Zion and Rj to Play Again

As the NCAA tournament tips off this week and everyone'due south attention shifts to college hoops, NBA draft night, June xx, inches ever-closer. Whether y'all're an NBA fan hoping to catch a glimpse of your team'due south potential draft picks or a college diehard just trying to make sense of the landscape, we've prepared a guide to every first-circular matchup, beginning with tonight's First Four games.

This is office 1 of an ongoing series—we'll revisit the second-round matchups going into the weekend, and circumvolve back before the Sweetness xvi. Our ranking of the Top 80 prospects can exist found hither, and we'll take a new mock draft on Wed. For the adjacent few days, keep this bookmarked.

All tipoff times are Eastern.

Get-go Four, March 20, 21

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

Prospect to watch: Dylan Windler (Belmont)

Yes, we're leaving out the 16-seed play-ins. In that location's really 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 tin win this one and play spoiler during the beginning weekend, he could exist 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.1000., TruTV)

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

This is some other game worth watching, with a potential starting time-circular pick in Dort and possible 2d-rounders Ponds and Cheatham also on the floor. Arizona State has able-bodied guards and should send pressure at Ponds, who is his team'south primary source of offense. Dort will probable see a lot of Justin Simon, who was perhaps the top defender in the Big East this flavor. Expect this one to be unpredictable. The winner would become Buffalo, a palatable draw, and have a chance to brand dissonance.

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Th, March 22

(7) Louisville vs. (10) Minnesota - 12:fifteen p.one thousand, CBS

Prospect to sentinel: Jordan Nwora (Louisville)

This shapes up equally a solid early matchup that should be a good platform for Nwora, who is playing his style into the typhoon moving-picture show with hot 3-point shooting, although he's coming off a dud against North Carolina in the ACC tournament. Minnesota is a fairly staunch defensive team and merely shut downwards Purdue's Carsen Edwards in the Big Ten tourney. Wait Nwora to run across a lot of Amir Coffey, the Gophers' top perimeter defender and a prospect with more than to bear witness. If Louisville is going to make whatever noise (particularly) with Michigan State looming, it volition coincide with Nwora putting on a long-range brandish. As well keep an centre on toolsy 6'x" Gophers freshman Daniel Oturu, who has some long-term NBA intrigue.

(3) LSU vs. (xiv) Yale - 12:twoscore p.chiliad., TruTV

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

Either LSU volition ringlet to the Sweet 16, or at that place are going to exist some nail-biters—the Tigers are without suspended caput bus Volition Wade, but accept a lot of talent on the roster, admitting no one prospect scouts feel great about at this stage. Reid comes off one of his best games of the yr (26 points, 14 rebounds) in LSU's SEC tournament loss to Florida, simply has by and large left scouts wanting more than all flavour. If the Tigers pull together and win a couple games, he stands to do good most from the platform and showcase his array of skills. As well go on an eye on Oni, a 2nd-circular prospect this year with intriguing tools. He can go out a good impression against legit NBA size in this ane.

(five) Auburn vs. (12) New Mexico State - ane:xxx p.m., TNT

Prospect to sentry: Chuma Okeke (Auburn)

Auburn is blood-red-hot after winning the SEC tourney, and Okeke has the type of versatility that could land him in the commencement round with a stiff predraft process. Few college players possess his mix of perimeter shooting (37% from iii), rebounding ability (3.5 offensive, 5.0 defensive per-36 minutes) and defensive savvy (ii.1 steals and i.5 blocks per-36), and he's shaping upward as an ideal stretch forward for the mod NBA. His offensive contributions oasis't e'er been spectacular this season (Jared Harper and Bryce Brown dominate the Tigers's possession tree), but Okeke is their most of import player. A Sweet 16 run could exist a big opportunity to impress, but they'll accept 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 picket: Mfiondu Kabengele (Florida State)

Kabengele, the nephew of the legendary Dikembe Mutombo, isn't quite the same caliber of shot-blocker, but he'due south get a formidable sixth man (in proper noun only) for the Seminoles and has built a chip of fizz among NBA types. At half dozen'ten", he contributes on the glass, protects the rim, can infinite the floor when called upon, and brings a nice level of versatility for such a big-bodied player. He's playing the king of beasts's share of minutes over vii'4" Christ Koumadje, and is the key to FSU's mail service-flavour success. Also take a peek at Vermont'south do-information technology-all forward Anthony Lamb, who is his team'southward best scorer, rebounder, passer and shot-blocker and is still just a junior.

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

Prospect to sentry: 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 2nd weekend. If you can go over his squat body type, Winston is deceptively quick, alarmingly smart, and playing close to fault-free basketball right at present. He'due south only a inferior, and don't dominion him out as a useful pro. Think well-nigh…an entire career…of belatedly-career Ray Felton.

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

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

After stumbling against a badly undermanned Nebraska team in the Big Ten tournament, Maryland is on upset detect, particularly if Belmont advances on Tuesday. No matter what, the Terps' frontline is going to create an reward, with the bruising Fernando a potential first-round pick and Smith facing a stay-or-go determination as his freshman season winds down. This should be a decent await at both, particularly Fernando, who will be keyed on by opposing defenses, only has the power to boss just about whatsoever game on the glass.

(four) Kansas vs. (thirteen) Northeastern, 4 p.m., TNT

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

It's inarguably a weird yr for Kansas, and Northeastern is a stiff 13-seed, then 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 similar 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 (peradventure underrated) crave more clarity. Lawson has the least left to prove, and is probably the key to Kansas making the 2d weekend (which would comfortably send them to Kansas Metropolis).

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

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

If you lookout ane game on Th, it should probably be this one: likely tiptop-five option Ja Morant (our No. 2 overall prospect) gets a terrific test against Marquette and loftier-scoring simply 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 betwixt two teams who like to shoot threes, and a nice opportunity for Morant to prove himself to anyone who all the same hasn't hopped on board. The Racers would be a fun cinderella. Howard has been banged upwards toward the end of the flavor, and his summit and average playmaking skills might be a long-term impediment in the pros, but he'll exist an entertaining foil for Morant, and can all the same become off at any time.

(seven) Nevada vs. (10) Florida, 6:50 p.thou., TNT

Prospects to watch: Hashemite kingdom of 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'south peaking at a good fourth dimension and was awfully close to winning iii games in the SEC tournament, including a concluding-second win over Auburn. The Gators' freshman duo of Nembhard and Johnson are more than for the long-term, only Nevada'due south seniors are virtually out the door, with Caroline, a gifted rebounder who's added a reliable three-point shot, having emerged every bit a potentially intriguing histrion. The Martin twins volition be 24 this year and offer limited ceilings, but are still unsafe catalysts for the Wolf Pack.

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

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

If you haven't watched whatsoever Kentucky this season, take hold of a glimpse of their three projected beginning-rounders here. This 1 might be over quickly, and yous may non have to linger too long.

(half-dozen) Villanova vs. (11) St. Mary'due south, vii:20 p.m., TBS

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

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

(i) Gonzaga vs. (16) Fairleigh Dickinson/Prairie View, vii: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 exist much more than watchable in the rounds to come. Continue an eye on Tillie, who'southward been injured and needs a proficient few weeks to prop upwardly his stock a bit.

(two) Michigan vs. (15) Montana, ix:20 p.g., TNT

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

Michigan could brand 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 skillful decisions and continue showcasing expanded off-distill skills, but he can go hot from three quickly and has a chance to play his manner into this year'south draft if all goes well this calendar month.

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

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

Two nether-the-radar shooters characteristic in this one, both of whom take had terrific seasons, all the same neither being a clear NBA fit. Magee doesn't pass the eye test, only has proven he tin can hit insane degree-of-difficulty shots from outside, and has the potential to be one of the tournament'south breakout players. He won't be able to defend anyone in the pros, but hemightbe a good enough shooter to get a chance. Powell has turned himself into one of the most strong scorers in the country, just as a vi'ii" 2-guard may have to go in through the back door, every bit well.

(iii) Purdue vs. (14) Old Dominion, 9:50 p.k., TBS

Prospect to lookout man: Carsen Edwards (Purdue)

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

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

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Friday, March 22

(7) Cincinnati vs. (ten) Iowa, 12:15 p.m., CBS

Prospects to watch: Jarron Cumberland (Cincinnati); Tyler Cook (Iowa)

In that location's no one keen player to sentry in this i, but Cumberland and Cook are both juniors in position to examination the waters, though neither may end up draftable this bound. Cumberland is Cincy's best player and can be deadly from outside. Cook isn't Iowa's focal point, only he'south NBA-level explosive and is the X-cistron for the Hawkeyes.

(8) Ole Miss vs. (ix) Oklahoma, 12:40 p.g., TruTV

Prospect to lookout man: Terence Davis (Ole Miss)

Information technology's a modest miracle either of these teams made the tournament, with Kermit Davis taking over a basement SEC team and Oklahoma losing Trae Young. This one may not be pretty, but Davis has NBA athleticism and should end up in training army camp somewhere this fall.

(3) Texas Tech vs. (14) Northern Kentucky, 1:30 p.m., TNT

Prospect to watch: Jarrett Culver (Texas Tech)

Culver's had as mercurial a rise equally any prospect, at present rating as a top-five prospect on our Big Board and boasting a well-rounded skill fix. Texas Tech needs big performances out of him to keep up offensively, and this one could be a nice early showcase. Culver might solidify himself nigh the peak of the draft with a big couple of weeks here, and this is a skillful opportunity to become a feel for him.

(4) Kansas Land vs. (13) UC Irvine, 2 p.m., TBS

Prospects to watch: Barry Brown, Xavier Sneed, Dean Wade (Kansas State)

Yard-State has a trio of sleepers in Brown, Sneed (who's a junior) and Wade (whose status is upward in the air as he rests a bum pes). While this could be an upset special with UC Irvine fix to play in San Jose, the Wildcats are deep, experienced and tough, and that begins with Brownish setting the tone. Information technology's possible none of these guys get drafted, but all three take a risk to punch above their weight going forrad.

(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Colgate, two:45 p.m., CBS

Prospects to lookout: Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield (Tennessee)

NBA teams are dissever on the long-term prospects of Williams and Schofield, both of whom are somewhat unorthodox, just have the kind of intangibles that make you want to projection them into roles. The Vols funnel criminal offense through Williams inside, while Schofield has developed into a quality pull-upwards shooter. These guys accept had plenty of exposure all season, simply with high expectations considered, going out with a bang won't injure.

(i) Virginia vs. (16) Gardner-Webb, 3:10 p.yard., TruTV

Prospects to picket: DeAndre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy (Virginia)

Provided Virginia can avoid another untimely upset hither, each of their three peak players offers some real merit and should exist in for a better fourth dimension in March. Hunter is a likely lottery pick, while Jerome and to a lesser extent, Guy, profile more than as second-round types. Information technology certainly would not hurt any of them to if Virginia advances to a bigger phase this year, but this particular game may not be worth getting invested in. And then again…

(6) Buffalo vs. (11) St. John's OR Arizona State, 4 p.m., TNT

Prospect to watch: C.J. Massinburg (Buffalo)

The Bulls' meridian long-term guy is Massinburg, who has a practiced concrete profile, tin shoot it, and has an exterior chance at some NBA success if he lands in a good situation. He'll cease up with a good matchup no matter what, cartoon either ASU's Luguentz Dort or St. John's' Justin Simon depending on the Outset Four.

(v) Wisconsin vs. (12) Oregon, 4:30 p.m., TBS

Prospects to watch: Ethan Happ (Wisconsin), Louis King, Kenny Wooten (Oregon)

With Bol Bol out for the flavour, the Ducks' headliner is King, a long, skilled freshman wing who has a take chances at the first round and has been more often than not good of late. He stands to do good the most from added exposure this month after Oregon escaped a mediocre Pac-12 tournament to steal a bid. Happ's size and skill make him an intriguing NBA flier, although he tin't shoot a lick. Wooten is ane of the nigh athletic players to e'er pick upward a basketball, and Oregon's size up forepart should requite Happ an interesting test.

(8) Utah State vs. (nine) Washington, 6:50 p.m., TNT

Prospects to picket: Neemias Queta, Sam Merrill (Utah State); Matisse Thybulle, Jaylen Nowell (Washington)

This is sneakily a fun game equally far equally prospects are concerned, with ii potential first-round picks in Queta and Thybulle on the floor. Queta's high-finish physical length is sure to get him drafted at some point, and he'due south enjoyed a solid freshman season afterward flying under the radar out of Portugal. Thybulle's defensive impact is massive, admitting within Washington'southward zone. Neither thespian is his squad's peak scorer, with Merrill and Nowell both having quietly strong years. This is recommended viewing.

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(1) Duke vs. (xvi) NC Central OR Due north Dakota Land, 7:10 p.grand, CBS

Prospects to spotter: Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, Cam Cerise, Tre Jones (Duke)

You've almost surely watched some Duke this flavor, and yous'll about definitely get to see them play again afterwards this, but this game has Zion in information technology…so you probably want to watch information technology.

(3) Houston vs. (fourteen) Georgia Land, vii:20 p.m., TBS

Prospects to watch: Dejon Jarreau (Houston); D'Marcus Simonds (Georgia State)

For as expert a team as Houston is, they're not replete with projectable talent. Jarreau, a 6'v" sophomore playmaker who comes off the bench, has looked like their best prospect, although his breakout may have to wait until next season. Georgia Country relies heavily on Simonds, a fringy NBA prospect who struggles to shoot from outside, simply can fill up upward a stat sheet.

(v) Mississippi Country vs. (12) Liberty, seven:27 p.m., TruTV

Prospect to lookout: Quinndary Weatherspoon (Mississippi State)

Freedom is legitimately pretty good, and Mississippi State tin can be a bit unpredictable at times, so this one could end up existence closer. The guy to lookout is Weatherspoon, who has been the Bulldogs' steadying force all flavour and has some sleeper appeal at the next level with his size, toughness and three-bespeak shooting. He can be turnover-prone, but he'south managed double figures in all but three games this flavour. As well go on an eye on Aric Holman, who fell off a cliff in the second half but has some pro potential with his size and ability to stretch the flooring.

(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Iona, 9:twenty p.m., TNT

Prospects to picket: Coby White, Nassir Picayune, Cam Johnson (North Carolina)

You'll probably be seeing a lot of North Carolina this calendar month, and they've been worth the watch—White has a chance to be the tournament'due south breakout star, Johnson might be the all-time shooter in the country, and Little is good for a couple highlight plays a game. Then again, you lot can probably only watch the Tar Heels once again on Sunday.

(8) VCU vs. (9) UCF, 9:40 p.1000., CBS

Prospect to watch: Tacko Fall (UCF)

Neither of these teams has a ton of NBA talent, but the 7'half dozen" Fall does accept some level of entreatment in the Boban Marjanovic sense—he moves well for his size and is a load to bargain with, although he can't shoot at all. VCU's swarming defence volition exist a challenge for him.

(six) Iowa Land vs. (xi) Ohio State, 9:50 p.m., TBS

Prospects to lookout: Talen Horton-Tucker, Tyrese Haliburton, Marial Shayok (Iowa State); Kaleb Wesson (Ohio State)

Information technology looks like Iowa State has figured itself out again, and the Cyclones have a ton of talent on the roster, headlined by the freshman duo of Horton-Tucker and Haliburton (both of whom have legit NBA potential) and largely carried by Shayok, who's having a remarkable year shooting the ball. The Buckeyes are well-coached and should be a tough test, and Wesson has a chance to feast within. This could be 1 of the better games of the night.

(4) Virginia Tech vs. (13) St. Louis, nine:57 p.chiliad., TruTV

Prospects to picket: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Justin Robinson (Virginia Tech)

The Hokies are supposed to go Robinson back at long terminal, which means Alexander-Walker (a projected first-round pick) can move off the brawl, which makes them a much more dangerous team. This is ane of the better backcourts in the land at full strength, and both players could end upwardly on NBA rosters this autumn. Saint Louis stole a bid out of the A-ten, but should present a really tricky test with their defense.

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Source: https://www.si.com/nba/2019/03/19/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-duke-kentucky-zion-williamson-rj-barrett-ja-morant

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