Top Players Throughout The Tournament So Far
The tournament has lived up so far. The Uconn and Kentucky runs are nice, but those teams have been there before, and although they are 7 and 8 seeds, respectively, they are two of the best programs in NCAA tournament history. The best part of this tournament has been Mercer, who took down Jabari Parker and Duke, Harvard, who upset Cincinnati and then gave Michigan St a run for its money, and North Dakota St, who took down Oklahoma with a game tying three with just seconds to go. Teams like Stephen F. Austin, who down four with 5 seconds left, completed a 4 point play (3 and a foul) to beat favorite VCU, and Tennessee, who as a 11 seed beat Iowa in the First Four and then suddenly became one of the best teams in the country, crushing Mercer and UMass before barely falling to 2 seed Michigan in a game that could have gone either way. The definition of the madness is lowly 11 seed Dayton, lucky to make the tournament, as many thought they would be out. Dayton then suddenly comes on to upset Ohio State and Syracuse, and then beating Stanford, who took down favorites Kansas and New Mexico. Now Dayton gets to play Florida for a chance to go to the Final Four, much different from the First Four, where they expected to be. It is the teams like these that truly make the tournament what it is.
Just something I realized when looking at 1 seed Virginia's schedule: They did not beat a single team that made it to the Sweet 16. This is just pitiful for a one seed, just a disgrace. It really bothers me that they got that seed over teams such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Kansas. Kansas beat 2 Sweet 16 teams (Baylor and Iowa St), but beat each twice. Wisconsin beat Sweet 16 teams Florida, Virginia, Michigan and Michigan St, and Michigan beat Wisconsin and Michigan St twice.
Now to get into my blog. Here are 5 players who have been impressive in the First Four, second, third and Sweet 16 rounds of the tournament.
(Name, Position, School, Tournament Averages)
Josh Richardson, SG, Tennessee, 19. 3 PPG, 3.0 APG
Richardson had a phenomenal tournament, especially considering he only averaged 10 ppg in the regular season. He was the biggest reason they made it so far, and I think he would have continued his great play if they had just pulled it against Michigan. He can shoot, drive and pass, and he was on fire this tournament.
Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn, 22.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.3 SPG,
Napier has been the best player this tournament so far. I know he was overshadowed by DeAndre Daniels in their win over Iowa St, (Daniels had 27 pts, and 10 rebounds), but he quietly had 19 pts. He has not only scored really well, but has been incredibly efficient and has been clutch in each of their games. UConn had some solid wins in the regular season (including a win over Florida) which has gotten them ready for this deep upset run.
Branden Dawson, PF, Michigan St, 20.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 66% FG
Dawson has led the revival of this team. He has been their best player in their last 2 games (and that's saying something if you have Gary Harris, Adreian Payne, and Keith Appling). He has led what you may call an upset run as a four seed, but really they were expected to make it this far. Dawson is a great rebounder, almost Dennis Rodman-like. I think Michigan St has a legitimate shot at the title, maybe more than any team except Florida.
Xaiver Thames, PG, San Diego St, 26.0 PPG, 3.7 APG
Xaiver Thames had a great tournament. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, it just wasn't enough to upset 1 seed Arizona (who I now think is a top 4 team). Thames not only was one of the best scorers in this tournament, but a solid passer and a great defender. I thought San Diego St was slightly overrated, but Thames proved me wrong.
Julius Randle, PF, 15.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG, Kentucky/Aaron Harrison, 17.3 PPG, Kentucky
Both of these players have been amazing so far, and I just couldn't choose. They have been so important to their team, with Harrison hitting huge shots whenever they were in need, and Randle picking up his normal double double, and playing outstanding defense (Russ Smith may have tied the game with his 3 if not for Randle's defense). Kentucky has had the hardest road by far, and right now they are playing better than anyone in the country (never thought I'd say that about an 8 seed). They had to play their best game of the season to beat Wichita St (who got totally screwed to have to play Kentucky in their second game) and Louisville, who looked unstoppable.
Just something I realized when looking at 1 seed Virginia's schedule: They did not beat a single team that made it to the Sweet 16. This is just pitiful for a one seed, just a disgrace. It really bothers me that they got that seed over teams such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Kansas. Kansas beat 2 Sweet 16 teams (Baylor and Iowa St), but beat each twice. Wisconsin beat Sweet 16 teams Florida, Virginia, Michigan and Michigan St, and Michigan beat Wisconsin and Michigan St twice.
Now to get into my blog. Here are 5 players who have been impressive in the First Four, second, third and Sweet 16 rounds of the tournament.
(Name, Position, School, Tournament Averages)
Josh Richardson, SG, Tennessee, 19. 3 PPG, 3.0 APG
Richardson had a phenomenal tournament, especially considering he only averaged 10 ppg in the regular season. He was the biggest reason they made it so far, and I think he would have continued his great play if they had just pulled it against Michigan. He can shoot, drive and pass, and he was on fire this tournament.
Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn, 22.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.3 SPG,
Napier has been the best player this tournament so far. I know he was overshadowed by DeAndre Daniels in their win over Iowa St, (Daniels had 27 pts, and 10 rebounds), but he quietly had 19 pts. He has not only scored really well, but has been incredibly efficient and has been clutch in each of their games. UConn had some solid wins in the regular season (including a win over Florida) which has gotten them ready for this deep upset run.
Branden Dawson, PF, Michigan St, 20.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 66% FG
Dawson has led the revival of this team. He has been their best player in their last 2 games (and that's saying something if you have Gary Harris, Adreian Payne, and Keith Appling). He has led what you may call an upset run as a four seed, but really they were expected to make it this far. Dawson is a great rebounder, almost Dennis Rodman-like. I think Michigan St has a legitimate shot at the title, maybe more than any team except Florida.
Xaiver Thames, PG, San Diego St, 26.0 PPG, 3.7 APG
Xaiver Thames had a great tournament. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, it just wasn't enough to upset 1 seed Arizona (who I now think is a top 4 team). Thames not only was one of the best scorers in this tournament, but a solid passer and a great defender. I thought San Diego St was slightly overrated, but Thames proved me wrong.
Julius Randle, PF, 15.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG, Kentucky/Aaron Harrison, 17.3 PPG, Kentucky
Both of these players have been amazing so far, and I just couldn't choose. They have been so important to their team, with Harrison hitting huge shots whenever they were in need, and Randle picking up his normal double double, and playing outstanding defense (Russ Smith may have tied the game with his 3 if not for Randle's defense). Kentucky has had the hardest road by far, and right now they are playing better than anyone in the country (never thought I'd say that about an 8 seed). They had to play their best game of the season to beat Wichita St (who got totally screwed to have to play Kentucky in their second game) and Louisville, who looked unstoppable.
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