2022 NCAA Tournament: Key questions and storylines for South Region

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Dalen Terry #4, Justin Kier #5, Kerr Kriisa #25, Bennedict Mathurin #0, Pelle Larsson #3, Azuolas Tubelis #10 and Adama Bal #2 of the Arizona Wildcats pose with the championship trophy and a ceremonial NCAA tournament ticket with a team sticker on it after the team's 84-76 victory over the UCLA Bruins to win the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament championship game at T-Mobile Arena on March 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

NCAA Tournament Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Which player will have the biggest impact in this region?

Clarry

The upset that I do love is the UAB Blazers turning heads in the first two games of the tournament. To do that, their undersized point guard Jordan “Jelly” Walker will need to be spectacular. The 5-foot-11 on-a-good-day point guard certainly has the game to be a showstopper.

He’s averaging 20.4 points and 4.8 assists as the do-everything ballhandler for the Blazers. He’s scored no less than 20 points in the six games leading into the tournament and could be the Kemba for a Cinderella story.

Rosenberg

I feel like Hunter Dickinson will have the biggest impact in this region. Assuming Michigan gets beyond the first round, teams will struggle to be able to defend the 7’1 paint beast. He’s playing well above his year as a sophomore and has been a clear x-factor to the Wolverine’s success inside the paint.

Watson

Someone who might not even play — Arizona’s Kerr Kriisa. The Wildcats’ point guard missed the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals and championship with a high ankle sprain. He’s said multiple times that he is working on rehab and plans to play in the NCAA Tournament but knowing his generally competitive demeanor that could be more hopeful than realistic.

Dalen Terry can handle point guard duties for their first-round game on Friday, but Arizona will need its starting point guard to reach its potential as a National Championship contender.

McCormack

I’m going with Kofi Cockburn. There are tons of other great players in this region obviously, but Cockburn will have the biggest impact and needs to for Illinois to have a deep run in the tournament.

Illinois needs to feed Kofi and have him stay out of foul trouble. If Cockburn is able to dominate inside then this will be why Illinois makes it out of the first weekend for the first time since 2005.

Home/NCAA Basketball News