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March Madness 2019: One player who will dominate each region

By Brendon Kleen

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Markus Howard (0) during the second half of the Big East Tournament quarterfinal game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the St. John's Red Storm on March 14, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Markus Howard (0) during the second half of the Big East Tournament quarterfinal game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the St. John's Red Storm on March 14, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Duke vs. Kentucky
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 12: PJ Washington #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts after winning the dunk contest during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena on October 12, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region: PJ Washington, F, Kentucky

A player who surpassed expectations more than perhaps any other in 2019, Washington has a chance to continue surprising people in the Midwest Region. He improved in nearly every statistical category from his freshman to sophomore season and helped lead Kentucky to a dominant season.

While the Wildcats lost in the SEC Tournament semifinal to Tennessee, they have a chance to redeem themselves in the real-deal tourney starting next weekend. Washington is the biggest reason why.

In order to not be surprised by a mid-major like Wofford in the bottom of the Midwest, Kentucky will need to lean on its stars. This is also true for all of March. The best teams win by sticking to their gameplan and having the talent to lean on when adjustments fail.

The Wildcats will surely need  Washington’s scoring in this region. Assuming they beat the 15th-seeded Abilene Christian Wildcats, Kentucky is on track to face the No. 2 and No. 15 defenses in the country by offensive rating.

Washington is Kentucky’s focal point and the guy who will be able to swing games for them if a high-powered offense revs its engine. He has the highest usage rate and is the team’s leading scorer, and his presence inside pulls the defense inward to create open shots for shooters Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson.

The Wildcats need Washington to be great, and he has been all year.

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