March Madness tips off in earnest on Thursday, when Colorado State takes on Michigan basketball shortly after noon. It’s an exciting time for college basketball fans and NBA diehards eager to see how the next group of stars perform under the lights.
The Detroit Pistons, 18-51 and owners of the third-best odds in the NBA draft lottery, will likely be in prime position to select one of the most talented prospects in the draft. The top-five prospects on the latest Pistons big board will all play in the NCAA tournament, and the Pistons’ front office will certainly keep a keen eye on how they perform through the next three weeks.
Here’s who Pistons fans should be keeping an eye on:
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Chet Holmgren, F/C, No. 1 seed Gonzaga
First game: 4:15 p.m. Thursday, No. 16 seed Georgia State, TNT
We’re in the era of unicorn big men, but few NBA bigs boast the versatility Holmgren has displayed during his freshman season at Gonzaga. He’s both an elite shooter and finisher, crashes the boards and sets hard screens, enjoys pushing the ball in transition and is one of college basketball’s best rim protectors. Holmgren is establishing himself as the best player in the draft. His big question mark is the extent that his skinny, 195-pound frame impedes his ability to defend in the NBA.
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Jabari Smith Jr., F, No. 2 seed Auburn
First game: 12:40 p.m. Friday, No. 15 seed Jacksonville State, truTV
Smith is arguably the most deadly shooter in college basketball. He’s knocking down 42.7% of his 5.3 3-point attempts per game, and his 6-foot-10 frame and high release make it nearly impossible for defenders to contest his shot. His touch extends well behind the arc, as well as from midrange. Smith also has the tools to be a disruptive defender. His offensive game is raw in other areas, and he’ll need to improve his ball-handling to impact the game as a scorer beyond simply spacing the floor.
Paolo Banchero, F, No. 2 seed Duke
First game: 7:10 p.m. Friday, No. 15 seed Cal State Fullerton, CBS
Banchero’s NBA-readiness makes him an enticing top-three draft option. The 6-10 bulky forward is an incredibly skilled scorer inside-the-arc, utilizing turnarounds, pull-ups, drop-steps and other Carmelo Anthony-esque moves to terrorize opposing teams. Banchero is also a capable ball-handler, but he’s a bit of a tweener defensively and there are concerns about his outside shooting, as he’s only knocked down 30.6% of his 3-pointers.
Jaden Ivey, G, No. 3 seed Purdue
First game: 2 p.m. Friday, No. 14 seed Yale, TBS
Purdue had the best conference winning percentage of any Big Ten team this season, and Ivey is a major driver behind the Boilermakers’ success. The 6-4 guard is a gifted athlete with a quick first step and explosive leaping ability. His skill began to catch up to his athleticism this season, as he improved as a playmaker and shot 35.6% from 3. He comes from an athletic background as well. His mom, Niele Ivey, is the current head coach and former player for Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team. His dad, Javin Hunter, is a former NFL wide receiver and Birmingham Detroit Country Day product. And Jaden’s grandfather, James Hunter, was a defensive back for the Lions from 1976-82.
Keegan Murray, F, No. 5 seed Iowa
First game: 3:10 p.m. Thursday, No. 12 seed Richmond, truTV
He’s one of the older players in the draft and will turn 22 before he makes his NBA debut, but Murray’s talent and productivity cannot be denied. The 6-8 forward is averaging 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, two blocks and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 55.5% overall and 40.5% from behind the arc. The Big Ten tournament MVP is a skilled all-around scorer and versatile defender. While opinion is split on his NBA ceiling, he’s generally regarded as a safe pick to become a consistent contributor at the next level.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.