Every college basketball coach emphasizes the significance of guard performance during the NCAA Tournament. Each March, fans look for the next “Kemba candidate,” named after Kemba Walker, the former UConn guard who led the Huskies to a National Championship in 2011.
Year after year, exceptional guards elevate their teams during the tournament, a trend evident on the second day of this year’s event:
Kyan Evans, Guard, Colorado State
As Colorado State claimed the Mountain West Tournament title and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, it was guard Nique Clifford who initially drew attention for his impressive shooting. However, when Clifford struggled in the first-round game against Memphis, sophomore Kyan Evans rose to the occasion.
The shortest player on the court had the most significant impact, making a career-best six 3-pointers and scoring a total of 23 points. Evans also provided four assists without any turnovers. While Clifford had a tough night shooting 3-of-13, he contributed with six assists and eight rebounds, allowing Evans to take on the scoring burden. With this victory, Colorado State extended their winning streak to 11 games, marking them as only the second 12 seed to pull off an upset, as they prepare to face fourth-seeded Maryland on Sunday.
Baylor’s Freshman Duo
The Bears have experienced a rollercoaster season due to the unpredictable nature of having freshman players. Nonetheless, performances like Friday’s serve as a reminder of the dynamic potential these top NBA prospects hold. Baylor’s two projected first-round picks, V.J. Edgecombe and Robert Wright Jr., contributed a combined 35 points, steering the Bears to a 75-72 win over Mississippi State. Edgecombe nailed two crucial 3-pointers in the second half, allowing Wright to exploit openings for aggressive drives into the lane.
Sean Pedulla, Guard, Ole Miss
Pedulla is the cornerstone of Ole Miss’s offense. When he excels, the Rebels often prevail. In their 71-64 victory over North Carolina, he scored 20 points and registered five assists, an impressive feat against a Tar Heels team with strong perimeter defenders like Seth Trimble and Elliot Cadeau. Ole Miss maintained a double-digit lead for most of the game but faced a rally from North Carolina, who cut the lead to two points at 66-64. Pedulla’s timely three-pointer with 52 seconds to go ultimately sealed the game.
Donovan Dent, Guard, New Mexico
The Mountain West Player of the Year showed his prowess on Friday, leading New Mexico to a 75-66 victory against Marquette. He scored 20 points and provided six assists, achieving a perfect shooting record of 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Dent is renowned as one of the top guards nationally and possesses the talent to guide the Lobos through a deep tournament run.
Jackson Shelstad, Guard, Oregon
Shelstad was in such a groove that he was visibly surprised after hitting a mid-range jumper. He opened the game with eight of Oregon’s first 16 points, including a deep 3-pointer that put the Ducks ahead 16-2, finishing with 17 points as Oregon decisively defeated Liberty 81-52. Shelstad, a native of West Linn, Oregon, wears number 3 in honor of his idol Payton Pritchard, who is known for his memorable performances while playing for the Ducks. Channeling Pritchard’s legacy could indicate continued success for the team.
Will Riley, Forward, Illinois
In Big Ten circles, Will Riley is known for his ability to score rapidly. He demonstrated this on Friday after starting the game poorly at 0-for-3 and only scoring four points in the first half, but rebounded dramatically with 18 points in the second half, contributing to Illinois’s 86-73 win over Xavier. The freshman from Ontario has been a valuable bench player for the Illini, and his scoring abilities could be pivotal for Illinois’s March Madness aspirations.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams, and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
