NCAA (less)UNDERGROUND: Round of 32‏

SPORTANDO-U. TEAM OF THE WEEK

G – Travis Trice (Michigan State)

Well, if you know any coach better than Tom Izzo when it comes march, please let us know. However, Travis gives quite a good help here scoring 13 points in 5 minutes to open the game showing his offensive skillset with deep range threes, dipsy-doo’s, crossover pullup jumper to break opponent ankle and even a slam dunk… keeping the Cavs off their penetrations in the middle was a great key for the Spartans, but add Trice performance to the cocktail.

G – Delon Wright (Utah)

Another true coaching master here (the other Coach K). Another true floor general too. Behind the unbelievable moment of Brandon Taylor, behind the great progress in Poetl’s game, behind Loveridge crazy shooting percentage there’s this thin talent from Los Angeles. He keeps Smith-Rivera to 0-for-7 from three’s, putting a big stop to the Hoyas offense, which instead is not led from the bench by a Coach-K caliber master… but Delon is definitely a First rounder.

G – Pat Connaughton (Notre Dame)

The heart of the irish. He plays a bad shooting game vs Butler but reset everything with “the block”: a crazy jump with which stops the shot leaving Kellen Dunham’s hands. A shot that might have been meaning elimination and Sweet16 on the couch for him and his teammates. He gives 5 of those blocks vs the Bulldogs, adding a huge triple in the overtime that gives a positive switch to the game… somewhere out there the Baltimore Orioles are waiting for him to join the diamond. The United States of America!

F – Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga)

A lot of pens have been stopped by the Zags last night. They were all ready to write about how was difficult to match with Iowa long and versatile frontline… well, here he comes Kyle with a shooting clinic instead of a Round of 32 game. Let’s say it clear, the NBA still don’t think that he’s much more than a good shooting specialist, but at this level he’s the most dangerous weapon that Gonzaga puts on the floor. Then, if he keeps shooting over 80% from the field you can easily put the Zags in the elite8. Unless…

C – Tony Parker (UCLA)

…unless they have to deal with the team of destiny. Team of destinty that this year looks more and more like the Bruins of UCLA. Tony is a former over-weight big man, arriving in the best shape of his life to the big dance. We knew already he could move his feet, he could use his body to protect the shot and could score from low post… we didn’t know he could do it for more than 5 consecutive minutes in the same game. UAB had no physical answer against him, therefore obvious 28 points with 12 rebs and 3 blocks. But most importantly, like us, he can’t resist to Allie. Enjoy… 

Di Marco Ridolfi