March Madness: Players to watch in NCAA Tournament games at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento
Big guys from well-known programs and late bloomers from upstart teams dot the list of players who will appear in the Sacramento sub-regional when NCAA Tournament play gets underway Thursday at Golden 1 Center.
Here’s a closer look at 10 players to watch in this week’s first- and second-round games in Sacramento.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA, Forward, Sr.
The fourth-year starter and Southern California native is the Pac-12 Player of the Year known for his toughness and ability to make tough shots in tight games. He is averaging 17.5 points and 8.1 rebounds for a Bruins program that seeks their first NCAA title since 1995. Jaquez on Tuesday was named a second-team Associated Press All-American.
Tyger Campbell, UCLA, Guard, Sr.
The fifth-year senior has had a career year and the Bruins will need more of that to offset the season-ending loss of defensive ace Jaylen Clark (foot). Campbell’s 13.6-point scoring average is secondary to his leadership, including this quote earlier in the season: “If there was one stat that I prioritize, it’s winning.”
Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona, Center, Jr.
The stoic 6-foot-11, 245-pound big from Lithuania, known to his teammates as “Zu,” has a lot of skill to go with his considerable upside. He averages 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists, and he’s able to score facing the basket or from a variety of moves in the paint. A second-team AP All-American this season, Zu’s 40 points against Oregon on Feb. 2 were the most by a Wildcat in 28 years.
Drew Pember, UNC-Asheville, Forward, Sr.
A transfer from SEC member Tennessee, Pember has blossomed in his two seasons with the Bulldogs of North Carolina. The Big South Player of the Year is the first player to lead the conference in scoring (20.4), rebounding (9.2) and blocks (2.3). He averaged 29.7 points and 11.3 points in three Big South tournament games.
Kobe Brown, Missouri, Forward, Sr.
At a powerful 6-8 and 245 pounds, Brown is a matchup concern because of his bulk and his improved 3-point shooting. He has made 60% of his two-point field-goal attempts in averaging 15.9 points and 6.2 rebounds. The SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year has started all but four games in his four-year Tigers career.
Boo Buie, Northwestern, Guard, Sr.
Fellow guard Chase Audige has called this backcourt the “best in the country” with Audige the defensive stopper and the 6-2 Buie the floor general and facilitator, including leading the stirring upset of then No. 1 Purdue last month. Buie averages 17.1 points and Audige was the co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten.
Steven Ashworth, Utah State, Guard, Jr.
A homegrown product, Ashworth could be the most dangerous 3-point shooter at Golden 1 this week, if not the entire tournament. He averages 16.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Ashworth makes 51% of his dribble-up 3’s and he’s a good ball handler who has to do Ashworth things if the Aggies expect to win their first tournament game in 22 years.
Tyson Degenhart, Boise State, Forward, So.
A year after winning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors, Degenhart has been even better this season, averaging 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, and he now aims to get the Broncos their first NCAA Tournament win in nine tries. He can score from long range and by posting up.
Tosan Evbuomwan, Princeton, Forward, Sr.
A native of Newcastle, England, Evbuomwan does a little bit of everything for the Tigers. He was at his best in the Ivy League Tournament title game, scoring 21 points, grabbing five rebounds and making four assists to beat Yale 74-65.
Oumar Ballo, Arizona, Center, So.
As if All-American Azuolas Tubelis isn’t a big enough concern for Arizona opponents, there is also the bulk of Ballo. He was just named the Pac-12 Conference’s Most Improved Player, averaging 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds and a conference-leading 64.5% shooting.
NCAA Tournament
Sacramento sub-region
Thursday’s first-round games
No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Utah State, 10:30 a.m. (TNT)
No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Princeton, 1:30 p.m. (TNT)
No. 7 Northwestern vs. No. 10 Boise State, 4:35 p.m. (TruTV)
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 15 UNC Asheville, 7:05 p.m. (TruTV)
Saturday’s second-round games
UCLA/UNC Asheville winner vs. Northwestern/Boise State winner
Arizona/Princeton winner vs. Missouri/Utah State winner