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 /

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Mar 19, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Georges Niang (31) grabs a rebound in second half action of Iowa State vs Arkansas Little Rock during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa State – Georges Niang

It’s hard to say that anyone felt confident about the Iowa State Cyclones coming into March Madness considering their plaguing inconsistency throughout the season. However, they’ve rolled through the first two rounds of the tournament and are now faced with by far their toughest matchup to date—as tends to happen when you face a No. 13 and then a No. 12 seed—with the No. 1 seeded Virginia Cavaliers. As such, the play of big man Georges Niang is going to be pivotal for the Cyclones to have success.

Make no mistake, Niang has been a monster to this point as arguably the biggest performer that no one is talking about from the first weekend of March Madness. Through the first two rounds, the Iowa State big man has put up 28 points, six rebounds, and three assists in each game. However, there’s also no escaping the fact that doing that against Virginia will be a much tougher task.

Niang has shown he has the talent to step up in any matchup. However, the Cyclones are going to need every bit of his production against one of the best defensive teams in college hoops in the Sweet 16. If he falters even slightly, Iowa State might be on their way home.

Next: Gonzaga Bulldogs

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