(credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
By Jon Rothstein
1. Louisville’s pressure
2. The continued growth of Montrezl Harrell
3. Colorado State’s ability to rebound
4. Missouri’s unpredictability
5. A minimum of one more time to watch to Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart
6. Arsalan Kazemi’s toughness
7. The continuation of Saint Louis’ magical season
8. New Mexico State’s Sim Bhullar — a mountain masquerading as a man
9. D.J. Stephens’ hops
10. Middle Tennessee State’s Ray Cintron — the best shooter you’ve never heard of
MORE: Rothstein’s NCAA Tournament primer
11. Tom Izzo in March
12. Valpo’s return
13. Doug McDermott
14. Cincinnati’s physical defense
15. Coach K’s drive for five
16. Ryan Kelly’s textbook stroke
17. Gonzaga’s shot at proving they’re legitimate
18. The spotlight that Kelly Olynyk will finally get and deserve
19. Pitt’s depth
20. Malcolm Armstead’s leadership
21. Bo Ryan’s swing offense
22. Marshall Henderson’s exuberance
23. Kansas State’s poise
24. La Salle’s return to the bracket
25. Solomon Hill’s leadership
26. Another four days of everyone telling us why Belmont will beat their first opponent
27. New Mexico’s attempt to finally get some well-deserved respect
28. At least one more time to watch Siyani Chambers push the ball in the open court for Harvard
29. Notre Dame’s back court of Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant — the most underrated perimeter duo in college basketball
30. Iowa State’s NBA-style offense
31. Aaron Craft
32. Iona’s David Laury — a match up nightmare
33. Ben McLemore’s upside
34. Bill Self’s brilliance
35. North Carolina’s small-ball approach
36. A showdown between two really good freshman point guards — Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova) vs. Marcus Paige (North Carolina)
37. HAVOC
38. Briante Weber’s on-ball defense
39. Shaka Smart against his old boss, Akron’s Keith Dambrot
40. Trey Burke
41. Nate Wolters’ craftiness
42. Another chance for Ben Howland to prove why UCLA will miss him while he’s gone
43. Rodney Williams’ ability to offensive rebound
44. Billy Donovan in March
45. Northwestern State’s frenetic pace
46. Jamal Franklin’s dry-fit long sleeved shirt that he wears under his jersey
47. Lon Kruger — the best coach in the bracket that not enough people talk about
48. Otto Porter
49. Victor Oladipo’s ongoing evolution as a player
50. Indiana’s transition offense
51. Jamal Olasewere’s face up game for LIU
52. T.J. Warren’s effortless ability to score
53. Khalif Wyatt’s unorthodox, yet incredible offensive arsenal
54. Anthony Bennett’s upside
55. Cal’s tandem of Allen Crabbe + Justin Cobbs
56. Jim Boeheim’s postgame press conferences
57. James Southerland’s range
58. Montana’s two hidden gems — Will Cherry and Kareem Jamar
59. Brad Stevens in March
60. Bucknell trying to live up to everyone’s hype
61. Buzz Williams’ storytelling
62. Davante Gardner’s low post game
63. Davidson’s poise
64. Illinois’ perimeter
65. Colorado’s Spencer Dinwiddie — the best guard that no one knows about
66. Jim Larranaga’s chance at a return to the Final Four with Miami
67. Shane Larkin
What’s your favorite part of the Madness? Be heard in the comments!
