Three Players Poised to Breakout in 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament

Selection Sunday is right around the corner. While there are plenty of teams on the bubble who are hoping to hear their names called, there are also some teams that know they are in.

Those teams have players who are hoping to break out during the NCAA Tournament and give them a chance to make a run.

There are three players in particular who could end up as this year’s breakout players of the Big Dance who will be remembered forever.

1. Kon Knueppel, Duke

How could a Duke player possibly break out during the NCAA Tournament when they are one of the favorites to win it all? Well, now that Cooper Flagg is hurt, their chances have dwindled.

More news: Duke NCAA Tournament Odds Plummet Following Cooper Flagg Injury

If Flagg isn’t able to return for the NCAA Tournament, they are going to need someone else to pick up the slack. That means Knueppel will have the spotlight on him.

This season, Knueppel is averaging 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. When Flagg went down early against Georgia Tech, he ramped up his game. He finished with 28 points, five rebounds, and eight assists in that game.

2. Kam Jones, Marquette

Marquette is a good team, but no one expects them to make a run at the Final Four. If they want to have any hope of doing so, Kam Jones will have to carry them.

Jones is their best player, averaging 18.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. He does pretty much everything for the Eagles.

He’s not known much outside of the Big East, but he’s good enough to be known across the country by the time the NCAA Tournament rolls around.

3. Jacob Ognacevic, Lipscomb

There is always a Cinderella team in the NCAA Tournament that has a big upset thanks to a great player. This year, that player could be Jacob Ognacevic.

Ognacevic is one of those players who can carry a team. He averages 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 57 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the 3-point line.

If he gets hot, he is a dangerous player for a higher seed to play. Lipscomb is going to be an underdog for whoever they play, but they can pull the upset with him out there.

All three of these players have a chance to put themselves into NCAA Tournament lore with good performances.

More news: Three Bubble Teams Who Hurt Their Chances For 2025 March Madness

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