Tiers of joy: 10 men's/women's Final Four players you don't want to miss

Sensational freshmen

Cooper Flagg | Duke forward

No college player is more versatile (18.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG) than the freshmen phenom. He leads Duke (35-3) in many statistical categories and is poised to take his game from his home in Maine to the big stage as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That stingy Houston defense awaits on Saturday, but Flagg has been ready for every challenge thrown his way so far.

Sarah Strong | UConn forward

With a Final Four berth on the line, Strong scored 22 points and had a career-high 17 rebounds in UConn's Elite Eight win over the one-seed USC. Her defense has been equally as strong, as she held USC senior Kiki Iriafen (18 PPG) to 3-of-15 shooting. Strong's success on both ends of the floor will be difficult for UCLA to contain Friday.

Kon Knueppel | Duke guard

He may not be the quickest, but the 6-foot-7 guard is efficient from deep (40.1%) and is as hard to defend as anyone in the country. His free-throw percentage (91.2%) is sixth in Division I. Combined with his catch-and-shoot abilities, Knueppel takes advantage of contact and converts at the charity stripe.

Unmatched versatility

Lauren Betts | UCLA center

Nearly averaging a double-double this season (20 PPG, 9.6 RPG), Betts is the focal point of the offense for UCLA, which is playing in its first Final Four. She has shot 80% or better from the floor in two of the Bruins' four NCAA Tournament games and blocked six shots in the Elite Eight win over LSU. If the 6-foot-7 center can stay out of foul trouble, she could give UConn a run for its money in the Final Four.

Johni Broome | Auburn forward

After beginning his career as a redshirt and starring at Morehead State, the first-team All-American is thriving on the big stage. Broome, who averages the eighth-most rebounds (10.9 RPG) in the nation, is a force under the basket. The 6-foot-10 forward will make things difficult for SEC rival Florida, a 2.5-point favorite (per FanDuel).

Chloe Kitts | South Carolina forward

Kitts has only scored more than 20 points twice all season, but she capitalizes when the ball is in her hands. She has scored in double figures in each of South Carolina's tournament games and shoots an impressive 52.5% from the floor, making her presence felt as she looks to lead the Gamecocks to back-to-back national titles.