March Madness is fully underway and after one round of the tournament everyone’s perfect bracket is already broken. My bracket is in shambles as my winner, Kentucky, was already eliminated, thanks to Oakland, (Michigan??). Now that brackets are busted, what should you be rooting for, other than absolute chaos? I always look towards the future of the NBA after my bracket goes under. These next three weeks of college basketball is a great way for fans to see the best prospects in the country for possibly the first time, and also gives many players their first taste of the spotlight and the chance to cement their collegiate legacies. These are some of the biggest games of these player's young careers, and whether they can handle the bright lights is a huge determining factor for their success in the NBA. Which players should you keep an eye on?
Baylor's Ja'Kobe Walter and Yves Missi
Face Clemson on March 24th at 6:10 EST
Ja'Kobe Walter is a Freshman Shooting Guard who stands at 6' 5" and projects as a 3 and D type player. He shoots 37.3% from three and 81.4% from the line. He offers tremendous length as well with a 6' 10" wingspan. He's not the most dynamic playmaker and isn't a great athlete, but his length and shot making ability gives him a high floor and room to grow. It is unlikely Walter makes it out of the lottery (top 14 picks).
Yves Missi is a huge Freshman Center. He stands at 7 feet tall with a 7' 6" wingspan. He is a typical rim running big man prospect who is a great finisher at the rim, a good rebounder, and a good shot blocker. He isn't a versatile prospect and can't create much offense by himself, though, which limits his offensive ceiling. Missi has a high floor, but a low ceiling, and should be a mid to late first round pick.
Colorado's Cody Williams, Tristan Da Silva, and KJ Simpson
Face Marquette on March 24th at 12:10 EST
Cody Williams is the best prospect left in the tournament. The 19 year old Freshman is a ball handling wing who has a great shot and tremendous length. He dealt with some injuries this season, missing 13 games and just returned from an ankle injury, which make this tournament run even more important for him. He is 6' 8" with a 7' 0" wingspan and shoots 41% from 3. He isn't a great athlete, but his skill makes up for it more often than not. Williams is already a top 10 lock, but a great tournament run could push him into the top 5.
Tristan Da Silva is another wing with great shooting touch, paired with impressive size and length. The 6' 9" Senior Forward shoots 39.4% from 3, and averages 16 points per game. He will be 23 years old at the draft, and isnt much of an athlete, but his shooting prowess makes it likely he will be able to contribute off the bench right away. He'll probably be an early second round pick, and should carve out a long NBA career for himself.
KJ Simpson is a shooter. The 22 year old junior point guard stands at 6' 2" and shoots 44.1% from 3. He is a very intelligent player who averages 19.7 points per game and an impressive 5.8 rebounds per game. He has improved tremendously as a shooter during his three collegiate seasons which, if he keeps it up, would make him a player capable of leading a second unit's offense. He’ll most likely be an early second round pick.
Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain
Face James Madison on March 24th at 5:15 EST
Kyle Filipowski is a highly skilled and versatile big man. The 20 year old sophomore stands at 7’ 0” tall and 248 pounds. He can really space the floor as he shoots 35% from 3 and averages 17 PPG. Filipowski should be a very good offensive player at the next level given his size paired with good footwork, vision out of the post, and the aforementioned shooting ability. Filipowski should be a lottery pick and a good tournament could catapult him into the top 10.
Jared McCain is a sharpshooting point guard with a high basketball IQ. Mixing that with a crafty handle and he should be a good scorer at the next level. The one drawback for McCain is he is just 6' 3" and works more as a shooting guard than a point guard, averaging just 2 assists per game. His size makes it difficult to slot him anywhere but point guard, as he might struggle to get his shots off against other taller shooting guards, and he will struggle defending them. He is hard to project, but shooting just about 40% from 3 and 86% from the line give him a real chance to be a good player that could sneak into the middle of the first round.
Purdue's Zach Edey
Face Utah State on March 24th, at 2:40 EST
Zach Edey is a huge player. Standing at 7’ 4” and 300 pounds, he is easily the biggest player in the tournament. He averages 24.6 PPG and 12.0 RPG as a Senior. He isn’t a very good athlete, but as a smart big man that knows how to use his incredible size, he can carve out an impactful role at the next level. He should be a first round pick, and a good tournament run could make the first round a lock.
Tennessee's Dalton Knecht
Face Texas tonight, March 23rd, at 8:00 EST
Dalton Knecht is a 6' 6" senior forward that can really score. He will be 23 years old on draft day, but is probably the best scorer in the tournament. He averages 21.2 PPG and shoots 40% from 3. Being just 6' 6" really hurts him on the defensive end though, as he gets blown by quicker guards and struggles against bigger and longer wings. Knecht doesn't have the best handle or explosive athleticism, but his shot making ability gives him a chance to be a great role player. He should be a mid first round pick.
UConn's Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan
Face Northwestern on March 24th, at 7:45 EST
Stephon Castle is a 6' 6" 215 pound guard who is one of the most versatile players in the tournament. The 19 year old freshman is good at just about everything. He's not a great shooter or a great athlete, but is good enough in both areas and gives great size at the point guard position. He might not have the highest potential, but his floor is very high. He will be a good player at the next level and could be a top 10 pick.
Donovan Clingan is a massive human being, standing at 7' 3" 280 pounds. The 20 year old sophomore giant is a great shot blocker and a very good low post player. He is a good passer out of the post and his size makes him a good rebounder as well. He isn't much of an athlete and provides little versatility, but in the right system, Clingan can be a difference maker from early on. Another deep march madness run could help Clingan sneak into the lottery.
Images by Michael Conroy (AP Photos), Isaiah J. Downing (USA Today), Robert Goddin (USA Today), Young Kwak (AP Photos), Chris Day (The Commercial Appeal),
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