The Sweet 16 of March Madness starts Thursday, and there are some key players that everybody needs to watch.
These are the five players that can be big difference-makers for their respective teams in the Sweet 16.
Perry Ellis-Forward-Kansas
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Ellis seems like he’s been at Kansas for a decade because he’s been a star since he essentially stepped foot on campus several years ago. He’s an undersized poster player with a silky smooth shot and the ability to rebound against anybody. Any run by Kansas past the Sweet 16 will depend on him playing well.
Bronson Koenig-Guard-Wisconsin
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Koenig drilled a game-winning three against Xavier only a second after hit a different clutch three. Koenig’s assist-to-turnover ratio throughout his career is one of the best in country. Koenig scored 20 points against Xavier with seven rebounds but was highly ineffective against Pittsburgh. Wisconsin can go back to the Final Four if Koenig plays like he did against Xavier. Otherwise their last game will be against Notre Dame.
Elgin Cook-Forward-Oregon
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Cook is a freak athlete at 6’6″ capable of doing it all. In the first round he had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. In the next round he showed even more scoring ability with 18 points against St. Joe’s. Cook is an absolute matchup nightmare for every single team the Ducks play.
Yogi Ferrell-Guard-Indiana
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Ferrell is one of the most electric scorers in the country capable of pouring on points against anybody. He dropped 18 points on a very good Kentucky team in the second round after scoring 20 points in the first round. Ferrell is a very undersized guard but his lightening speed always him to compensate for what he lacks in height. UNC won’t likely beat Indiana if Ferrell finds a way to score more than 20.
Melo Trimble-Guard-Maryland
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Trimble entered the year with college player of the year aspirations, and while those dreams are gone he’s still capable of leading the Terrapins to the Final Four. Maryland is a highly inconsistent team and Trimble embodies that spirit. On one night he might get held to a disastrous shooting percentage and then on the next night score 20. Maryland absolutely has the talent to beat Kansas, and if Trimble plays well and keeps his shooting in check then it’s very likely Maryland advances.