2015 NCAA Tournament: First Weekend All-Tourney Team
By Jacob Rude
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) shoots against the Oregon Ducks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Small Forward
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin Badgers (West Region)
The points and stats may not necessarily support Dekker as the best small forward over the weekend, but there’s no doubt he made some winning plays. In the first-round game against 16-seed Coastal Carolina, he dropped in 20 points in a victory, with 13 of those coming in the first half when the Chanticleers were hanging tough.
The second round game is where he made his statement. In a nail-biting game for Badger fans, Dekker scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to help the Badgers pull away late from the Oregon Ducks. Dekker finished an impressive 14-of-27 from the field over the two games, including 7-of-16 from beyond the arc. Whereas teammate Frank Kaminsky draws the national recognition, Dekker is quietly asserting himself this tournament as a big-time player.
Coming up this weekend, the match-up betweenhe and the North Carolina Tar Heels, and more specifically J.P. Tokoto, is a very intriguing barometer for how good Dekker is.
Honorable Mentions: Tekele Cotton, Wichita State (Midwest Region), Branden Dawson, Michigan State (East Region), Justise Winslow, Duke (South Region)
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