NCAA (less)UNDERGROUND: NCAA Tournament Edition

SPORTANDO-U. TEAM OF THE WEEK

G – D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State)

Ok, we expect you to criticize this, but we see a lot of Steph Curry here… off-balance three point shots, ball handling ready for 2K Games, unexpectable no-sense assists, big drama performances in NCAA tourney with 28 points and an overtime (won) included. No freshman in Ohio State history at his level. Oden, Conley Jr., Turner, Jimmy Jackson… Nobody. Never!

G – R.J.Hunter (Georgia State)

Bracket-buster number 1. A sub-par season (not in golf pure meaning…) for shooting percentages, a loud post-season start. He scores just one field goal in the first 37 minutes of the game with Baylor up by 12. In the last 3 minutes he scores 12 of the 13 points (with zero for Baylor) with which Georgia State beat the 3rd seed. That shot still leaves his hands too low (almost at his chest), but that ball has a wonderful rotation… you can see the rest on the video here.




G – Bryce Alford (UCLA)

In the big dance thanks to a miracle, they add another one to eliminate #6 SMU… controversial call it’s an understatement for such game-deciding goal tending whistle. Take out this shot, and we still got 24 points shooting 8 for 10 from three points for Coach’s son. Watch out for the Bruins, they seem more and more tagged as team of destiny.

F/C – Zach Auguste (Notre Dame)

If you thought the Irish life in the early tournament would have been easy, we suggest you to have a look at the recent Coach Brey march results…. With a slow-tempo game Northeastern seemed ready to pull the upset in the tournament first game. Low-pace, let’s give the ball inside. Zach doubled his scoring average and with a big relief pulls the Irish to their second round.

C – Matt Stainbrook (Xavier)

Talk bad about him as long as you want. He’s not nice-looking, no pro-future, no lift in those legs… basketball is more than that. If Xavier will have a chance to challenge Arizona in the sweet 16 they have to be thankful to this glass-wearing 6-10 guy with his office in the high post. 20 points with 9 rebs and 5 assists. Numbers aside, we talk about his technical master, understanding of the offense, control of the game… go haters!

Written by Marco Ridolfi