The NCAA Tournament never fails to deliver excitement, drama and unforgettable upsets. Cinderellas are the heart of March Madness, capturing the nation’s attention with surprising runs and bracket-busting wins. At the center of those magical moments are the players stepping up when it matters most.
Here are five mid-major stars to watch who could play pivotal roles in leading their teams to tournament success.
Donovan Dent, New Mexico
Jaelen House may have graduated and key contributors Jamal Mashburn Jr. and JT Toppin may have transferred, but Donovan Dent has taken the reins and led New Mexico back to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. Despite being one of the top guards in the country, Dent has flown slightly under the national radar this season.
Last year, Dent scored just six points in the Lobos’ first-round tournament loss. Expect a different story this time. The 6-foot-2 junior is averaging 20.6 points per game — eighth-best in the nation — while shooting an efficient 49.7% from the field and 41.5% from beyond the arc. The Mountain West Player of the Year is a dynamic transition scorer and a gifted playmaker, dishing out 6.4 assists per game, which ranks 12th nationally.
Nick Townsend, Yale
Senior guards John Poulakidas and Bez Mbeng may draw most of the headlines for Yale, and for good reason. After scoring 28 points during Yale’s first-round upset over Auburn last year, Poulakidas ranks among the nation’s top scorers, averaging 19.2 points per game this season. Mbeng, a talented two-way player, earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors and claimed his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award.
But perhaps the most important development for Yale this season has been the emergence of junior forward Nick Townsend. After losing 7-foot center Danny Wolf — last season’s leading scorer and rebounder — and starting forward Matt Knowling to high-major programs, Townsend stepped up to fill the void. A reserve who averaged just 6.0 points and 3.9 rebounds last season, Townsend has transformed into a consistent interior force.
Now averaging 15.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 30.2 minutes per game, Townsend gives the Bulldogs a reliable presence around the rim. After logging just four points in 11 minutes in last year’s tournament, he’ll be a crucial factor in Yale’s hopes of making another deep run.
Bennett Stirtz, Drake
Bennett Stirtz has drawn attention during Drake’s impressive season under a first-year head coach Ben McCollum. But the NCAA Tournament offers fans a chance to truly see what makes him special.
Stirtz is one of four former Northwest Missouri State players who transferred to Drake and immediately made an impact. All four earned starting roles and have made a seamless jump to the Division I level.
McCollum never doubted Stirtz would thrive, citing his elite basketball IQ and dynamic playmaking. Now the Bulldogs’ top player, Stirtz is also one of the most underrated guards in the country. He leads the team in scoring (19.1), assists (5.7) and steals (2.2), while ranking third in rebounds (4.4). At 6-foot-4, he’s a steady presence who rarely leaves the floor, often playing all 40 minutes.
If Drake is going to make a Cinderella run, it’ll be Stirtz leading the charge.
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, UC San Diego
UC San Diego is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, an achievement made even more remarkable as this marks the Tritons’ first year of eligibility after completing a four-year transition to Division I. They enter March Madness as one of the nation’s hottest teams, riding a 15-game winning streak.
At the heart of UC San Diego’s historic season is senior guard Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones. The Big West Player of the Year leads the team in scoring (19.5), rebounding (5.5) and assists (3.7), doing a little bit of everything for the Tritons.
Tait-Jones is a highly efficient scorer, shooting 57.6% from the field, and thrives attacking the basket with power and control. He consistently gets to the free-throw line and makes his trips count. If the Tritons are going to keep their momentum going, Tait-Jones will be the one setting the tone.
Nique Clifford, Colorado State
Nique Clifford was Colorado State’s third-leading scorer last season, but he began turning heads nationally during the Rams’ dominant First Four win over Virginia, when he posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
This season, Clifford has elevated his game to star status. He leads Colorado State in nearly every major category, averaging 19.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 50.7% from the field and 39.8% from beyond the arc.
Clifford was instrumental in leading the Rams to a Mountain West Conference Tournament title, securing an automatic NCAA Tournament bid and solidifying Colorado State’s place in the field. He will need to maintain his dominant form if Colorado State is to make a run in the tournament.
