March Madness 2023: Ranking the 5 best potential Final Four combos

March Madness – The Star-Driven Final Four: Alabama, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas State

The college basketball star is having a moment after NIL legislation has encouraged some of the sport’s better players to stay in school longer. Having identifiable players to market the Final Four would make CBS thrilled so they may be rooting for a quartet like this.

Alabama has Brandon Miller, who is a future NBA lottery pick, although his involvement in the Darius Miles murder case is a bit problematic. Houston does have some college stars in Tramon Mark and Marcus Sasser, names who should become better known as the tournament progresses, along with another future lottery pick in Jarace Walker.

Kansas State has a pair of well-known players but the headliner here would be Florida transfer Keyonte Johnson, who memorably collapsed on the court during the 2020 season and wasn’t cleared to play basketball for two years due to a heart issue. Johnson received medical clearance this year and has been a star for the Wildcats, making him an incredible story to spotlight at the Final Four.

The last team here is Gonzaga, which brings the most recognizable college star in forward Drew Timme, who broke out during the 2021 NCAA Tournament and has led the Bulldogs for the past two years. Timme turned down the NBA to return to school in pursuit of a national title so it would be great to have him get another crack at glory in Houston.