Dallas Mavericks: 5 Players to Watch in NCAA Tournament

By Isaac Harris

Mar 12, 2017

Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 10, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) looks to pass during a Pac-12 Conference Tournament game against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

1.) Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

Over the course of the past few months, few players have risen their draft stock more than Markkanen at Arizona.

Markkanen is a 7’0″ big man who is as tough of a matchup of any on the offensive ball at the college level. He is averaging over 15 points and 7 rebounds a game while notably shooting 43% from behind the arc.

The big man from Finland has drawn comparisons (unfairly so) to a young Dirk Nowitzki with his sweet shooting stroke as a big man. After leading Arizona past UCLA and Oregon for the PAC-12 Tournament title, Arizona now goes into the NCAA Tournament as a number 2 seed.

Markkanen and Arizona will play North Dakota on Thursday, March 16th.

Next: De'Aaron Fox