Five players poised to become March Madness stars

As March Madness approaches, several lower-profile players may rise to stardom. Here are five players to watch during the 2025 NCAA Tournament who could follow in the footsteps of past surprises. John Poulakidas from Yale is one of the prime candidates. He gained attention last year by scoring 28 points in an upset win against Auburn. This season, Poulakidas averages 19.2 points and leads his team into a match against fourth-seeded Texas A&M. Donovan Dent of New Mexico is another standout. The guard is known for his scoring ability, recently scoring 34 points against VCU. Dent has been consistently strong, averaging 23.5 points in the final stretch of the season. If New Mexico defeats Marquette, he could test No. 2 Michigan State in the next round. Nique Clifford from Colorado State has also been a key player. The forward played a significant role in his team's ten-game winning streak. Averaging over 22 points and shooting 60.3 percent during that span, Clifford is known for his explosive athleticism and scoring talent. Bennett Stirtz, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, plays for Drake. He excels in managing the game and averages 19.1 points and 5.7 assists per game. Stirtz's skill in controlling possession makes him hard to defend, especially as Drake faces No. 6 Missouri in the first round. Finally, Wofford’s Kyler Filewich offers a unique style. The 6-foot-9 center is known for his unusual free-throw technique. Although not a high-scoring player, his free-throw shooting could become a storyline if Wofford competes closely against a higher seed. These players have the potential to become fan favorites during the tournament.