18 Seniors That Could Carry Their Team to the Final Four
By Jason McIntyre
Have you entered our bracket challenge? You read the Cinderella teams, and the freshman who will be pivotal. Now? Seniors ready to go out with a bang.
Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma: Turned into Stephen Curry, seemingly overnight – 127 three-pointers made (#1), 25.0 ppg (#2), 89.5% FTs (#6). Poster boy for staying four years, living in the gym, and becoming a lottery pick. Look at his shooting improvements from his junior to senior year: 41.2% FGs to 49.6% FGs; 35.9 3FGs to 46.4% 3FGs.
Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State – Made enormous leap from role player as a sophomore to big-time star as a senior (19.6 ppg, 7.5 rig, 7.6 apg). Is rated as the #1 player per Ken Pom’s advanced stats. Lost in the Sweet 16 as a freshman, Elite 8 as a sophomore and Final 4 last year. Valentine’s a difficult matchup for guards, and he’s too quick for forwards. Shooting 44 percent on 3-pointers.
Jameel Warney, PF, Stoney Brook: You probably heard about him after he hung 43 on Vermont Saturday morning in the America East final. But he’s averaged double figures four years in a row, including a double-double the last two years. If you don’t think he’ll be a problem for Kentucky inside, Warney posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks against Vanderbilt. He’s a throwback power forward (didn’t attempt one 3-pointer in his college career) who will have a lengthy international career.
Danuel House, SF, Texas A&M: The best player on the Aggies scored a career-high 32 points in his last game out (SEC Tournament final OT loss to Kentucky). He started his career at Houston, and has been a high-impact transfer for the deep and dangerous Aggies. House went for 19-7 against Texas, 19 points against Gonzaga, and 17-8 against Baylor. Don’t sleep on the Aggies making a deep March run.
Brice Johnson, PF & Marcus Paige, UNC: Johnson’s awesome season for the Tar Heels has gone largely unnoticed, and its been needed as he’s picked up for a struggling Paige. Johnson has NBA moves inside, and averaged 16.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg this season while shooting 61.4%. Need a primer on how much he’s improved? Watch his dominant 39-point, 23-rebound game against FSU. Paige, either thinking about the NBA or struggling in his new off-the-ball role, had the worst 3-point shooting year of his 4-year career, but they’ll certainly need him to get by Kentucky/Indiana and later into the Final 4.
AJ Hammons, C, Purdue: The 7-footer has always been a prolific shot blocker, but this year, he’s added legit offensive post moves (14.9 ppg). Fun with stats: the Boilermakers haven’t lost a game this year when Hammons has scored 20+ points (4-0). Yup, I’m salivating over Hammons vs Iowa State’s Jameel McKey in a 2nd round matchup; also would like to see Hammons vs. Virginia’s Anthony Gill in the Sweet 16.
Georges Niang, F, Iowa State: Great college career – remember, it started with a shoulder to Aaron Craft’s chest in March Madness – might end with a deep run in the tournament. Averaged 19.8 ppg during a brilliant senior year, but was overshadowed by Buddy Hield in the Big 12.
Thomas Walkup, F, Stephen F. Austin. Helped the Lumberjacks stun VCU in the 1st round two years ago, and should be able to do plenty of damage inside against West Virginia. Had five games scoring 30+ points this season, including 30 in a loss to Northern Iowa in November.
Gary Payton II, PG, Oregon State: The son of a Hall of a Famer doesn’t love ‘The Mitten’ nickname, but does love to dunk on people. I can’t find odds on GPII appearing in One Shining Moment, but I’d say they’re high since the Beavers will be running with VCU. He’s also one of the best defensive players in the nation (6th in steals).
Tyrone Wallace, PG, California: His numbers have dipped a bit this year with the addition of the two star freshman, but Wallace is probably going to end up being the difference between a deep run or an early exit. While Yogi Ferrell vs Tyler Ulis is an exciting 2nd round point guard matchup, I’m more excited by Wallace vs. Melo Trimble of Maryland.
Jarrod Uthoff, F, Iowa: For a few weeks this season, was the best player in the Big 10 and on track to be a 1st team All-American. Slumped late, as did the Hawkeyes (lost five of six), shooting under 45% in eight of his last 10 games.
AJ English, G, Iona: Stat-sheet stuffing scorer (22.4 ppg, 6.2 apg, 5.0 rpg) is going to be a load for the Cyclones. Remember how they were bounced early last year? English is capable of doing it by himself. Scored 46 against Fairfield and 45 against Monmouth. Weird things happen in March at high altitude … English going for 30 in an upset would not surprise me.
Yogi Ferrell, PG, Indiana: I clearly had him too low on my Top 50 players in college basketball list last summer. Was once the #1 ranked 5th grader in the country. Ferrell had a sterling career in Bloomington – he has the career assist record, and became the first Hoosier since Isiah Thomas to lead the team in points and assists in back-to-back seasons. Could face Tyler Ulis (UK) and then Marcus Paige (UNC) or Kris Dunn (Providence) in the stacked East regional.
Malcolm Brogdon, SG & Anthony Gill, F, Virginia: The last two years in March, the knock on the Cavaliers was they didn’t have a “star” to take over and reach the Final 4. Brogdon, in two March losses, shot a combined 7-of-26 and 3-of-10 on 3-pointers. But Brogdon just had the best season of his career (18.7 ppg, 4.1 apg) en route to being the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Gill can be an intimidating presence inside, and could draw Deyonta Davis of Michigan State if the Cavs play them for a 3rd straight March. Gill is rarely in foul trouble, but when he is (see GW, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest), the Cavaliers in trouble.
Perry Ellis, SF, Kansas: The 10th year senior – ha! – saved his best for last: 16.7 ppg, 1.4 apg, and 78% on FTs were career bests. Made as many 3-pointers (26) as he did in his sophomore and junior years combined. Bill Self has had March chokes the last two years, but Ellis is the player on the deep Jayhawks who can do the most to prevent that.
Fred VanVleet, PG, Wichita State & Ron Baker, SG, Wichita State: If you couldn’t tell, we were bullish on the Shockers before they crushed Vandy, and we’re optimistic about their chances against Arizona. VanVleet is a great story: Terrific high school basketball player in Illinois, but snubbed by the big Chicago schools. Now he’s been the MVC Player of the Year twice. Baker could be a 2nd round draft pick in June.