Players to watch in the 2019 NCAA Tournament:
The average size of a NBA starting Center on a Playoffs caliber team is 6'11", 250 lbs.
We still believe that an efficient Center that can anchor a defense is a must for teams that want to win with consistency. Here are the 15 Centers in the 2019 NCAA Men's basketball tournament that we will watch most closely...
Zion Williamson - Duke. 6'6", 272 lbs freshman. ...Williamson possesses the greatest combination of explosiveness and power that we have seen in a prospect. He jumps so quickly and with so much force, some of his highlight plays seem computer generated. If the highlight reel play of Williamson is viewed by some as "just hype", at this stage, we believe history will prove that the hype should have been believed. Williamson is the most efficient freshman we have ever tracked since we started obsessing over NBA Drafts in 1999. He is, far and away, the number one prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft. Zion is averaging 22.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while connecting on a jaw-dropping 69% of his field goal attempts. Duke is 6.4 points per 100 possessions better defensively when Zion is on the floor. He disrupts passing lanes. He closes out with perimeter blocked shots (that he often rebounds). He can throw a bullet bounce pass at top speed, and he finishes at the rim like something otherworldly. ...Does he have flaws? Certainly. He shoots only 31% from three-point range and he has connected on 65.4% of his free throws. Both numbers exhibit that his perimeter shooting touch is inconsistent at present. Zion also has more turnovers than assists this season. But those are nitpicks once you realize how good he is overall. Williamson leads the entire NCAA in boxscore plus/minus.
Bruno Fernando - Maryland. 6'10" 245 lbs. sophomore. ... Fernando is averaging 13.7 points, and 10.4 rebounds per game. He can score inside or step out to the elbow and knock down face-up jumpers. …Bruno anchors the Terps defense. His DEFRTG is 6.4 points better than the Maryland team DEFRTG. …Fernando has a relatively soft touch on his shot. He makes 75% FT. ...We foresee Fernando, in his prime, as a starting NBA pivot. If he declares for the NBA Draft, he will likely be selected in the middle of the first round.
Xavier Tillman - Michigan St. 6'8" 245 lbs. sophomore. ...Tillman has a feel for the game. He seems to be in the right place at the right time. Tillman averages 9.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game but more impressively, he led the Big Ten in boxscore plus/minus. He is willing to do the work necessary to be an effective defender. The Spartans are 6.9 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Tillman on the floor. Tillman shoots 71% FT, and he has more assists than turnovers.
Other BIG's we like...
Ethan Happ - Wisconsin. 6'8" 200 lbs. Senior.
Tristan Clark - Baylor. 6'9" 240 lbs. sophomore.
Sterling Manley - North Carolina. 6'11" 240 lbs. sophomore.
Austin Wiley - Auburn. 6'11" 255 lbs. junior.
Matt Haarms - Purdue. 7'2" 230 lbs. sophomore.
Christ Koumadje - Florida St. 7'4" 233 lbs. Senior.
Jordan Murphy - Minnesota. 6'6" 230 lbs. Senior.
Kavell Bigby-Williams - LSU. 6'11" 250 lbs. junior.
Darnell Cowart - Murray St. 6'8" 295 lbs. junior.
Marcus Santos-Silva - VCU. 6'7" 250 lbs. sophomore.
Scottie James - Liberty. 6'7" 226 lbs. junior.
Filip Petrusev - Gonzaga. 6'11" 225 lbs. freshman.