Adreian Payne (Michigan State) - Mid 1st/Late 1st
In an tight OT game with Saint Joseph's, Napier was able to lead the Huskies to victory with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. The Senior guard will definitely need another breakout performance against Villanova to advance to the Sweet 16 or even possibly sneak into the 1st round of the upcoming NBA draft. When UConn was hit with a postseason ban before the 2012-2013 season, the team was divided. Nonetheless, Napier has emerged as a silver lining who has helped the Huskies reach the postseason this year.
Doug McDermott or "McBuckets" is an absolute college scoring sensation. The 6'8" forward out of Creighton dropped 30 points and added 12 rebounds in the win against La-Lafayette on Friday. On the other hand, scouts are still not entirely convinced that his scoring will translate into the NBA. McDermott can stretch the floor with his 3-point ability but the likeliest NBA scenario sees him being a solid role player. His consistent performances throughout the season have solidified his draft value so he will have no trouble landing in the 1st round.
Despite the loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Marcus Smart showed us why he is NBA ready and a definite lottery pick. In 38 minutes, Smart had 23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals, and a block. His turnovers (6) and efficiency (5-14 FG) remain glaring issues. However, his impact on both ends of the floor is undeniable and teams will certainly take a look at him.