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NCAA Tournament: Zion Williamson, Brandon Clarke among top players in Sweet 16

By Jason Kinander

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks walks on the court during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Utes 66-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: Payton Pritchard #3 of the Oregon Ducks walks on the court during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Utes 66-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

#16 – Payton Pritchard, Oregon

The face of the Oregon Ducks’ improbable Cinderella run, Oregon point guard Payton Pritchard has stepped up his play big time in March.

On the season, Pritchard is averaging 13 points and five assists per game. However, Pritchard has caught fire down the stretch, scoring at least 18 points in each of his last five games (all of which were win or go home!), and recording a combined 15 assists and nine rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games.

Pritchard entered the season as a relatively unknown piece of a loaded Oregon team, but after injuries and underperformance, Pritchard has emerged as the star of the Oregon Ducks.

#15 – Coby White, North Carolina

One of the best freshman in the country, North Carolina point guard Coby White has emerged as one of the best players in the country since the beginning of conference play.

White is averaging 16 points and four assists per game, and set a UNC freshman record for three pointers in a single season. White dropped 20 points several times during his hot streak in conference play, and has shot up NBA draft big board due to his big play in 2019..

White is the primary facilitator on a forward-heavy Tar Heel team, and is perhaps the fastest player in the country, combining to form the lead ball-handler on one of the best teams in the country.

#14 – Ty Jerome, Virginia

Ty Jerome’s numbers aren’t exactly eye-opening, but the pivotal role that he plays on the Virginia Cavaliers, and the excellence in which he operates that role, is what makes him one of the best remaining players in the field.

Jerome is averaging 13 points per game on the season, but has stepped up as of late, vaulting his play in order to avenge last season’s NCAA Tournament disaster.

Against Louisville in the ACC Tournament, Jerome scored 24 points, and then dished out 10 assists against North Carolina State the next day. Jerome’s multi-dimensional play has been a key cog in making his Virginia squad one of the best in the country.

#13 – P.J. Washington, Kentucky

While Kentucky sophomore forward P.J. Washington hasn’t played in either of Kentucky’s two NCAA Tournament games, the star forward asserted himself as one of the best players in the country, winning the SEC Player of the Year.

Washington averages 15 points and eight rebounds per game, leading the Wildcats to a two seed, and a near SEC Championship.

Washington’s decision to return to school after a quiet freshman season has paid off big, as the big man as developed into one of the best players in the country in just one year’s time.

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