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NCAA Tournament 2017: One player who will dominate each region

By Charlie Maikis

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the ACC Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 10, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the ACC Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 10, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region: Caleb Swanigan, Purdue

“Biggie” Swanigan is primed to have a dominant showing in the NCAA Tournament. After an amazing year in which he garnered Big Ten Player of the Year honors, he will want to go out on top. In a region devoid of other top big men, Swanigan could carry Purdue. Some of the other top teams in the region are Kansas, Oregon, and Iowa State. Both Kansas and Oregon suffered injuries to their top big men, Udoka Azubuike and Chris Boucher respectively. Iowa State is built around perimeter play, and that leaves a big hole in the middle for Swanigan. Though two-seed Louisville has solid big men, they are also built around guard play and could be exposed by Swangian.

Swanigan tied for the Division I lead in double-doubles this season. Both scoring and rebounding at a high level, he might be the best big man in the nation. Not only does he dominate inside, but he is one of the most rounded offensive players out there. While he is perfectly capable of taking a lesser defender to the post, he can score from elsewhere as well. His 43.1 percent mark from 3 is exceptional for anyone, let alone a forward. He also averages 2.8 assists per game, drawing double teams and finding open teammates. He can score in the post or out of the pick and roll effectively. It isn’t often a player of this caliber comes along, so look for him to give everything he has in the Tournament.

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