Impact of March Madness on 2018 NBA Draft: Second Day's Results
Day two of the 2018 NCAA Tournament brought some standout performances from across the court, as well as a few disappointments. Here's a rundown of the notable players from the day:
Robert Williams (Texas A&M)
Williams, who had high expectations coming into the year with impressive freshman stats, struggled to live up to the hype. With a stacked frontcourt limiting his minutes and usage, Williams' aggression was often lacking.
However, day two saw him shine on the glass, recording an impressive 14 rebounds that ultimately allowed Texas A&M to edge out a 4-point victory. Despite failing to show any range, Williams demonstrated his post strengths in a viable performance.
Projected 2018 NBA draft position: 14th overall
Landry Shamet (Wichita State)
With Marshall boasting two potent scoring guards and a top-ranked shot-blocker, Wichita State needed its guard to step up. Shamet disappointed in the first half, going 2-9 from the field and 0-4 from three. His second-half performance was similarly subpar, leading to a crippling 81-75 upset loss.
Projected 2018 NBA draft position: 26th overall
Daniel Gafford (Arkansas)
Arkansas started the game painfully slow, going down 21-2 early against Butler. Despite Gafford's defensive prowess, his offense was noticeably absent. He finished the game with only 2-9 shooting from the field but showed promise from the line.
Projected 2018 NBA draft position: 15th overall
Jevon Carter (West Virginia)
Jevon Carter, the nation's steals leader, stifled Murray State's upset hopes with his tenacious defense and sharp offense. He finished with 21 points, eight assists, six steals, five boards, and just two turnovers.
Projected 2018 NBA draft position: Late second round (56th overall)
Mo Bamba (Texas)
An elite rim protector and rebounder, Mo Bamba dominated on defense yet struggled offensively. Despite this limitation, his abilities were on full display in the tournament - a clear sign of his potential.
Projected 2018 NBA draft position: 4th overall
- Robert Williams, averaging 14 rebounds in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, managed to turn things around on the glass for Texas A&M, helping them secure a win with a narrow 4-point margin.
- The Longhorns' Mo Bamba, under the spotlight for his defensive skills, dominates on defense in the tournament yet continues to struggle offensively, highlighting his potential in sports analysis.
- In the 2018 NCAA Tournament, the underperforming Williams and Shamet from Texas A&M and Wichita State, respectively, have been two notable players who were initially hyped but failed to meet expectations.
- Despite Daniel Gafford's impressive defensive abilities, Arkansas' offense struggled in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, with Gafford's own shooting statistics suffering as a result.
- Jevon Carter, known for his steals and assists, displayed a strong performance in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, securing his late second round draft position (56th overall), despite his team not reaching the same success.
