NCAA Tournament: 10 Key players in South Region

North Carolina will open NCAA Tournament play on Thursday, taking on VCU at 6:50 p.m. in the first round.

Before and after the Tar Heels tip off, there will be wall-to-wall basketball, including several matchups from the South Region — the same region North Carolina occupies as a top seed. As the bracket unfolds, there is a strong chance UNC will cross paths with some of the top individual talents in this part of the field.

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Here are 10 non-UNC players to watch throughout the South Region, any of whom Carolina could realistically see as it looks to advance on its road to the Final Four.

C Reuben Chinyelu, Florida

Mar 14, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) shoots the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The SEC Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 11.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. While his defensive numbers do not show it, the 6-foot-11 big man is a high-motor enforcer in the paint with a blue-collar work ethic.

F Thomas Haugh, Florida

Mar 14, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) dunks the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The first-team All-SEC selection is averaging 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Florida Gators. The 6-9 wing has a chance to make even more noise in the tournament, as he is projected to be a mid-first-round selection, just outside the lottery.

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G Kingston Flemings, Houston

Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings drives to the basket during the 2026 Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship at T-Mobile Center.

Flemings is another member of a loaded freshman class and is projected as a lottery pick. He is a terrific two-way guard for the Cougars and an elite shooter.

Flemings is averaging 16.4 points, 5.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 47.5% from the…

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Publish date : 2026-03-19 14:01:00

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