Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Previewing the 3X3U National Championship

By Lukas Harkins

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: A general view of the court with March Madness signage is seen prior to the start of the game between the OklahomaSooners and the Rhode Island Rams in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: A general view of the court with March Madness signage is seen prior to the start of the game between the OklahomaSooners and the Rhode Island Rams in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 04: Morris
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 04: Morris /

Pool 7

American Athletic

Shaquille Morris, Wichita State: This is an interesting player in this field. There are very few teams that have a player this big on their roster. Because of this, Morris might be able to use his big body (6’7″, 261 pounds) to create space in the paint on offense. In addition, his ability to stretch the floor (39.1%) makes him dangerous from anywhere.

Conner Frankamp, Wichita State: Another member of the Shockers, Frankamp is a major 3-point shooting threat. He shot 36.4% from three this season but is often stuck in tough situations because of the gravity he has on the floor. He averaged 10.6 points per game this season and never turns it over (0.4 turnovers per game).

AJ Davis, UCF: At 6’9″, Davis gives the AAC another big body in this event. He is a solid rebounder at 7.6 boards and also provided 12.3 points per game for the Knights. On an otherwise role-player-centric roster, Davis will need to bring some offensive firepower.

BJ Tyson, East Carolina: The Pirates do not get a lot of press but Tyson will be one of the top scorers on this 3X3U team. He averaged 14.9 points per game in the regular season and he will benefit from having more talented teammates in this event.

West Coast

D’Marques Tyson, Portland: Tyson is a solid player but does not jump off the table in many ways. He came off the bench for almost the entire season and was not a high-level player on either end of the floor. Still, his 47.0% clip from 3-point range makes him dangerous when surrounded by playmakers.

Cullen Neal, St. Mary’s: A role player for the Gaels this season, Neal did not live up the hype he was given after a solid year at Ole Miss in 2016-17. He averaged 5.3 points per game on the season. What is concerning, though, was his finish to this season. Neal scored just three total points in St. Mary’s last four games. He made one field goal.

Calvin Hermanson, St. Mary’s: Hermanson was a start in his last 105 games with St. Mary’s. A highly efficient scorer, he will be the go-to guy for the WCC in this event. He scored 11.3 points per game this season while shooting 57.8 2P% and 44.3 3P%. It is hard to beat that kind of efficiency.

Henry Caruso, Santa Clara: After spending several seasons with Princeton, Caruso moved across the country to join Santa Clara this season. He started all 31 games on the year and provided 12.2 points per game on relatively efficient clips. The 6’4″ guard also was an excellent rebounder, providing 7.0 boards per game.

Ohio Valley

Amanze Egekeze, Belmont: Egekeze was the second-leading scorer for Belmont this year. He provided 16.8 points per game for the Bruins while shooting over 60% inside the arc and 40% from three. The 6’8″ forward also snagged 6.2 rebounds per game this season.

Terrell Miller Jr., Murray State: Miller will fit in incredibly well next to Egekeze. They have similar size (both 6’8″) and have the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. On the season, Miller averaged 15.1 points per game. These two make up an elite duo that could turn some heads.

Austin Luke, Belmont: Every good duo needs someone to get them the ball, right? The point guard for Belmont, Austin Luke, will fill out that role for this team. He averaged 7.5 assists per game this season and was also an excellent shooter from deep (41.4 3P%).

Averyl Ugba, Austin Peay: The only thing left to fill out this stellar roster would be another versatile body. Ugba, a 6’7″ forward, suits that role well. During the season, Ugba averaged 15.7 points to go with 8.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Horizon League

Kendrick Nunn, Oakland: Fill it up. Kendrick Nunn can simply fill it up. During the regular season, the 6’3″ guard put up 25.9 points per game on 39.4% shooting from distance. Both of these numbers led the Horizon League and it should no surprise that Nunn was awarded the conference’s Player of the Year award.

Jalen Hayes, Oakland: The secondary scorer next to Nunn, Jalen Hayes should be simply glossed over. He averaged 18.8 points this season to go with 8.1 rebounds per game. He also came away with about a steal and a block in each contest. Even though he does not shoot much from deep, his 54.3% inside the arc makes him dangerous.

Grant Benzinger, Wright State: While dropping in 14.3 points per game, Grant Benzinger was one of the leaders for Wright State. He is an excellent shooter from beyond the arc and does not commit a lot of turnovers.

LaVone Holland, Northern Kentucky: Holland rounds out this roster as the most well-rounded player. The 6’2″ guard put up his fair share of scoring with 13.8 points but also snagged 4.2 rebounds and dished out 4.4 assists per game on the season.

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