Five most compelling players remaining in men's NCAA Tournament

The men's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 tips off on Thursday, and after a rather chalky opening weekend, the field remains loaded with star power. Here are five players enjoying strong starts in March whose next outing is sure to bring more excitement.

Zach Edey, No. 1 Purdue (Midwest)

The 7-foot-4 center's early tournament results have surely been difficult to stomach for the "Edey's not that good, he's just tall" crowd. The soon-to-be two-time Wooden Award winner is averaging 26.5 points, 17.5 rebounds and three blocks through his first two NCAA Tournament games and shooting 67.9% from the field.

Edey has already made plenty of history entering the Sweet 16, including posting the tournament's first 30-point, 20-rebound performance since 1995 during Purdue's opening-round win over Grambling State. He'll always have his critics, though if Edey can lead the Boilermakers to a Final Four appearance, it would make it all the more difficult to discredit his already illustrious collegiate career.

Next game: vs. No. 5 Gonzaga, Friday, 7:39 p.m. ET

Terrence Shannon Jr., No. 3 Illinois (East) 

The nation's third-leading scorer has been on a blistering offensive tear since the lights began to shine the brightest, averaging 31.6 points dating to the Big Ten Tournament. It's worth noting that Shannon went 6-0 against Iowa State during his Texas Tech days, but both he and the Cyclones have significantly improved since their last meeting.

Defense tends to travel in the NCAA Tournament, which could favor Iowa State. However, if his hot streak continues, Shannon's ability to create his own shot and initiate offense might be too much to handle for the Cyclones.

Next game: vs. No. 2 Iowa State, Thursday, 10:09 p.m. ET

Jamal Shead, No. 1 Houston (South)

Despite boasting a 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, Shead has a case to be considered not only the top all-around point guard in the nation but also the best defender in college basketball. Before fouling out during Houston's narrow overtime victory over Texas A&M in the second round, Shead tallied 21 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. The 21-year-old's disruptive defense also played a massive role in Aggies star Wade Taylor IV's disastrous shooting output (5-of-26 from the floor) against the Cougars.

Given how tightly contested the Texas A&M game turned out, some may already be predicting Houston to get upset by surging Duke. Nevertheless, as long as Shead stays out of foul trouble, the Blue Devils' red-hot backcourt will be put to the test.

Next game: vs. No. 4 Duke, Friday, 9:39 p.m. ET

Armando Bacot, No. 1 North Carolina (West) 

After losing the 2022 national title game and missing the NCAA Tournament last season, the 2020s version of former Kansas standout Perry Ellis has started his final run with the Tar Heels in style. Bacot averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across North Carolina's two games last week. Considering Alabama is severely undersized compared to the Tar Heels and ranks 101st in adjusted defense by KenPom's metrics, HC Nate Oats' team faces an uphill battle trying to contain the 6-foot-11, 240-pound Bacot. 

Next game: vs. No. 4 Alabama, Thursday, 9:39 p.m. ET

Dalton Knecht, No. 2 Tennessee (Midwest)

One of the season's biggest breakout stars, Knecht had separate two-year stints at Northeastern Junior College and Northern Colorado before transferring to Tennessee. In his short time with the Volunteers, the SEC Player of the Year has established himself as one of the nation's top scorers and a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Even so, Knecht will have to shoot better against fellow mid-major transfer Baylor Scheierman and the Creighton Blue Jays than he did against Texas for his remarkable success story to continue. Against the Longhorns, Knecht — who is averaging 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament — only shot 5-of-18 from the floor and 1-of-8 from three-point range. 

Next game: vs. No. 3 Creighton, Friday, 10:09 p.m. ET