Sweet Sixteen 2025: Players to watch in Midwest Regional in Indianapolis from Houston, Purdue, Tennessee, Kentucky
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Sweet Sixteen 2025: Players to watch in Midwest Regional in Indianapolis from Houston, Purdue, Tennessee, Kentucky
Indianapolis will host an NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday and Sunday, March 28 and 30, 2025. Houston, Purdue, Tennessee and Kentucky made the Sweet 16.
Some of the nation's best players will try to lead their teams to the Final Four, April 5 and 7 in San Antonio, including a conference player of the year, five first-team all-conference performers and defensive standouts.
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Meet a dozen players who could decide the Midwest Regional:
NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Players to Watch in Indianapolis
Mar 15, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard LJ Cryer (4) controls the ball while defended by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) in the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-1 fifth-year player is a first-team All-Big 12 performer scored a season-high 30 points on 6-of-11 3-point shooting in a second-round victory over Gonzaga. He averages 15.6 points per game on 42.8% 3-point shooting. He was also the conference scholar-athlete of the year.
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) dribbles in the second half of a first round men's NCAA Tournament game against the SIU Edwardsville Cougars at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
The 6-3 junior exceled in the Big 12 tournament, averaging 20.6 points, including 26 against BYU in the semifinals. He averages 12.5 points on 42.3% 3-point shooting.
Mar 13, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars forward J'Wan Roberts (13) drives to the basket around Colorado Buffaloes forward Trevor Baskin (6) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
The 6-7 fifth-year player is All-Big 12 first team and an all-defense performer. He had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a second-round win over Gonzaga. He averages 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) dunks the ball against the McNeese State Cowboys during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The 6-9 junior took over post duties after Zach Edey's graduation and earned All-Big Ten first-team honors. he has scored at least 21 points in 12 of Purdue's last 14 games. He averages 20.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Braden Smith, Purdue
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) celebrates after a play during the first half of a second round men's NCAA Tournament game against the McNeese State Cowboys at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The 6-1 junior is the Big Ten Player of the Year makes the Boilermakers go, averaging 16.0 points on 38.5% 3-point shooting, along with 8.5 assists (second in the nation), 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) reacts after a play during the first half of a second round men's NCAA Tournament game against the McNeese State Cowboys at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The 6-7 junior is the Boilermakers' long-range sniper, averaging 13.7 points on 45.1% 3-point shooting. He made 7 3s late in the regular season against Rutgers.
Chaz Lanier, Tennessee
Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier (2) handles the ball during the first half against the UCLA Bruins in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
The 6-4 fifth-year player who came to Tennessee from North Florida is in the top 10 nationally in 3-point attempts, making 41.0%. He averages 18.1 points and is an All-SEC second-team honoree.
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
The 5-9 senior runs the show for the Volunteers, earning first-team All-SEC and conference defensive player of the year honors. He averages 13.7 points, 7.4 assists and 2.0 steals.
Jordan Gainey, Tennessee
Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Gainey (11) passes the ball against UCLA Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
The 6-4 senior provides a spark off the Tennessee bench, averaging 11.3 points.
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh (00) dunks during the second half of their first round NCAA men’ s basketball tournament game against Troy on Friday March 21, 2025 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
The 6-5 junior has scored at least 20 points in seven of UK's last 11 games. The second-team All-SEC performer averages 16.3 points on 36.0% 3-point shooting, along with 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) dribbles against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The 6-6 fifth-year player is 15-of-33 on 3-pointers over his past five games and scored 23 points against Illinois in the second round. He averages 11.8 points on 43.8% 3-point shooting.
Lamont Butler, Kentucky
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) drives to the basket against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (right) and Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (left) during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The 6-2 fifth-year player with Final Four experience at San Diego State averages 11.1 points and 4.3 assists.
When are the NCAA Tournament games in Indianapolis? When are the NCAA Tournament games at Lucas Oil Stadium?
Tennessee vs. Kentucky, 7:39 p.m. ET Friday, March 28
Houston vs. Purdue, 10:09 p.m. ET Friday, March 28
Regional championship game is Sunday, March 30, time TBA
What channel are NCAA Tournament games in Indianapolis on?
TV: Games are on TBS/TruTV, with Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analysis), and Evan Washburn (sideline reporting)
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Sweet 16: Players to watch in Midwest Regional in Indianapolis
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