March is typically a slow month in the NBA. With most playoff races largely settled, the infamous resting period has begun, where many of the game’s stars are sitting on the sidelines in preparation for the playoffs. As a basketball blogger, that doesn’t bode well for my weekly content.

With this in mind, I thought I’d shift my focus for this blog entry to a more exciting sport: college basketball. March Madness is upon us, and with only sixteen teams left in the field, there are plenty of exciting games left in store.

More importantly, though, there are still several great players to watch.

The NCAA tournament is a great way for college basketball’s best and brightest to showcase their skills on a national stage. This year’s draft class runs incredibly deep and is loaded with star talent, which is why I’ve decided to write about my favorite players currently in the tourney.

Here are the top prospects still playing in the big dance.

Lonzo Ball
Guard, freshman, UCLA

Lonzo’s game is even better than his dad’s talk. Seriously, this dude has an uncanny penchant to make his teammates better.

Ball has impeccable court awareness and a knack for making big plays in transition, leading the nation in assists at 7.6 per game. Additionally, he averages an astounding “150 points 100 possessions on all plays he finishes,” including scoring possessions and assists.

Despite his clunky mechanics, Ball is also an effective shooter. In spot-up situations, he averages 125 points per 100 possessions, which is among the top shooters in NCAA basketball. Shooting was initially most scouts’ main concern with Ball’s NBA transition.

Ball already has an exceptional draft stock, but if performs well in the Bruin’s upcoming showdown against Kentucky, he could threaten Markelle Fultz’s spot as the consensus number 1 pick.

He’s still not as good as Steph Curry, though. Sorry, Lavar.

Lauri Markkanen
Center, freshman, Arizona

I’m not as sold on Markannen’s potential as an NBA player as most scouts – perhaps this is the result of Porzingis bias – but I still think he makes for an immensely gifted, intriguing prospect.

Seven feet tall with a graceful touch and stellar vision, Markannen is officially college basketball’s most efficient scorer. His offensive rating, 132.7, is first among power five conference players, and his effective shooting percentage is in the upper echelon of college hoops at 59 percent.

Where Markennen’s true strength lies, however, is in finishing around the rim. According to Synergy Sports Techology, the Finnish freak averages 125 points per 100 possessions on pick and rolls. Those are extraordinary numbers, even for NBA standards.

As long as Markannen continues to develop on the defensive end, he has the potential to become one of the league’s premier forwards.

Sindarius Thornwell
Guard, senior, South Carolina

Don’t be fooled: Sindarius Thornwell is a lethal college basketball player.

Thornwell is the clear, unabashed leader for the Gamecocks, helping his team eliminate powerhouse Duke in the second round of the tournament (and busting my bracket in the process). He’s an all-around player, leading SC in scoring (21.9 ppg), and making significant contributions in defensive rebounding (16.1 rebound percentage) and passing (19.8 assist percentage).

The Lancaster, South Carolina native flies under the radar as a future NBA player, largely because of his age (he turned 22 in November), and his inconsistent player earlier in his collegiate career. But if there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you don’t bet against those who perform best with the game on the line.

With a nickname like “Sin City,” it’s not surprise that Thornwell is bad news for his opponents. He’ll be a steal for any team that can snag him in second round of the draft.