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As March Madness inches closer and the brackets begin to be finalized, the stage is being set for the top college players to perform when the moment is at its largest. In the best basketball tournament of the year, there will be a chance for each standout player to make a statement.
Heroes are born in March, and each player will be doing his best to make themselves a household name and perform for their team. Here are five top candidates who have a chance to outperform expectations and grow into the next tournament hero.
Top Five NCAA players expected to break out in March Madness
5, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
Over the past three seasons, Illinois (19-10) has relied heavily on Kofi Cockburn to patrol the paint and dominate the post. With Cockburn now moved on from the program, the stage is set for Coleman Hawkins to step up. The 6-foot-10 junior has played rotational minutes over the past two seasons but has taken massive strides forward this year.
While his averages of 9.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals are not overly flashy, he finds ways to impact the game. He has reached double digits in scoring in 10 of his last 16 games and brings the necessary energy to the Illinois roster. Expect him to step up on the biggest stage and play a major role in any success the Fighting Illini has.
4, Kris Murray, Iowa
With his twin brother, Keegan Murray, having success in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings this season, it is time for Kris Murray to have his own breakout moment.
The 6-foot-8 junior has taken a big leap in his development this season, averaging 20.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 1.2 bpg. He is the cornerstone for Iowa (19-11) after seeing his minutes nearly double. It is now time for Murray to prove it on the biggest stage and have his breakout moment in the tournament.
Both Murray and the rest of the Iowa roster are talented enough that they cannot be counted out from making a run, and he will be at the forefront of it all.
3, Braden Smith, Purdue
It is easy to get caught up in the massive shadow of 7-foot-4 Zach Edey, who is the face of fifth-ranked Purdue (24-5). The player of the year candidate is at the epicenter of Purdue's style of play and impacts the game in a major way. However, there is sure to be a target on him in the tournament, and there are things that can be done to prevent a big man from getting his touches the way Edey will desire.
This is where Braden Smith should be expected to come in and play a major role. The freshman guard has averaged 9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 4.3 apg while shooting 40.0% on 3-point attempts. Expect his shooting to be a difference-maker and for Smith to be a more well-known name by the tournament's conclusion.
2, Jarkel Joiner, North Carolina State
There are plenty of college basketball fans who are well aware of the talent that Jarkel Joiner possesses. However, it still feels like he lacks national respect for the high-level talent he is. Joiner is at his third stop in college after transferring to N.C. State, where he has averaged 17.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 3.5 apg. He has scored 25 or more points on nine different occasions.
N.C. State (22-9) is a scrappy group that could make a run this year. Expect Joiner and Terquavion Smith to each make a strong impact in March Madness. With his exciting style of play, count on Joiner to become a fan-favorite.
1, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
He may not get the All-American recognition or get mentioned among the nation's most elite as often as he should, but there are few players as complete as Jalen Hood-Schifino. The 6-foot-6 guard has risen up NBA draft boards this season, and for good reason. He is averaging 13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 3.8 apg and has continued to improve as the year advanced.
Hood-Schifino is still in search of his signature moment, and March Madness is the perfect place to find it. The pace and compose he plays with are impressive, and he will be ready to run the offense for 15th-ranked Indiana (20-10) in the way the team needs. Look for him to make a statement in the tournament, giving Indiana a chance to make a run and cementing himself as a top NBA prospect.
