The NCAA tournament is underway, and loaded with NBA draft prospects.
This year we've put together our first ever tournament Big Board, ranking the top prospects still playing. We will update the tourney Big Board as players rise and fall.
This ranking is about the best talents in the college game, and it reflects the opinions of NBA scouts and GMs about which players have the brightest future in the NBA.
In other words, it's not about how they will perform in the tournament.
Note that this Big Board will diverge significantly from our regular one. Top international prospects such as Dragan Bender and Furkan Korkmaz along with NCAA prospects whose teams didn't make the tournament, such as Ben Simmons and Henry Ellenson, are excluded from this list. For a full list of our rankings that include every draft eligible player, take a look at our updated top 100.
Note: Rankings as of March 17, with player updates on March 19.
1. Brandon Ingram
Draft stock: No. 1-2
Duke
Freshman
Forward
With Ben Simmons out, Ingram has a chance to make a strong move toward the No. 1 pick.
He has the intriguing combination of size, length and athleticism, with an ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. Scouts use comps of everyone from Paul George to a better shooting Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He had been coming on strong lately in the month of February, but in his last three halves of basketball in the ACC tournament he shot 6-for-22 from the field.
This isn't a deep Duke team, which may limit how far the Blue Devils can go. But if Ingram can have two to three big games, I think some NBA teams may jump off the Simmons bandwagon as the No. 1 pick.
2. Jamal Murray
Draft stock: No. 4-7
Kentucky
Freshman
Guard
Note: Murray and the Kentucky Wildcats were eliminated in the second round.
Murray has been on fire lately, pushing him back into the conversation as a top-five pick. Over the course of the last 10 games, he's averaging nearly 25 PPG and shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc.
He's a strong player with a great basketball IQ. He's also a versatile scorer with a lethal jump shot -- and though he doesn't get to show it much because he plays next to Tyler Ulis, he's also a good passer. His lack of elite athleticism is his biggest question mark, but the Brandon Roy comps for Murray feel right on.
The Wildcats' lack of elite big men may keep them from making another Final Four run, but I expect Murray to get three to four games to prove he's the best guard in this draft.
3. Jaylen Brown
Draft stock: No. 4-8
Cal
Freshman
Forward
Note: Brown and the Cal Bears were eliminated in the first round.
Brown has the body and athleticism of an elite NBA prospect, and in February his game began catching up to his physical attributes. He's best driving the ball to the basket, but when his jump shot is falling he's impossible to stop.
Unfortunately that jumper quit falling. He's shooting just 15-for-54 from the field and 5-for-17 from 3 the past five games. In the Pac 12 tournament he shot just 4-for-23 overall. Hitting that jumper is the key to Brown reach the high end of his draft projection.
Cal is super talented. I think the team could easily play three to four game in the tournament. He should have plenty of time to shine.
4. Kris Dunn
Draft stock: No. 4-8
Providence
Junior
Guard
Note: Dunn and Providence were eliminated in the second round.
Dunn is the best pure point guard at the top the class. He's an elite penetrator and passer. He's also a terrific athlete who can get anywhere he wants on the floor and can guard multiple positions.
His inconsistent 3-point shot combined with his penchant for turnovers are his biggest weaknesses. His age also gives NBA scouts some pause.
Providence is a dangerous team when Dunn and Ben Bentil get going. However, a second-round matchup versus North Carolina could pose a major challenge. Lots of scouts will be at that game to see Dunn vs. Marcus Paige and Bentil vs. Brice Johnson.
5. Buddy Hield
Draft stock: No. 7-12
Oklahoma
Senior
Guard
Hield is the best scorer in college basketball right now. He has turned into a lethal 3-point shooter but can also put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. He's also fearless. His magnetic personality and work ethic make him a natural leader. His lack of size (thought his length makes up for some of that) and his age are the biggest concerns for NBA teams.
Hield's the type of player that could easily go off for several 30 point games in the tournament, and Oklahoma is a talented team that could end up in the Final Four. A big tournament should cement his stock in the top 10, but a poor one could leave him just outside it.
6. Jakob Poeltl
Draft stock: No. 7-10
Utah
Sophomore
Center
Note: Poeltl and Utah were eliminated in the second round.
Poeltl is the best true center in this draft. He combines soft hands and great feet on both ends of the floor. Poeltl can score with a variety of moves around the basket, he's great in transition and he's a good rebounder and a solid shot blocker.
He needs to continue to add strength, but the first team in the draft that needs a big man should pick him up. We should be able to catch Poeltl at least twice in the tournament. No matter how he fares, I think he's a top-10 pick.
7. Ivan Rabb
Draft stock: No. 8-15
Cal
Freshman
Forward/center
Note: Rabb and the Cal Bears were eliminated in the first round.
Rabb is in a bit of a big man scrum along with Skal Labissiere, Deyonta Davis and Diamond Stone. Every NBA team has them ranked a little differently.
Rabb has been terrific the past few weeks for Cal, posting four double-doubles in his past eight games and scoring a career high 21 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks against Oregon State in the Pac 12 tournament. He has the most momentum of any of the big men right now. If he can carry it into the tournament, he's a top-10 pick.
8. Deyonta Davis
Draft stock: No. 10-15
Michigan State
Freshman
Forward
Note: Davis and the Michigan State Spartans were eliminated in the first round.
Davis is an intriguing upside pick. He's long, athletic and a terrific shot blocker with an emerging midrange game. He's not asked to carry the team for Michigan State offensively, but his huge block at the end of the game against Maryland shows how critical he has been to Michigan State's success.
He's on a likely Final Four team, so scouts should be able to get plenty of good looks at him.
9. Diamond Stone
Draft stock: No. 10-15
Maryland
Freshman
Center
Stone is an old-school big man. He's big, clears out space in the paint and has a variety of ways to score under the basket. He has the size, strength and length to be a dominant low-post player.
The league, however, is shying away from that type of low-post presence, which means he's not ranked quite as high as he would've been 10 years ago. A big tournament could convince teams he's worth a top-10 pick.
10. Denzel Valentine
Draft stock: No. 10-15
Michigan State
Senior
Forward/guard
Note: Valentine and the Michigan State Spartans were eliminated in the first round.
Valentine doesn't necessarily check the boxes NBA scouts typically want to check.
He doesn't have elite size or athleticism for his position. He's already 22 years old -- but he has been a near triple-double machine for the Spartans this season, and scouts have increasingly warmed up to the idea that his versatility and basketball IQ will make him a valuable contributor in the NBA.
He's got the talent to lead the Spartans to a national championship. If he does, his stock will continue to improve.
11. Skal Labissiere
Draft stock: No. 10-20
Kentucky
Freshman
Center/forward
Note: Labissiere and the Kentucky Wildcats were eliminated in the second round.
Labissiere has been a major disappointment for both Kentucky and NBA scouts this season. He has all the physical tools and skills to be a dominant stretch big in the pros, but he has rarely shown it at Kentucky, looking too soft and timid to make an impact.
He had a couple of terrific games against Florida and LSU to end the regular season, but he reverted back to wallflower in the SEC tournament. In his past two games he has averaged 2.0 PPG and 0.5 RPG in just six minutes. If he doesn't play much -- or doesn't play well -- his draft stock will be the single biggest question mark of any player if he decides to declare.
There's real potential there, but the lack of production and toughness is a serious problem.
12. Wade Baldwin IV
Draft stock: No. 13-20
Vanderbilt
Sophomore
Guard
Note: Baldwin and the Vanderbilt Commodores were eliminated in the opening game.
Baldwin caught a huge break when the NCAA gave Vandy one of the four last bids. It's surprising that he and his team are in this spot. When the Commodores were playing in Maui earlier this season, many thought they'd be a Final Four team.
Baldwin has great strength and a terrific jump shot. His playmaking skills could still use work, but if he can get Vanderbilt past Wichita State this team has the talent to make a run and Baldwin is the engine that makes it work.
13. Thomas Bryant
Draft stock: No. 15-25
Indiana
Freshman
Center
Bryant shot nearly 70 percent from the field this season for Indiana. That's a crazy number for a freshman, and he's not just doing it in the paint. He's 3-for-5 from 3-point territory in his past five games.
With a 7-foot-6 wingspan, he's one the biggest players in the draft. His lack of elite athleticism can be a problem defensively and he's still a bit raw, but NBA teams love raw talent and Bryant really anchors this guard-oriented Indiana team in the paint.
14. Domantas Sabonis
Draft stock: No. 15-25
Gonzaga
Sophomore
Forward
Sabonis is one of the best rebounders in college basketball. He has great basketball IQ and is efficient in the paint.
His lack of elite athleticism and a 3-point shot makes some scouts wonder a bit about how his game will translate, but I had a scout tell me last week he thinks he's the next Luis Scola. Sabonis would be a great get outside the top 10.
15. Tyler Ulis
Draft stock: No. 18-25
Kentucky
Sophomore
Guard
Note: Ulis and the Kentucky Wildcats were eliminated in the second round.
Ulis is the best college point guard in America. Period. His floor vision, unselfishness and ability to balance scoring with getting others involved is impeccable. When his jump shot is falling, he's unstoppable.
The issue for NBA teams? He's 5-foot-9. It's hard to succeed in the NBA at that size, but if anyone can do it it's Ulis. If he were three to four inches taller, he'd be a top-five pick. If he can get Kentucky deep in the tournament, he's got a chance of going in the top 20.
16. Demetrius Jackson
Draft stock: No. 18-25
Notre Dame
Junior
Guard
Jackson is a quick, tough point guard who possess the ability to shoot the 3 and get to the basket. He has struggled with his jump shot his season and his turnovers are up, causing some scouts to wonder if he plateaued as a sophomore.
He needs a big tournament to move back into the top 20. His last game was a very shaky 1-for-10 shooting dud against North Carolina.
17. Grayson Allen
Draft stock: No. 20-30
Duke
Sophomore
Guard
Allen's toughness can be both a good and a bad thing. He gives 100 percent all of the time and is fearless, but toughness can borderline on dirty and Allen has crossed that line more than once.
His shooting touch and athleticism are his main NBA calling cards. His lack of size at the 2 is the biggest NBA question mark.
18. Ben Bentil
Draft stock: No. 20-30
Providence
Sophomore
Forward
Note: Bentil and Providence were eliminated in the second round.
When Bentil is on, he looks like a lottery pick. He has been a scoring machine for Providence this year, averaging 21 PPG, and has steadily been moving up on the draft board. His ability to stretch the floor (he hit 48 3s this season) is another attractive skill, though he's shooting just 33 percent.
A first-round matchup again Bennie Boatwright and a potential second round matchup against Brice Johnson should give NBA teams plenty to gauge his talent on.
19. Jarrod Uthoff
Draft stock: No. 20-35
Iowa
Senior
Forward
Note: Uthoff and the Iowa Hawkeyes were eleminated in the second round.
Utoff is having a career senior season. His elite combination of athleticism, shot blocking and defense makes him one of the most unique players in college basketball.
When he gets going, he can look like a lottery pick. His age and lack of strength are the biggest concerns.
20. Isaiah Whitehead
Draft stock: No. 20-35
Seton Hall
Sophomore
Guard
Note: Whitehead and Seton Hall were eliminated in the first round.
Whitehead has been shooting up our boards the past month after finally living up to his potential. In his past seven game, he's averaging 25 PPG, 5.5 APG and shooting 43 percent from deep.
He's a dynamic guard who is both strong and versatile -- just a little undersized. Whitehead can go off for several big games in the tournament, and he's the one guy on this list I could see skyrocketing with a big tournament.
21. Cheick Diallo
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Diallo was ranked as a lottery pick before the season began. Eligibility issues hindered his early progress and with so much veteran talent on the roster, his role is limited for the Jayhawks.
But scouts look for potential, and Diallo is a super-active defensive presence. He'll probably return to Kansas for another year and move himself firmly into the first round, but if he declared, I think there would be a good chance he'd go in the first round.
22. Carlton Bragg
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Kansas
Freshman
Forward
Bragg is in a similar position to Diallo. His playing time is limited primarily by the veterans ahead of him in the rotation. But when he's in the game, he shows all the signs of a legitimate NBA prospect.
Again, most likely he'll return for sophomore season. But given the upside, if he declares he's a likely first-rounder.
23. Brice Johnson
Draft stock: No. 25-35
North Carolina
Senior
Forward
Johnson is also having a breakout season as a senior. He's athletic, quick and has been a much improved rebounder this season. But his lack of strength (though much improved) combined with a lack of a 3-point shot are the factors that could keep him out of the first round.
24. Damian Jones
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Vanderbilt
Junior
Center
Note: Jones and Vanderbilt were eliminated in the first round.
Jones looks the part of a lottery pick. He's big, athletic and can put up highlights. But the production can be uneven and many scouts walk away from his games wondering both about his feel for the game and his motivation. He was supposed to have a breakout season after a strong summer, but in many ways he has regressed slightly.
25. Taurean Prince
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Baylor
Senior
Forward
Note: Prince and the Baylor Bears were eliminated in the first round.
Prince is a bit of an enigma. His length and shooting touch should make him the perfect 3-and-D role player in the NBA. He has improved, but his defense is still ahead of his offense and in the two biggest games of the season versus Kansas he put up duds.
26. Malcolm Brogdon
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Virginia
Senior
Guard
Brogdon is a strong, versatile player who does not excel in any one area but is good at many things. He has a high basketball IQ and motor, and is shooting better than 41 percent from 3 this season.
Defensively he uses his motor, strength and basketball smarts to get the job done. He seems like the perfect role player for the NBA.
27. Gary Payton II
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Oregon State
Senior
Guard
Note: Payton and Oregon State were eliminated in the first round.
Payton takes after his dad on the defensive end. He's a lock-down defender on the perimeter. He's also a talented passer, though his lack of an effective jump shot and his age put him further down the board.
28. Tyler Dorsey
Draft stock: No. 25-35
Oregon
Freshman
Guard
It's not easy to pick just one guy off this Oregon roster. Chris Boucher, especially, seems to have some draft momentum at the moment and Jordan Bell and Dillon Brooks are also prospects, which explains why Oregon is ranked so high.
But Dorsey's versatility to play either guard spot, his shooting and a terrific performance in the Pac-12 tournament give him the edge.
29. DeAndre Bembry
Draft stock: No. 25-45
St. Joseph's
Junior
Forward
Note: Bembry and St. Joe's were eliminated by Oregon in the second round.
Bembry is an athletic forward who can both handle and pass like a point guard. He is a dynamic player who makes things happen on the court. It has been his streaky 3-point shooting that has kept him out of the first round. He had 30 points on 11-for-13 shooting against VCU in the Atlantic 10 conference final.
30. Jameel Warney
Draft stock: No. 25-45
Stony Brook
Senior
Forward
Note: Warney and Stony Brook were eliminated in the first round.
Warney is the only legitimate small school player on this board. He's averaging a double-double this season with 20 points and 11 rebounds per game with three blocks. His efficiency has improved dramatically as a senior. He's now shooting 64 percent from the field.
There will be a lot of eyes on this matchup against Kentucky. His lack of elite length and athleticism are the biggest concerns. How he fares against NBA athletes will be key to his draft stock.
Others to watch
Monte Morris, PG, Jr., Iowa State; Melo Trimble, PG, So., Maryland; Josh Hart, SG, Jr., Villanova; Nigel Hayes, F, Jr., Wisconsin; Jake Layman, F, Sr., Maryland; Ron Baker, G, Sr., Wichita State; Chris Boucher, F/C, Sr., Oregon; Fred VanVleet, PG, Sr., Wichita State; Perry Ellis, PF, Sr., Kansas; Georges Niang, F, Sr., Iowa State; Isaiah Briscoe, G, Fr., Kentucky; Jalen Brunson, PG, Fr., Villanova; Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, G/F, So., Kansas; Bennie Boatwright, F, Fr., USC; Allonzo Trier, SG, Fr., Arizona; Troy Williams, F, Sr., Indiana; Luke Kennard, SG, Fr., Duke; Derryck Thornton, PG, Fr., Duke; Justin Jackson, G/F, So., North Carolina; Wayne Selden, SG, Jr., Kansas; Alex Poythress, F, Sr., Kentucky; Danuel House, G/F, Sr., Texas A&M; Kyle Wiltjer, F, Sr., Gonzaga; Luke Kornet, PF, Jr., Vanderbilt; A.J. Hammons, C, Sr., Purdue; Robert Carter Jr., PF, Jr., Maryland; Devin Williams, PF, Jr., West Virginia; Rico Gathers, PF, Sr., Baylor; Caleb Swanigan, PF, Fr., Purdue; Tyler Lydon, PF, Fr., Syracuse; Tyrone Wallace, PG, Sr., Cal; Michael Gbinije, SF, Sr., Syracuse; Devonte Graham, PG, So., Kansas; Yogi Ferrell, PG, Sr., Indiana; Bonzie Colson, PF, Soph., Notre Dame; Kellen Dunham, SG, Sr., Butler; Jabari Bird, SG, Jr., Cal; Josh Scott, C, Sr., Colorado; Cameron Ridley, C, Sr., Texas; Daniel Hamilton, SF, So., UConn; Marcus Lee, PF, Jr., Kentucky; Sheldon McClellan, SG, Sr., Miami; Zak Irvin, SF, Jr., Michigan; Kennedy Meeks, C, Jr., North Carolina; Zach Auguste, C, Sr., Notre Dame; Isaiah Cousins, SG, Sr., Oklahoma; Joel Bolomboy, PF, Sr., Weber State; Marvelle Harris, G, Sr., Fresno State; Dillon Brooks, SF, So., Oregon; Prince Ibeh, C, Sr., Texas; Jordan Bell, PF, So., Oregon; Isaac Haas, C, So., Purdue; Isaiah Taylor, PG, Jr., Texas; Tyler Davis, C, Fr., Texas A&M; Jordan McLaughlin, PG, So., USC; Daniel Ochefu, C, Sr., Villanova