Five players to watch out for in March Madness Elite Eight

There’s been plenty of madness this March. Gonzaga and Arizona fell at the Sweet Sixteen, setting up an improbable group for the Elite Eight. Arkansas saw off Chet Holmgren’s Bulldogs, while Houston stunned the Wildcats on Thursday.

March Madness futures odds have changed drastically as a result. Kansas is the betting favorite ahead of the second day of Sweet Sixteen games by the Blue Devils and Cougars.

The Elite Eight is bound to provide us with bucket loads of drama – here are five players to watch out for.

Pablo Banchero

A true modern big, Pablo Banchero is arguably the best player remaining in the tournament (depending on what you think of Jaden Ivey).

Banchero scored 22 in the Sweet Sixteen win on just 12 shots, and he’s flourished in each of the previous rounds as well. He’s a box office talent.

Many are picking Duke to go all the way. Much of that backing is down to the dominance Banchero has flashed so far throughout March.

Kyler Edwards

Houston’s run has been powered by the scoring of Kyler Edwards. Scoring 19 on 13 shots against Arizona, Edwards is unafraid to let fly from anywhere on the court and has the ability to get hot in a hurry.

With Houston boasting an elite defense and strong rebounding at both ends of the court, their offense doesn’t need to be spectacular. It needs to be a team effort, but their chances are much improved if Edwards can drain a few outside shots.

JD Notae

The Razorbacks’ leading scorer, JD Notae dropped 19 in the win over Gonzaga. He’s yet to produce efficiently in March Madness, but Notae is carrying a hefty offensive burden.

Notae is second in the country in field goal attempts in the 2021-22 season. If Arkansas is to continue beyond the Elite Eight, he must once again do a lot of heavy lifting both as a scorer and playmaker.

AJ Griffin

Widely projected as a top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, AJ Griffin has been overshadowed by Pablo Banchero and even Mark Williams at points, but Duke needs the Dallas native to step up if it is going to win the title.

Griffin has primarily been reduced to a catch-and-shoot role in the tournament thus far. He can offer more for the Blue Devils in the Elite Eight, though, and with his complete scoring ability, he’s got the potential to swing a game on his own.

Collin Gillespie

Part of the title team in 2018, Collin Gillespie has blossomed at Villanova and has drained 13 threes in four March Madness games so far.

While Gillespie missed 10 shots in the win over Michigan, he still contributed six boards and two dimes in the eight-point win. Gillespie, coming off an MCL injury last March, is in his fifth season of college hoops, and has elevated his reputation from little-known high school guard to the heartbeat of a perennial contending Villanova team.

He’s a sharpshooter, and that might be his role if he makes it to the NBA, but heading into the Elite Eight, Gillespie does it all for Villanova. He’s simply a good all-round basketball player – will he lead Villanova to another title?

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