Duke is the team to watch in the Elite 8
With a slew of upsets throughout the first three rounds, Duke is now the NCAA Tournament team to watch for Philadelphia 76ers fans.
This year’s NCAA Tournament continues to yield upsets, with Kansas State, Florida State and Loyola-Chicago all making the Elite Eight. That’s two nine-seeds and an 11-seed making up almost half of the final eight teams.
While Kentucky was the team to watch for Philadelphia 76ers fans at the start of the week, that title now moves to Duke. In a tournament that’s starting to run thin on NBA talent, the Blue Devils still have five draft-quality players in their starting group — some of which could be on the SIxers’ radar.
At this point, Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr. have both established themselves as potential top-five picks. Assuming the Lakers pick doesn’t shoot up to No. 1, they’re off the Sixers’ board. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching, though, as both are elite frontcourt talents who should succeed at the next level.
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Where the Sixers should focus in is the Blue Devils’ backcourt. Grayson Allen is hanging around the first round conversation, while both Trevon Duval and Gary Trent Jr. could sneak into that conversation if they declare.
Allen is probably the best immediate fit on Philly’s roster. He’s a knockdown shooter who’s capable of handling the ball and creating for others, filling a clear void in the Sixers’ backcourt. As with four successful years at the collegiate level, he should be able to make a quick adjustment to the NBA.
Trent will probably return for another year, but provides some of the same benefits as Allen. He’s not quite the ball handler, but boasts a bigger frame (6-5) and plenty of shooting ability. He’s hitting on 41.1 percent of his threes this season, a mark that rose to 43.5 during conference play.
Duval probably doesn’t have a spot on the Sixers’ roster. I’ve always been a fan of his, but he has one glaring flaw that will inevitably hold him back at the next level: his jumper.
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Trevon can’t shoot, which is a real shame when you consider all the other things he does well. He’s an advanced passer, showing excellent vision and the ability to weave tough passes into tight spaces.
He’s also a killer athlete, standing at 6-3 with a 6-9 wingspan and an explosive first step. He can get to the rim and thrive in transition, but he’s also somebody defenses can leave unattended on the perimeter. That hurts in the NBA.
Nonethless, those are five players worth watching in some capacity. Even Marques Bolden and Javin DeLaurier might have NBA futures at some point.
Mikal Bridges and Villanova are still in the tournament, but he has played his way out of the Sixers’ range. Jalen Brunson could be a nice second round play, though.