This article is part of our NCAA Tournament Preview series.
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NCAA TOURNAMENT PLAYER RANKINGS
NCAA Tournament player rankings are based on scoring average and possible games played. But because balancing those two 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 10-13 might be able to advance to the Sweet 16, but probably no farther (three games); and seeds 14-16 aren't likely to get out of the first round. No. 1 seeds also were given slightly greater weight atop the list, with No. 16 seeds given slightly lesser weight at the bottom. Teams in the play-in games were not considered for an extra game.
Of course, if you think, for example, Syracuse is going to win the championship (and thus play six games), you'll want to give greater weight to Syracuse players in your personal rankings. This list is a starting point.
| PLAYER, TEAM, POS | POINTS PER GAME | SEED |
| 1. Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, F | 19.6 | 2 |
| 2. Russ Smith, Louisville, G | 18.1 | 1 |
| 3. Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga, |
Midwest Region Preview
West Region Preview
South Region Preview
East Region Preview
NCAA TOURNAMENT PLAYER RANKINGS
NCAA Tournament player rankings are based on scoring average and possible games played. But because balancing those two 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 10-13 might be able to advance to the Sweet 16, but probably no farther (three games); and seeds 14-16 aren't likely to get out of the first round. No. 1 seeds also were given slightly greater weight atop the list, with No. 16 seeds given slightly lesser weight at the bottom. Teams in the play-in games were not considered for an extra game.
Of course, if you think, for example, Syracuse is going to win the championship (and thus play six games), you'll want to give greater weight to Syracuse players in your personal rankings. This list is a starting point.
| PLAYER, TEAM, POS | POINTS PER GAME | SEED |
| 1. Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, F | 19.6 | 2 |
| 2. Russ Smith, Louisville, G | 18.1 | 1 |
| 3. Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga, F | 17.5 | 1 |
| 4. Mason Plumlee, Duke, F | 17.2 | 2 |
| 5. Seth Curry, Duke, G | 17.0 | 2 |
| 6. Cody Zeller, Indiana, F | 16.9 | 1 |
| 7. Trey Burke, Michigan, G | 19.2 | 4 |
| 8. Ben McLemore, Kansas, G | 16.4 | 1 |
| 9. Otto Porter, Georgetown, F | 16.3 | 2 |
| 10. Rodney McGruder, Kansas State, G | 15.7 | 4 |
| 11. Doug McDermott, Creighton, F | 23.1 | 7 |
| 12. Elias Harris, Gonzaga, F | 14.9 | 1 |
| 13. Victor Oladipo, Indiana, G | 13.6 | 1 |
| 14. Jeff Withey, Kansas, C | 13.6 | 1 |
| 15. Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan, G | 14.8 | 4 |
| 16. C.J. Fair, Syracuse, F | 14.4 | 4 |
| 17. Ryan Kelly, Duke, F | 14.3 | 2 |
| 18. Vander Blue, Marquette, G | 14.3 | 3 |
| 19. Shane Larkin, Miami (Fla.), G | 14.2 | 2 |
| 20. James Southerland, Syracuse, F | 13.9 | 4 |
| 21. Brandon Triche, Syracuse, G | 13.8 | 4 |
| 22. Keith Appling, Michigan State, G | 13.6 | 3 |
| 23. Dwayne Evans, Saint Louis, F | 13.6 | 4 |
| 24. Kenny Kadji, Miami (Fla.), F-C | 13.5 | 2 |
| 25. Kendall Williams, New Mexico, G | 13.5 | 3 |
| 26. Durand Scott, Miami (Fla.), G | 13.4 | 2 |
| 27. Gary Harris, Michigan State, G | 12.9 | 3 |
| 28. Erik Murphy, Florida, F-C | 12.7 | 3 |
| 29. Tony Snell, New Mexico, G | 12.6 | 3 |
| 30. Christian Watford, Indiana, F | 12.5 | 1 |
| 31. Markel Starks, Georgetown, G | 12.5 | 2 |
| 32. Quinn Cook, Duke, G | 12.4 | 2 |
| 33. Kenny Boynton, Florida, G | 12.3 | 3 |
| 34. Mike Rosario, Florida, G | 12.3 | 3 |
| 35. Michael Carter-Williams , Syracuse, G | 12.0 | 4 |
| 36. Alex Kirk, New Mexico , F-C | 11.9 | 3 |
| 37. Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, G-F | 17.8 | 6 |
| 38. Angel Rodriguez, Kansas State, G | 11.7 | 4 |
| 39. Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga, G | 11.5 | 1 |
| 40. Travis Releford, Kansas , G | 11.5 | 1 |
| 41. Rasheed Sulaimon, Duke, G | 11.5 | 2 |
| 42. Davante Gardneer, Marquette, F | 11.5 | 3 |
| 43. Nik Stauskas, Michigan , G | 11.5 | 4 |
| 44. Nate Wolters, South Dakota State, G | 22.7 | 13 |
| 45. Rotnei Clarke, Butler, G | 16.7 | 6 |
| 46. Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State, G | 16.7 | 7 |
| 47. Brandon Paul, Illinois, G | 16.6 | 7 |
| 48. Anthony Bennett, UNLV, F | 16.1 | 5 |
| 49. Glen Robinson III, Michign , F | 10.7 | 4 |
| 50. Adreian Payne, Michigan State, C | 10.4 | 3 |
| 51. Kwamain Mitchell, Saint Louis, G | 10.4 | 4 |
| 52. Patric Young, Florida, C | 10.3 | 3 |
| 53. Cody Ellis, Saint Louis, F | 10.3 | 4 |
| 54. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, G | 15.4 | 5 |
| 55. Treveon Graham, VCU, G | 15.4 | 5 |
| 56. Markel Brown, Oklahoma State, G | 15.3 | 5 |
| 57. Jordan Hulls, Indiana, G | 10.1 | 1 |
| 58. Elijah Johnson, Kansas , G | 10.1 | 1 |
| 59. Gorgui Deng, Louisville, C | 10.0 | 1 |
| 60. Peyton Siva, Louisville, G | 10.0 | 1 |
| 61. Chane Behanan , Louisville, F | 9.9 | 1 |
| 62. Marshall Henderson, Mississippi, G | 20.0 | 12 |
| 63. Aaron Craft, Ohio State, G | 9.9 | 2 |
| 64. Mark Lyons, Arizona, G | 14.8 | 6 |
| 65. Juvonte Reddic, VCU, F | 14.4 | 5 |
| 66. Lenzelle Smith, Ohio State, G | 9.5 | 2 |
| 67. Mike Muscala, Bucknell, F-C | 19.0 | 11 |
| 68. Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State, G-F | 14.1 | 5 |
| 69. Allen Crabbe, California, G | 18.7 | 12 |
| 70. Joe Jackson, Memphis, G | 13.6 | 6 |
| 71. Ian Clark, Belmont, G | 18.1 | 11 |
| 72. Chase Tapley, San Diego State, G | 13.5 | 7 |
| 73. Solomon Hill, Arizona, F | 13.4 | 6 |
| 74. Jerian Grant, Notre Dame, G | 13.4 | 7 |
| 75. Jack Cooley, Notre Dame, F | 13.1 | 7 |
| 76. Anthony Drmic, Boise State, G-F | 17.3 | 13 |
| 77. Ramon Galloway, La Salle, G | 17.0 | 13 |
| 78. Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati, G-F | 16.9 | 10 |
| 79. Troy Daniels, VCU, G | 12.5 | 5 |
| 80. D.J. Richardson, Illinois, G | 12.4 | 7 |
| 81. Derrick Marks, Boise State, G | 16.3 | 13 |
| 82. Adonis Thomas, Memphis, G-F | 11.9 | 6 |
| 83. Romero Osby, Oklahoma, F | 15.8 | 10 |
| 84. Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary's, G | 15.8 | 11 |
| 85. Nick Johnson, Arizona, G | 11.7 | 6 |
| 86. Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado, G | 15.6 | 10 |
| 87. Justin Cobbs, California, G | 15.5 | 12 |
| 88. Eric Atkins, Notre Dame, G | 11.4 | 7 |
| 89. Will Clyburn, Iowa State, G | 15.0 | 10 |
| 90. Tyreek Duren, La Salle, G | 15.0 | 13 |
| 91. Ben Brust, Wisconsin, G | 11.2 | 5 |
| 92. Travis Wear, UCLA, F | 11.2 | 6 |
| 93. Jared Berggren, Wisconsin, F-C | 11.1 | 5 |
| 94. Andrew Smith, Butler, C | 11.1 | 6 |
| 95. Desi Washington, St. Peter's, G | 14.6 | 11 |
| 96. Kareem Jamar, Montana, G-F | 14.5 | 13 |
| 97. Murphy Holloway, Mississippi, F | 14.4 | 12 |
| 98. Chris Crawford, Memphis, G | 10.7 | 6 |
| 99. Anthony Marshall, UNLV, | 10.5 | 5 |
| 100. Geron Johnson, Memphis, G | 10.5 | 6 |
| 101. Daniel Mullings, New Mexico State, G | 14.0 | 13 |
| 102. Andre Hollins, Minnesota, G | 13.9 | 11 |
| 103. Will Cherry, Montana, G | 13.9 | 13 |
| 104. Phil Forte, Oklahoma State, G | 10.4 | 5 |
| 105. Rob Brandenberg, VCU, G | 10.4 | 5 |
| 106. Kerron Johnson, Belmont, G | 13.7 | 11 |
| 107. Ryan Evans, Wisconsin, G-F | 10.2 | 5 |
| 108. Bryce Dejean-Jones, UNLV, | 10.1 | 5 |
| 109. Katin Reinhardt, UNLV, | 10.1 | 5 |
| 110. Roosevelt Jones, Butler, F | 10.1 | 6 |
| 111. Khalif Wyatt, Temple, G | 19.8 | 9 |
| 112. Tyrus McGee, Iowa State, G | 13.2 | 10 |
| 113. Zeke Marshall, Akron, C | 13.0 | 12 |
| 114. Tyrone Garland, La Salle, G | 12.9 | 13 |
| 115. Cashmere Wright, Cincinnati, G | 12.6 | 10 |
| 116. Trevor Noack, Belmont, F | 12.5 | 11 |
| 117. Cameron Ayers, Bucknell, G | 12.5 | 11 |
| 118. Marcos Knight, MTSU, G | 12.5 | 11 |
| 119. Jordan Dykstra, South Dakota State, F | 12.5 | 13 |
| 120. Askia Booker, Colorado, G | 12.4 | 10 |
| 121. Georges Niang, Iowa State, F | 12.0 | 10 |
| 122. Steve Pledger, Oklahoma , G | 11.8 | 10 |
| 123. Bandja Sy, New Mexico State, F | 11.7 | 13 |
| 124. E.J. Singler, Oregon, F | 11.6 | 12 |
| 125. Demetrius Treadwell, Akron, F | 11.4 | 12 |
| 126. JaQuon Parker, Cincinnati, G | 11.3 | 10 |
| 127. Melvin Ejim, Iowa State, F | 11.2 | 10 |
| 128. Bryson Johnson, Bucknell, G | 11.1 | 11 |
| 129. Carlos Emory, Oregon, F | 11.0 | 12 |
| 130. C.J. Leslie, North Carolina State, F | 14.9 | 8 |
| 131. Colton Iverson, Colorado State, F-C | 14.7 | 8 |
| 132. James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina, F | 14.5 | 8 |
| 133. Laurence Bowers, Missouri, F | 14.4 | 9 |
| 134. P.J. Hairston, North Carolina, G | 14.3 | 8 |
| 135. Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, G | 14.2 | 8 |
| 136. Jabari Brown, Missouri, G | 13.7 | 9 |
| 137. Cleanthony Early, Wichita State, F | 13.6 | 9 |
| 138. JayVaughn Pinkston, Villanova, F | 13.1 | 9 |
| 139. Dorian Green, Colorado State, G | 12.8 | 8 |
| 140. Carl Hall, Wichita State, F | 12.8 | 9 |
| 141. Wes Eikmeier, Colorado State, G | 12.7 | 8 |
| 142. Richard Howell, North Carolina State, F | 12.7 | 8 |
| 143. Scott Wood, North Carolina State, F | 12.7 | 8 |
| 144. T.J. Warren, North Carolina State, F | 12.4 | 8 |
| 145. Lorenzo Brown, North Carolina State, G | 12.1 | 8 |
| 146. Ryan Arcidiacono, Villanova, G | 12.0 | 9 |
| 147. Tray Woodall, Pittsburgh, G | 11.8 | 8 |
| 148. Scootie Randall, Temple, G-F | 11.8 | 9 |
| 149. Phil Pressey, Missouri, | 11.6 | 9 |
| 150. Lamont Jones, Iona, G | 23.0 | 15 |
| 151. Darrun Hilliard, Villanova, G | 11.2 | 9 |
| 152. Greg Smith, Colorado State, F | 11.1 | 8 |
| 153. Keion Bell, Missouri, | 11.1 | 9 |
| 154. Alex Oriakhi, Missouri, | 11.1 | 9 |
| 155. Sean Armand, Iona, G | 16.6 | 15 |
| 156. Wesley Saunders, Harvard, G-F | 16.5 | 14 |
| 157. Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso, F | 15.9 | 14 |
| 158. Jamal Olasewere, LIU-Brooklyn, F | 18.9 | 16 |
| 159. Sherwood Brown, FGCU, G | 15.3 | 15 |
| 160. Mike Black, Albany, G | 14.9 | 15 |
| 161. Jake Cohen, Davidson, F | 14.8 | 14 |
| 162. DeQuan Hicks, Northwestern State, F | 14.1 | 14 |
| 163. Bernard Thompson, FGCU, G | 14.0 | 15 |
| 164. C.J. Garner, LIU-Brooklyn, G | 16.1 | 16 |
| 165. De'Mon Brooks, Davidson, F | 13.8 | 14 |
| 166. David Laury, Iona, G | 13.1 | 15 |
| 167. Derick Beltran, Southern, G | 15.9 | 16 |
| 168. Siyani Chambers, Harvard, G | 12.9 | 14 |
| 169. Kevin Van Wijk, Valparaiso, F | 12.7 | 14 |
| 170. Shamir Davis, Northwestern State, G | 12.5 | 14 |
| 171. Malcolm Miller, Southern, F | 15.8 | 16 |
| 172. T.J. Price, Western Kentucky, G | 15.3 | 16 |
| 173. Chase Fieler, FGCU, F | 12.2 | 15 |
| 174. James Hulbin, Northwestern State, F | 12.1 | 14 |
| 175. Jacob Iati, Albany, G | 12.1 | 15 |
| 176. Lorenzo McCloud, Pacific, G | 11.4 | 15 |
| 177. John Caleb Sanders, Liberty, G | 14.2 | 16 |
| 178. Davon Marshall, Liberty, G | 13.4 | 16 |
| 179. Tavares Speaks, Liberty, G | 13.1 | 16 |
| 180. George Fant, Western Kentucky, F | 12.9 | 16 |
| 181. Rayshawn Goins, James Madison, F | 12.7 | 16 |
| 182. Adrian Powell, NC A&T, F | 12.5 | 16 |
| 183. Lamont Middleton, NC A&T, G | 12.4 | 16 |
| 184. A.J. Davis, James Madison, G | 12.1 | 16 |
