NCAA Tournament Prospect Breakdown: East Region

The NCAA tournament is a huge opportunity for NBA Draft prospects to improve their stock. Each year, we see players make magical moments and put up big time performances that help get them drafted a few spots higher. One big game in March can make you a lot more money in June.

Now that the NCAA tournament bracket has finally been unveiled, it’s time to break down some of the match ups and prospects in the East Region that will be performing under the bright lights. Ranking next to the player’s name is from Chris and Austin’s NBA Draft Big Board.

#1 North Carolina vs. #16 Florida Gulf Coast/Fairleigh Dickenson

UNC: Brice Johnson (37), Justin Jackson (39), Marcus Paige (NR), Kennedy Meeks (NR)

Neither FGCU or FDU have a big men who can hold their own against Brice Johnson in their first round game. The UNC senior is averaging 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game this year, with some monster games on national TV to go with it. He could see his stock sky rocket from a late first round prospect to late lottery if he leads UNC to a Final Four. Same goes for Justin Jackson, whose stock has been more volatile than Johnson’s. Jackson is a volume scorer who puts up points in bunches and given his athletic profile, he is someone who could benefit greatly from a huge tournament. Meeks may not be as bouncy as Johnson is, but he finishes well around the rim and has a solid back to the basket game. Paige got some buzz in previous years but due to injuries, he hasn’t been on the radars of many draft boards. If he can continue his hot conference tournament play into the NCAA tournament, don’t be surprised to see his name pop back up in the second round of some mock drafts.

#8 USC vs. #9 Providence

USC: Jordan McLaughlin (NR), Bennie Boatwright (NR), Chimezie Metu (NR)

The stock of these prospects will more than likely depend on the team’s performance in the NCAA tournament. McLaughlin is a speedy point guard who is perfect for the style that head coach Andy Enfield has implemented in Southern Cal. Their two freshman big guys, Boatwright and Metu, might be their best prospects, however. Boatwright is a smooth stretch four who can step out to the perimter, shooting 35.4 percent from deep this year. Metu is a different type of big, one who excels at protecting the rim with his long 6-11 frame. This team has the makeup and style to be fun to watch.

Providence: Kris Dunn (4), Ben Bentil (NR)

All eyes in the region will be on Providence’s Kris Dunn from a scouting perspective. How he manages the up tempo opponents he will face in USC and UNC will be a fascinating watch. Dunn is in the conversation for National Player of the Year and a top ten lock for the 2016 NBA Draft, averaging 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game for the Friars. Bentil is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 21.2 points to go along with 7.8 rebounds per game. Bentil’s draft stock will rise with the exposure that comes from the NCAA tournament. His skill set is one that NBA teams covet and when he gets hot, he can fill it up from the power forward spot.

#5 Indiana vs. #12 Chattanooga

Indiana: Thomas Bryant (44), Yogi Ferrell (NR), Troy Williams (NR)

Bryant’s draft position has steadily fallen from a potential top 20 pick to someone who would benefit from having another year of college to develop his skills. He has the potential to be a rim protector and athletic dunking big man, but his feel for the game could use another year of maturity before going to the NBA. Ferrell was one of college basketball’s best guards this season, averaging 17 points and 5.5 assists per game for the Hoosiers. Despite his small frame, the Indianapolis native can make tough shots when it matters, which is usually a recipe for success in March. Troy Williams doesn’t have much in his offensive game, but his athleticism and high motor make him a tough cover and a menace on defense. If he plays well and is able to check some of the tougher wing players in this region, teams might fall in love with his defensive versatility and look to take him in the second round.

#4 Kentucky vs. #13 Stony Brook

Kentucky: Jamal Murray (7), Skal Labissiere (11), Tyler Ulis (47), Isaiah Briscoe (48), Marcus Lee (NR), Alex Poythress (NR)

The Wildcats boast arguably the most talented roster in all of college basketball. All six of these players have appeared on our Big Board at some point, with Skal Labissiere even starting off the season at No. 1. Skal’s play has perked up as of late, and teams are now starting to see the rim protecting, jump shooting big man that was a potential No. 1 pick. Jamal Murray has also been on fire lately, averaging 21.8 points his last five games on 47.5 percent from 3-point range. With a big tournament showing, Murray could solidify himself as a top five pick in June. There might be no other player in the country who has seen their stock rise more the past few weeks than Tyler Ulis. The 5-9 point guard he grown his game from being a pass first freshman to a knock down shooter and elite playmaker. Briscoe, Lee, and Poythress all have second round potential, but still have much to prove in order for them to nail down their draft prospects.

Stony Brook: Jameel Warney (NR)

Warney is currently not on our Big Board, but that will most certainly change the next time we update it. Warney is a double-double machine, averaging 19.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game for the American East champions. His 43 point, 10 rebound performance in their conference championship game is one of the single best in-game performances this year in all of college basketball. His strength and size will be a problem for the thin bigs that Kentucky has. They’ve struggled at times on the glass and if Stony Brook has any shot at an upset, they need Warney to give another stellar effort.

#6 Notre Dame vs. #11 Michigan/Tulsa

Notre Dame: Demetrius Jackson (16), Zach Auguste (NR), Bonzie Colson (NR), Steve Vasturia (NR), VJ Beachem (NR)

A few of these guys are long shots as prospects, but Notre Dame at least has Jackson who will bring some attention from scouts. Jackson is a speedy guard whose athleticism and shiftiness has him in the conversation to be a lottery pick. Having a pick and roll partner like Zach Auguste has helped him as well. Auguste came on to the scene in last year’s NCAA tournament thanks to his big game against undefeated Kentucky in the Elite Eight. If Auguste can have another strong March, he could sneak into the back end of the second round. Colson doesn’t have the NBA body that most like, but he works his tail off for an undersized power forward and his long arms help him finish well around the rim. Vasturia and Beachem have potential to be floor spacers in the NBA, with both shooting 35.7 and 43.2 percent from deep respectively this season.

Michigan: Caris LeVert (42), Zak Irvin (NR)

LeVert will not be playing in the NCAA tournament due to another injury, but he is Michigan’s best prospect. Due to the plethora of injuries he has sustained over the course of the last few seasons, LeVert has seen his stock draft from potential lottery pick to mainly a second round option. Irvin may benefit from a cinderella run in March. He is a big wing who switches between both forward spots for them. He needs to improve his 3-point shooting consistency, but if he can get hot in the tournament, his name will be in the discussion as a possible second round pick.

#3 West Virginia vs. #14 Stephen F. Austin

West Virginia: Devin Williams (NR)

West Virginia is a deep team that plays a lot of guys due to their high energy style of play, making it hard to scout them because of the equal opportunity their players get. Williams is their best prospect since he has the best size of any player on the roster. At 6-9 and 255 pounds, he is a rebounding machine to the tune of 9.3 boards per game. He will have to round out some of the other edges of his game, like his finishing in the pick and roll and his post up game, if he hopes to hear his name called in June.

Stephen F. Austin: Thomas Walkup (NR)

Walkup is the Lumberjacks’ best player, averaging 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 59.8 percent shooting. The 6-4 senior doesn’t shoot it well from deep (just 23.5 percent from 3-point range), but can beat you in so many other ways. He is a tough shot maker who knows how to get to the line, where he makes 79.7 percent of his free throws. He just has his hand in everything for this team and excels as the head of their 3-2 zone they play at times. He will have to have a monster game in order for them to upset the Mountaineers.

#7 Wisconsin vs. #10 Pittsburgh

Wisconsin: Nigel Hayes (27)

Hayes’ numbers have suffered with the departures of Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky, both of whom took much of the burden off of Hayes on both ends. The junior thrived when surrounded by the veteran talent the Badgers had on their Final Four team last year, but it is clear that in order for him to succeed, he needs to have a better cast around him. He forces shots at times and teams are sending multiple guys to box him out on the glass. When he gets to the NBA, his toughness on the glass and ability to knock down the open 3 will show once again.

#2 Xavier vs. #15 Weber State

Xavier: Trevon Bluiett (NR), Edmond Sumner (NR)

Bluiett will become a household name if Xavier’s success continues in the NCAA tournament. The Musketeers leading scorer has the size to be an NBA wing with the potential to also possibly switch to a small ball four in the right situations. He is an elite shooter at all areas on the floor and can beat you off the dribble in the mid range as well. His smooth and quick release helps him to get off shots and his big body allows him to get to the spots he wants to on the floor. Sumner has been an exciting and dynamic player to watch. The freshman guard is electric in the open court and uses his athleticism to get to wherever he wants. If he can make teams pay from deep, he might be an intriguing prospect to watch.

Weber State: Joel Bolomboy (NR)

Bolomboy will have to be the hero for Weber State if they are to pull off the upset this week. The senior forward is averaging 17.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game for the Wildcats while shooting 58.1 percent from the floor. He is an athletic four man who crashes the glass hard and glides through the air. Xavier’s bigs can be slow at times, leaving the door open for Bolomboy to have a special game for Damian Lillard’s former school.