March Madness Sweet 16 2016: One player to watch from each team

Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0), forward Landen Lucas (33), guard Devonte' Graham (4), guard Wayne Selden Jr. (1) and forward Perry Ellis (34) on the court in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

10 of 17

Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) dribbles during the second half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

North Carolina – Joel Berry

It feels like there are at least six players for the North Carolina Tar Heels that you could throw in here as players to watch as they have a bevy of guys that can or need to step up in the Sweet 16 if the No. 1 seed in the East Region wants to stay in the Big Dance. However, I have to go with the lesser-known backcourt starter for the Tar Heels in Joel Berry for this matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers.

Berry has seemingly just been getting exponentially better and more integral to the success of North Carolina as the season has gone on. However, he’s saved some of his biggest and best performances for the ACC Tournament and now the NCAA Tournament as he’s been a big force for the Tar Heels on both ends of the floor, averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in March Madness to this point.

What’s going to be huge, though, is if Berry can find his rhythm from long range against the Hoosiers. Berry is only 2-12 from three thus far in the NCAA Tournament and the Tar Heels are going to need the sophomore to step it up in that regard if they want to stay alive as he’s arguably their best threat as a perimeter shooter this season.

Next: Indiana Hoosiers

Home/March Madness