Centers and Low Percentage Shooters to watch in the 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament.
March 18, 2025. Winning teams are built around strong big men. In this preview, we'll examine both traditional centers and non-centers who struggle with three-point shooting. These players are part of the NBA Draft prospects we're focusing on during the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
JT Toppin is the heart of a fun-to-watch Texas Tech team.
CENTERS:
One reason Auburn is so highly ranked is the play of Johni Broome. He is a 6'10", 235 lb., 22 year-old that consistently produces. He averages 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. His "feel" for team basketball is outstanding. He boasts a 2.25-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Broome is a lefty. His DEFRTG is 5.2 points better than the Auburn team DEFRTG. He needs to improve his shooting (28.9% 3-pt., 60.7% FT).
There are not many 6'9" guys that may have a future as a NBA pivot. We think Morez Johnson Jr. might be in that rare air. The Illinois freshman has a strong upper body that is built for the physical play in the 'big show'. Weighing in at 255 lbs., Johnson is the kind of guy that instantly adds toughness to a team. He connects on 64% of his field goal attempts. He plays only 17.8 minutes per game but when he is in, the opponents feel him. He averaged 1.2 blocked shots per game.
If Connecticut is going to make another run they will need the best version of Tarris Reed Jr. to appear. Reed is a difference-making, 6'10", 260 lbs. Center that is still learning how to impose his will on a game. He has shown flashes of excellence that have us much higher on him as a prospect that the consensus. Reed is making 67% FG. while blocking 1.7 shots per game in just 20 mins. per contest. He has good hands and he can finish with either his right or his left.
FOUR MORE: Graham Ike - Gonzaga. Amari Williams - Kentucky. Khaman Maluach - Duke. Ryan Kalkbrenner - Creighton.
Low Percentage Shooters
We strongly believe that shooting accuracy is one of the most essential skills in basketball. However, after closely observing the NBA for 40 years, we recognize that there are exceptions to this principle. Over time, we've come to the conclusion that it can be summed up like this: 'If a player can't shoot, they better bring something exceptional to the table.' Presently the list of NBA players that do not make a third of their three-point shots but are still effective includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dyson Daniels, Ja Morant, Franz Wagner, Jalen Johnson, and a large group of others. So, clearly, there is room for a "LPS" (low percentage shooter) to carve a niche in the NBA. Here are seven players in the NCAA Tournament that are currently labeled "LPS" but we still think they can impact winning.
J.T. Toppin of Texas Tech is a 6'9", 235 lb. left-handed player that averages 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He has extraordinary balance and agility for a 6'9" athlete. Defensively, he is a FOUR man but he has ability to guard multiple positions. He blocks shots at a high rate. His DEFRTG is 4.8 points better than the Texas Tech team DEFRTG. He finished second in the Big 12 in boxscore plus/minus (he is 6th in the entire NCAA.) He is just 19 years-old. Toppin is making 32.9% of his three-point attempts (career), and he hits 70% of his foul shots.
Injuries stink. It appears that Adou Thiero will miss the opening round game for Arkansas when they rumble with Kansas. He suffered a hyper-extension of his left knee (Feb. 22nd), and he has been out ever since. Thiero is a NBA athlete with a NBA body. He is a plus-defender that can finish above the rim. He is listed at 6'8", 220 lbs. The 20-year-old is averaging 15.6 points and 6 rebounds per game. He shoots just 26% 3-pt., and 68% FT. Thiero is 8th in SEC boxscore plus/minus.
UC San Diego is in the dance, largely in part to the play on Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones. "ATJ" is a 6'6", 200 lb., 24-year-old from New Zealand. He averages 19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He is not a horrid shooter (31% 3-pt., 75% FT), but he is below average. Tait-Jones led the Big West in boxscore plus/minus. He is a triple-double threat on any given night. We wonder what he might look like playing with more talented teammates.
FOUR MORE: Norchad Omier - Baylor. Jeremiah Fears - Oklahoma. Asa Newell - Georgia. Kasparas Jakucionis - Illinois.
