March Madness’s Top 5 Breakout Stars Heading Into the Sweet 16

1. DJ Burns - North Carolina State Wolfpack

DJ Burns stands as a giant among men in a tournament loaded with emerging talent. The big man has been a staple of the North Carolina State Wolfpack's attack, and he'll be the driving force as they continue their Cinderella run. 

There's no antidote for Burns. The 6'9" senior is steamrolling the competition, averaging 20.0 per game in the NCAA Tournament. Further, he recorded his second double-double of the season in the Round of 32, grabbing 11 boards with his 24 points. That's in addition to four assists and a block. 

It's clear that Burns is the priority on offense, and we don't think we've seen as high as he can fly yet. He's 16-for-23 from the field in two games, and that's just a taste of what to expect from him against the Marquette Golden Eagles.

4. Tyrese Proctor - Duke Blue Devils

For years, the Duke Blue Devils have produced some of the best college basketball players in the nation. And this season is no exception. But all of our attention is directed to Tyrese Proctor, who has been the steadying force for Duke through two rounds. 

Jared McCain commands more of the chatter for Duke, especially after his 30-point effort against the James Madison Dukes. Still, Proctor's 31 points are the second-most on the tourney team, extending his double-digit scoring efforts to six games. 

In his sophomore season, Proctor has plenty of runway to etch his name in Duke's fabled history. We're convinced we'll see the best he has to offer in the Sweet Sixteen and beyond. 

3. Pelle Larsson - Arizona Wildcats

Of course, the Wildcats have their own secret weapon they can turn to in the Sweet Sixteen. Playing behind Caleb Love, Oumar Ballo, and, to a lesser extent, Keshad Johnson, Pelle Larsson has emerged as a top-scoring threat for Arizona. He's poised to continue that upward trajectory against Clemson. 

Larsson is doing everything right for the Wildcats. The Swede has been automatic from distance, going 5-for-9 from three-point range. That's contributing to a 50.0% shooting percentage, draining 10-for-20 overall. That's without even considering his peripheral stats. Larsson has been a primo ball handler, totaling 11 assists over the two games, complemented by ten rebounds. 

Love and Ballo will continue to get the lion's share of admiration, but Larsson should steal that spotlight with his ongoing efforts. 

2. Chase Hunter - Clemson Tigers

Bettors have been shorting the Clemson Tigers since the tournament began. Underdogs through their first two games, many believed that Clemson was undeserving of a six-seed. Now, they're onto the Sweet Sixteen, largely thanks to Chase Hunter. 

Hunter has put Clemson on his back through the first two rounds of March Madness. The senior guard eclipsed 20 points in each contest, shooting 50.0% from the field, including 4-for-9 from range. Moreover, he's gotten to the charity stripe 15 times, putting the opposition's top players in foul trouble. 

This is Hunter's last hurrah, and he's making the most of it. If the Tigers hope to escape Thursday's showdown against the Arizona Wildcats, Hunter will need to sustain his current form. 

1. DJ Burns - North Carolina State Wolfpack

DJ Burns stands as a giant among men in a tournament loaded with emerging talent. The big man has been a staple of the North Carolina State Wolfpack's attack, and he'll be the driving force as they continue their Cinderella run. 

There's no antidote for Burns. The 6'9" senior is steamrolling the competition, averaging 20.0 per game in the NCAA Tournament. Further, he recorded his second double-double of the season in the Round of 32, grabbing 11 boards with his 24 points. That's in addition to four assists and a block. 

It's clear that Burns is the priority on offense, and we don't think we've seen as high as he can fly yet. He's 16-for-23 from the field in two games, and that's just a taste of what to expect from him against the Marquette Golden Eagles.