Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2023: 4 breakout star candidates to watch

By Christian Odjakjian

Jan 11, 2023; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Jordan Miller (11) reacts after making a shot while being fouled during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2023; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Jordan Miller (11) reacts after making a shot while being fouled during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Tournament Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Tournament Creighton Bluejays guard Trey Alexander Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

Trey Alexander – No. 6 Creighton

Creighton is one of my favorite sleeper picks to reach the Final Four or even win the title this year. The Blue Jays have the 16th-best defense in the nation according to KenPom.com, and boast an absolutely loaded starting five. The guy that I have circled as someone that I think could emerge as a star in this tournament is Trey Alexander.

The 6’4” 190 lb sophomore guard saw his role increase throughout his freshman year due to injuries, turning in two strong performances in the NCAA Tournament that flew under the radar. In a comeback overtime win over San Diego State in an 8 vs 9 game last season, Alexander scored 18 points and dished out five assists. In a loss to eventual National Champion Kansas, he put up 14 points with nine assists.

With Ryan Nembhard healthy again and South Dakota State transfer Baylor Scheierman now in the mix, the Blue Jays have an incredibly sharp group of guards. I like all of these players a lot, but Alexander is the one that I could really see putting together an impressive run and playing himself onto the NBA radar.

Alexander is slippery in ball screens and is able to score at all three levels. He’s lethal as a three-point shooter both off the catch and the bounce. He’s shown flashes of his sky-high ceiling throughout this season, knocking down 7+ threes in two games, and scoring 20+ five times. Alexander has really hit a groove lately, averaging 17.8 points per game in the month of March.

This kid is super smooth and looks to me like an NBA combo guard by the way he moves at his size. It might serve him best to come back for another year of school, but if Creighton goes on a run in the dance, and he keeps playing with this much confidence offensively, I could see his draft stock skyrocketing.

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