March Madness: 10 breakout player candidates in 2019 NCAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a three pointer against the Louisville Cardinals during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 05: Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to his teammates play on the court during the second half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on January 5, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas State 63-57. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

7. Davide Moretti, Guard, Texas Tech

When you think of Texas Tech, you typically think of Jarrett Culver, and not much else.

While Culver is a spectacular player in his own right, he won’t be able to carry the Red Raiders all throughout the tournament. If Texas Tech wants to make it farther than last season’s Elite Eight run, they’ll need more contributors than just one.

A good candidate to support Culver in the scoring department is Davide Moretti.

Moretti, a sophomore guard from Italy, averaged 12 points per game on the season, emerging as a real difference-maker for the Red Raiders, who lost six of eight of their top scorers from last seasons’ successful tournament team.

Typically, Culver has been able to stay consistent in his scoring. However, the NCAA tournament is a completely different animal, and there is a much higher chance that he won’t be able to come through.

If Culver is unable to pitch in his typical 20 points per game, then the Red Raiders will need a big boost from elsewhere.

Given Moretti’s rise in production this season, and his recent stretch of five-consecutive double-digit scoring games, which included two 20 points outings, Davide Moretti is a prime candidate to step up big in a big game or two for the Texas Tech Red Raiders this NCAA Tournament.

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