Prospects in NCAA Tournament and NIT

[doordoor123]

With the NCAA Tournament coming up and the NIT, I figured it would be good to have a thread where we can talk about the games and the prospects in the games.

Since nothing has begun yet, any matchups you’re excited for?
Personally interested to see Ja Morant against Markus Howard. I want to see if Morant will slow down Howard since defense is a knock on him and interested to see how Howard plays against size since his size is a knock against him.

[Coeur]

Lu Dort will have to be so huge for things to go well for ASU. It sure looked like Remi Martin is too hurt to play his normal role.

It’s actually a bad spot for ASU but could potentially be a great scouting week for dort if he continues to prove that nba guys will at least wonder if he can play pg.

[Stillwater]

Davis/ Simonds match up should be interesting in the first round

[doordoor123]

Lu Dort will have to be so huge for things to go well for ASU. It sure looked like Remi Martin is too hurt to play his normal role.

It’s actually a bad spot for ASU but could potentially be a great scouting week for dort if he continues to prove that nba guys will at least wonder if he can play pg.

Yeah, I actually think this is a huge opportunity for Dort. With a good showing he can take a huge leap in the standings.

[crows2]

Who do people think will be the Mo Wagner of this year’s tourney; taking his team deep and establishing himself as a first round prospect?

[doordoor123]

Who do people think will be the Mo Wagner of this year’s tourney; taking his team deep and establishing himself as a first round prospect?

It really depends on which team gets far. You can also call this the Frank Kaminsky or Sindarius Thornwell.

[crows2]

FWIW, SI have identified their 'NBA Prospects to Watch' in each first round game and will seemingly be doing it for the entire tournament.

https://www.si.com/nba/2019/03/18/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-duke-kentucky-zion-williamson-rj-barrett-ja-morant

For the First Four games:

(11) Temple vs. (11) Belmont (Tuesday, 9:10 p.m., TruTV)

Prospect to watch: Dylan Windler (Belmont)

Yes, we’re leaving out the 16-seed play-ins. There’s actually a good level of intrigue in Dayton this year, starting with this game, which Belmont should be able to handle. Windler is a lethal shooter with a quick release and deep range who has a solid chance to get drafted, and if his team can win this one and play spoiler during the first weekend, he could be one of the tournament’s breakout stars. They’ll get Maryland with a win here, and potentially LSU after that.

(11) St. John’s vs. (11) Arizona State (Wednesday, 9:10 p.m., TruTV)

Prospects to watch: Luguentz Dort, Zylan Cheatham (Arizona State); Shamorie Ponds (St. John’s)

This is another game worth watching, with a potential first-round pick in Dort and possible second-rounders Ponds and Cheatham also on the floor. Arizona State has athletic guards and should send pressure at Ponds, who is his team’s primary source of offense. Dort will likely see a lot of Justin Simon, who was perhaps the top defender in the Big East this season. Expect this one to be unpredictable. The winner would get Buffalo, a palatable draw, and have a chance to make noise.

[doordoor123]

Shamorie Ponds is having a great year, I think he could be a first round pick, especially with a good tournament.

[clyde21]

Isaiah Roby is killing it tonight. Sleeper.

[doordoor123]

Isaiah Roby is killing it tonight. Sleeper.

I’ll have to watch that game, I’m recording it.

Dort is looking damn impressive on both sides of the ball. You forget he can do some of this stuff when looking at his stats.

Zealan Cheathm looks impressive physically too.

[clyde21]

Dort can be an absolute menace defensively

[Catchall]

Chuma Okeke can solidify himself in the first round.

Also, if Louis King makes some noise maybe he can be encouraged to come out this year. Otherwise, assume he'd declare next year.

[crows2]

Today's prospects to watch in each game courtesy of SI:

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

(7) Louisville vs. (10) Minnesota - 12:15 p.m, CBS

Prospect to watch: Jordan Nwora (Louisville)

This shapes up as a solid early matchup that should be a good platform for Nwora, who is playing his way into the draft picture with hot three-point shooting, although he’s coming off a dud against North Carolina in the ACC tournament. Minnesota is a fairly staunch defensive team and just shut down Purdue’s Carsen Edwards in the Big Ten tourney. Expect Nwora to see a lot of Amir Coffey, the Gophers’ top perimeter defender and a prospect with more to prove. If Louisville is going to make any noise (particularly) with Michigan State looming, it will coincide with Nwora putting on a long-range display. Also keep an eye on toolsy 6’10” Gophers freshman Daniel Oturu, who has some long-term NBA intrigue.

(3) LSU vs. (14) Yale - 12:40 p.m., TruTV

Prospects to watch: Naz Reid, Tremont Waters, Ja’vonte Smart (LSU); Miye Oni (Yale)

Either LSU will roll to the Sweet 16, or there are going to be some nail-biters—the Tigers are without suspended head coach Will Wade, but have a lot of talent on the roster, albeit no one prospect scouts feel great about at this stage. Reid comes off one of his best games of the year (26 points, 14 rebounds) in LSU’s SEC tournament loss to Florida, but has generally left scouts wanting more all season. If the Tigers pull together and win a couple games, he stands to benefit most from the platform and showcase his array of skills. Also keep an eye on Oni, a second-round prospect this year with intriguing tools. He can leave a good impression against legit NBA size in this one.

(5) Auburn vs. (12) New Mexico State - 1:30 p.m., TNT

Prospect to watch: Chuma Okeke (Auburn)

Auburn is red-hot after winning the SEC tourney, and Okeke has the type of versatility that could land him in the first round with a strong predraft process. Few college players possess his mix of perimeter shooting (37% from three), rebounding ability (3.5 offensive, 5.0 defensive per-36 minutes) and defensive savvy (2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per-36), and he’s shaping up as an ideal stretch forward for the modern NBA. His offensive contributions haven’t always been spectacular this season (Jared Harper and Bryce Brown dominate the Tigers’s possession tree), but Okeke is their most important player. A Sweet 16 run could be a big opportunity to impress, but they’ll have to handle New Mexico State in what should be an uptempo, exciting game.

(4) Florida State vs. (13) Vermont, 2 p.m., TBS

Prospect to watch: Mfiondu Kabengele (Florida State)

Kabengele, the nephew of the legendary Dikembe Mutombo, isn’t quite the same caliber of shot-blocker, but he’s become a formidable sixth man (in name only) for the Seminoles and has built a bit of buzz among NBA types. At 6’10”, he contributes on the glass, protects the rim, can space the floor when called upon, and brings a nice level of versatility for such a big-bodied player. He’s playing the lion’s share of minutes over 7’4” Christ Koumadje, and is the key to FSU’s post-season success. Also take a peek at Vermont’s do-it-all forward Anthony Lamb, who is his team’s best scorer, rebounder, passer and shot-blocker and is still only a junior.

(2) Michigan State vs. (15) Bradley, 2:45 p.m., CBS

Prospect to watch: Cassius Winston (Michigan State)

Although the odds aren’t necessarily stacked in his favor, Winston looks like the type of plucky college playmaker worth betting on, and he’s got the keys to an overachieving Michigan State team that should be slated for the tournament’s second weekend. If you can get over his squat body type, Winston is deceptively quick, alarmingly smart, and playing close to mistake-free basketball right now. He’s only a junior, and don’t rule him out as a useful pro. Think about…an entire career…of late-career Ray Felton.

(6) Maryland vs. (11) Temple or Belmont, 3:10 p.m., TruTV

Prospects to watch: Bruno Fernando, Jalen Smith (Maryland)

After stumbling against a desperately undermanned Nebraska team in the Big Ten tournament, Maryland is on upset notice, particularly if Belmont advances on Tuesday. No matter what, the Terps’ frontline is going to create an advantage, with the bruising Fernando a potential first-round pick and Smith facing a stay-or-go decision as his freshman season winds down. This should be a decent look at both, particularly Fernando, who will be keyed on by opposing defenses, but has the ability to dominate just about any game on the glass.

(4) Kansas vs. (13) Northeastern, 4 p.m., TNT

Prospects to watch: Quentin Grimes, Devon Dotson, Dedric Lawson, Ochai Agbaji (Kansas)

It’s inarguably a weird year for Kansas, and Northeastern is a strong 13-seed, so this is kind of sink-or-swim territory for a team that peaked early and has essentially replaced Udoka Azubuike (injured) and Lagerald Vick (MIA) with freshmen Agbaji and David McCormack. Agbaji, incidentally, looks like Kansas’s best long-term prospect, but has said he plans to stick around another season. The situations of Grimes (underwhelming), Dotson (undersized) and Lawson (perhaps underrated) require more clarity. Lawson has the least left to prove, and is probably the key to Kansas making the second weekend (which would comfortably send them to Kansas City).

(5) Marquette vs. (12) Murray State, 4:30 p.m., TBS

Prospects to watch: Markus Howard (Marquette); Ja Morant (Murray State)

If you watch one game on Thursday, it should probably be this one: likely top-five pick Ja Morant (our No. 2 overall prospect) gets a terrific test against Marquette and high-scoring but undersized Markus Howard. While it seems unlikely that those two will defend each other most of the game given their offensive workloads, this should be an uptempo game between two teams who like to shoot threes, and a nice opportunity for Morant to prove himself to anyone who still hasn’t hopped on board. The Racers would be a fun cinderella. Howard has been banged up toward the end of the season, and his height and average playmaking skills might be a long-term impediment in the pros, but he’ll be an entertaining foil for Morant, and can still go off at any time.

(7) Nevada vs. (10) Florida, 6:50 p.m., TNT

Prospects to watch: Jordan Caroline, Cody Martin, Caleb Martin, (Nevada), Andrew Nembhard, Keyontae Johnson (Florida)

This should be a sneaky-fun game between tournament-tested Nevada and a Florida team that’s peaking at a good time and was awfully close to winning three games in the SEC tournament, including a last-second win over Auburn. The Gators’ freshman duo of Nembhard and Johnson are more for the long-term, but Nevada’s seniors are nearly out the door, with Caroline, a gifted rebounder who’s added a reliable three-point shot, having emerged as a potentially intriguing role player. The Martin twins will be 24 this year and offer limited ceilings, but are still dangerous catalysts for the Wolf Pack.

(2) Kentucky vs. (15) Abilene Christian, 7:10 p.m., CBS

Prospects to watch: P.J. Washington, Keldon Johnson, Tyler Herro (Kentucky)

If you haven’t watched any Kentucky this season, catch a glimpse of their three projected first-rounders here. This one might be over quickly, and you may not have to linger too long.

(6) Villanova vs. (11) St. Mary’s, 7:20 p.m., TBS

Prospects to watch: Eric Paschall (Villanova), Malik Fitts (St. Mary’s)

Villanova doesn’t have quite the talent level of years past and could be upset-prone in this one, but they’re reliant on Paschall, who’s expected to be drafted, for a good deal of the dirty work. The Gaels have a sleeper in Fitts, an athletic, well-rounded forward who should match up with him a good bit. Phil Booth (Villanova) and Jordan Ford (St. Mary’s) give this game a pair of high-scoring guards, as well.

(1) Gonzaga vs. (16) Fairleigh Dickinson/Prairie View, 7:27 p.m., TruTV

Prospects to watch: Rui Hachimura, Brandon Clarke, Zach Norvell, Killian Tillie (Gonzaga)

This should be a breeze for Gonzaga, who have a slew of draftable players, and should be much more watchable in the rounds to come. Keep an eye on Tillie, who’s been injured and needs a good few weeks to prop up his stock a bit.

(2) Michigan vs. (15) Montana, 9:20 p.m., TNT

Prospects to watch: Jordan Poole, Ignas Brazdeikis, Charles Matthews (Michigan)

Michigan could make a deep run in their region despite the lack of any surefire NBA players; Poole has established himself as the most intriguing. He’ll need to make good decisions and continue showcasing expanded off-dribble skills, but he can get hot from three quickly and has a chance to play his way into this year’s draft if all goes well this month.

(7) Wofford vs. (10) Seton Hall, 9:40 p.m., CBS

Prospects to watch: Fletcher Magee (Wofford), Myles Powell (Seton Hall)

Two under-the-radar shooters feature in this one, both of whom have had terrific seasons, yet neither being a clear NBA fit. Magee doesn’t pass the eye test, but has proven he can hit insane degree-of-difficulty shots from outside, and has the potential to be one of the tournament’s breakout players. He won’t be able to defend anyone in the pros, but he might be a good enough shooter to get a chance. Powell has turned himself into one of the most potent scorers in the country, but as a 6’2” two-guard may have to go in through the back door, as well.

(3) Purdue vs. (14) Old Dominion, 9:50 p.m., TBS

Prospect to watch: Carsen Edwards (Purdue)

Edwards has been entirely feast or famine this season, with his scoring efficiency taking a major dip with less talent positioned around him and opposing defenses able to key on him effectively. Purdue’s reliance on his points makes them vulnerable at just about every juncture of the tournament, but also means he could put on a show in every game. He’s a prospect with pronounced strengths and weaknesses, but there are few players as fun to watch on a good night.

(8) Syracuse vs. (9) Baylor, 9:57 p.m., TruTV

Prospects to watch: Tyus Battle (Syracuse)

These two teams play stingy zone defense, creating potential for some abominable basketball. Battle is the guy to watch as he returns from injury and tries to inject some life into his draft stock, which has been trending downward.

[doordoor123]

Some of the players not mentioned in that is disrespectful, like the Hauser brothers are definitely ones to watch and Floridia State has a bunch of players to watch.


The one I’m super excited for is Miye Oni against LSU, I think he should be a lottery pick and it’ll be interesting to see him go against them.


I’m going to miss a few games in the morning so I hope I’ll be able to rewatch them at some point. But I’m not excited for Nwora, who is slow, isn’t that great of a three point shooter, doesn’t have any moves, he’s just a guy with a big body, big hands who is an average defender.

[clyde21]

Amir Coffey going hamburger on Louisvillle right now. he's a better shooter than his numbers indicate this year IMO.

[clyde21]

Love Kab. needs to stay on the court at all times for Florida St.

their best player by far.

[doordoor123]

Miye Oni had a terrible game. Guess he’s returning to college another year.

[MemphisX]

I find it amazing that Coach Izzo is getting a pass for going after his player like that but let a player do ANYTHING seen as disrespectful and it is a federal case. F that "old school" ish.

Read on Twitter

[doordoor123]

I love Bruno Fernando as a scoring back up big and possible starter one day. He’s not the same player as Harrell, but I like him in that same kind of role off the bench. He could dominate smaller lineups.

[clyde21]

jesus Windler is going off right now