The opening weekend of the 2024 men's NCAA tournament knocked out several of the most talented players in the country.

Kansas star Hunter Dickinson, Auburn's Johni Broome and Kentucky's trio of Antonio Reeves, Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham have returned home after a loss. So have mid-major standouts such as Akron's Enrique Freeman, Drake's Tucker DeVries and McNeese's Shahada Wells.

After a frenetic four-day stretch, we're resetting the rankings of the top players left in March Madness heading into the Sweet 16.

The list is subjective but focuses on a player's perceived impact from per-game contributions to his overall on-court presence.

20-16. McCain, Ighodaro, Alexander, Watson, Clingan

20. Jared McCain, Duke

If Jared McCain wasn't already a lock to enter the 2024 NBA draft, he should be now. The freshman guard exploded for 30 points with eight triples in the second-round victory over James Madison. McCain also put up 15 points, six rebounds and three assists to help the Blue Devils eliminate Vermont in the Round of 64.

19. Oso Ighodaro, Marquette

Through two NCAA tournament games, Oso Ighodaro doesn't have overwhelming numbers. Still, his value is unmistakable. Ighodaro opened the Big Dance with four points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three assists against Western Kentucky. He then notched 10 points, four assists and three assists in the win over Colorado. Ighodaro's versatility is a vital component of Marquette's success.

18. Trey Alexander, Creighton

Along with co-stars Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Trey Alexander never left the court in Creighton's double-overtime win against Oregon. He went for 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the thriller to reach the second weekend. Alexander also scored 19 points in the first-round triumph over Akron.

17. Anton Watson, Gonzaga

In his fifth and final season with the Zags, Anton Watson has guided the program to its ninth straight Sweet 16. He finished one assist shy of a triple-double in the opening round against McNeese State and scored a game-high 21 points with six rebounds during the emphatic rout of Kansas.

16. Donovan Clingan, Connecticut

On a UConn roster stacked with talent, Donovan Clingan was too much for Stetson and Northwestern to handle. The 7'2" center made a combined 14-of-18 shots for 33 points in those two wins, adding 14 rebounds and eight blocks against NU alone.

15-11. Hall, Bacot, Lipsey, Love, Scheierman

15. PJ Hall, Clemson

PJ Hall helplessly watched from the bench as Clemson finished off its nerve-wracking second-round win against Baylor. He had tallied 14 points before fouling out. Nevertheless, he's the leader of a roster that is hoping to give the program only its second-ever Elite Eight appearance—and, perhaps, a debut trip to the Final Four.

14. Armando Bacot, North Carolina

Staying in the ACC, top-seeded UNC has dispatched Wagner and Michigan State, and Armando Bacot made a big impact in both victories. The veteran center registered 20 points and 15 rebounds against Wagner, and he finished with 18 points, seven boards, three assists and two blocks against MSU.

13. Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State

Tamin Lipsey rarely posts monstrous numbers, but he contributes in so many ways. That scouting report has remained true in March Madness, starting with his 17 points, seven assists and two steals against South Dakota State in the Round of 64. While the second-round win over Washington State wasn't glamorous for Iowa State as a collective, Lipsey posted 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.

12. Caleb Love, Arizona

Arizona certainly doesn't make it easy on its fanbase, that's for sure. However, the Wildcats knocked out Long Beach State and Dayton as Caleb Love put together a pair of solid games. He needs to shoot more efficiently in the later rounds, but a combined 37 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists is a decent start for Arizona's star guard.

11. Baylor Scheierman, Creighton

An early hero of the Big Dance, Baylor Scheierman hit a clutch fadeaway to force overtime in the second round against Oregon. Through two games, he's also drilled 7-of-14 threes while scoring 15 and 18 points, respectively, opposite Akron and Oregon. Creighton takes on second-seeded Tennessee on Friday in a fascinating Sweet 16 matchup.

10-6. Filipowski, Ledee, Sears, Kolek, Shannon

10. Kyle Filipowski, Duke

Kyle Filipowski attempted only field goal in Duke's first-round win over Vermont, but he added 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals. Filipowski had a more featured role against James Madison, scoring 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. The 7-footer has a distinct size advantage that Duke desperately needs to be effective against top-seeded Houston in the Sweet 16.

9. Jaedon LeDee, San Diego State

Few players have impressed more in the Big Dance than Jaedon LeDee. Amid a stellar breakout season, he smacked UAB for 32 points and eight rebounds in the Round of 64 before scorching Yale with 26 points and nine boards in the second round. The next test is a national championship rematch against UConn in the Sweet 16.

8. Mark Sears, Alabama

Mark Sears has reinforce his billing in two tremendous NCAA games. He propelled the Crimson Tide past Charleston in a high-scoring opener with 30 points and five assists. In the second round, a chaotic clash against Grand Canyon resulted in Sears amassing 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals.

7. Tyler Kolek, Marquette

Tyler Kolek probably isn't fully healthy. That hasn't mattered yet for Marquette, though. Kolek dished 11 assists in both victories this past weekend, and he scored 18 points against Western Kentucky before dropping 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting against Colorado.

6. Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

Dating back to Illinois' regular-season finale, Terrance Shannon Jr. has scored at least 25 points in six consecutive games. He's extended that impressive streak with 26 against Morehead State and 30 opposite Duquesne, leading Illinois to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the program's memorable national runner-up finish in 2005.

5-1. Shead, Newton, Davis, Knecht and Edey

5. Jamal Shead, Houston

Whew buddy, did the Cougars escape a meltdown. They squandered a 10-point lead in the last two minutes of regulation but managed to sneak past Texas A&M despite four starters—including Jamal Shead—fouling out. Nevertheless, he tallied 21 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in the wild victory. Shead also had 11 points and nine assists as Houston cruised past Longwood during the first round.

4. Tristen Newton, Connecticut

Tristen Newton missed all six three-pointers he attempted in the second round against Northwestern. So, no, UConn isn't perfect! But the nation's hottest team has continued to thrive with Newton, who had 13 points and eight assists in the opener against Stetson. He also made all seven of his two-point attempts against Northwestern to finish with 20 points and 10 assists.

3. RJ Davis, North Carolina

Leading up to the NCAA tournament, RJ Davis shot 43.1 percent from the floor. So far in the Big Dance, he's an excellent 15-of-28 (53.6 percent) with a pair of 20-point performances with only three turnovers. In theory, that's a great sign for UNC entering the Sweet 16.

2. Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

Tennessee made quick work of Saint Peter's, rolling to a blowout win behind Dalton Knecht's 23 points and eight rebounds. He had a tougher game against Texas, as he finished only 5-of-18 from the field, but he racked up 18 points and nine boards. Tennessee will likely need a big game from Knecht to get past Creighton and continue the program's chase for a first-ever Final Four appearance.

1. Zach Edey, Purdue

In shocking news, the soon-to-be two-time National Player of the Year is dominating. Zach Edey racked up 30 points and 21 rebounds against Grambling in the Round of 64. He then had 23 points and 14 rebounds as Purdue steamrolled Utah State in the second round. Edey blocked three shots in both games, too.