March Madness bracket breakdown: Best players to watch in Elite 8
By Craig Meyer
Published on March 28, 2026.
The 2025-26 season has been a significant year for college basketball, with future NBA Draft lottery picks and productive college players dominating the landscape nationally. The top eight players in the Elite Eight are highlighted by potential national player of the year for Duke, with a double-double in each of their first three wins, including a narrow Sweet 16 win over St. John’s. Meanwhile, top-10 recruits from the 2025 class have been performing well, with Burries leading the scoring at 16.2 points per game and shooting 64.3% (including 75% from 3). Meanwhile, Gonzaga's Gillespie has been an indispensable player for the team, averaging 18.4 points, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
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