1. Zion Williamson, Duke
Slash Line: 12-for-24/3-for-7/5-for-7
Stat Line: 32 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal
Welcome back to the top, Zion Williamson. His opening matchup was good, but the follow-up against UCF was outstanding, even if Duke nearly suffered the worst upset of this tournament.
The Blue Devils were disrupted by Tacko Fall, the Golden Knight’s 7-foot-6 force under the hoop. This blocked Williamson, RJ Barrett and others from doing work around the rim and forced them to take unwanted jumpshots.
That gameplan worked for VCU for most of this game, until Fall fouled Williamson with little time left. Duke took the lead but barely walked out victoriously, after a missed putback in the game’s final seconds. Barely counts, though, and the No. 1 overall seed will face Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16.
There is at least one more chance for New York Knicks fans to view the Zion Williamson Experience and up to four total, pending Duke makes the National Championship Game. With the NBA’s worst record, the Knicks are in position for him, but only if they win May’s lottery.
"He's my favorite college basketball player of all-time."
— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) March 24, 2019
- @Wallyball on Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/t4Dc6CdpbQ
A 14 percent chance exists for this physically imposing player, and any team with lottery odds will want him. Only the ping pong balls matter here, so this dream is still a fantasy, for now.