NCAA Tournament 2023: 5 bigest early stars through 1st days of games

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 10: Boo Buie #0 of the Northwestern Wildcats reacts after scoring against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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West Virginia super-senior Kedrian Johnson /

No. 4: Kedrian Johnson, West Virginia

The first game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament did not disappoint, as Maryland and West Virginia played a back-and-forth contest that went down to the wire. The Terrapins eventually found a way to come out on top, but not without an outstanding effort from WVU’s Kedrian Johnson. The explosive guard tied for the day’s lead in points, with 27, but his missed three-pointer as time expired is probably what is going to stick with him.

Johnson still deserves plenty of credit for his performance. Although the Mountaineer offense had a poor showing, shooting under 40% from the field, Johnson went 8-13 from the field and also knocked down four three-pointers. He was also perfect from the free throw line, going 7-7.

With the loss, West Virginia finishes 19-15 overall and 7-11 in the Big 12. Although Johnson is set to depart over the offseason, the Mountaineers should return plenty and will be a factor in the Big 12 race in 2023-2024, which is set to be the 17th season in Morgantown for head coach Bob Huggins.

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