2017 NCAA Tournament: Ranking each Sweet 16 team’s top performer
By Connor Hope
6. Bam Adebayo (Kentucky)
Vs Northern Kentucky: 15 pts, 18 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk
Vs Wichita State: 13 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl
With all the discussion surrounding Kentucky’s group of elite guards, forward Bam Adebayo has slowly worked his way into the national conversation. If people didn’t know his name before NCAA Tournament, they should know it after the Northern Kentucky game.
In the first round, Adebayo proved that he is one of the nation’s best glass cleaners. Adebayo finished with 18 rebounds and 15 points in the Wildcats’ nine-point victory. Adebayo recorded his second double-double of the tournament in the second round, recording 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Wichita State Shockers.
Bam Adebayo will be a matchup nightmare for any team the Wildcats play, even the UCLA Bruins. While the Bruins have a great rebounding team, they do not have players that can match the physicality of Adebayo. Look for Adebayo to record his third consecutive double-double, regardless of the game’s final score.
5. Lonzo Ball (UCLA)
Vs Kent State: 15 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast
Vs Cincinnati: 18 pts, 7 reb, 9 ast, 2 stl
Almost every great offense has a guard that can seemingly do everything for them, elevating his teammates in the process. For UCLA, which has arguably the best offense in the NCAA, that player is Lonzo Ball. Ball, a Wooden Award finalist, has continued his stellar play in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament.
While Kent State did a solid job of defending Ball, holding him to 15 pts and 2 assists, he came alive against Cincinnati. During the Bruins’ Second Round game, Ball had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals. The freshman was very efficient against the Bearcats, shooting 7-10 from the field and 4-7 for three.
If he continues shooting efficiently and setting his teammates up with open looks, he could lead a very good UCLA team to the National Championship. He will face his toughest test of the tournament in his upcoming game against the Kentucky Wildcats.