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; Providence, RI, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Marshall Plumlee (40) moves up court during the second half of a second round game against the Yale Bulldogs in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Duke won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Duke – Marshall Plumlee

There are plenty of names that come to mind when you think of the current iteration of the Duke Blue Devils and who they need to step up if they’re going to make a run past the Sweet 16 in March Madness. Obviously players like Brandon Ingram and Grayson Allen have to step up, as does a talented freshman in Luke Kennard. However, it could be their senior big man in Marshall Plumlee that makes the biggest difference in the Sweet 16 against the Oregon Ducks.

One of the concerns for Duke in this matchup against Oregon is going to be their disadvantage in terms of rebounding. Without Amile Jefferson, the Blue Devils have been susceptible to getting torched on the glass and the Ducks are more than capable of using their size, length, and athleticism to exploit that weakness of Duke. However, Plumlee is a player with the size, strength, and experience to at least combat that in this matchup.

Though Plumlee can’t do it all himself, he’s really the lone frontcourt player with the ability to make a difference in stopping the bleeding on the boards if things do play out like that. How he holds his spot in regards to rebounding and defense could legitimately swing the outcome of this game in favor of Duke if he succeeds.

Next: Texas A&M Aggies

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