NCAA-to-Z: Tournament talk begins and ends with Allonzo, 'Zona in 2017
- Updated
Here's your NCAA Tournament A-to-Z, with the players in the starring role, where they rightly belong.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
So often, much of the March Madness discussion centers around the coaches who make millions and not the players who fill the stat sheets.
But who among us can forget Harold “The Show” Arceneaux? Or Bryce Drew? Or Bo Kimble? Or Bill Walton?
Here’s your NCAA Tournament A-to-Z, with the players in the starring role, where they rightly belong:
- Jon Gold
If the Wildcats cut down the nets in early April, it will be Trier’s doing. He was a man possessed in the Pac-12 Tournament, winning MVP honors, and Arizona finally has integrated him into the offense after looking disjointed at times in conference play. Trier might have the freshest legs in the tourney, which could be a difference.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
USC’s 6-foot-10 forward is one of the driving forces for the Trojans’ little rebirth under Andy Enfield, which has seen them make the tournament for two straight years. He’s upped his game as a sophomore, averaging 14.6 points, but he needs to improve his rebounding (4.3 per game this year). His free-throw shooting, though? Above reproach at 93 percent. After missing 15 games with a knee injury, he seems to be fully up to speed.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Purdue would be nowhere without the fast-rising sophomore, whose numbers shot up this year, from 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds as a freshman to 18.5 points and 12.6 boards as a sophomore. The projected first-round pick has been a force, from his 23-point, 20-rebound season-opener against McNeese State to his 26 double-doubles for the year.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Bacon has sizzled for Florida State ever since he stepped on campus. Averaging nearly 17 points per game, he’s had three 20-point games against ranked teams this season, including 29 in a two-point win at Virginia.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Now, West Virginia doesn’t have anyone who scores in bunches, and Bob Huggins is seemingly trying to coach to a 38-36 win, but Ahmad has been clutch in big games, none bigger than his 27-point performance in a huge win over No. 2 Kansas on Jan. 24. He might only average 11 points a game, but we know he’s capable of so much more.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Josh Jackson may be in the mix to be the first pick in June’s NBA Draft, but Mason is the spoon that stirs the Kansas Jayhawks’ coffee. To be Frank, here’s what you’ve got to do: Average 21 points on 49 percent shooting from both the field and 3-point range, while adding 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds. There may not have been a better all-around player this season.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
The serial-tripping smug antagonist in every bad 1980s movie, Allen fits in perfectly at Duke. Allen has been steady but not spectacular for the Blue Devils, averaging 14.1 points and 3.7 rebounds a year after averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. He could regain his swagger with a big early-round performance, and in that case, watch out. Both for raining 3s and errant feet.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Hall has led Kent State in scoring for the last three years, topping out this year at 18.9 points per game, to go along with his 10.5 rebounds per game. Though UCLA should have an easy time with the Golden Flashes, fans won’t forget him easily.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Malik Monk may get most of the press in Lexington, but Briscoe has rather quietly put together a fine all-around season, adding 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists to his 12.6 points per game. Kentucky doesn’t have the top-of-the-draft talent it is used to, but a well-balanced squad could make a big run.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
ACC player of the year Jackson was terrific all year for North Carolina, or at least until the very last game he played, a 10-point loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament in which he went 6 for 22 from the field.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Just a Guy for the Virginia Cavaliers this season, the freshman guard has averaged less than eight points. So what is he doing here? Well at 50.5 percent from long range, Guy is one of the best 3-point shooters in the country. Don’t be surprised if he saves the day for the Cavaliers and takes his place in One Shining Moment.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
College basketball’s biggest name, and for a reason. The sport hasn’t seen someone with his variety of skills in roughly 25 years. That said, Ball looked off in the Pac-12 Tournament, and it might be time to ask if his father Lavar’s lofty words are getting to him. Let the kid live!
- Jon Gold
- Updated
On a South Dakota State team without a ton of options, and faced with the monumental task of getting past the best Gonzaga team in program history, Daum — who averaged 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in the regular season — might just go for 40 and 10. March is made for superstars, even if they last just one game.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Speaking of Gonzaga, was there a more impactful transfer in the game over the last decade than Williams-Goss? More than anything it speaks to changing times: NWG left the Pac-12 and the PNW for ... the WCC and the PNW, jumping from Seattle and Washington to Spokane and the Zags, and his decision has paid off in a huge way for Mark Few.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
After barely seeing the floor for Duke for two years, the SMU junior wasted precisely zero time in making his presence felt. Ojeleye averages 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds this year, but with 43 percent 3-point shooting, he could go off in a short tournament.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
The 6-6 guard has played big minutes for South Carolina, but hasn’t always lit up the scoring sheet, with four double-figure games in his last eight. But when he’s on, he’s on, as he was in a key early season upset of Syracuse, when he had a crucial 15 points.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Snider has been either Louisville’s first or second scoring option in just about every game, peaking with a 22-point performance in a big win over Kentucky on Dec. 21. Snider missed six games midway through conference play, but bounced back to scoring in double-figures in seven of his final eight games.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
After losing some playing time last year, LaChance has worked his way up the rotation for Vanderbilt. And speaking of rotation, LaChance’s is perfect, seeing as he hits 49.3 percent of his 3-pointers for 10.5 points a game.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
The Iona senior guard and son of 15-year NBA veteran Sam Cassell has blossomed after two nondescript seasons at Connecticut. He averages 11 points per game, shooting just 37.6 percent from the field.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Oregon’s Final Four chances took a big blow with the loss of big man Chris Boucher to a torn ACL suffered in the Pac-12 Tournament, but the Ducks still have the juice for an extended run. That is, if Dorsey lights it up like he can. Dorsey is one of the league’s best scoring guards, and March Madness is made for scoring guards. After a surprising 1-point performance in a regular-season-ending win over Oregon State, Dorsey had 21, 23 and 23 in the Pac-12 Tournament, and he should be expected to top 20 in the NCAAs, too.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Upshaw has been a fixture for Middle Tennessee State — a potential upset pick against Michigan — and he’s been both steady and a difference-maker. Not only has he scored in double-figures in all but three games this year, he had a 34-point burst against Alabama-Birmingham and four more 20-point games.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Notre Dame’s Beachem struggled against ranked teams earlier this season, but appears to have gotten over his nerves, scoring 20 in a loss to North Carolina in February and bouncing back with three games with at least 12 points in his last four of the year, all against ranked opponents.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
The son of a long-time NBA sharpshooter, Person has been a clutch presence for Troy in each of his three seasons. He has been on a tear in March, averaging better than 20 points in his last five contests.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
Winthrop’s 6-foot-8 Aussie from New South Wales has leapt his way to one impressive year, boosting his line to 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Cooks opened the year with 21 points and finished with at least 14 in 12 of his last 13 games, so don’t expect him to vanish now.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
The Iowa State freshman burst onto the scene with two double-figure games in his first three college games, but then fell back to earth. That is, until an 18-point outburst in a win over Kansas State. Getting more than 30 minutes recently, he could be a big factor in the NCAAs. Plus, he may be the only player in the tournament whose first or last name starts with Y.
- Jon Gold
- Updated
The Bucknell Bison mean business, mainly because Thomas is in the driver’s seat. Thomas averages 16 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while shooting a sizzling 82 percent from the free-throw line and 42 percent from 3.
More like this...
- Jon Gold
So often, much of the March Madness discussion centers around the coaches who make millions and not the players who fill the stat sheets.
But who among us can forget Harold “The Show” Arceneaux? Or Bryce Drew? Or Bo Kimble? Or Bill Walton?
Here’s your NCAA Tournament A-to-Z, with the players in the starring role, where they rightly belong:
- Jon Gold
If the Wildcats cut down the nets in early April, it will be Trier’s doing. He was a man possessed in the Pac-12 Tournament, winning MVP honors, and Arizona finally has integrated him into the offense after looking disjointed at times in conference play. Trier might have the freshest legs in the tourney, which could be a difference.
- Jon Gold
USC’s 6-foot-10 forward is one of the driving forces for the Trojans’ little rebirth under Andy Enfield, which has seen them make the tournament for two straight years. He’s upped his game as a sophomore, averaging 14.6 points, but he needs to improve his rebounding (4.3 per game this year). His free-throw shooting, though? Above reproach at 93 percent. After missing 15 games with a knee injury, he seems to be fully up to speed.
- Jon Gold
Purdue would be nowhere without the fast-rising sophomore, whose numbers shot up this year, from 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds as a freshman to 18.5 points and 12.6 boards as a sophomore. The projected first-round pick has been a force, from his 23-point, 20-rebound season-opener against McNeese State to his 26 double-doubles for the year.
- Jon Gold
Now, West Virginia doesn’t have anyone who scores in bunches, and Bob Huggins is seemingly trying to coach to a 38-36 win, but Ahmad has been clutch in big games, none bigger than his 27-point performance in a huge win over No. 2 Kansas on Jan. 24. He might only average 11 points a game, but we know he’s capable of so much more.
- Jon Gold
Josh Jackson may be in the mix to be the first pick in June’s NBA Draft, but Mason is the spoon that stirs the Kansas Jayhawks’ coffee. To be Frank, here’s what you’ve got to do: Average 21 points on 49 percent shooting from both the field and 3-point range, while adding 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds. There may not have been a better all-around player this season.
- Jon Gold
The serial-tripping smug antagonist in every bad 1980s movie, Allen fits in perfectly at Duke. Allen has been steady but not spectacular for the Blue Devils, averaging 14.1 points and 3.7 rebounds a year after averaging 21.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. He could regain his swagger with a big early-round performance, and in that case, watch out. Both for raining 3s and errant feet.
- Jon Gold
Hall has led Kent State in scoring for the last three years, topping out this year at 18.9 points per game, to go along with his 10.5 rebounds per game. Though UCLA should have an easy time with the Golden Flashes, fans won’t forget him easily.
- Jon Gold
Malik Monk may get most of the press in Lexington, but Briscoe has rather quietly put together a fine all-around season, adding 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists to his 12.6 points per game. Kentucky doesn’t have the top-of-the-draft talent it is used to, but a well-balanced squad could make a big run.
- Jon Gold
Just a Guy for the Virginia Cavaliers this season, the freshman guard has averaged less than eight points. So what is he doing here? Well at 50.5 percent from long range, Guy is one of the best 3-point shooters in the country. Don’t be surprised if he saves the day for the Cavaliers and takes his place in One Shining Moment.
- Jon Gold
College basketball’s biggest name, and for a reason. The sport hasn’t seen someone with his variety of skills in roughly 25 years. That said, Ball looked off in the Pac-12 Tournament, and it might be time to ask if his father Lavar’s lofty words are getting to him. Let the kid live!
- Jon Gold
On a South Dakota State team without a ton of options, and faced with the monumental task of getting past the best Gonzaga team in program history, Daum — who averaged 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in the regular season — might just go for 40 and 10. March is made for superstars, even if they last just one game.
- Jon Gold
Speaking of Gonzaga, was there a more impactful transfer in the game over the last decade than Williams-Goss? More than anything it speaks to changing times: NWG left the Pac-12 and the PNW for ... the WCC and the PNW, jumping from Seattle and Washington to Spokane and the Zags, and his decision has paid off in a huge way for Mark Few.
- Jon Gold
After barely seeing the floor for Duke for two years, the SMU junior wasted precisely zero time in making his presence felt. Ojeleye averages 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds this year, but with 43 percent 3-point shooting, he could go off in a short tournament.
- Jon Gold
The 6-6 guard has played big minutes for South Carolina, but hasn’t always lit up the scoring sheet, with four double-figure games in his last eight. But when he’s on, he’s on, as he was in a key early season upset of Syracuse, when he had a crucial 15 points.
- Jon Gold
Snider has been either Louisville’s first or second scoring option in just about every game, peaking with a 22-point performance in a big win over Kentucky on Dec. 21. Snider missed six games midway through conference play, but bounced back to scoring in double-figures in seven of his final eight games.
- Jon Gold
After losing some playing time last year, LaChance has worked his way up the rotation for Vanderbilt. And speaking of rotation, LaChance’s is perfect, seeing as he hits 49.3 percent of his 3-pointers for 10.5 points a game.
- Jon Gold
Oregon’s Final Four chances took a big blow with the loss of big man Chris Boucher to a torn ACL suffered in the Pac-12 Tournament, but the Ducks still have the juice for an extended run. That is, if Dorsey lights it up like he can. Dorsey is one of the league’s best scoring guards, and March Madness is made for scoring guards. After a surprising 1-point performance in a regular-season-ending win over Oregon State, Dorsey had 21, 23 and 23 in the Pac-12 Tournament, and he should be expected to top 20 in the NCAAs, too.
- Jon Gold
Upshaw has been a fixture for Middle Tennessee State — a potential upset pick against Michigan — and he’s been both steady and a difference-maker. Not only has he scored in double-figures in all but three games this year, he had a 34-point burst against Alabama-Birmingham and four more 20-point games.
- Jon Gold
Notre Dame’s Beachem struggled against ranked teams earlier this season, but appears to have gotten over his nerves, scoring 20 in a loss to North Carolina in February and bouncing back with three games with at least 12 points in his last four of the year, all against ranked opponents.
- Jon Gold
Winthrop’s 6-foot-8 Aussie from New South Wales has leapt his way to one impressive year, boosting his line to 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Cooks opened the year with 21 points and finished with at least 14 in 12 of his last 13 games, so don’t expect him to vanish now.
- Jon Gold
The Iowa State freshman burst onto the scene with two double-figure games in his first three college games, but then fell back to earth. That is, until an 18-point outburst in a win over Kansas State. Getting more than 30 minutes recently, he could be a big factor in the NCAAs. Plus, he may be the only player in the tournament whose first or last name starts with Y.
- Jon Gold
The Bucknell Bison mean business, mainly because Thomas is in the driver’s seat. Thomas averages 16 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while shooting a sizzling 82 percent from the free-throw line and 42 percent from 3.
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