INDIANAPOLIS — ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf released a ranking of the 20 projected starters for the men's Final Four in Indianapolis. Ten of the 20 players were projected lottery picks in an NBA mock draft released before the NCAA tournament. Six of the 20 players are seniors, and nine are former transfers.

Michigan senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg, a first-team All-American, was named Most Outstanding Player of the Midwest Region. Lendeborg, who played center at UAB before playing small forward at Michigan, averaged 25.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over his past three tournament games, shooting 61.4% from the field and 52.6% from three-point range.

UConn senior center Tarris Reed Jr. averaged 21.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in the NCAA tournament. Reed scored 31 points and grabbed 27 rebounds against Furman, becoming the third player since 1960 to record at least 30 points and 25 rebounds in an NCAA tournament game. He scored 26 points in the Elite Eight comeback against Duke and was named Most Outstanding Player of the East Region. Senior forward Alex Karaban, the winningest player in UConn history, has won two NCAA national championships and is making his third Final Four appearance.

Illinois reached the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. Freshman guard Keaton Wagler, a 6-foot-5 player, stepped into a larger role after teammate Kylan Boswell suffered a hand injury that sidelined him between mid-January and mid-February. In the first two games after Boswell's injury, Wagler scored 46 points in a win at Purdue and 28 points in a win at Nebraska. He recorded a double-double against Houston in the Sweet 16 and scored 25 points against Iowa in the Elite Eight.

Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat was named Most Outstanding Player of the West Region. Peat scored 30 points in the season opener against Florida, recorded a double-double against Utah State in the second round, scored 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting against Arkansas in the Sweet 16 and added 20 points and seven rebounds against Purdue in the Elite Eight. Freshman guard Brayden Burries, a 6-foot-4 guard, scored 28 points in a December win over Alabama, 29 points in a January loss to BYU, and recorded 12 rebounds and five assists in a February victory against Kansas. Senior guard Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, tallied 58 assists and 24 turnovers during Arizona's 13-game winning streak and made 81% of his free throw attempts on the season.