Auburn has been made the +300 favorites to win the national championship this season for the first time in school history. But before they can do that, they have the small matter of navigating March Madness.
The Tigers have embarked upon a stellar campaign so far this term, racking up 26 wins in 28 games— the best record in the country. That has made them the top team for glory heading into the postseason, but the Duke Blue Devils and the Alabama Crimson Tide are both hot on their heels.
The annual end-of-season extravaganza is always a big betting affair, both for bookmakers and for punters. This year, however, there are more prizes than ever before available. At Bovada, for example, you can win real money on March Madness Brackets, with prizes to the player who accumulates the most points throughout the month.
Points are awarded for each correct prediction, with more points offered for deeper tournament runs. The best part is that entry is completely free, meaning many people are trying to assemble the ultimate March Madness Bracket in the coming weeks.
But while you may well be eyeing up prize pots and sweepstakes with colleagues, we have our eyes on these five players who look to light up the Madness.
Johni Broome
No player has shined quite like Johni Broome at the collegiate level this season.
Auburn’s senior forward has been a double-double machine all year long, averaging 18.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-10 sensation has been the rock that anchors Bruce Pearl’s top-ranked Tigers, but now, the pressure is on to deliver the school’s first championship in its 119-year history.
His clutch 19-point, 14-rebound outing against the number four ranked Alabama on Feb. 15 proves his form is ramping up at the perfect time.
Now, he must somehow come through March unscathed if he is to lead his team to the Alamodome in San Antonio and perhaps the championship for the first time.
Cooper Flagg
Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has lived up to the immense preseason hype.
Much was expected of the 6-foot-9 star before he even stepped through the doors at Duke, and to say he has delivered would be an understatement. The 18-year-old is averaging 19.4 points per game, and he is looking NBA-ready.
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1876801101762109441
Flagg has emerged as a projected number-one draft pick, but he has to focus on the job at hand before that. That, of course, is leading the Blue Devils throughout a relentless March Madness campaign that will hopefully culminate in a trip to San Antonio. While Duke boasts a talented roster, Flagg’s maturity and clutch performances have set him apart.
Trey Kaufman-Renn
Trey Kaufman-Renn is now, without question, the leading light at Purdue.
He has stepped out of the giant Zach Edey-sized shadow he used to find himself in to take over the reins of the Boilermakers’ championship bid. While the seven-foot-plus Canadian behemoth former teammate is now in the NBA, his once trusty right-hand man has taken over and now leads the charge.
The redshirt junior forward averages 19.2 points per game on over 60% shooting, a top-15 average nationwide. He’s proven the ability to step up when the spotlight is on, delivering key performances in the absence of major stars.
Now, it is his time to shine, and he will do that throughout March.
John Tonje
John Tonje has been a revelation in his senior year in Wisconsin.
He had already become a household name in the college game for the Colorado State Rams. However, he hit the transfer portal last summer, and the Badgers were only too happy to welcome him to the Kohl Center. Since making the move, he has evolved into one of the most reliable two-way players in the Big Ten.
The senior guard is averaging 19.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 38.9% from beyond the arc. If the Badgers can string together some wins and go on a dark-horse run, count on Tonje as the driving force.
https://twitter.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/1890859874755469764
Liam McNeeley
Freshman Liam McNeeley is the new kid on the block with massive responsibility on his shoulders.
Following the departure of several superstars to the NBA, the teenager has been tasked with carrying the UConn Huskies’ faint three-peat hopes. The Connecticut outfit has romped to glory in each of the last two national championships, becoming the first team to successfully win back-to-back since the Florida Gators almost two decades prior.
https://twitter.com/slam_university/status/1895168533778309288
Now, they are gunning for a historic hat-trick, but the departures of Stephon Castle, Tristen Newton, and Cam Spencer have left them lacking firepower. The 18-year-old has, without question, been the star of the show so far this season, averaging 15.4 points per game and putting his team on the back.
He certainly looks set to lead the Huskies into yet another prosperous era, but the championship may well be a step too far this season. The bookies seemingly agree, pricing them as a +4000 outsider, but don’t be surprised if they return to prominence next year.
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