NCAA Tournament 2015: Real-Time Player Rankings Through Round of 32
The NCAA tournament is down to its Sweet 16, and while those teams are still dancing, the season has ended in heartbreak for the other 52 who entered the field hoping for a defining moment.
We've seen buzzer-beating shots, huge individual performances from star players and previous unknowns and a our share of crazy moments in the 52 games played thus far.
Here, we rank the 20 best players in the NCAA tournament through the round of 32. All of these players have helped their teams to at least one win, and they're ranked based on their stats, buzzworthiness and value to their teams.
Wins are certainly a factor this time of the year—where it's win or go home—and that often made up the difference if two players put up similar performances.
Recently Dropped out of Rankings
- Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
- Quinton Chievous, Hampton
- Taurean Prince, Baylor
- Tyler Harvey, Eastern Washington
- Dyshawn Pierre, Dayton
- Tyler Haws, BYU
20. Michael Qualls, Arkansas
1 of 20
By the numbers
Michael Qualls wasn't able to get the Razorbacks into their first Sweet 16 since 1996, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. On a night when star Bobby Portis struggled from the field, Qualls was all over the place in scoring a game-high 27 points in the Razorbacks' 87-78 loss Saturday to North Carolina.
Buzz factor
Though he was just 1-of-6 from three-point range, he was 7-of-13 on two-pointers and had 10 rebounds with three assists. Only a junior, the 6'6" guard had a big year and prompted Dan Wolken of USA Today to wonder if Qualls might consider turning pro.
Why he's here
Qualls averaged 23.5 points per game in the NCAA tournament, following up an 8-of-9 performance in Arkansas' second-round win over Wofford with his 12th 20-point game of the year.
Updated by Brian J. Pedersen
19. Zach Auguste, Notre Dame
2 of 20
By the numbers
After a monster first NCAA tournament game, scoring 25 points, Zach Auguste fell back to earth on Saturday in the third round against Butler. He managed only seven points on 2-of-7 shooting, but he made up for it with 13 rebounds that included two key boards in overtime as well as a block in the 67-64 overtime victory.
Buzz factor
Auguste nearly cost the Fighting Irish a chance to make their first Sweet 16 since 2003 when he was called for double-dribbling with two seconds left in regulation.
Why he's here
With his shooting off, as it was for nearly everyone on Notre Dame, Auguste stepped up in other areas to ensure his team would advance.
Updated by Brian J. Pedersen
18. Matt Stainbrook, Xavier
3 of 20
By the numbers
Xavier center Matt Stainbrook is not a fancy player, but he is effective and a key contributor. He had nine points and six rebounds against upset-minded Georgia State, and he played solid defense for the Musketeers. While he was not as dominant as he was in Xavier's victory over Ole Miss when he scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, he played a key role in Xavier's 75-67 victory over the Panthers.
Buzz factor
Stainbrook is a physical player who goes to the glass hard and plays tough defense. He's also going to hit open shots and make contributions on the offensive end.
Why he's here
He understands his role and is going to bring toughness to the court on an every-game basis. He is a strong passer who can find the open man, and he is going to fight for rebounds even if he absorbs a lot of punishment.
Updated by Steve Silverman
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17. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
4 of 20
By the numbers
Buddy Hield scored a total of 30 points in Oklahoma's two victories in Columbus over the weekend. He put up 15 in the win over Albany and followed that up with 15 more against Dayton. He also accumulated seven assists in those games.
Buzz factor
Hield was named the Big 12 Player of the Year thanks to his output during the tough regular season. He was the top scorer on the Sooners roster, with 17.4 points per game, and he also averaged 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest.
Why he's here
The Oklahoma guard was a model of consistency in his team's second- and third-round games. He also made a massive block in the waning moments of Sunday's win over Dayton, which denied the Flyers a late comeback bid.
Updated by Joe Tansey.
16. Terry Rozier, Louisville
5 of 20
By the numbers
Terry Rozier was solid, if not spectacular, in a second-round win over upset-minded UC Irvine, but he really shined against a tough Northern Iowa team on Sunday night. The sophomore guard dropped 25 points in a 66-53 win, adding seven assists and six rebounds to help his team advance to the Sweet 16.
Buzz factor
Rozier is a player who flies a bit under the radar, but his performance on Sunday night helped ensure that Lousville would be advancing to a school-record fourth straight Sweet 16. In a basketball-crazed state like Kentucky, where the Cardinals are always fighting for attention, that carries some weight.
Why he's here
Rozier eclipsed the 20-point mark for the 12th time this season and did it while also distributing the basketball effectively to his teammates. A Sweet 16 game against Cat Barber and North Carolina State should be fun to watch.
Updated by Kevin McRae
15. Tony Parker, UCLA
6 of 20
By the numbers
Tony Parker was a big reason why UCLA advanced to the Sweet 16 after it beat the UAB Blazers in the round of 32. The Bruins big man had a huge game with 28 points and 12 rebounds, as UCLA ran away to a 92-75 victory.
Buzz factor
The bruising 6'9", 260-pound Parker made 11 of 14 shots from the field and keyed the Bruins' effort on the boards. Four of his rebounds came on the offensive glass, and that seemed to discourage the Blazers and keep them from getting into the contest.
Why he's here
Parker had a disappointing first game of the tournament with just three points and two rebounds on 1-of-6 shooting against SMU. However, he showed off his talent and ability to bounce back against UAB.
Updated by Kevin McRae
14. Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky
7 of 20
By the numbers
No. 1 Kentucky didn't have quite as easy of a time with No. 8 Cincinnati as it did with Hampton, but the Wildcats got the job done once again. Karl-Anthony Towns was a big part of that.
Towns didn't have the 21 points and 11 boards he collected against the Pirates, but his eight points, seven boards and three blocks were crucial in the 64-51 win.
Buzz factor
Towns, along with the rest of Kentucky's big men, is a dominant force on the inside. He's capable of scoring the basketball and altering the opponent's offense by making them reluctant to get inside. If they do get inside, it's very hard to get quality shots up over his 6'11" frame.
Why he's here
Towns swatted three shots on Saturday to go along with the three he blocked against Hampton. He's averaging 14.5 points and nine boards in two tournament games.
Updated by Kevin McRae
13. Travis Trice, Michigan State
8 of 20
By the numbers
In a game dominated by defense, Travis Trice managed to put on an offensive clinic from all parts of the floor. He had a game-high 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting, making 4-of-8 three-pointers and hitting 5-of-6 free throws in Michigan State's 60-54 upset of Virginia on Sunday.
Buzz factor
Trice had all of the scoring in a 13-0 run early in the first half to give the Spartans a 15-4 lead, then he had 10 points in the final 7:22 that included all of his foul shots.
Why he's here
Combined with a 15-point effort in the second-round win over Georgia, Trice is averaging 19 points per game in the NCAA tournament and he's hit six threes.
Updated by Brian J. Pedersen
12. D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State
9 of 20
By the numbers
D'Angelo Russell did not have the same success in the 73-58 loss to Arizona that he had enjoyed in the first round against the Virginia Commonwealth Rams. The freshman superstar scored just nine points as he struggled to find his rhythm, connecting on just three of 19 shots from the field.
He scored 28 points in his previous NCAA tournament game.
Buzz factor
Russell struggled throughout the contest against the Wildcats with his shooting, but Arizona never relaxed against him. Its strong defense was a key reason he couldn't get it going. Nevertheless, he had seven rebounds and handed out six assists.
Why he's here
Russell is brimming with talent and has an unlimited future. Head coach Thad Matta knows that Russell can handle the ball with ease, find the open man and make clutch plays when the game is on the line. While he struggled against a talented Arizona team, Russell is a superb player.
Updated by Steve Silverman
11. Robert Brown, UAB
10 of 20
By the numbers
Brown was a huge part of UAB's surprising run into the third round of the NCAA tournament. He dropped 21 points in a shocking upset of No. 3 seed Iowa State on Wednesday and had 25 in a loss to No. 11 UCLA on Saturday.
Buzz factor
Brown was a bit sharper from the field against the Bruins than he was against the Cyclones. He connected on 10-of-20 shots, including four from behind the arc, to keep his team in the game despite getting manhandled on the inside and on the boards.
Why he's here
UAB was badly in need of a sports-related boost. Brown was instrumental in providing the Blazers and their fans with a magical March upset of a team considered a sleeper pick to potentially cut down the nets. Nobody expected this team to be more than a one-and-done, and it dramatically exceeded expectations.
Updated by Kevin McRae
10. R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
11 of 20
By the numbers
R.J. Hunter could not lead Georgia State to its second consecutive NCAA tournament victory, this time against physical Xavier, but he had his second straight impressive performance. Hunter came through with 20 points, five assists and four rebounds in the 75-67 loss to the Musketeers, one round after hitting the game-winning shot against Baylor.
Buzz factor
Hunter is a superb outside shooter, and he was the focus of the Xavier defense. While the junior didn't have his best shooting day, he still connected on six of 15 shots from the floor and was 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. He was perfect on his five free-throw attempts.
Why he's here
Hunter led a sensational comeback against Baylor in the second round, and his game-winning shot opened eyes all across the country. He came up with another big effort against the Musketeers, but the Panthers fell short. He could become a first-round NBA pick if he decides to declare for the NBA draft.
Updated by Steve Silverman
9. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona
12 of 20
By the numbers
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was not the impact player in the 73-58 win over Ohio State he was in the Wildcats' first game against Texas Southern. Hollis-Jefferson scored 11 points and had 10 rebounds against the Buckeyes, but he made just 3-of-12 shots from the field. He scored 23 points and nabbed 10 rebounds in the Wildcats' first NCAA tournament game.
Buzz factor
Hollis-Jefferson's athletic ability had Ohio State's attention from the start, and the Buckeyes contested every shot. While he couldn't find his shooting rhythm, he went hard to the glass and used his length to get into the passing lanes frequently.
Why he's here
Hollis-Jefferson is a game-changing player who is often at his best in the biggest contests. Even when he has an off-night with his shooting, he can still impact the game with his defense, rebounding and presence.
Updated by Steve Silverman
8. Aaron White, Iowa
13 of 20
By the numbers
Aaron White was the man for the seventh-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday night. The senior did virtually everything (26 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block) in leading his team to a surprisingly easy 83-52 win over No. 10 seed Davidson. On his way out of the tournament on Sunday, White scored 19 points in the loss to No. 2 seed Gonzaga.
Buzz factor
White averaged over 10 points per game in each of his four collegiate seasons, and he found an even higher gear during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.
Why he's here
White totaled 45 points over two games for the Hawkeyes, who could not keep up with a talented Gonzaga team. He was also efficient from the field, as he made 18 of his 27 attempted field goals over the first weekend.
Updated by Joe Tansey
7. Joseph Young, Oregon
14 of 20
By the numbers
Joseph Young did not disappoint during his stay in the NCAA tournament. The senior guard put up 30 points in the loss to No. 1 seed Wisconsin on Sunday, and he scored 27 in Friday's victory over Oklahoma State.
Buzz factor
Young was one of the top players in the Pac-12 for most of the season, and he showed the folks on the East coast how productive he could be in the national spotlight during the Big Dance.
Why he's here
Without his 27 points against Oklahoma State, the Ducks would have struggled to get out of the second round. Despite facing a tough challenge against Wisconsin, Young still fought until the final buzzer.
Updated by Joe Tansey
6. Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
15 of 20
By the numbers
Kyle Wiltjer wanted to be the man, so he jumped ship from Kentucky, went out west to Gonzaga and led his team to a berth in the Sweet 16. He scored over 20 points in each of the Bulldogs' wins at Key Arena in Seattle. In the victory over Iowa on Sunday, Wiltjer went 10-of-12 from the field and scored 24 points.
Buzz factor
After two years at Kentucky as a role player, Wiltjer has developed into the star of the team at Gonzaga. He has some valuable experience under his belt from his time in Lexington, as he was a part of the 2012 national championship team.
Why he's here
Wiltjer is a big reason why many are calling this the best Gonzaga team to enter the tournament. He's known as one of the more consistent scorers in the country, and he showed that against North Dakota State and Iowa, exceeding his season averages in points and rebounds to help the Bulldogs advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009.
Updated by Joe Tansey
5. Jahlil Okafor, Duke
16 of 20
By the numbers
If this is going to be Jahlil Okafor's only NCAA tournament appearance, at least he's making it a memorable one. After debuting with 21 points in Friday's second-round win over Robert Morris, the 6'11" freshman racked up 26 points, six rebounds and three blocks in Sunday's 68-49 win against San Diego State.
Buzz factor
Okafor showed off all manner of post moves and hook shots. He even broke out some ball-handling skills that CBS Sports' Matt Norlander noted made him look like a "point center."
Why he's here
In two games Okafor has scored 47 points and made 21 of 27 field-goal attempts, the most scoring ever by a Duke freshman in his first two NCAA tourney games. He's added nine rebounds, five blocks, three assists and two steals with just one personal foul.
Updated by Brian J. Pedersen
4. T.J. McConnell, Arizona
17 of 20
By the numbers
Feisty T.J. McConnell was the most productive player on the court in Arizona's 73-58 third-round victory over Ohio State. McConnell was not only the leading scorer with 19 points, he was also a huge overall contributor with six assists, six rebounds and five steals. He was respectable in Arizona's second-round win over Texas Southern with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Buzz factor
McConnell played like a superstar against a solid Big Ten opponent. The Ohio State defense did not pay much attention to him early, and he hit 8-of-13 shots from the field. He also showed his courage by going into the lane and picking off rebounds even though he's just 6'1".
Why he's here
McConnell had no trouble stepping to the forefront when teammates Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson did not have their best games. Arizona's depth is one of the primary reasons the Wildcats have a chance to go a long way, and McConnell demonstrated his ability against the Buckeyes.
Updated by Steve Silverman
3. Fred VanVleet, Wichita State
18 of 20
By the numbers
Two days after dropping a career high of 27 points against No. 10 seed Indiana, Fred VanVleet scored 17 points in seventh-seeded Wichita State's win over in-state rival and No. 2 seed Kansas in Omaha, Nebraska. In the 78-65 Shockers victory, the junior guard dished out six assists and pulled down six rebounds.
Buzz factor
VanVleet is the leader of the Shockers, and he makes his presence known in every aspect of the game. Rarely is there a game in which VanVleet fails to contribute high numbers in each of the major stat categories.
Why he's here
VanVleet turned in a dominant showing on Friday afternoon against Indiana, which was followed by a terrific all-around display against the one team who has avoided the Shockers for quite some time. He will now get a chance to test his skills against the outstanding Notre Dame backcourt on Thursday in Cleveland.
Updated by Joe Tansey
2. Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
19 of 20
By the numbers
Frank Kaminsky scored a total of 43 points against Coastal Carolina and Oregon at the CenturyLink Center during the first weekend of the tournament. Frank the Tank also put up strong numbers from the field, as he shot 59.3 percent (16-of-27) over the two games.
Buzz factor
The National Player of the Year candidate is not only a top scorer, he can also put up respectable numbers in other stat categories. Entering the tournament, the big man led the team in points, rebounds and blocks per game. He was second on the team in steals and assists per contest.
Why he's here
Kaminsky is one of the best players in the nation. You'll find plenty of people who think he is the best player. Wisconsin would likely beat Coastal Carolina and Oregon without him—Sam Dekker had 37 combined points in the two games—but if he continues stuffing the stat sheet, the Badgers can beat any team in the nation.
Updated by Joe Tansey
1. Bryce Alford, UCLA
20 of 20
By the numbers
Bryce Alford has been a huge factor in No. 11 seed UCLA's improbable run to the Sweet 16 after being heavily criticized for its inclusion in the field. He was the hero of Thursday's game, scoring 27 points in an upset win over SMU, and then had a big second half to finish with 22 points and five assists in a 92-75 win over No. 14 UAB on Saturday.
Buzz factor
Alford has the look of a point guard who likes to pass first but knows when he needs to put his team on his back and score the basketball. He wasn't quite as good in UCLA's third-round game, but he didn't have to be. His second half was impressive, and a clutch three near the end of the first half was the beginning of the end, but it was the Bruins bigs who were the real story on Saturday.
Why he's here
Simple. He's had two big games to lead his much-maligned team to the Sweet 16. Alford is averaging 24.5 points per game in two tournament games after dropping just over 15 a night in the regular season.
Updated by Kevin McRae
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