Shay Ciezki, Liv McGill and other stars we won't see in March

March Madness is fast approaching, and as excited as I am, I’m also a little bummed. That’s because there are plenty of exciting players across the country who likely won’t be in the tournament. So let’s celebrate some of those unsung heroes. Just because they won’t be in March Madness doesn’t mean they haven’t been fun as hell to watch this season. 

Barring something insane happening in the Big Ten tournament, the 16-13 Indiana Hoosiers won’t be playing in March Madness. But that doesn’t take away from the mastery of Ciezki. The senior guard is one of the country’s select few players who have achieved the elusive 50/40/90 mark, shooting 53.2% from the field, 46.3% from the 3-point line and 90.6% from the free throw line. Ciezki is one of the most prolific scorers in both the Big Ten and the country, averaging 23 points per game. It’s been an absolute treat to watch her put on an offensive show this season.

The 2024 McDonald’s All-American and Florida’s highest-ranked recruit in history is living up to the hype in year 2. Florida is struggling, but McGill is not. The sophomore guard is a smooth scorer who gets to the rim with ease, averaging 22.6 points per game. But McGill’s game goes far beyond putting points on the board. She commands her team’s offense, dishing out 6.1 assists per game, while also grabbing rebounds (6 per game) and making a defensive impact (2.6 steals per game). I’d love to see McGill on a more competitive team next season, whether that’s an improved Florida or another landing spot. But for now, her individual performances have been excellent. 

The Spiders may play their way into the NCAA tournament, and I hope they do, because Doogan has already proved herself more than capable of battling with Power 4 opponents. Who could forget her statline in a second-round loss to UCLA last season? Doogan finished with 27 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Here’s some good news: Even if the versatile mid-major star isn’t playing in March Madness, she will likely hear her name called in the WNBA Draft.

North Texas is third in the American Conference, but Nestor is first in the country in rebounding with 14.1 per game. North Texas may not win the American, but I’m ready to crown Nestor as the country’s rebounding queen. In early December she made history by recording 34 points and 31 rebounds in a game. That’s a school record, a conference record, and just the third 30-30 game in DI history. Take your crown, Megan. You’ve more than earned it.

It’s hard for anyone on an 8-20 Big Ten team to get any positive attention, especially when you consider all the greats in the conference, but Lau has mine. The senior is a point guard through and through, recording almost as many assists (8.3 per game) as points (8.5) every time she steps on the court. I always appreciate a throw-back point guard. Plus, even though her basketball career won’t end with a trip to the Big Dance, Lau is going to be just fine – she’s getting a Northwestern degree after all. 

The Leathernecks look poised to win their conference and earn a March Madness automatic bid, but I’m not taking any chances. I simply have to talk about Nicastro, who is one of the best mid-major players in the country. The 6-2 senior is averaging a near-double-double, with 24 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, leading her team in both categories. It’s safe to say Nicastro is her team’s driving force, leading the Leathernecks in scoring in 23 of their 27 games this season. 

Chirrick is enjoying a breakout sophomore season for the Bobcats, improving in absolutely every statistical category. As a freshman she averaged 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2 assists per game. Now, Chirrick is putting up 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.7 assists per game. She’s second in the country in steals per game behind only Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. 

I’m aware that Gonzaga is currently winning the WCC and I’m aware that I looked biased as a GU grad for putting Whittaker on this list, but ask me if I care (I don’t!). That’s because the freshman forward deserves way more attention. She should be in FOY conversations. Whittaker is averaging 19 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, with 15 double-doubles on the season. Her best performance was against Gonzaga’s top competition in the WCC, recording 37 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to Oregon State.