Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: Top takeaways from 1st half of Round of 32 games

By Brian Rauf

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 and Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs react to a play against the Baylor Bears during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Brandon Clarke #15 and Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs react to a play against the Baylor Bears during their game in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

5) Brandon Clarke is the real deal

Speaking of Gonzaga, they have another star in the frontcourt they were lacking last year in Brandon Clarke.

The San Jose State transfer made his mark early in the season with his elite shot-blocking ability (his 3.1 per game ranked third in the country) but has grown to become a major factor offensively for the Zags as well.

Clarke’s career-high 36 points paced their 83-71 win over Baylor and set a program NCAA Tournament record in the process, headlined by a number of highlight-reel dunks.

Clarke was already contributing as the anchor of Gonzaga’s defense and, if he can give them another consistent offensive threat as well, this team might be unstoppable. That’s not out the question either – Clarke has scored in double figures in every game so far this season.

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