College Basketball: Five small school players to pay attention to in March

The greatest three-point shooter ever was a small school just. Just saying (Photo creds to USA Today)

By Joe Smeltzer

College basketball is kind of a big deal this time of year, and most of the nation, myself included, focuses its attention on the Duke's and North Carolina's of the world.

Because the average fan only notices the "big boys," some good teams and, subsequently, good players are left, by-in-large, ignored.

Some of America's best talent comes from mid-major schools, and here are a few of those that I would highly advise myself and everybody else to pay attention to before its too late.

1. JA Morant, Murray State/Chris Clemons, Campbell
I grouped these two because both of them are well known in the world of college basketball. Morant could be a top-five pick in June's NBA draft, whole Clemons scored his 3,000th point a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, Murray State and Campbell aren't teams that fans go out of their way to watch.


 Campbell has to win the Big Sky tournament to make it to the big dance, so we might not have much time to watch Clemons. Murray State is 25-4, so Morant looks to be set.

Next game (s)
Campbell: Tonight at 6:00 vs. Hampton
Murray State: Friday, March 8 at 9 p.m. vs. TBD. 

2. Mike Daum, South Dakota State

Photo creds to Sporting News

Like Clemons, Daum joined the 3K club earlier this season, and in addition, he is one of the nation's top rebounders. If you've watched Daum and the Jackrabbits play this year, you're probably lying. Daum probably won't make it in the NBA, so take advantage of your last few chances to see him if you have the opportunity.

Next game: Western Illinois, Friday, 6 p.m. 

3. Justin Wright-Foreman , Hofstra

The pride of the pride (Photo creds to Hofstra University Athletics)

If Hofstra doesn't win the CAA, it's tournament hopes are in the air. Which would be a shame, since Wright-Foreman (26.8 PPG) is one of the nation's top scorers. The senior guard isn't a 3,000 point man and isn't a projected lottery pick, but that doesn't mean he isn't a baller. The scary thing about small school studs in March is that any conference tournament game could be their last, so don't miss your chance to catch a glimpse of Wright-Foreman before he plays his final game at Hofstra.


Next game: Sunday, March 10. Noon vs. TBD

Next game: Sunday, March 10. Noon vs. TBD
4. Matisse Thybulle

Photo creds to GoHuskies.Com

Ok, so I lied. But hey, Washington may as well be a small school because of how little the world pays attention to it.

Something that makes Thybulle unique from everybody else on this list is that he's known for his defense. Thybulle averages less than 10 PPG, but more than makes up for it by leading the country in steals per game. The Huskies rank in the top 20 in defensive efficiency, and for them to make a run in the tournament, they'll have to excel in the less celebrated side of the ball; and Thybulle will need to be at the center of it.


Next game: Saturday, March 9 at 10 p.m. vs Oregon

4. Tacko Fall

Photo creds to USA Today.Com

Look at this monster. UCF's win over Houston essentially assured its place in the Big Dance, and if you haven't watched Fall yet, just his size is enough to be worth it.

Next game: Tonight at 7:00 vs. Cincinnati