As day four of the NCAA Tournament rolls on, the teams are starting to get weeded out and some of our favorite prospects took an L yesterday. D’Angelo Russell’s Ohio State Buckeyes were dropped, so that’s the last of him we’ll see at OSU. The world also saw the first No. 1 seed lose to NC State in Villanova.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
But, there’s still a full slate of games to figure out the Sweet 16, so let’s get to the NBA Draft prospects that Sixers’ fans need to be watching today.
12:10 p.m. ET on CBS
East Regional: No. 2 Virginia (30-3, 16-2 in ACC) vs. No. 7 Michigan State (24-11, 12-6 in Big Ten)
Players to Watch:
Justin Anderson (Virginia), Branden Dawson (Michigan State)
This makes to be a great game between Virginia and Michigan State. With Villanova knocked out of the East Region, it makes it possible that one of these two teams could represent the East in the Final Four. As the competition gets better, it becomes more important for these prospects to have good performances.
Virginia’s Justin Anderson had 15 points in 26 minutes against Belmont on Friday. Once again, fans want to see Justin Anderson shoot the rock well from deep. That’s contingent on his draft stock keeping him in the first-round.
2:40 p.m. ET on CBS
South Regional: No. 1 Duke (30-4, 15-3 in ACC) vs. No. 8 San Diego State (27-8, 14-4 in Mountain West)
Players to Watch:
Jahlil Okafor (Duke), Justise Winslow (Duke), Tyus Jones (Duke), Malik Pope (San Diego State)
After seeing a cupcake in the first round, a top defensive team in San Diego State should compete well with Duke. San Diego State is a top notch defensive team (No. 4 in defensive efficiency), but will still have to account for Jahlil Okafor down low. Okafor had 21 points in Duke’s first game against Robert Morris. Athletic wing Justise Winslow is coming off a six-point, seven-assist, 11-rebound performance and it would be great for his draft stock if he can keep improving.
For the Aztec’s, keep an eye on Malik Pope, a 6’10” freshman. Chad Ford of ESPN had the Sixers’ taking him in the middle of the first-round in one of his recent mock drafts, even though most have never heard of Pope. He had six points and eight boards in 24 minutes in the Aztec’s first game. He should be matched up against Justise Winslow, so keep an eye on how these two battle.
5:15 p.m. ET on CBS
Midwest Region: No. 2 Kansas (27-8, 13-5 in Big 12) vs. No. 7 Wichita State (29-4, 17-1 in Missouri Valley)
Players to Watch:
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
Kelly Oubre continues to be an interesting prospect. Is he a victim of Bill Self’s lack of ability to showcase his star players, or simply an overrated lottery pick? Kelly Oubre had eight points and three rebounds in Kansas’ victory over New Mexico State in only 22 minutes. It would be beneficial for the Jayhawks to keep going in the Tournament, so Oubre can continue to be evaluated.
7:45 p.m. ET on TruTV
West Regional: No. 1 Wisconsin (32-3, 16-2 in Big Ten) vs. No. 8 Oregon (26-9, 13-5 in Pac-12)
Players to Watch:
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin), Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin)
I mean, watch Kaminksy and Dekker if you’d like. If some reason one of these two end up on the Sixers’, I’ll quit blogging. These two just reek of players whose skills wont translate to the NBA level.
On the other hand, Nigel Hayes probably won’t come out this year, but he’s still a nice player to keep tabs on. A 6’7″ forward, Hayes is averaging 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds for Wisconsin this season.
8:40 p.m. ET on TNT
Midwest Regional: No. 4 Maryland (28-6, 14-4 in Big Ten) vs. No. 5 West Virginia (24-9, 11-7 in Big 12)
Players to Watch:
Jake Layman (Maryland), Melo Trimble (Maryland), Juwan Staten (West Virginia)
A point guard match-up between Maryland freshman Melo Trimble and West Virginia’s senior guard Juwan Staten should catch a lot of attention. Melo Trimble dropped 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in Maryland’s opening round victory against Valparaiso. On the other hand, Juwan Staten had 15 points and seven assists in a victory against Buffalo. This match-up could swing the game for either side.
Jake Layman is a forward that could be a selection in the second-round for the Sixers. Layman is averaging 12.6 points and 5.9 rebounds this season, shooting 37 percent from beyond-the-arc for the Terps. He fouled out in 25 minutes of action against Valpo, so hopefully he can bounce back.
9:40 p.m. ET on TBS
East Regional: No. 4 Louisville (25-8, 12-6 in ACC) vs. No. 5 Northern Iowa (31-3, 16-2 in Missouri Valley)
Players to Watch:
Montrezl Harrell
With the No. 1 seed out of the East Region, Louisville and Montrezl Harrell should smell blood. Harrell only had eight points and four rebounds in 38 minutes against UC Irvine. It’s expected that Harrell will be much more aggressive against Northern Iowa.
Draft Express has some good information about who Montrezl Harrell will be facing up with:
"Harrell’s matchup against Missouri Valley Conference player of the year Seth Tuttle will be especially interesting, as it’s a real contrast of styles. Harrell is a tremendous athlete who excels as a rebounder and finisher around the basket, while Tuttle plays below the rim and boasts a versatile skill-set and an extremely high basketball IQ. Tuttle can really help himself by showing he can slow down Harrell defensively—the area that is holding back his draft stock the most at the moment."