It’s the most excting time of the year, it’s March, it’s time for March Madness. These days the regular season ends, then it will be time for the Conference Tournaments that designate the participants in the Big Dance, which will begin in Dayton on March 19 and will conclude at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on April 8, awarding the national championship title.
For many players, this time marks the end of their collegiate career. In this short guide ahead of March Madness, we will point out who are the profiles to watch closely among those who will be professional players in a couple of months.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
Shahada Wells (McNeese State Cowboys, 183 cm – 83 kg) In one of the best defensive systems in the entire NCAA (4th in points allowed, just 61 per game), the transfer from TCU is the offensive focal point with over 17 points and 4 assists on average, and the Cowboys are doing great at 14-1 in the Southland Conference and 25-3 overall. READ HIS PROFILE
WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Tyon Grant-Foster (GCU Lopes, 201 cm – 93 kg) Overcoming great fear in the DePaul locker-room, he returned to the court and with his energy and talent, he kept GCU at the top of the WAC despite some losses in the last matches (14-3, 24-4) with 19 points and 6 rebounds per game. A very unlucky NCAA career, it’s necessary to wish him a happy ending at the Big Dance as a protagonist. READ HIS PROFILE
SUN BELT CONFERENCE
Donovan Gregory (App State Mountaineers, 198 cm – 90 kg) Record man for the Mountaineers, he is able to effectively fill every statistical voice as every perfect ideal teammate. Returning to win the Sun Belt seems a difficult mission given James Madison’s season, but at the moment it’s App State on the top in the standings (15-2, 25-5) with his symbolic player at 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. READ HIS PROFILE
Christyon Eugene (Troy Trojans, 191 cm – 95 kg) The rivalry between App State and JMU must beware of the third option, the Trojans (13-4, 20-10) led by their guard who confirms himself as one of the top players in the Sun Belt Conference with elite three-point shooting (44.1% on 4.8 attempts). Over 15 points on average with 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists to try to play a game in the Big Dance, a man on a mission. READ HIS PROFILE
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Enrique Freeman (Akron Zips, 201 cm – 93 kg) As a freshman, he played for 2 minutes on average, and at the end of his NCAA career, he is one of the players with the greatest impact in the entire nation. A concentrated energy that allows him to achieve a double-double performance every game (18 points and 13 rebounds on average) in the last three seasons, and Akron is ready to claim the MAC title (12-3, 20-8) at the expense of Kent State and Toledo. READ HIS PROFILE
HORIZON LEAGUE
D.J. Burns (Youngstown State Penguins, 201 cm – 100 kg) The transfer from Murray State has brought energy, defense and rebounds, so much so as to become the record holder in a single season for the Penguins (10.8 per game to add to 13 points), who for the first time in their history see the possibility of making it to the Big Dance, currently second in the Horizon League (14-6, 22-9). READ HIS PROFILE
Trey Calvin (Wright State Raiders, 183 cm – 75 kg) Youngstown’s dreams of going to the tournament for the first time could find a dangerous obstacle in the offensive game of the Raiders (12-7, 17-13), 6th offensive team in the entire NCAA at 85.9 points per game. The conductor is this fast point-guard capable of going to the basket (19.4 per game) or giving the winning pass to his teammates (4.3 assists), certainly the defense is not perfect but in a no return match it’s not easy to beat them. READ HIS PROFILE
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
Zyon Pullin (Florida Gators, 193 cm – 88 kg) The transfer from UC Riverside didn’t feel the jump in level and took the lead in the pace of the Gators (10-5, 20-8) in a very balanced SEC. He confirmed his excellence in finding his teammates (5 assists) and shares the scoring responsibilities with his back-court teammate Clayton (15 points per game) but above all he will be able to play the Big Dance. READ HIS PROFILE
CONFERENCE USA
Isaiah Crawford (Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, 198 cm – 100 kg) Last games with the Bulldogs jersey for this versatile forward who tries to give a participation in the Big Dance that has been missing since 1991 when P.J. Brown the reference player was. Top scorer at 16.4 points and valid facilitator with 2.4 assists, it’s in the defense phase where he manages to make the difference in C-USA (11-3, 21-8). READ THE PROFILE
PATRIOT LEAGUE
Keegan Records (Colgate Raiders, 208 cm – 113 kg) He tries the poker of victories in the Patriot League and everything seems to be going in the best way (15-2, 21-9) confirming the solidity of the Raiders which is well identified in his big-man of reference. Good finisher, present on rebound battles and able to be a factor in defense. The goal to finish his NCAA career in the best possible way would be the upset in the first round, which he only came close to in 2022 against Wisconsin. READ HIS PROFILE
