NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Players to Watch

We are down to 16 teams left in the the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Who are the 16 top prospects that NBA scouts will key-in on?

Donovan Clingan - Connecticut. 7'2" 265 lbs. C. The leader in Big East boxscore plus/minus, Clingan had eight blocked shots in Connecticut's blowout win over Northwestern. He is shooting 65.9% FG this season. U-Conn plays again on Thursday against San Diego State on TBS.

 

Dalton Knecht - Tennessee. 6'6" 197 lbs. SF. Knecht is a wing scorer with good athleticism. The soon-to-be 23 year-old, is recognized as a basketball loving hard worker. Knecht is making 39.1% of his three-point shots. Tennessee plays Creighton in the last game of the Sweet 16 Friday evening on TBS.

Zach Edey - Purdue. 7'4" 300 lbs. C. Edey has freakish size and he rebounds at an exceptional rate. He makes 62.3% of his field goal attempts. He's averaging 24.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocked shots per game. Purdue plays Gonzaga Friday on TBS.  

Terrence Shannon - Illinois. 6'6" 210 lbs. SF. The fastest wing player with the ball that we have seen in awhile. Shannon turns up a gear and leaves opponents in his dust in transition. An improved three-point stroke has NBA teams truly considering him even though he will be 24 years-old when the next NBA season begins. Illinois closes out the Thursday slate of games against Iowa St. on TBS.

 

Tyler Kolek - Marquette. 6'3" 182 lbs. PG. If there is a player to be labeled trustworthy, it is Tyler Kolek. He makes the correct reads routinely. He has a 2.71-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, shoots 39.7% from three-point land, and 85.4% FT. Marquette plays Friday against N.C. State in the first game of the day on CBS.

Kyle Filipowski - Duke. 7'0" 230 lbs. C. Filipowski has good size and some pick-and-pop potential that NBA teams covet. Duke plays a monster match-up vs. Houston Friday on CBS.

P.J. Hall - Clemson. 6'10" 235 lbs. Hall is a 22 year-old forward that is a plus defender. He averages 18.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He has been inconsistent from three-point range but his overall activity level is high. Clemson faces Arizona in the opening game of the Sweet 16, Thursday on CBS.

Stephon Castle - Connecticut. 6'6" 215 lbs. Castle has the size to be a defensive point guard that can slow down opposing offenses at the point of attack. He's not there yet but it is easy to see his potential. he has a 2.02 to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Jared McCain - Duke. 6'3" 197 lbs. McCain shows a skill set that is too good to fail. He uses either hand well. He is shooting 41.5% (on heavy volume) from three point range. McCain nailed eight threes in Duke's most recent win.

Baylor Scheierman - Creighton. 6'6" 180 lbs. Scheierman is an ultra-competitive guard that brings toughness and defensive will as a habit. He rebounds at a high rate.

Jalen Washington - North Carolina. 6'10" 230 lbs. Washington barely plays for North Carolina but the 20-year-old sophomore is a player that is worth exploring further. He's shooting 70.1% FG for the season. The Tar Heels play against Alabama Thursday evening on CBS.

Mark Sears - Alabama. 6'1" 185 lbs. Alabama rolls because of Sears. He is a combo-guard with a feel for time and score that makes him a worthy leader. He is shooting 43.5% 3-pt. FG this season.

Graham Ike - Gonzaga. 6'9" 245 lbs. Gonzaga's starting Center has a smooth touch on his left handed fade away jump shots.

Braden Huff - Gonzaga. 6'10" 242 lbs. Gonzaga's back up Center has the added element of three-point shooting ability. Huff's efficiency stands out.

Keshad Johnson - Arizona. 6'7" 208 lbs. Johnson shoots 40% from three-point land and he has the prerequisite NBA athleticism to succeed.

Oso Ighodaro - Marquette. 6'10" 225 lbs. Scouts love Ighodaro's feel for the game. His inability to take or make three-point shots may hinder his potential at the next level. Ighodaro has only attempted two three-pointers in his four seasons at Marquette.

 

 

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