NCAA Tournament: Top 10 Players in the Midwest Region
By Shane Black
10. Marques Warrick, G, Northern Kentucky
19.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists – 44.3 FG%, 39.1 3P%, 81.1 FT%
Marques Warrick is the least recognizable name on this list, but the junior guard was a significant reason Northern Kentucky reached the Tournament for the first time since 2019. Warrick was one of 46 players to average 19+ points per game this season. He is an elite marksman who shot over 39 percent from deep on 6.5 attempts per game. He gets to the line over four times per game and is the epitome of a scorer that uses the whole floor.
If the 16-seeded Norse are to challenge Houston in the Round of 64, Second Team All-Horizon Team selection Marques Warrick will have to go nuclear. He had a 45-point outburst earlier this season against Tennessee Tech.
9. Tucker DeRives, G/F, Drake
19.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists – 45.7 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 83.8 FT%
The 12th-seeded Drake Bulldogs will be a sexy upset pick in many brackets. This has a lot to do with the play of sophomore wing Tucker DeRives. Son of head coach Darian DeRives, Tucker was the Missouri Valley Player of the Year as the Bulldogs finished with their most regular season wins since 2008.
DeRives is a do-it-all scorer who uses his craftiness to get by defenders and into the lane. He is adept at shooting off balance and can rise and score on anyone with his 6-foot-7 frame. He reminds me of a bigger version of Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman. Drake will need DeRives to be very aggressive if they want to make a run this March.
8. Wade Taylor IV, G, Texas A&M
16.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists – 40.6 FG%, 36.8 3P%, 87.5 FT%
Wade Taylor IV has been the catalyst for a Texas A&M team that finished second in the SEC and has reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. The undersized sophomore is a true floor general and the type of guard that finds success in March. Taylor combines his quickness with a high-level basketball IQ to knife through defenses and find open shooters or score himself.
During Mar. 4th’s win over Alabama, Taylor went for a season-high 28 points, proving he will rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. He is very adept at getting to the free-throw line and near automatic when he gets there. Taylor led this Aggie team in points and assists during the regular season. If they are to make some noise in March, he will be a the forefront of their success.