Dallas Mavericks: Three Prospects to Watch in the NIT

The big dance gets a lot of love every year and for good reason. As one of the most exciting sports events in the world every year, March Madness is full of dark horses, Cinderella stories, and storybook endings. But what about the NCAA tournament’s little brother, the National Invitation Tournament?

If you are like me, you probably know about the NIT but have never taken the time to watch it much. The top snubbed teams from the big dance headline the NIT bracket, but it is nowhere near the spectacle that the NCAA tournament is. That doesn’t mean there aren’t good players involved in the lesser-known tournament, it just is missing the level of entertainment value.

Well it is time that the NIT got a little bit of recognition. This tournament is looking like it will be an exciting one with some great teams that could make a run to the title. The headliners for the tournament will be Notre Dame, USC, Baylor, and St. Mary’s who are all the 1-seeds. Other good teams in the NIT include Louisville, Utah, Oklahoma State, and Middle Tennessee State.

Some of these teams are used to getting top-level recruits and, because of that, there is some individual talent in the bracket that will get serious looks this summer from NBA teams. The Dallas Mavericks will end the season with a lottery pick, but they could also be active on the trade scene come draft day. Here are three players Dallas could key on in the upcoming draft.

BOISE, ID – FEBRUARY 14: Guard Chandler Hutchison #15 of the Boise State Broncos and forward Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack tangle in the key during second half action on February 14, 2018 at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho. Nevada won the game 77-72. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Chandler Hutchison – Boise State

A long forward for the Boise State Broncos, Chandler Hutchison has used his junior and senior years to prove that he is undoubtedly an NBA-worthy talent. At 6’7″, Hutchison is a great size for a guard/forward in the NBA. His scoring ability has been on show this season, averaging 19.3 points per game.

Hutchison has shot the ball well all over the court this season, shooting nearly 47% field goal and 35% from 3-point. He is also averaging 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Hutchison could be a great all-around player in the NBA.

The problem with a potential Mavs-Hutchison union is that his draft stock continues to rise, pushing him into the late first round in many mock drafts. If Dallas were to pursue the athletic wing, it would have to be through a trade back into the late first round.

To catch a glimpse of the Boise State senior, they will be playing Washington on Wednesday March 14th at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Chimezie Metu #4 of the USC Trojans drives gainst Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats during the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 75-61. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Chimezie Metu – USC

Metu was at one point considered a potential first round pick, but has not been able to make the necessary improvements to his game to warrant that high of a pick anymore. During his three seasons at USC, Metu has made great strides on the offensive end, averaging 15.7 points per game this year.

His rebounding could use some work with only 7.4 boards per night, but Metu is definitely a high-upside player. He is explosive and has a lot of quickness that could be a difference-maker on the defensive end, especially for a team like the Mavs looking for that kind of help.

Listed at 6’11” and 215 lbs., Metu would take the form of what Dallas envisioned Nerlens Noel to be for the team. He would be a similar build and so boxing out and individual defense would continue to be an issue, but for the price of a 2nd rounder, it may be a worthy risk.

To see Metu in action, Tuesday March 13th at 11:00 p.m. eastern time, when they will play UNC-Asheville.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks laughs after he was called for a foul during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks won 68-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Troy Brown – Oregon

If Dallas made the strange decision to trade their way into the middle of the first round, Brown is probably the most talented player active in the NIT. Brown is a great role player that does everything pretty well but does not excel in any particular area of the game.

Brown has great measurements for an NBA wing, standing at 6’6″ with a 6’11” wingspan. His defense is above average and he has become a reasonable scorer throughout his freshman year at Oregon. He is very young as well, not turning 19 until the end of July 2018.

He would be a great addition for the Dallas Mavericks, as he can become a do-it-all type wing for the Mavs. However, his strength is definitely as a role player as opposed to a star. This would not be the player Dallas would trade back for, but if the opportunity arose in the late first round, he would be a good talent to take a shot on.

Next: Dallas Mavericks 2018 NBA Draft Board 1.0

To watch Troy Brown in action in the NIT on Tuesday, March 13th at 10:00 p.m. eastern time against Rider University.