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NCAA Tournament: 68 names to watch in the 68-team field

 
How far the Seminoles go in this tournament could go a long way in determining how much longer Leonard Hamilton stays at FSU. [AP photo]
How far the Seminoles go in this tournament could go a long way in determining how much longer Leonard Hamilton stays at FSU. [AP photo]
Published March 14, 2017

Let the madness begin. Over the next three weeks, 68 teams will be whittled down to one shining moment. So, to get you ready for the NCAA Tournament, here are 68 names to watch, remember and pay attention to over the next three weeks.

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles reacts as he watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 28, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina.

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles reacts as he watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 28, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina.

Leonard Hamilton

This might be Hamilton's most-talented squad ever at FSU. But how far the Seminoles go in this tournament could go a long way in determining how much longer Hamilton stays at FSU. Sooner or later, nice regular seasons must translate to great NCAA Tournaments. Hamilton sure could use a deep run on his coaching resume. And a Final Four would look really nice.

ANDRES LEIVA | Times

Florida Gators head coach Mike White hugs Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) after the second half during the game between the Florida Gators and the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. The Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 81-66.

ANDRES LEIVA | Times

Florida Gators head coach Mike White hugs Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) after the second half during the game between the Florida Gators and the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. The Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 81-66.

Mike White

You never want to be the coach who follows the legend, right? Don't tell that to Dunedin-native Mike White. He replaced legendary coach Billy Donovan at Florida and now has the Gators as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In just his second season in Gainesville, White is now 45-23 and the arrow is definitely pointed up for the Gators.

ANDRES LEIVA | Times

Florida Gators head coach Mike White hugs Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) after the second half during the game between the Florida Gators and the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. The Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 81-66.

ANDRES LEIVA | Times

Florida Gators head coach Mike White hugs Florida Gators guard Kasey Hill (0) after the second half during the game between the Florida Gators and the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. The Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 81-66.

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Jim Larranaga

Who says age matters in basketball? The 67-year-old coach, who went to Miami when he was 61, has turned UM into a strong program. The Hurricanes went to the Sweet 16 last season and could get there again this year. Sometimes the hot young name in college basketball is actually the old guy.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, center, reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Rutgers and Northwestern in the Big Ten tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Washington. Louis-Dreyfus' son is Northwestern forward Charlie Hall.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, center, reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Rutgers and Northwestern in the Big Ten tournament, Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Washington. Louis-Dreyfus' son is Northwestern forward Charlie Hall.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia's son, Charlie, mostly rides the bench for Northwestern, but she's a great mom who shows up for every game.

AP Photo/John Locher

Saint Mary's Jordan Hunter, left, and Evan Fitzner, center, guard Gonzaga's Przemek Karnowski in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game during the championship of the West Coast Conference tournament, Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Las Vegas. Gonzaga won 74-56.

AP Photo/John Locher

Saint Mary's Jordan Hunter, left, and Evan Fitzner, center, guard Gonzaga's Przemek Karnowski in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game during the championship of the West Coast Conference tournament, Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Las Vegas. Gonzaga won 74-56.

Przemek Karnowski

Get a load of this Gonzaga big man, and it's quite the load: 7 feet 1, 300 pounds.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against Jonah Mathews #2 of the USC Trojans during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UCLA won 76-74.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against Jonah Mathews #2 of the USC Trojans during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena Arena on March 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UCLA won 76-74.

Lonzo Ball

Better get one last college look at the UCLA sensation in this tournament because next year, he'll be playing in the NBA.

Dan Patrick/Doug Gottlieb

The radio hosts are as insightful as any hoops analysts out there.

Jonathan Isaac

Could be the freshman's last run at FSU. He is NBA ready.

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making a shot against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean Smith Center on March 4, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making a shot against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean Smith Center on March 4, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Grayson Allen

The Duke star you love to hate.

Derrick Walton Jr.

Michigan guard is the hottest player on the hottest team in the country.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game of the 2017 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 11, 2017 in New York City.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game of the 2017 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 11, 2017 in New York City.

Bonzie Colson

The Notre Dame star is only 6-5, but he plays center. And, oh he's one of the best in the land.

Jayson Tatum

The Duke freshman just might be the best player in the country.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game of the 2017 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 11, 2017 in New York City.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game of the 2017 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at the Barclays Center on March 11, 2017 in New York City.

Erik Thomas

The New Orleans star is local: Wesley Chapel High.

Andy Enfield/Joe Dooley

The former Florida Gulf Coast coach (now at USC) and the current one both going dancing.

Eric Musselman

Bet you had no idea that the former Bradenton Sharks (CBA) coach is now at Nevada.

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Oklahoma State guard Jawun Evans (1) shoots in front of Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, March 4, 2017.

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Oklahoma State guard Jawun Evans (1) shoots in front of Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, March 4, 2017.

Jawun Evans

Some claim the Oklahoma State guard is the best passer in the country.

John Collins

Is there a player who is more important to his team than this Wake Forest center?

Carolina's starting five

Justin Jackson, Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks and Theo Pinson make up the best team in the country and the national title favorites.

Coach K

Lots of folks don't like Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, but he's the game's greatest living coach.

Jim Boeheim

Ha, sorry. Just wanted to rub it in that the whiny Syracuse coach won't be in the tournament.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Maryland guard Melo Trimble (2) walks off the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 63-60.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Maryland guard Melo Trimble (2) walks off the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 63-60.

Melo Trimble

Maryland star has great name and an even better game.

Jim Nantz

Oh, great, we get to see CBS' lead announcer hand another tie to a kid who doesn't care about Jim Nantz's tie.

Jay Wright

If they make a movies about the impeccably-dressed Villanova coach, we've got the perfect actor: George Clooney.

Reggie Miller

Might be the most underrated basketball analyst in the biz.

John Wooden

How can you not think about the iconic UCLA coach this time of year?

AP Photo/John Locher

Oregon's Dillon Brooks, left, grabs a rebound over Arizona State's Shannon Evans II, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas. Oregon won 80-57.

AP Photo/John Locher

Oregon's Dillon Brooks, left, grabs a rebound over Arizona State's Shannon Evans II, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 men's tournament Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Las Vegas. Oregon won 80-57.

Dillon Brooks

There are some nights that this 6-7 forward from Oregon is the best player in the country.

Lauri Markkanen

The Finnish star for Arizona is 7 feet tall, yet shoots 3-pointers like they're going to be illegal next year. Love it.

Sean Miller/Steve Alford

Recent dust-up between the Arizona and UCLA coaches would make for juicy rematch.

Ernie Johnson/Charles Barkley/Kenny Smith/Clark Kellogg

Not college guys, but this CBS studio crew is a riot.

Ian Eagle

Might be the most underrated play-by-play man there is.

Bill Raftery

Onions! This guy could call all games and never get old.

Danny Hurley

You know the famous Hurley basketball family. Danny coaches underdog Rhode Island.

AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo

Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino, front left, greets his father, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, before the start of their NCAA college basketball Armed Forces Classic game inside a hangar at the United States Coast Guard Air Station base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Friday, Nov. 14, 2014.

AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo

Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino, front left, greets his father, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, before the start of their NCAA college basketball Armed Forces Classic game inside a hangar at the United States Coast Guard Air Station base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Friday, Nov. 14, 2014.

Rick/Richard Pitino

The father-son coaching duo has 21 NCAA appearances. Dad has 20.

John Calipari/Bill Self/Tom Izzo/Roy Williams

Golden age of coaching features these legends nobody wants to face in March.

Luke Kennard

The Duke guard plays his best at the most critical moments.

Debbie Antonelli

The former North Carolina State forward will be the first woman in 22 years (since Ann Meyers) to do color on an NCAA Tournament game.

Dick Vitale/Jay Bilas/Bill Walton

ESPN doesn't have the tournament (that's a shame), but these guys still offer spot-on commentary.

AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett disputes a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Virginia defeated Pittsburgh 67-42.

AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett disputes a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Virginia defeated Pittsburgh 67-42.

Tony Bennett

The Virginia coach knows defense. Offense? Not so much.

Bob Huggins

The West Virginia coach keeps on ticking.

AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett disputes a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Virginia defeated Pittsburgh 67-42.

AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett disputes a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Virginia defeated Pittsburgh 67-42.

Kris Jenkins

Villanova star gets ball. Shoots 3. Repeat.

Archie Miller/Gregg Marshall

The Dayton and Wichita State coaches have got to end up at bigger schools, don't they?

KeVaughn Allen/Kasey Hill

If the Gators are going anywhere, these are the players who must carry them.

Mark Few

The Gonzaga coach is the best coach you never get to see coach.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Indiana won 82-75.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Indiana won 82-75.

Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr.

You'll never find … a better name than this Michigan State player.

Coach K's coaching tree

What do the Marquette's Steve Wojciechowski, Northwestern's Chris Collins and Notre Dame's Mike Brey have in common? All played and/or coached at Duke under Coach K.

Frank McGuire/Wilt Chamberlain

This is the 60th anniversary of when McGuire's North Carolina Tar Heels won their first national title with a triple-OT victory against Wilt's Kansas Jayhawks. Take a moment to remember.

David Barrett

Who? You know him. He's the guy who wrote One Shining Moment. This is his annual party.