NCAA Tournament – Players to Bust in the Dance

Often times, we always take the time to mention the players in games that we think are going to shine. Today though, we’re going to talk about the players that will bust in the NCAA Tournament for the rest of the way.

Matt Howard, Butler Bulldogs – We’re just so tired of hearing about Butler and Howard in this dance. We know that Howard is the prototypical player that Americans can associate with. He’s a hard worker, he’s a real grinder, he shows up and does his job, and every now and again, he puts forth a game that just makes you go "Wow!" like he just did against Wiscy. Still, Howard is no big secret now, as everyone knows about his game and knows his shtick. This is a kid that seemingly always gets into foul trouble though, just as he did in the first round against the Old Dominion Monarchs. Sure, he still put up 15 points and five boards in that game, but if history has taught us nothing else about Howard, it is that he will pick up fouls when he is really tested on the inside. Alex Tyus has to be licking his chops about this matchup on the post. After averaging almost 3.5 fouls per game for his entire career, Howard will end up in foul trouble and be a bust in the NCAA Tournament from here on out.

Josh Selby, Kansas Jayhawks – We don’t care if the Jayhawks do end up winning the NCAA Tournament or not. Selby just hasn’t lived up to his hype in this dance, and he would be foolish to consider heading to the NBA Draft after this season is over. Selby has already put up bagels in games against the Illinois Fighting Illini, and he didn’t even get in the game against the Boston Terriers. Selby has only found the court for a total of 25 minutes in these three duels in the NCAA Tournament, and he has put up a tot al of just four points. Buyer beware for this frosh.

Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut Huskies – Oriakhi knows that he is going to be the key for the Huskies to make it to the Final Four, but we just don’t see him being able to get the job done when push comes to shove. Sure, he’s a big body, but he is going to be matched up with Derrick Williams, who is arguably the MVP of the entire NCAA Tournament to date. Williams can not only dominate Oriakhi in the paint, but he can also get him on the outside. That’s what Williams did to the Duke Blue Devils, as he hit five of his six triples en route to his 32 points and 13 boards in the Sweet 16. Oriakhi struggled with the big men in the Big East on a regular basis, and if he thinks that he has had a hard time with those guys, wait until he sees what Williams is bringing to the table this weekend.