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NCAA Tournament 2019: Tre Jones and Coby White among key players in Sweet 16

By Jake Copestick

BLACKSBURG, VA - FEBRUARY 26: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defends against Wabissa Bede #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum on February 26, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - FEBRUARY 26: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils defends against Wabissa Bede #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum on February 26, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Armoni Brooks #3 of the Houston Cougars reacts to a missed shot against the Georgia State Panthers during the second half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Armoni Brooks #3 of the Houston Cougars reacts to a missed shot against the Georgia State Panthers during the second half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

#2 Kentucky vs #3 Houston

Kentucky Wildcats – P.J. Washington

Due to a foot injury suffered in the SEC Tournament, P.J. Washington was unavailable for Kentucky in their first two tournament games. The Wildcats may have gotten past both Abilene Christian and Wofford, but John Calipari’s team has sorely missed their leading scorer and rebounder. Washington’s replacement, freshman E.J. Montgomery, has scored just eight points in his two games in which he got the starting nod.

Washington, even though coming off an injury, will likely see big minutes against Houston’s depth in the frontcourt. It’s gonna be a battle inside between the Wildcats and the Cougars, who matchup well inside. However, it helps that Reid Travis will be there to aid Washington against the likes of Breaon Brady and Fabian White Jr.

*Washington’s status as of Friday’s game is uncertain. At this point it’s 50/50

Houston Cougars – Armoni Brooks 

After coming painfully close to advancing to the Sweet 16 last year, Houston avenged last year’s loss by making it to the second weekend of the tournament. Houston and Kentucky have plenty of well-rounded guards that can all defend and score.

The key for Houston to move closer to a Final Four is Junior guard Armoni Brooks. Brooks was a top five three point shooter in the American Athletic Conference, and led the Cougars in made triples this season. If Armoni Brooks can opportunities to shoot threes, he’ll likely make the most of it. He knocks down nearly 40 percent of his looks from three, and nearly 70 percent of his made field goals this season have come from behind the arc.

Next. Biggest Sweet 16 storylines. dark

Brooks’ scoring will be vital to Houston’s chances of moving on, and he’ll have to help Galen Robinson Jr. and Corey Davis Jr. defend Kentucky’s trio of Keldon Johnson, Ashton Hagans, and Tyler Herro.

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