NCAA Tournament 2022: Players to watch in Friday’s Sweet 16 matchups

Tyger Campbell, 5-foot-11 point guard, UCLA Bruins

The UCLA Bruins are back in the Sweet 16, this year as a No. 4 seed in the East Region, as they look to return to the Final Four. Point guard Tyger Campbell has been a catalyst for the Bruins in this year’s run.

While there have been question marks about his ability to knock down shots on the perimeter, he’s answered a lot of them with his play in the NCAA Tournament.

Campbell is shooting 42.9 percent from behind the arc and 50 percent from the overall field while averaging 16.0 ppg, 4.5 apg and 2.0 rpg across their two wins this past weekend.

He put added pressure on the St. Mary’s backcourt in their victory this past Saturday with his ability to get to the free-throw line. He went 8-of-8 from the stripe and 4-of-8 from the field to finish with 16 points in their 72-56 over the Gaels.

With his ability to attack on all three levels and make plays for others, look for him to control the tempo against the UNC Tar Heels. Campbell is an underrated floor general that’s found his way in the month of March and could land on solid ground when it’s all said and done as a potential pick in the NBA Draft.