Which Players Will Become March Madness Heroes?

We’re within a week of Selection Sunday, which means it’s time to begin making bold predictions for the men’s NCAA tournament. Sports Illustrated’s Dan Greene has chosen a dozen role players who could make major impacts this playoff season. One familiar name surfaces on the list, Villanova’s Phil Booth, whose title game performance in 2016 steered the Wildcats to their shining moment. Booth has been nagged by injuries and has played a complementary role this season, but remains a serious scorer. Greene thinks Virginia big man Mamadi Diakite is poised for a star turn, as he’s become a much efficient scorer as of late. Or maybe Purdue’s P.J. Thompson, a senior of only 5’10”, will prove a surprising hero, given his relatively-low usage rate and 43.8% shooting from deep.