2022 NCAA Tournament: Baylor, Kentucky and Purdue headlines East Region

Players to watch in the East Region

Oscar Tshiebwe – Kentucky

In a region with so many high-profile programs, there is no shortage of star power. First and foremost is the nation’s leading rebounder, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe. The superstar big man has played at an All-American level this season grabbing 15 rebounds per game to go along with 17 points while shooting 60% from the field.

Armando Bacot – North Carolina

If you like rebounding, you are going to love this region. In addition to Tshiebwe, there is Armando Bacot of North Carolina’s Armando Bacot and his 12.5 boards per game. The 6’10 junior also pours in 16.5 points per game to also lead the Tar Heels in that category. He has been absolutely dominant over the last seven games averaging 17 points and 14.5 rebounds.

Jaden Ivey – Purdue

Sophomore Jaden Ivey is the main reason that the Purdue Boilermakers have national title aspirations. Ivey leads the team in both scoring (17.4) and assists (3.2) and when the team needs a big bucket, whether it’s slashing to the rim, hitting a fadeaway jumper, or knocking down a huge three, Ivey is going to be the guy with the ball in his hand and odds are there will be a highlight soon to follow.

Jaime Jacquez, Jr. – UCLA

The UCLA Bruins were a Jalen Suggs miracle away from playing for a national title last season and Jaime Jacquez is trying to get the Bruins back there this March. The junior has averaged 14 points and a team-high 5.8 rebounds this season, but over the last five games, he’s been on fire averaging over 23 per game. One thing to watch when it comes to Jacquez is that he has struggled from behind the arc, shooting just 29%, compared to 39% last season.

KJ Williams – Murray State

KJ Williams has been a stud for Murray State all year long, taking home Player of the Year honors in the Ohio Valley. The 6’10 245-lb. junior put up numbers of 18.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, just ask Southeast Missouri State how dominant he can be, he went for 29 and 10 against them in the Ohio Valley semis. But, the big-bodied big man can also stretch you out, shooting 33.7% from deep.

Jamaree Bouyea – San Francisco

Senior Jamaree Bouyea does just about everything for the San Francisco Dons, leading them in points at 16.7, assists with four, steals at 1.8, and knocks down 37% of his three-point attempts. The West Coast semifinal loss to Gonzaga was only the second time since Dec. 19 that Bouyea didn’t register double-digit points. If Bouyea gets rolling offensively it can become increasingly difficult to slow down the Dons.