The Pure Hoops Quick Hitters

Murray State beat Belmont in the OVC championship to punch their ticket. Ja Morant is a superstar talent with a bright NBA future. His explosiveness is incredible. Tevin Brown is a great three point shooter and this team moves the ball well and defends.

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Washington has been the class of the Pac 12 under Coach Mike Hopkins, the long time Syracuse assistant who brought the 2-3 zone to Seattle. Matisse Thyulle is a lock down defender so they can win even on nights where the shots aren’t falling.

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Gardner-Webb is a surprise participant and this is their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. They rolled to victory over the top two Big South teams on the road and are playing their best ball at just the right time. David Efianayi, leads a starting lineup with four guards and forward DJ Laster.

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Texas Tech has gotten better as the season has progressed. They finished second in the Big 12 ahead of Kansas. They can shoot, defend, and they’re experienced. Behind future lottery pick Jarett Culver, they could be a Final Four team this season.

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Virginia Tech is solid at both ends, but injuries have been a problem. All five of their starters have three point shooting skills, which has helped them stay afloat despite the injuries. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been outstanding and 6-10 Kerry Blackshear provides strong inside presence. If injured point guard Justin Robinson returns for the tournament, the Hokies are capable of doing damage.

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Ole Miss has struggled late in the season, but has a talented backcourt with 6-2 junior Breein Tyree and Terence Davis combine to average over 33 points per game with 3 point range. While the Rebels have lacked consistency, they did beat a strong Auburn team twice this season.

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North Dakota State will be the underdog against every other team in the tournament, but they rolled through their conference tournament and they’re playing with house money. Rocky Kreuser is a 6’10” forward who is athletic and can score from inside and outside.

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Northern Kentucky shoots, passes, and spaces the floor. They also got on a roll late in the season. Drew McDonald is a strong inside presence and can also hit from outside. They can score and even though they are from a smaller conference, you can’t sleep on them.

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Florida no longer plays at a blazing pace, but the slower tempo has helped them become a vastly improved defensive team. KeVaughn Allen is the veteran on this team that has a true mix of seniors and freshmen. If Jalen Hudson can regain his old scoring touch, it would be a major boost for coach Mike White.

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Vermont has used a stingy defense to fuel a major hot streak heading into the tournament. And they have a true star in 6-6 junior forward Anthony Lamb. Since Lamb arrived on campus, the Catamounts have made the NCAA Tournament two out of his three seasons. While they could be a tough first round opponent, they likely won’t go far in the tournament.

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