OKC Thunder fan guide to the NCAA tournament South bracket

Prospects to Watch

Bam Adebayo, Kentucky forward

Adebayo is one of those players that is better suited for the NBA. He’s like former Kentucky big Nerlens Noel in that he has elite athleticism for his size but not much else. His 13 points and 8 rebounds are slightly inflated by a strong end of season campaign, but that goes to show his improvement over the course of the season.

Lonzo Ball, UCLA point guard

Ball enters the tournament as the #1 prospect in the field. He immediately turned the UCLA offense into the best in the nation with an unselfishness that sets him apart from his peers. Ball can light up the scoreboard if need be; he has six games with 20+ points.

Joel Berry, UNC point guard

Joel Berry may be my favorite non-Bearcat in the nation. At only six-foot, Berry is quick enough to get his shot off over anybody yet physical enough to take his opponent into the paint. If UNC is going to go far in the tournament it’s going to be because of Berry.

Gary Clark, Cincinnati power forward

Here lies the only player not ranked in Draft Express’ Top 100 prospects list. But dangit Gary Clark deserves his shine. Clark reminds me of Draymond Green in his ability to affect almost every facet of the game; the only thing he’s missing is that Green-like fire on the court. The junior forward has the ability to score 16 points a game but too many times he takes a step back in the Bearcat offense. If he comes close to 16-18 a game UC will go on a run.

Jacob Evans, Cincinnati shooting guard

While Clark is the defensive anchor of the Bearcats, sophomore guard Jacob Evans is the offensive firecracker. This season Evans put up better numbers than All-American Sean Kilpatrick did in his sophomore season; at 6’6 he has the prototypical body for an NBA shooting guard as well. Don’t be surprised if Evans takes a step into the national spotlight if the Bearcats go far.

De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky point guard

Of all the projected lottery picks, Fox is my least favorite. His jump shot has struggled for most of the season and his defense is poor. But wow can that kid do everything else really really really well. Malik Monk gets most of the shine, but Uk’s offense would be nowehere without Fox’s playmaking ability in both the half court and in transition.

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Josh Jackson, UNC small forward

Thunder fans, this is the player to watch in this region. Jackson is a 3/4 hybrid that would fit right into Oklahoma City’s style of play. He’s lengthy, athletic and a good defender…basically Andre Roberson with an offensive game. Because he’s a junior there’s a good chance he would fall to the early 20’s as well.

Moses Kingsley, Arkansas power forward

Kingsley may be one of the most intriguing prospects entering the draft. The 6’10 senior from Nigeria has improved in almost every facet of the game since he came to Arkansas. But his best feature? As a rim protector, where he has averaged 2.5 blocks a game since his junior year.

TJ Leaf, UCLA power forward

Because of Lonzo Ball Ryan Leaf’s son (yes that Ryan Leaf) has gone under-the-radar this season. Maybe that’s a good thing for Thunder fans, because the 6’10 freshman has averaged 16 points a game on 45% shooting from deep and 62% from the field. As a Bearcat fan, his ability to stretch the floor and attack the paint scares me in the second round.

Malik Monk, Kentucky shooting guard

Here’s the guy who could make the biggest rise in this tournament. Monk has shone up for virtually every big game of his short college career: 23 against Michigan State, 24 against UCLA, 33 vs. Florida and of course the 47 point outburst against UNC. If he goes on a tear like that UK may be impossible to defeat.