
8674Nick PerkinsBuffalo614.97.30.70.50.9
8781Drew McDonaldNorthern Kentucky1419.39.62.70.50.3
88120Jordan MurphyMinnesota1014.511.72.60.60.9
8935Fletcher MageeWofford720.72.71.60.80.1
9060Myles PowellSeton Hall1022.64.12.72.00.2
9198Talen Horton-TuckerIowa State612.25.12.51.30.5
9284D'Marcus SimondsGeorgia State1418.94.93.71.30.9
93155Zylan CheathamArizona State1111.610.43.30.80.8
9495Ahmad CaverOld Dominion1416.94.45.41.50.3
9577Shizz Alston Jr.Temple1119.72.85.11.50.2
96108Jalen SmithMaryland611.56.70.90.51.1
97109Lamar PetersMississippi State511.52.05.31.70.0
98128Dwayne SuttonLouisville710.36.91.71.00.3
9990Lindell WiggintonIowa State613.44.12.20.80.4
100112Nick MuszynskiBelmont1115.06.02.70.62.2
10196Nickeil Alexander-WalkerVirginia Tech1416.64.13.91.90.5
102113Tyler CookIowa1015.08.12.30.80.5
10389Vasa PusicaNortheastern1317.93.84.11.50.1
10494B.J. StithOld Dominion1417.37.41.10.90.3
10566Jordan FordSt. Mary's1121.52.82.61.40.0
106121Kerry Blackshear Jr.Virginia Tech1414.57.22.30.60.8
107151Tre ScottCincinnati78.96.61.50.80.5
108138Reggie PerryMississippi State59.77.10.60.50.7
109106Michael JacobsonIowa State611.65.60.80.80.4
11069Bryce BrownAuburn515.72.01.81.00.1
111169Jordan GoodwinSaint Louis1310.47.23.72.00.3
112110Javon BessSaint Louis1315.26.71.71.50.2
113107Malik FittsSt. Mary's1115.47.61.01.20.2
114117L.J. FigueroaSt. John's1114.66.31.81.90.2
115118Kaleb WessonOhio State1114.66.71.81.00.6
11699Kevin McClainBelmont1116.23.34.21.30.2
11797Quinton RoseTemple1116.53.72.52.10.2
118136Joey HauserMarquette59.85.32.50.40.1
119178Grayson MurphyBelmont119.94.56.51.70.1
120100Luguentz DortArizona State1116.24.32.41.60.2
121124Jalen TateNorthern Kentucky1414.14.53.80.90.7
122129Justin Robinson*Virginia Tech1413.73.25.21.60.1
123187Hasahn FrenchSaint Louis139.28.41.51.01.8
124131Christen CunninghamLouisville710.12.34.90.50.1
125141Scottie JamesLiberty1212.59.01.10.30.5
126111Collin GillespieVillanova611.32.52.81.20.0
127132Nate Pierre-LouisTemple1113.45.72.01.60.3
128130Remy MartinArizona State1113.53.25.21.30.0
129103D'Mitrik TriceWisconsin511.92.82.50.80.0
130101Amir CoffeyMinnesota1016.03.73.20.90.2
131144Payton PritchardOregon1212.23.74.31.80.1
132119Brad DavisonWisconsin510.93.31.91.10.0
133123Keith WilliamsCincinnati710.63.21.11.10.8
134133Tramaine IsabellSaint Louis1313.34.53.41.20.1
135134Shaq BuchananMurray State1213.34.11.71.90.5
136145Caleb HomesleyLiberty1212.15.42.50.70.6
137114Mustapha HeronSt. John's1115.04.71.41.00.2
138158Kane WilliamsGeorgia State1411.43.13.62.00.5
139159Dantez WaltonNorthern Kentucky1411.25.22.71.00.6
140148Malik BenleviGeorgia State1411.95.51.01.21.1
141177Justin SimonSt. John's1110.04.93.21.40.6
142146C.J JacksonOhio State1112.14.03.41.20.2
143166Daniel OturuMinnesota1010.87.20.40.41.4
14493Nathan HooverWofford713.02.31.10.60.0
145149Tevin BrownMurray State1211.94.52.41.10.6
146140Louis King*Oregon1212.65.61.40.90.2
147143Steven EnochLouisville79.25.20.20.20.6
148175Donnell Gresham Jr.Northeastern1310.14.83.21.30.0
149125Tyson CarterMississippi State510.52.01.61.30.0
150179Bolden BraceNortheastern139.95.82.50.90.2
151156Lovell Cabbil Jr.Liberty1211.63.72.81.40.2
152160Marvin Clark IISt. John's1111.25.51.40.90.6
153126Tyler SharpeNorthern Kentucky1414.03.01.81.50.1
154115Jordan RolandNortheastern1314.82.51.81.30.2
155127Sam MerrillUtah State821.03.94.21.10.3
156180Eli ChuhaNew Mexico State129.96.81.50.40.4
157154Jeff ThomasGeorgia State1411.74.51.21.00.8
158172Darnell CowartMurray State1210.36.50.90.70.4
159186Quincy McKnightSeton Hall109.42.64.11.80.2
160116Jazz JohnsonNevada711.01.71.60.60.1
161137Luka GarzaIowa1013.04.60.90.40.5
162135Ahmed HillVirginia Tech1413.33.91.40.80.0
163150KeVaughn AllenFlorida1011.92.92.21.40.2
164161Joe WieskampIowa1011.04.81.10.90.5
165171Terence DavisMississippi815.55.83.41.70.6
166197Neemias QuetaUtah State811.68.91.60.72.4
167152Stef SmithVermont1311.83.91.50.90.2
168122Ernie DuncanVermont1314.31.72.00.70.3
169153Jordan BohannonIowa1011.82.33.40.70.0
170165Jaylen NowellWashington916.35.43.11.20.3
171168Paul WhiteOregon1210.63.81.50.70.4
172170Myles CaleSeton Hall1010.44.31.20.80.1
173162Evan LeonardUC Irvine1311.02.41.71.40.2
174142Breein TyreeMississippi818.53.02.91.00.4
175191O'Shae BrissettSyracuse812.67.51.81.00.8
176182Christian JamesOklahoma914.56.41.81.20.2
177139Devin MitchellGeorgia State1412.82.01.60.50.2
178183Ivan AurrecoecheaNew Mexico State129.65.20.80.40.1
179163Rob EdwardsArizona State1111.03.11.20.80.2
180211Matisse ThybulleWashington99.53.12.23.52.3
181147Max HazzardUC Irvine1312.11.82.10.70.0
182157Tyus BattleSyracuse817.23.32.51.20.3
183184A.J. HarrisNew Mexico State129.61.73.31.00.0
184188Michael NzeiSeton Hall109.14.90.90.20.4
185190Noah DickersonWashington912.97.20.91.10.6
186185Marcus EvansVCU814.23.13.31.90.2
187204Tacko FallUCF910.97.20.50.32.4
188173Aubrey DawkinsUCF915.45.11.31.00.3
189164Terrell BrownNew Mexico State1211.02.71.30.60.0
190196Jamar Akoh*Montana1515.58.71.72.00.3
191202Kristian DoolittleOklahoma911.06.91.50.80.5
192167B.J. TaylorUCF916.22.23.30.80.0
193189Elijah HughesSyracuse813.44.41.41.20.7
194176Gabe KalscheurMinnesota1010.11.91.20.80.4
195193Rapolas IvanauskasColgate1516.38.11.70.60.6
196212Marcus Santos-SilvaVCU89.57.00.70.91.1
197207Devontae ShulerMississippi810.14.13.01.80.2
198195Brady ManekOklahoma911.76.10.80.60.7
199181Makai MasonBaylor914.62.53.20.40.0
200194Jordan BurnsColgate1515.73.35.71.10.1
201174Noah LockeFlorida1010.22.50.60.40.0
202218Quinn TaylorUtah State88.46.22.20.60.6
203208Jaren LewisAbilene Chrisitan1513.46.02.81.50.6
204205Mario KeglerBaylor910.45.91.20.40.6
205198De'Riante JenkinsVCU811.33.92.00.90.5
206203Issac VannVCU811.03.62.21.20.2
207200Sayeed PridgettMontana1514.95.22.31.30.5
208192David CrispWashington912.62.32.61.00.1
209215Elijah ChildsBradley1512.27.80.90.81.3
210201Ahmaad RorieMontana1514.73.94.00.90.1
211206Jared ButlerBaylor910.33.12.81.00.1
212209Michael OguineMontana1513.25.41.91.10.7
213213Will RaymanColgate1512.66.51.50.80.7
214223Jaylen FranklinAbilene Chrisitan1510.03.84.91.90.2
215210Jalone FridayAbilene Chrisitan1513.14.71.00.71.0
216199Darrell BrownBradley1515.02.03.11.00.1
217220Rickey McGillIona1615.64.65.22.30.2
218224Raasean DavisNC Central1614.88.90.40.91.2
219217Payten RicksAbilene Chrisitan1511.52.72.01.60.0
220221Gary BlackstonPrairie View A&M1615.37.31.81.60.2
221214David EfianayiGardner-Webb1618.73.82.91.10.7
222222Jose PerezGardner-Webb1615.35.82.90.80.2
223227Tajuan AgeeIona1613.08.11.20.90.8
224216E.J. CrawfordIona1617.85.01.80.80.2
225225Jahlil JenkinsFairleigh-Dickinson1613.33.24.61.60.1
226219Darnell EdgeFairleigh-Dickinson1616.23.62.41.10.0
227232Tyson WardNorth Dakota State1612.16.42.30.90.1
228231Mike Holloway Jr.Fairleigh-Dickinson1612.45.61.41.01.1
229229Devonte PattersonPrairie View A&M1612.74.61.21.40.2
230235Jibri BlountNC Central1611.14.81.91.10.5
231228DJ LasterGardner-Webb1612.95.60.50.50.6
232237Gerard AndrusPrairie View A&M1610.25.71.11.10.5
233234Xzavier Malone-KeyFairleigh-Dickinson1611.43.91.91.10.4
234230Vinnie ShahidNorth Dakota State1612.63.22.70.80.0
235226Randy Miller Jr.NC Central1613.32.31.90.90.0
236236Deng GeuNorth Dakota State1610.45.20.60.30.8
237233Asante GistIona1612.12.52.10.70.0

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Thornbury
Thornbury is a senior editor at RotoWire. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he has also worked in sports television and radio, including co-hosting RotoWire Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius XM.
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