Jeffruel (Formerly FTDynasty) 2K21 Fictional Draft Classes (PS4)

[Jeffruel]

January News

Freshman PG Derrick Jennings and Uconn have been on a roll as of late and are up to #4 in the country. Jennings has picked up right where Junior Higgins left off last year.

After starting the year 9-4, Kentucky has continued to struggle. They are now sitting at 13-7 and freshman PF Mika Schayes has left the program. Schayes wants to focus on his rehab and has left the program to do so. He will likely still be a top 10 pick in the NBA draft and did not want to risk reinjuring himself.

Delaware SG Malik Bacon had a nice run of 3 straight 40 point games. He is definitely a volume shooter. Delaware is currently sitting at 16-4 and is unranked, but they could make some noise in the tournament as a double digit seed.

SMU has been on rise all season and is now up to #6 in the polls. While their level of competition isn't anything to write home about, they are a strong team. Center DJ Vanderbilt has been a force down low.

Iowa State was off to a slow start, but they have taken the Big-12 by storm and should challenge Kansas and Texas for a Big 12 title. The Iowa State freshman duo of Patrick McCloud and Terrell Knox have been shooting incredibly well all year.

Alabama PG Freddie Kaman has really made a name for himself this season. He could sneak his way into the top 10 of a loaded draft class. He has Alabama sitting within the top 10 currently.

Highschool PG Jamar Summers of Sierra Canyon could be the #1 overall pick in this year's draft, but Houston PG David Wiley looks like he could be the real deal and give him a run for his money. The senior leader and Houston will be a tough out in March.

High School Class of 2022

It doesn't take long to realize why teams are trading for as many 2022 picks as they can. With this stacked high school class, paired with the likes of Giovanni Gamble, Justin Drexler, David Wiley, Eric Machado and company, this draft class could plenty of franchise cornerstones well into the lottery.

The 2022 high school senior class will be the first class of highschoolers with the option to go straight to the NBA since 2005. Below are the top 25 recruits of the class of 2022, some of which will go straight to the NBA, others will attend college next year as freshmen.

Michigan State has the highest ranked recruit not going pro in center Sullivan Cotton. He could easily go pro and get drafted in the 1st round.

Iowa State adds PG Richie Miller who is an athletic guard who will be a fantastic edition to the Cyclones.

Jalen and Jayce Selby, both combo guards, have both committed to UCLA over Oregon and USC.

It appears that North Carolina head coach Roy Williams understands how to recruit in this new climate as he did not attempt to go after any top 20 recruits, instead focusing on Elmore Givens, Kwame Fox, and DeShaun Fogg, all just outside the top 20.

It’s still early, but the highschool class of 2024 could be something special as well. SF DJ Walker is already turning heads as a sophomore in high school.

Scouting Reports for Declaring 2022 Highschool Seniors below, with pictures of Jamar Summers, Haywood Carter, Isiah Wolters, and Kylan Sonnet.

#1 Jamar Summers
Position: PG
High School: Sierra Canyon (California)
Height: 6’4
Weight: 194
Profile: Gatorade player of the year Jamar Summer can come in and be one of the games best PGs from day one. You can tell that he is a good kid, as he was committed to a small Division 2 college in California to give them some publicity for the time being. Obviously, everyone knew he was never going to attend, but the school has seen an increase in attendance and recruiting. He has the ability to distribute the basketball unlike anything we have ever seen. He is very fundamental, has a high basketball IQ, and is crafty at getting his own shots up. He has drawn comparisons to Steve Nash, but he plays a bit more above the rim than Steve Nash and will certainly shoot the ball more than Nash did. He can find teammates all over the floor and will certainly make them better. Jamar has a real chance to become a 40/50/90 type of player meaning he can shoot 40% from 3, 50% from the field, and 90% from the free throw line all while leading the league in assists. Summers needs to work on his defense to be an effective two way player in the league. He tends to focus on the offensive side of the game, where he will be elite. Jamar Summers is a can’t miss talent.
NBA Comparison: Steve Nash with Russell Westbrook lite athleticism

#2 Haywood Carter
Position: PF
High School: Stevenson (California)
Height: 6’9
Weight: 222
Profile: Haywood Carter is a high energy four with great length (7-foot-3 wingspan) and solid all around skill set. Carter looks like a manchild in the high school ranks right now. He shows tremendous defensive ability, utilizing his huge wingspan and quickness. Very fast in the open floor and will outwork his opponent, hustling down the floor on every possession. On top of being a high level run jump athlete, he shows great lateral speed. He should be effective guarding both on the perimeter and in the post. He blocks a lot of shots both in the post and on players driving to the rim. He is a high level rebounder who goes hard for every ball and utilizes his big hands and long arms to secure rebounds in and out of his area. His offensive game has shown solid improvement, but he still lacks a consistent shot outside of the paint. He needs to be more aggressive as he can finish at the rim, but seems hesitant at times.
NBA Comparison: Pascal Siakam

#3 Dave Turner Jr.
Position: SG
High School: Grayson (Georgia)
Height: 6’6
Weight: 211
Profile: Blessed with truly high level explosiveness, Turner is one of the drafts most intriguing prospects. He shows electric speed and quickness, and is certainly one of the best leapers in the draft class. Turner has really good body control as well. His upside as a prospect has a way of jumping out of the TV screen when you watch him play. Plays an exciting and fairly flashy style, and is a highlight reel dunker in the transition game. Has a sweet looking jump shot, and his range occasionally extends past the NBA 3-point line. Dave is also blessed with a swift (yet unorthodox) release and a strong ability to create space to get his shots off. More than adequate ball-handling ability but he definitely could improve. Will be a tough cover due to his athleticism and shooting skills, as he can slash when crowded or stop and pop if the defender gives him space. He needs to develop more consistency and improve his basketball IQ to be able to stay on the floor. Has a tendency to settle for too many pull up jump shots and doesn’t attack the basket nearly as much as he should off the dribble. He gets to the freethrow line at a poor rate for someone with his shot creating potential. Is a very promising prospect, but will need time to develop overall before he’s ready to play consistently in the NBA.
NBA Comparison: Zach LaVine

#4 Isiah Wolters
Position: SF
High School: Duncanville (Texas)
Height: 6’9
Weight: 218
Profile: One of the top pure shooters at the high school level. Wolters is a prolific outside shooter with a defined role for the NBA level. Left hander who at 6’9 with long arms has good size for the NBA small forward position. Wolters understands his limitations and plays within his game well. Understands how to create shots for himself off the ball coming off screens and is a very good spot up shooter. Comfortable handling the ball and can use the dribble to create shots. Shows an advanced in between game with tear drops and the use of the glass. Effectively uses pump fakes to draw defenders off balance Has perfect form on his shot and deep range. Squares to the basket. Quick, concise, fluid stroke with a high release. Gets his shot off quickly and can do so without needing much space. An average athlete who plays below the rim. He’s a "momentum athlete" in the sense that he shows solid athleticism when he has momentum moving towards the rim. Much better in the half court than in the open floor. His lack of elite athleticism gets exposed in the transition game. Lacks great foot speed which inhibits his ability to take the ball off the dribble against quick defenders.
NBA Comparison: Klay Thompson

#5 Benji Snell
Position: PG/SG
High School: Scotlandville (Louisiana)
Height: 6’3
Weight: 177
Profile: A very polished and clutch performer for his age. Snell could be considered a combo guard, but he is more of a score first PG. Has shown the ability to play off the ball while playing in the AAU ranks. Has three point range that must be respected by his defender. Takes open driving lanes when he sees them. Can really attack defenses when going downhill. Uses his athleticism to be a creative finisher around the rim. Thrives in the clutch. Not afraid of the big moments or the big stage. He is a volume shooter, but he could definitely improve his FG percentage. Above average rebounder on the defensive glass for a combo guard. The tools and effort are there for Benji to be an above average defender, but will often lose focus off the ball. Will gamble for steals and hurt the team defensively. Not much of a playmaker for others.
NBA Comparison: Jamal Murray

#6 Tylon Hubbard
Position: C
High School: Mountain Brook (Alabama)
Height: 6’11
Weight: 227
Profile: Hubbard is a tremendous athlete blessed with insane length and leaping ability who conjures up memories of Shawn Kemp. Hubbard has an insane vertical, which is extremely unusual for a taller player. Despite his immense physical gifts, Tylon hustles at all times and works hard on his game showing a lot of improvement in a short time. Has solid footwork in the post, and an improving turnaround jumper. He can even extend out to the 3 pt line and knock down shots on occasion. Has the tools to become a lottery pick in the next year, as he is not far from having an NBA ready body. He’s relentless on the boards and his length and athleticism makes him a formidable shot blocker. Has good touch on his shot, and solid mechanics, he just needs to become more comfortable with his offensive game so it becomes second nature. Tylon needs to work hard on his skills, while he shows nice potential with his ball skills and post moves, they are far from refined. Learning a few moves that he can consistently go to in the post will greatly improve his offensive abilities. Needs to add some muscle to his frame. Right now, he’s too lean and will get pushed around under the basket.
NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka

#8 Luke Teagle
Position: SF
High School: Lawrence North (Indiana)
Height: 6’7
Weight: 198
Profile: Teagle is a raw prospect with solid size for a SF at 6’7 198, and he’s still growing into his body. Silky smooth operator on offense, and can score effectively at all 3 levels. Has a sweet jump shot, soft touch, and is consistent out to about 22 feet and shows raw NBA range. Able to make shots off screens, spotting up or off the dribble. Likes to operate in the mid-range area, most comfortable from 15-18 feet, and utilizes a nice pull-up game and an interesting blend of runners in his arsenal. Very unselfish and won’t go outside of the offense to get his own shots or production very often, which will benefit his eventual transition to the pros. Doesn’t need to dominate the ball at all to make his presence felt on the court. Nice passing skills. Will contribute some on the glass. Appears to be very coachable, and he still has upside remaining as he gets stronger and fills out his frame. There are times when he can get pushed around on both ends by physical play. Teagle also would be well-served to continue to work on his ball-handling some more, where he’s currently mediocre. He does sporadically make moves with the ball that show his potential, but he’s not consistent with it yet and he’s not a guy who operates all that effectively in pure isolation sets.
NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton

#9 Curtis Johnson
Position: C
High School: St. Edward (Ohio)
Height: 6’10
Weight: 265
Profile: Physically gifted, Johnson’s combination of size, power, mobility, athleticism and explosiveness is unparallelled at the high school level. Because of these physical tools he’s able to finish with authority on a consistent basis, whether the rim is protected or left open. Because of his upward explosiveness and size, guards just need to lob the ball around the cylinder and he can go up and get it without a running start. Has a soft overall feel for the rim from about 12 feet out in all directions. Very good at finishing non-dunks around the rim. Active and effective on the offensive glass. Runs the floor really well for his size. Has a quick spin with his back to the basket. Willing and creative passer. Timely shotblocker with sound footwork patrolling the paint. Johnson wasn’t featured on the block that much in high school and he has not ever really been challenged on the low block. Hasn’t mastered any go-to post moves, as the ones he converts are usually awkward and off-balance. The majority of his points come from the creativity of others, instead making them happen himself.
NBA Comparison: Andre Drummond

#10 Royce Levingston
Position: PF/C
High School: Centennial (California)
Height: 6’11
Weight: 234
Profile: Very gifted athletically who has plenty of untapped potential. Impressive quickness/mobility/agility. His physical profile stands out as he’s listed at 6’11 and 234 lbs. He has one of the largest wingspans in the draft. His offensive game is extremely versatile. He’s capable of facing up or playing with his back to the basket. Has shown the capability of hitting from mid-range. He flashed some offensive ball skills and control that could foreshadow his ability as an offensive talent. Can put the ball on the floor in space, transition or on closeouts while using a variety of moves or making dump-off passes. Has a great first-step. Displayed great shooting consistency and efficiency from various areas of the floor. Has nice touch and finishing ability around the rim with either hand. Defensively, he showed that he can defend in space and guard the perimeter extremely well for his size. Possesses great rim protection, anticipation, range, and instincts. A late bloomer in regards to his physical frame as he’s still a bit on the thin side. Still very much a kid and will require additional time to fully mature both on and off the floor. Would benefit from developing more muscle/strength for the next level. He’s not overly bouncy or explosive and his overall offensive game is still unpolished despite the promise it has. Does not have a go-to move in the post that he can rely upon.
NBA Comparison: Jaren Jackson Jr.

#14 Kylan Sonnet
Position: SF
High School: IMG Academy (Florida)
Height: 6’8
Weight: 200
Profile: Many were surprised when Sonnet, a University of Kansas commit, decided to declare for the NBA. Kylan is a talented combo forward with a skill-set suited for NBA play. Has good versatility and a great feel for the game. His ability to handle the ball makes him a tough match-up for opposing bigs, however he’ll need to develop a consistent outside stroke to make him more of a threat off the dribble. He uses a combination of strength and agility to either overpower or elude his defender. Sonnet is a solid leaper. His long arms and upper-body strength should help him on the defensive side of the ball moving forward. At 6’8, he’s slightly undersized at the power forward position, and lacks the athleticism, explosiveness and foot speed to guard most NBA small forwards. He also lacks a refined post game, missing a go-to back to the basket move – relies too much on his pure feel for the basket. Inconsistent spot up shooter without threatening range.
NBA Comparison: Tobias Harris

#18 Kennedy Wroten
Position: SG
High School: Dorman (South Carolina)
Height: 6’6
Weight: 202
Profile: An athletic guard with excellent explosiveness. Wroten’s biggest asset offensively is his ability to shoot from the outside. He can hit from a catch and shoot position, and looks beyond comfortable pulling up off the dribble. His high release and strong elevation, along with his quick first step allow him to create just enough separation to get off a shot. He has basic ball moves when it comes to creating separation, but mainly uses his quickness/athleticism to get the room he needs. What could make Wroten a late-first round pick is his ability to be a lockdown defender. He uses his long arms and persistent nature, constantly causing havoc for whoever is handling the ball. His off the ball defense is no different, and if you watch him follow his man around the court. His biggest obstacle will be his inability to make plays for others. When he puts the ball on the floor, it’s almost a guarantee that he is looking for his own offense, as he lacks the vision, playmaking ability and awareness to find his teammates for a better scoring opportunity. Another issue surrounding Kennedy is his inability to get to the free throw line, as he attempted less than 2 free throws per game while hitting only 54% of his opportunities.
NBA Comparison: Avery Bradley

[Jeffruel]

March News
Harvard and Brad Hale have made some noise and are up to #11 in the nation. Junior PG Porter Klein has emerged as a great #2 option behind Hale.

As a team, Delaware has battled inconsistency this season, but sophomore SG Malik Bacon is currently leading the nation in ppg at 27.8.

Justin Drexler and Gonzaga have had a very successful season and should enter the tournament as a 1 seed. Drexler has posted 4 triple doubles this season while averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists a game.

Texas and their stellar post play has helped them win the Big-12 this season. Freshman PG Tyrone Gaines has helped lead a very efficient season for the Longhorns averaging 7 points and 7 assists a game. Tavon and Quay Langford, have both emerged and look like forces to be reckoned with next season. They are very similar to the Morris twins of Kansas of the past.

Duke has finished the season strong behind a fantastic season from top prospect Giovanni Gamble. Gamble averaged 22 points per game this year and is shooting over 40% from 3 point range. Lawson Marsh has averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds a game as well.

Xavier and Eric Machado have been inconsistent all season. After starting the year unranked, they climbed all the way up to #8 in the polls, before losing 5 straight games and falling back out. They could make a serious run in the tournament, or lose the first round.

[Jeffruel]

West Region Preview
#1 Gonzaga: Freshman SF Justin Drexler has been one of the best players all season long and is a major reason Gonzaga is a favorite to win the championship. Sophomore PF Jarron Vroman has been a nice compliment down low. He is a monster on the boards and on the defensive end.
#2 Texas: Texas is one of the deepest teams in the country, and they have the best frontcourt in the nation. Freshman PG Tyrone Gaines has been solid all season. There are 4 Texas big men averaging over 10 points per game. Sophomores Jaevin Simpson and Mookie Traylor, as well as Quay and Tavon Langford who are both sophomores as well. Junior center Rosel Jackson has been fantastic off the bench for the Longhorns.
#3 Arizona: Sophomore PG Keyon Davenport and senior center DeAntoni Cain have lead the Wildcats on a very successful campaign. Cain averaged over 20 points a game this season while Davenport averaged 11 points and 5 assists a game.
#4 Kentucky: Kentucky seemed to hit their stride after Mika Schayes left the program. RJ Ellis has really come on strong and has emerged as one of the best PGs in the nation. Sophomore center Stevan Nance has emerged with the absence of Schayes as a solid big man.
#5 Georgia Tech: Freshman SG Cookie Hopkins led the nation in steals as a freshman and could lock up DPOY of the year honors. Junior SF Dan Schroder has been another solid defender for them at 6’9. Between Cookie and Schroder, they will be able to lock up anyone.
#6 Richmond: Sophomore PF Dakara Thunder has been one of the better players in the nation this year averaging 21 points and 9 rebounds a game. He has made a name for himself but just doesn't get the publicity he deserves playing for Richmond.
#7 Xavier: Freshman PF Eric Machado is one of the better players in the nation, but he has not been consistent this year. Xavier struggles to shoot it from outside and works better if they can slow the game down and wear you down inside with Machado.
#8 Baylor: Baylor quietly had a very solid season behind junior center Ruben Harangody and senior SF Eric Forest. Forest has been a solid scoring wing for the Bears the last two years while Harangody is a solid defender.
#9 LSU: Freshman SF Robin Posey was voted on the SEC 1st team as a freshman, but the Tigers did not have much talent to go around him. LSU could make some noise in the tournament if Robin Posey could get some help.
#10 Georgetown: Senior PG Leo Sirven led the nation in assists this game at 9.3 a game while averaging 10.2 points. Not much of a scorer, and struggles to keep Georgetown in games, but he is a fantastic distributor.
#11 Oklahoma: Sophomore SF Cameron LeVert is a solid 3 and D prospect for the Sooners, but he needs to improve other parts of his game to make up for the lack of talent around him.
#12 TCU: Sophomore PG Seth Hurd is an under the radar prospect who could develop nicely in the NBA. He has solid height at 6’4, but is very raw but has tools you look for in a PG. He had a season high 33 points in a game against Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament that might have played the Horned Frogs into the field.
#13 Hawaii: Hawaii is a solid 3 point shooting team that could scare Kentucky if they are off their A game.
#14 Missouri State: Freshman SG Xavier Rice won the Missouri Valley POY as a freshman. He is no doubt talented, but we would be shocked if they make it past the first round.
#15 Liberty: Liberty’s tallest player is 6’9. They stand no chance against Texas.
#16 Houston Baptist: No chance here.

Lundardi's Analysis
Final 4 Pick: Texas
5 Best Players: Justin Drexler (Gonzaga), RJ Ellis (Kentucky), Robin Posey (LSU), Eric Machado (Xavier), Dakara Thunder (Richmond)
Overseeded: Arizona
Under-seeded: Richmond
If they catch fire they can make a run: Xavier
On Upset Alert: Arizona and Baylor

[Jeffruel]

Midwest Region Preview
#1 Purdue: Purdue is back and ready to repeat this year as National champs after finishing the year 31-3. Junior PG Jamon Tiggs has put all concerns about his height to rest as he is averaging 21 points a game and 8 assists. He is a finalist for the Wooden Award as well.
#2 Kansas: Kansas is just a well rounded group that has young talent to go along with veteran leadership. Junior wing Jasper Westermann is the leader of the Kansas squad while freshman PG Seth Dixon, and freshman SG Markell Baldwin both play with a fire for the Jayhawks. They will be a tough out this tournament.
#3 UCONN: Uconn has been starting 4 seniors all season along with freshman PG Derrick Jennings. Jennings has been the best player on the Husky team all year and as we all know, great guard play wins in March. Jennings has a chance to really elevate his draft stock as all signs point to him entering the draft this year.
#4 Washington: Freshman SF Tyler Anderson has been a solid contributor off the bench this year averaging 10 points a game, while junior PG EJ Mcintosh is a great leader for the team. Mcintosh has lived up to the hype he got this offseason by averaging 19 points and 7 assists a game.
#5 Harvard: Juniors Porter Klein and Brad Hale are two of the most polished players in the country. Klein distributes very well and uses his high IQ to always be in the correct position while Hale is one of the best sharpshooters in the country.
#6 Murray State: Junior center Christian Afolabi is one of the country's premier paint defenders. He finished top 5 in blocks this season, but Murray State is probably overseeded here.
#7 Memphis: Freshman point forward Tre Strong has shown flashes of greatness this season at Memphis but has been wildly inconsistent. He leads the Tigers in points, assists, and was second on the team in rebounds.
#8 Maryland: Senior SF Aaron Fisher has been steady for Maryland all year, but we would be surprised if they make it out of the opening weekend. Purdue just has too much fire power to compete.
#9 BYU: Junior SG Davion Pearson looks poised to enter the NBA draft after this year. Pearson is a combo guard who can score very well and distribute. He currently doesn’t have the NBA scoring ability, or passing ability, but he close on both.
#10 Boston College: Boston College snuck into the tournament behind PF Cartier Meyer. Meyer is an old school big who likes to bully opponents down low.
#11 Florida: Senior SG Jackson Lukas had high hopes for this season but let Gator fans down as he only averaged 11 points a game. He is capable of much more. Freshman PF Jermaine Jones battled inconsistency this year. The Gators are down, but could make some noise in the tournament with a winnable first game.
#12 USC: Sophomores Marcus Ponds and Idris Kersey have been a strong duo this season but they need help. It would be tough for them to get past Harvard, but definitely doable. Ponds is a great facilitator while Kersey can score in bunches.
#13 Florida Gulf Coast: No dunk city this year.
#14 Gardner-Webb: Young team, no star power. Should be easy work for Connecticut
#15 UMBC: KU by 50
#16 Vermont: Jamon Tiggs might outscore the whole team.

Lundardi's Analysis
Final 4 Pick: Purdue
5 Best Players: Jamon Tiggs (Purdue), Derrick Jennings (UCONN), Markell Baldwin (Kansas), EJ Mcintosh (Washington), Davion Pearson (BYU)
Overseeded: Murray State
Under-seeded: Washington
If they catch fire they can make a run: Harvard
On Upset Alert: UCONN

[Jeffruel]

South Region Preview
#1 Alabama: Alabama has been one of the biggest surprises all season as they have exceeded expectations this year and all of that is because of sophomore PG Freddie Kaman. Kaman has taken his game to the next level this year and is one of the best PGs in the nation. He should hear his name called in the top 10 of this year's draft.
#2 Houston: Houston and senior PG David Wiley look ready to do some damage this year. Wiley might be the best player in the nation after averaging 27 points per game this year to go along with his 6 assists a game. Turnovers are still an issue for Wiley, but he is a stud.
#3 North Carolina: A strong group of upperclassmen and freshman C Callum Boyd has UNC ready to make some noise in the tournament. Boyd was the leading scorer for the Tar Heels this season.
#4 SMU: DJ Vanderbilt and Brandon Lorbeck were two of the best bigs in the country this season. Both of them will be tough for any team to handle down low. If you shut one down, the other manages to step up as every game, one of them has been over 15 points.
#5 Oklahoma State: Junior Trey Landry has been a solid contributor down low for the cowboys while sophomore PG Chet Perry has taken another step forward as the PG for the Cowboys. Perry led the Big-12 in assists this season.
#6 Iowa State: Iowa State is one of the better shooting teams in the country, but it is tough to count on freshmen to play consistently in March. They could make a serious run or be knocked out early.
#7 NC State: Sophomore PF Jeremiah Scott has been a nice surprise for the Wolfpack this season and has been showing up late 1st, early 2nd round of mock drafts. Scott is a stretch 4 who rebounds very well.
#8 South Carolina: Sophomore Evertt Collins has battled injuries all season but is finally healthy and ready to go. Collins can score with the best of them as an athletic small forward.
#9 Arkansas State: Junior PG Anthony Quinn has garnered a bit of hype as a late 2nd round pick in the NBA draft. It will be hard for him to do much without any other talent around him.
#10 Arkansas: Senior PG Devante Temple has gone on record saying he wants to go out with a bang. Temple has been known for his outspokenness throughout his Arkansas career. He has stated that he will hold David Wiley to single digits if they see him in the second round.
#11 Notre Dame: Freshman Elyjah Dyson could not put it together this year as Notre Dame barely snuck into the tournament.
#12 Wisconsin: Wisconsin should be playing in the NIT. Their upperclassmen underachieved this season and Marvin greer showed flashes of greatness, but nothing consistent.
#13 Wichita State: Sophomore SG Juvaris Adrien is the lone Shocker on the team with any pro potential. This is not your traditional Wichita State team.
#14 Utah State: Utah State has a pair of talented freshmen in PG Lyle Norris and PF Dravon Beck but they are not expected to compete with North Carolina. Keep an eye out for Utah State in the coming years if those two keep progressing.
#15 Idaho: Idaho has one of the nations best defenses so it will be interesting to see if they can hold David Wiley under 30.
#16 Weber State: Nada

Lundardi's Analysis
Final 4 Pick: Houston
5 Best Players: David Wiley (Houston), Freddie Kaman (Alabama), DJ Vanderbilt (SMU), Terrell Knox (Iowa State), Devante Temple (Arkansas)
Overseeded: North Carolina
Under-seeded: Iowa State
If they catch fire they can make a run: Oklahoma State
On Upset Alert: SMU

[Jeffruel]

East Region Preview
#1 Duke: Duke has the most firepower in this tournament with two incredible freshmen in SG Giovanni gamble and C Lawson Marsh. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where they are not in the Elite 8.
#2 Michigan State: Michigan State has flown under the radar this season despite being a very good basketball team. They are not flashy, not really fun to watch, but they just win games. Senior PF Jeriah Macy and junior SG Tyler Burleson are the undisputed leaders of this team.
#3 Arizona State: Arizona State surprised people this year with a very solid team. The Sun Devils are led by the sophomore duo of SG Solomon Pack and forward Tyleek Fields. They have been a force to reckon with all year. They have been playing at a very fast pace all season so their defense does not look as good as it truly is.
#4 Ohio State: Junior SG Dante Shields and freshman Levi McCoy have given the Buckeyes two solid scorers both on the inside and out. Both averaged over 14 points per game this season. Early signs are pointing to McCoy going pro after this season.
#5 Colorado: Junior forward Skyler Clark is a 6’10 mismatch nightmare. He has been getting a lot of comparisons to Chandler Parsons. This is his chance to elevate his draft stock with a strong tournament run.
#6 Illinois: PF Adam Osby took home 2nd team all Big-10 honors this year at Illinois. Illinois is probably a bit overseeded, but made a run to the Big-10 championship game and elevated their stock.
#7 Vanderbilt: Junior SF Stef Bogdanovic did not do much to elevate his draft stock this year, but he should still get drafted late. He still appears to be oozing with raw athleticism.
#8 Missouri: Senior SG MaCaleb Okobo underachieved this season while sophomore PG Kareem Ramagli was the better of the two guards.
#9 Virginia: The defense is still there for the Cavaliers, but the offense struggled. Brycen Armstrong is a massive presence for Virginia while James Harper flashed potential as a 7 footer off the bench.
#10 Stanford: Stanford was one of the biggest let downs this season as they started in the preseason top 10. Senior wing Kevin Aldrich hopes to make a run before he moves on while Holden Shaw the talented freshman wants to make a name for himself after an underwhelming year.
#11 Delaware: Sophomore SG Malik Bacon and his scoring took a major step forward this season while also leading the Blue Hens in assists, rebounds, and steals. He is a very sound all around player.
#12 Northern Iowa: This is not one of those Northern Iowa teams that surprises teams.
#13 Monmouth: They should be a 15 or 16 seed.
#14 Providence: Sophomore SF Scottie Dean quietly averaged 16 points, 5 assists, 7 rebounds.
#15 Leigh: They’ve already had their upset. Not gonna happen again.
#16 Texas Southern: Duke could play without Lawson marsh and Giovanni gamble and still win by 20.

Lundardi's Analysis
Final 4 Pick: Duke
5 Best Players: Giovanni Gamble (Duke), Lawson Marsh (Duke), Malik Bacon (Delaware), Tyleek Fields (Arizona State), Skyler Clark (Colorado)
Overseeded: Illinois
Under-seeded: Arizona State
If they catch fire they can make a run: Delaware
On Upset Alert: Ohio State

[Jeffruel]

Opening Round

West Region

#1 Gonzaga cruises to a victory over Houston Baptist 77-54. Justin Drexler had 17 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.

#9 LSU takes down #8 Baylor 65-61 in a back and fourth game. Robin Posey led all scorers with 22 points for the Tigers.

#4 Kentucky beats #13 Hawaii 87-61. RJ Ellis led all scorers with 31 points.

#5 Georgia Tech knocks off #12 TCU 68-58. Cookie Hopkins had 16 points and 4 steals in this one. TCU PG Seth Hurd had 22 points and 7 assists in the loss.

#14 Missouri State stuns the nation with a 78-74 OT victory again #3 Arizona. This was a back and fourth game that saw 15 lead changes in the last 5 minutes and overtime alone. Missouri State SG Xavier Rice sent the game to overtime on a shot from the elbow. Rice would lead all scorers with 26 points.

#6 Richmond eliminates #11 Oklahoma 75-73 on a last second shot from Dakara Thunder. Thunder posted a 27 point, 14 rebound double double.

#7 Xavier beats #10 Georgetown 76-58. Freshman PF Eric Machado had a monster game with 33 points.

#2 Texas beats #15 Liberty 81-59. Texas was dominant all game and had 6 players score in double figures.

Midwest Region

#1 Purdue knocks off #16 Vermont 76-41 with Jamon Tiggs sitting the entire second half. Tiggs managed 16 points and 6 assists in the first half.

#8 Maryland beats #9 BYU 76-67 behind 21 points from Aaron Fisher.

#4 Washington knocks off #13 Florida Gulf Coast 88-59. EJ Mcintosh was dominant in this one scoring 25 points. Tyler Anderson had 18 of his own.

#5 Harvard wins a double OT thriller against #12 USC 87-85. Harvard’s Porter Klein sent the game to OT with a last second layup. Brad Hale managed to tie the game up to go to double OT with a deep 3 with 8 seconds remaining. Hale would score 8 points in the second overtime period to seal the victory. Hale would lead all scorers with 31 and Klein had 22. Marcus Ponds had 22 points for USC in the loss.

#3 UCONN crushes Gardner-Webb 79-41 behind 24 points and 11 assists from PG Derrick Jennings.

#6 Murray State survives a scare from #11 Florida 62-61. Florida gave everything they had, but a big block from Christain Afolabi with 4 seconds left sealed the win.

#10 Boston College upsets #7 Memphis 73-65 with a strong performance from PF Cartier Meyer. Meyer had 26 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Memphis’ Tre Strong laid an egg in this one with only 8 points, 2 assists, 4 rebounds, and 7 turnovers.

#2 Kansas beats down #15 UMBC 78-56. Freshman PG Seth Dixon had a big game with 18 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds.

South Region

#1 Alabama has a closer than expected game with #16 Weber State in a 76-66 victory. Freddie Kaman did have a couple highlight plays that embarrassed some Weber State defenders.

#9 Arkansas State beats #8 South Carolina 59-54 in a defensive struggle. Anthony Quinn led all scorers with 17.

#4 SMU knocks off #13 Wichita State 69-63. DJ Vanderbilt had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

#5 Oklahoma State survives a scare from #12 Wisconsin 75-73. Oklahoma State PG Chet Perry played a big game and scored 21 points while dishing out 7 assists. Marvin Greer had a huge game in the loss for Wisconsin with 33 points.

#3 North Carolina knocks off #14 Utah State 86-72. Callum Boyd posted a 21 point 10 rebound double double.

#11 Notre Dame upsets #6 Iowa State 77-59 after Iowa State couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. Both Patrick McCloud and Terell Knox have stated they will both be back for their sophomore seasons. Iowa State should be loaded with the addition of 5 star PG Richie Miller, Louisville transfer PG OJ Wyatt, as well as top 25 recruit SG Hadem Abdul-Wahad.

#7 NC State eliminates #10 Arkansas 77-72. Arkansas Devante Temple had a game high 22 points in the loss.

#2 Houston decimates #15 Idaho 81-44. David Wiley put up 30 points in the victory.

East Region

#1 Duke beats Texas Southern 77-58. Giovanni Gamble and Lawson marsh combine for 51 points in the win.

#9 Virginia’s defense was too much for #8 Missouri to handle 62-49. James Harper had 18 points off the bench for Virginia.

#4 Ohio State beats #13 Monmouth 70-50. Levi McCoy had 31 points for the buckeyes in this one.

#5 Colorado knocks off Northern Iowa 76-70 as Skyler Clark erupts for 37 points for the Buffalos.

#3 Arizona State eliminates #14 Providence 71-60. Tyleek Fields and Solomon Pack combine for 31 points.

#11 Delaware upsets #6 Illinois 75-63. Malik Bacon scored a game high 31 points while bringing in 7 rebounds.

#7 Vanderbilt survives a scare from #10 Stanford 63-62. Junior SF Stef Bogdanovic hit a runner in the lane with 4 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

#2 Michigan State beats #15 Leigh 72-59 behind 22 points from Tyler Burleson.

[Jeffruel]

Second Round

West Region

#1 Gonzaga beats #9 LSU 80-72. Justin Drexler and Robin Posey both put on a show, with Drexler eventually getting the upper hand. Drexler finished with 24 points, 5 assists, and 9 rebounds.

#4 Kentucky beats #5 Georgia Tech 67-60. Despite the loss, Cookie Hopkins managed to hold RJ Ellis to just 11 points on 3-13 shooting.

#6 Richmond ends #14 Missouri State’s Cinderella run 77-60 behind 26 points from Dakara Thunder.

#2 Texas takes down #7 Xavier 77-60. Texas and their post play was too much for Eric Machado and Xavier. Machado had a tough time getting anything going as Texas was able to throw multiple fresh bodies at Machado all game. The Langford twins combined for 38 points and 25 rebounds.

Midwest Region

#1 Purdue knocks off #8 Maryland 93-77. Jamon Tiggs had 31 points and 4 assists in the game.

#5 Harvard advances to the Sweet 16 over #4 Washington 82-77 behind a big night from Brad Hale. Hale hit 7-10 3-pointers and finished with 26 points.

#6 Murray State upsets #3 UCONN 73-71. Derrick Jennings had an off night and only had 13 points in this one. Christian Afolobi had 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

#2 Kansas takes down #10 Boston College 72-59. Another big game from Seth Dixon and KU is into the sweet 16. Jasper Westermann had 19 points for the Jayhawks.

South Region

#1 Alabama takes down #9 Arkansas State 74-68 behind Freddie Kaman and his 9 assists.

#5 Oklahoma State upsets #4 SMU 75-70 behind sophomore PG Chet Perry and his 16 points and 7 assists. Junior PF Trey Landry had 18 points for the Cowboys.

#11 Notre Dame advances to the Sweet 16 with an upset over #3 North Carolina 82-76. Elyjah Dyson might be finally putting it together as he finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

#2 Houston ends #7 NC State 62-58 behind 28 points from David Wiley. Wiley sprained his ankle in this one but will have a bit of time to recover before the Sweet 16 matchup against Notre Dame.

East Region

#1 Duke was too much for #9 Virginia to handle and Duke wins 77-54. Giovanni Gamble put up 22 points while Lawson Marsh had 20 of his own.

#4 Ohio State holds off a late charge from #5 Colorado to win 80-77. Ohio State had a 20 point lead in the 2nd half, but Colorado’s Skyler Clark did everything in his power to keep them in it. Clark finished with 34 points while pouring in 17 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.

#3 Arizona State crushes the hearts of the nation as #11 Delaware, and fan favorite Malik Bacon lost 77-73. Bacon would lead all scorers with 27 points, but Tyleek Fields and Solomoan Pack were too much. Fields had 23 points and Pack had 19.

#2 Michigan State handles #7 Vanderbilt 80-64. PF Jeriah Macy had 23 points in the win and Tyler Burleson chipped in 19 of his own.