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NCAA Tournament 2022: 1 player to watch in Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchups

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 11, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) faces Arizona Wildcats guard Benedict Mathurin (0) with the ball during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) faces Arizona Wildcats guard Benedict Mathurin (0) with the ball during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Tournament Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Tournament Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Thursday on CBS in primetime. Here’s a look at one player to watch in each of the Sweet 16 matchups on Thursday night.

Stanley Umude, 6-foot-6 wing/forward, Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks have played well with J.D. Notae running the show and Jaylin Williams down low but the presence of Stanley Umude has kept them alive heading into Thursday’s meeting with the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Umude is a South Dakota graduate transfer that’s landed on a solid foundation with the Razorbacks in the NCAA Tournament. After averaging 21.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 3.0 apg in the Summit League, he’s been quite the presence on the wing and in the backcourt in the SEC.

He’s proven to be a stout force in the frontcourt, averaging 8.5 rpg, all coming on the defensive side of the ball. He’s shown he can make plays for others (3.0 apg) and put the ball in the hoop at an efficient rate.

He’s shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range while knocking down 2.5 3-pointers across their two victories coming into the Sweet 16.

He struggled shooting the ball a bit in their victory (3-of-10 shooting from the field) over New Mexico State, but his nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists still came up at key moments for the Razorbacks. Heading into their matchup with Gonzaga, Umude will be a key name to watch when it comes to their success.

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