NCAA Tournament: Duke, Michigan State headline East Region primer
Players to watch in the East Region
Zion Williamson, Duke: Does this surprise anyone? Williamson is the best player in the entire country and he absolutely deserves to be on this list. A walking highlight-reel on both ends of the court, Williamson is well worth watching and it is going to be extremely fun to watch his career blossom. I know many might think his coverage is overblown but he deserves the vast majority of it. He is special.
Cassius Winston, Michigan State: An elite playmaker on one of the best teams in the country, Cassius Winston is worthy of more attention that he has been given. Winston fills up the basket offensively and also dishes to teammates better than just about anyone else. He is the engine that makes the Spartans go on the offensive end and is also a vocal leader when he is on or off the court.
Marcus Evans, VCU: The driving force behind VCU’s extremely successful season to this point, Marcus Evans is a special player. And while he did go down with an injury in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, he is supposed to be back for the dance. Evans is an exceptional player on both ends of the floor and is a crucial leader for the Rams.
Jordan Murphy, Minnesota: An unsung player around the nation, Jordan Murphy is a huge reason why Minnesota is in the NCAA Tournament. He is a bit undersized for a post player at just 6-foot-6 but has arguably the biggest motor in the entire country. A relentless rebounder, Murphy averaged14.8 points and 11.5 rebounds during the regular season.
Tacko Fall, UCF: Due to his 7-foot-6 frame, it would be hard to not watch Tacko Fall when he is on the court. In addition to being an elite shot-blocker, Fall has been a remarkable finisher around the basket throughout his college career. Now a senior, he is averaging 10.9 points on 75.4% shooting while also recording 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
Tremont Waters, LSU: One of the best sophomores in the country, Tremont Waters is one of the offensive leaders for LSU. He might not be the tallest player on the court but he is constantly engaged and an elite scorer. Waters is as creative as they come and seems to always get it done in the big moments.
Bruno Fernando, Maryland: Bruno Fernando is one of the best big men in the entire nation. An athletic freak with a ridiculous motor, Fernando is seemingly everywhere on the court and his instincts are excellent. This is just his sophomore season but he has put on a show so far this season. The 6-foot-10 big man is averaging 13.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game.
Jordan Nwora, Louisville: In Chris Mack’s first season at the helm of Louisville, Jordan Nwora really took the next step to become a star. A dangerous forward on both ends of the floor, Nwora exploded this season in part because he was given the reigns to succeed. He averaged 31.9 minutes per game this season and responded by posting 17.2 points and 7.5 rebounds.