NCAA Tournament Day 3: NBA Draft Prospects to Watch

Welcome back. Did you watch the NBA Draft prospects we told you to yesterday? The second day of the NCAA Tournament was underwhelming as the results were all CHALK until Dayton roughed up Providence. That’s sad because Kris Dunn is likely done playing basketball until the NBA Draft and in Summer League. But, regardless we’re back for another day of the NCAA Tournament and we have some great NBA Draft prospects to watch. Today’s schedule is jam packed. There’s D’Angelo Russell, Stanley Johnson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bobby Portis, and plenty more.

2:40 p.m. ET on CBS
Midwest Region: No. 1 Kentucky (35-0, 18-0 in SEC) vs. No. 8 Cincinnati (23-10, 13-5 in AAC)

Players to Watch:

Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker

After rolling against No. 16 seed Hampton, the Wildcats should have tougher competition in No. 8 Cincinnati today. Against Hampton, KAT had 21 points, 11 boards and three blocks, while sharpshooter Devin Booker struggled going 1-of-6 from the field and finished with two points. The competition will get stiffer as Kentucky advances through the tournament, so watch these two closely.

5:15 p.m. ET on CBS
West Region: No. 2 Arizona (32-3, 16-2 in Pac-12) vs. No. 10 Ohio State (24-10, 11-7 in Big Ten)

Players to Watch:

Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, D’Angelo Russell

You HAVE to watch this game today. This might be the best game of the tournament, matchup wise. D’Angelo Russell dropped bombs in his first NCAA Tournament game and will be checked by a solid defender in Philly’s own Rondae Hollis-Jefferson today. It’s D’Angelo Russell’s chance to prove he’s seriously a top-three pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. However, don’t freakout if he has a bad game, Arizona’s defense is serious.

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On Arizona’s side, potential top-five pick Stanely Johnson scored 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting in the Wildcats first-round victory over Texas Southern. RHJ also went off, scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds. I’m expecting Arizona to win this game, but it’s going to be fun to watch these three potential future Sixers today. It’s not everyday that one can watch two potential top-five picks in the NBA Draft go head-to-head.

6:10 p.m. ET
West Region: No. 6 Xavier (22-13, 9-9 in Big East) vs. No. 14 Georgia State (25-9, 15-5 in Sun Belt)

Players to Watch:

R.J. Hunter

R.J. Hunter is a heck of a shooter as he showcased in his game-winning 30-foot three to propel Georgia State to today’s match-up against Xavier in an upset over Baylor. Hunter had 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field and 2-of-7 from three. He’s the player to watch if your TV is tuned to this game.

7:45 p.m. ET on CBS
South Region: No. 4 Georgetown (22-10, 12-6 in Big East) vs. No. 5 Utah (25-8, 13-5 in Pac-12)

Players to Watch:

Jakob Poeltl, Delon Wright

I haven’t watched much of Utah this year, but I’m hearing good things about point guard Delon Wright and big man Jakob Poeltl. Both are floating in the late first, early second-round in the NBA Draft according to DraftExpress. This should be a good game and give fans a good chance to evaluate two potential Sixers, as the team has a need for a point guard and some potential backup bigs.

8:40 p.m. ET on TNT
West Region: No. 4 North Carolina (25-11, 11-7 in ACC) vs. No. 5 Arkansas (27-8, 13-5 in SEC)

Players to Watch:

Bobby Portis

BOBBY PORTIS BABY. What I’ve heard is that he’s a better version of Noah Vonleh from Indiana that was selected No. 9 in the 2014 NBA Draft. Bobby Portis has been flying up draft boards and could be available in the mid first-round with the Miami Heat pick. Portis was huge for Arkansas in their first matchup against Wofford, where they only won by three points. The 6’10” forward finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

9:40 p.m. ET on TBS
Midwest Region: No. 3 Notre Dame (30-5, 14-4 in ACC) vs. No. 6 Butler (23-10, 12-6 in Big East)

Players to Watch:

Jerian Grant

You need to hope that Jerian Grant lands on the Sixers’, because who wouldn’t want Jerami Grant AND Jerian Grant? Yes, the two are brothers. Jerian Grant plays point guard for Notre Dame and has been flying up draft boards with his impressive play. He’s averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 assists per game for the Fighting Irish. He could be available with the Miami Heat pick in the Draft, as the Sixers would love to nab a point guard of Grant’s potential with a late lottery pick if they can’t find one with their first lottery pick.

Next: 5 Sleepers the Sixers Should Have Eyes on During March Madness