The NCAA Men’s Tournament represents many basketball fans’ final opportunity to watch some of the best NBA Draft prospects on the biggest stage college basketball has to offer. While the first weekend of the tournament tends to provide the most excitement, it doesn’t always give fans the best matchups to watch individually.
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The D’Angelo Russell-Stanley Johnson was a letdown on the court, but it represented basically the only noteworthy matchup between draft prospects. The Sweet 16, however, brings about the opportunity for a number of intriguing matchups that can give fans a look at what potential prospects can do against other top competition.
These are the five best matchups to look forward to on Thursday and Friday:
BEGIN SLIDESHOW: Jahlil Okafor vs. Jakob Poeltl
Jahlil Okafor, Duke vs. Jakob Poeltl, Utah (Friday, 6:45 PM PT)
Jahlil Okafor has shown exactly why he is considered the top overall prospect in the draft with his performance so far. He shot just under 78 percent in Duke’s victories over Robert Morris and San Diego State, and even showed some rim protection capability with multiple blocks in both games.
While Okafor is arguably the most skilled big man college basketball has seen since Tim Duncan, one of the worries about him is his lack of elite athleticism. Some wonder whether he’ll be able to consistently dominate over the long, athletic bigs that permeate the NBA. This is what makes the matchup with Poeltl so intriguing.
Poeltl is the exact opposite of Okafor. Skill-wise he is nowhere near as polished as Okafor, but he is a legit seven-footer who can run the floor, control the boards, and protect the rim. Poeltl averaged over 12 rebounds and three blocks per 40 minutes and his contributions are starting to catch up to his potential. His 18 point, eight rebound, five block performance saved Utah in their second-round matchup against Stephen F. Austin.
The worry on Poeltl is that he still needs to add some strength to handle banging in the post. Holding his own against Okafor would go a long way towards proving to scouts that he can be the rim protector scouts hope he can be. While Okafor can further solidify his spot as the top overall pick, Poeltl has the chance to play his way into the late lottery making for an excellent match that everyone should have their eye on.
CONTINUE: Jerian Grant, Demetrius Jackson vs. Fred VanVlett, Ron Baker
Jerian Grant & Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame vs. Fred VanVleet & Ron Baker, Wichita St. (Thursday, 4:15 PM PT)
Two of the best backcourts in the country square off with a lot on the line for both their teams, and their potential draft positions.
Grant is the only surefire first-round pick of the group, an impressive combo guard with size, speed, and excellent passing ability. His backcourt mate Jackson hasn’t had quite as good a showing in the tournament, but also possesses the speed, athleticism, and basketball IQ to play point guard at the next level.
Both Jackson and Grant will need to improve their shooting, which is the least of worries for the Wichita St. guards. Baker is one of the best shooters in the draft and has no fear of the big stage as he has shown over the last two years. VanVleet has been one of the country’s best point guards all season and has continued his great play with a pair of fantastic performances in helping the Shockers reach the Sweet 16.
Jackson and VanVleet are similar in that they both have all of the skills and intangibles you want in a point guard, but lack ideal size. Both have the potential to play their way into the end of the first round though Jackson is clearly ahead on most draft boards at this point.
Baker may be caught in between positions at the NBA level as he lacks the size to play the two, but may not be able to guard point guards. Keeping up with one of the draft’s most athletic combo guards would help ease that fear while Grant can prove that he is head and shoulders above everyone not named Russell or Mudiay in what is a deep point guard class.
CONTINUE: Kevon Looney vs. Domatas Sabonis
Kevon Looney, UCLA vs. Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga (Friday, 4:15 PM PT)
Kevon Looney is one of the more intriguing unknowns in the draft class. He is extremely versatile with the ability to play both forward spots, has shown himself to be an excellent rebounder (double-digits in both tournament games), and can step out and knock down shots on the perimeter.
Where Looney struggles is his lack of physical strength and overall polish, especially on the offensive end. That will be put to the test against Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis is a tough, physical forward who crashes the glass relentlessly and will test Looney on the block. Despite coming off the bench, he dominated Iowa with a 18 point, nine rebound performance and while he currently is on the first-round bubble, he could easily turn heads with another dominant performance against the highly touted Looney.
Looney will undoubtedly also have his hands full with Kyle Wiltjer who can be difficult to stop both inside and outside, but Sabonis will will give Looney the biggest test where he has the most proving to do. Looney is sure to be a lottery pick, but can flirt with the top-5 if his results start catching up with his potential. Sabonis will be looking to ensure a first-round selection assuming he declares after his freshman season.
CONTINUE: Sam Dekker vs. Justin Jackson
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin vs. Justin Jackson, North Carolina (Thursday, 4:47 PM PT)
There is a logjam at the small forward position with a number of potential prospects in the 20-40 range, making the matchup between Dekker and Jackson that much more entertaining.
Dekker can do a little bit of everything. He’s a good shooter and an excellent athlete who plays with a high motor and is unafraid of any stage. He has all the intangibles scouts are looking for and has stepped his game up so far in the tournament.
Jackson has been on fire recently, scoring in double-digits in 10 of his last 11 games for the Tar Heels. His shooting ability is what has scouts watching, but his high basketball IQ and understanding of how to get his shot off also lends itself well to the next level.
One worry about Jackson is his inconsistent motor and average athleticism, something that will surely come into play as Dekker never takes plays off. Each of these guys can put themselves squarely in the first round with impressive performances. Dekker could even find himself in the late teens, but both are trying to show themselves to be the perfect role player for a team at the next level.
CONTINUE: Willie Cauley-Stein vs. Devin Williams
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky vs. Devin Williams, West Virginia (Thursday, 6:45 PM PT)
Kentucky is the juggernaut that everyone is trying to take down, but to do that you have to get through the trees, and the biggest is Cauley-Stein, the draft’s best defender. Cauley-Stein is one of the most athletic seven-footers college basketball has ever seen, capable of guarding nearly every position and tossing away any shot that comes close to the rim.
Cauley-Stein still may not strong enough to bang with the true big men at the NBA level, which is what makes the matchup with Williams such an interesting one.
Williams is rough, physical, and built like a defensive lineman. Hardly anyone will be able to shoot over Cauley-Stein, but Williams is exactly the type of person capable of going through him. Bob Huggins is known for having physical teams and while West Virginia is sure to test Kentucky at every position, it is Williams who could provide the biggest test down low.
Cauley-Stein could be the second coming of DeAndre Jordan, but he can still be overpowered at this point. Guys like Williams still give him struggles and scouts will be watching to see how he handles this match.