Final Four X-factors: The four March Madness players key to team's national title hopes
Final Four X-factors: The four March Madness players key to team's national title hopes
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAYThu, April 2, 2026 at 10:04 AM UTC
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There will be plenty of star power in Indianapolis for the 2026 Final Four, but don't forget about the unsung heroes.
Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona and Michigan made the national semifinals with their major playmakers having the primary roles. But what has allowed this quartet to reach the biggest stage in men's college basketball is that they also get significant contributions from people outside the spotlight. It's going to take more than the top guys to cut down the nets − just look at UConn's Braylon Mullins in the Elite Eight.
So, which under-the-radar players have the chance to step up and be the catalyst for a national championship? Here is one player to watch for each team.
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Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Connecticut: Malachi Smith
The health of Silas Demary Jr. has been a talking point for UConn as the lead guard, but Smith has stepped up well and become a reliable guard during the tournament.
It was big for Smith, who started in 77 games at Dayton before transferring to Storrs this season, to accept a bench role for the Huskies, but he's wound up becoming a vital part of the second unit, and his value has only risen as the season ended. After averaging 2.7 assists per game before the tournament began, he's averaging 5.5 in the four tournament games. Smith made the most his starting role in the first two rounds, when he played more than 30 minutes against Furman and UCLA.
Even with Demary back, Smith has earned increased minutes and it's paying off for Dan Hurley.
Illinois: Kylan Boswell
It makes sense to see a senior playing a big role for Illinois, but it's easy to forget Boswell is won't turn 21 until later this month, and he'll have to play up to his experience in order for the Fighting Illini to break through.
A look at the stat sheet may make you wonder how Boswell makes such a difference − averaging just 8.3 points and 2 assists during the tournament − but he is the heart and soul of the team, a guy that brings energy and intensity. That will be needed defensively since Connecticut is one of the best teams sharing, so he will have to bring pressure to limit passing lanes. Illinois' offense has done well, but it could really use Boswell as he has struggled to score, as he went a combined 0-for-7 from the field in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. If he can find a shooting touch, that makes the back court mightily stronger.
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The Final Four means a lot to many, but Boswell is playing a big part on his hometown team. The Champaign native will have the chance to bring its first national title home.
Arizona: Ivan Kharchenkov
You want someone that is willing to lay it all on the line every single play? Kharchenkov is your guy.
There may no be no one with more hustle than than the freshman from Germany who is diving for the ball and playing an aggressive style of ball that really makes opponents uncomfortable. If you look at moments where Arizona swung momentum to its side, most of the time its because of Kharchenkov. Not only that, but he's raised his level in the postseason. He entered the NCAA Tournament averaging 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds, but he's improved that to 14 point and 6.5 rebounds per contest.
Teams cannot relax when Kharchenkov is on the court, as he is will do the little things that could be the key moments in an Arizona win.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) celebrates in the second half of his team's game against Purdue in the Elite Eight game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.Michigan: Elliot Cadeau
Michigan is the highest-scoring offense left in the tournament, averaging 87.7 points per game. None of it happens without the guard play of Cadeau.
The North Carolina transfer has had a renaissance in Ann Arbor, averaging 5.8 assists per game. While he's been dishing it out at a great rate, he's really honed in on taking care of the ball, with fewer than four turnovers in each of the last six games. That's on top averaging a career-best 10.2 points per game and becoming a reliable 3-point shooter. What makes it even more incredible? He is partially deaf in his right ear, has asthma and had surgery his freshman year to treat a progressive eye disorder.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara get most of the attention, but the offense doesn't move as exceptional as it does without Cadeau. Michigan needs its guard to spearhead the attack to keep the offense as lethal as its been all season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Final Four X-factors for Arizona, Michigan, UConn, Illinois
Source: “AOL Sports”
