Final Four X-factors: One player from each team that could be March Madness hero

Who will step up at the 2024 men’s Final Four?

There’s no shortage of stars in this year’s Final Four, from dominating big men like Purdue’s Zach Edey and NC State’s DJ Burns Jr to excellent guards in Connecticut’s Tristen Newton and Alabama’s Mark Sears. While those stars will have the spotlight on them on Saturday, they can’t be the only ones to provide major contributions for their team. More than likely, a not as well known player will have to have the game of their career.

Here are the four X-factor players for each Final Four team that could be the key person for each squad to advance to the national championship game:

Lance Jones, Purdue

It’ll likely be the Zach Edey show for Purdue in Arizona with Braden Smith dishing it out, but look out for Lance Jones.

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The guard hasn’t been doing much scoring for Purdue during the tournament, but he’s more than capable of having a hot shooting night. He’s a reliable 3-point shooter that can extend runs, but what Purdue has to love is the presence he has on defense. He brings energy and intensity on the defensive end and he can cause turnovers for other teams, recording at least one steal in Purdue’s last 11 games.

Jones can handle guarding the toughest defensive assignment and can do whatever is asked of him on offense. If Purdue has a monster game in the semifinal, expect to see Jones name high up on the reasons why. 

Mohamed Diarra, NC State

Burns has been the darling of the tournament, but don’t forget about the other big NC State has in Mohamed Diarra.

The forward out of France played his way into the starting lineup during the late season run for NC State, and he’s been collecting rebounds left and right for the Wolfpack. He is the top rebounder on the team, but he’s been red-hot during the postseason. In the past seven games, Diarra has been averaging 12.7 rebounds and 10.9 points per game.

Foul trouble will be a concern for Diarra, but with the Wolfpack going against one of the best rebounding teams in Purdue and a top rebounder in Edey, they will need Diarra to stay on the court and be battling to clean up the glass to prevent second-chance points for the Boilermakers.

Stephon Castle, Connecticut

It’s hard to say someone projected to be a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA draft is an under-the-radar player, but freshman Stephon Castle is a player to watch on this stacked roster.

At 6-for-6-inches, Castle has great size for a guard that can run the offense when asked to or attack in the blink of an eye. He can score, crash the boards or dish out assists while being one of the best defenders on a team that is among the best in scoring defense. He had one of his most impressive games against San Diego State in the Sweet 16 when he had 16 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. 

He is one five players for the Huskies averaging at least 10 points a game, and while it’s rare for him to be at the top of the statsheet by the end of  a game, Castle can heavily impact a game and be unstoppable whenever Connecticut goes on of its lethal runs. 

Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Alabama

The Crimson Tide had players step up in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in Grant Nelson and Jarin Stevenson, but one person Nate Oats would love to have is someone that didn’t play in either game: Latrell Wrightsell Jr.

Wrightsell Jr. suffered a head injury in the second round against Grand Canyon that forced him to miss Alabama’s last two games, but his impact on the offense is something critical to its success. On a team that loves to shoot the 3-ball, Wrightsell is the best 3-point shooter on the team and he’s been a major contributor since the later part of the regular season. 

Before he left the Grand Canyon game early, he had been averaging 16.4 points per game in the last six games he played, and he was in double-figures in each win. If he’s able to suit up this weekend, it gives Oats another lethal scoring option to a team that’s been fantastic from the 3-point line this tournament.