The 2018 NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Region is loaded with future NBA talent. Three of the top five and five of the top 10 players on our most recent Big Board will play in the Midwest.
Here’s a look at the top prospects to watch, an unheralded name and which matchups to keep an eye out for.
BIG BOARD: Ranking top prospects ahead of March Madness
Midwest Region's top NBA prospects
Jaren Jackson Jr. | Michigan State
Current rank: No. 2
Averaging 5.7 blocks per 40 minutes and shooting 39.6 percent from behind the arc, Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. looks every bit the top-five pick we predicted he could be back in December. Jackson’s one of the youngest prospects in the 2018 class, and his skill progression, particularly as a playmaker, has vaulted him to No. 2 on our board.
Marvin Bagley III | Duke
Current rank: No. 3
Duke’s Marvin Bagley III continues to be one of the most productive prospects in the 2018 class. Through 29 games, he’s averaging 25.4 points and 13.8 rebounds per 40 minutes. Bagley’s capable of dominating contests with his athleticism and always-running motor, but he still needs to answer questions about his positional fit and overall skill development.
Trae Young | Oklahoma
Current rank: No. 4
Young enters the tournament as the lottery prospect with the most to prove. After a hot start to his freshman campaign, he struggled to close out the regular season. Young’s made just 25.5 percent of his 3-pointers — a staple of offensive upside — since the beginning of February, and his effort has lagged on the defensive end. The 19-year-old needs to find the form that caused him to skyrocket up draft boards earlier this season.
NCAA BRACKET PICKS:
Bender (Virginia) | Birdsong (Arizona) | DeCourcy (Villanova) | Fagan (Villanova)
Underrated NBA prospect to watch
Devonte’ Graham | Kansas
Current rank: No. 34
Already 23, Kansas’ Devonte’ Graham is one of the older prospects eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft, but his late-season surge has highlighted his potential as a solid backup point guard at the next level. Graham’s a high-level shot maker who is comfortable shooting off the bounce, spotting up or on the move. He’s been excellent running the pick-and-roll as well, and he does a nice job taking advantage of a roster full of shooters. With a big performance in March, he could push his way into the first-round conversation.
Must-see first-round matchup
Trae Young vs. Rhode Island
Young will face an immediate test in the Sooners’ opening-round game against Rhode Island. The Rams have the 38th-best defense in the country based on adjusted efficiency, per KenPom, and they do a great job turning opponents over, something Young’s had a problem with this season.
The Oklahoma point guard will likely be defended by Jared Terrell, a 6-3, 215-pound senior who will have a huge strength advantage. Young struggled earlier in the season against West Virginia’s Jevon Carter in a similar situation. Can he bounce back here?
NCAA BRACKET BREAKDOWNS: East | South | Midwest | West
Midwest Region matchup we want to see
Duke vs. Michigan State
This potential Sweet 16 contest, featuring six prospects currently ranked on our Big Board alongside a few others who are close, would be loaded. Although the Blue Devils and the Spartans squared off earlier this season as part of the Champions Classic, NBA front offices didn’t get the full experience, as Bagley played just 10 minutes due to an eye injury. This time around, though, a one-on-one battle between Bagley and Jackson would be the highlight.