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The Madness Brings Out the Best in Every Player

North+Carolinas+Brice+Johnson+%2811%29+screams+after+slamming+in+two+during+the+second+half+against+Providence+in+the+second+round+of+the+NCAA+Tournament+at+PNC+Arena+in+Raleigh%2C+N.C.%2C+on+Saturday%2C+March+19%2C+2016.+North+Carolina+advanced%2C+85-66.+%28Ethan+Hyman%2FRaleigh+News+%26+Observer%2FTNS%29
Ethan Hyman
North Carolina’s Brice Johnson (11) screams after slamming in two during the second half against Providence in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday, March 19, 2016. North Carolina advanced, 85-66. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/TNS)

With the first two rounds of March Madness completed, I take a look at some of the top performers so far in the tournament.

3. Grayson Allen (Sophomore, Duke):

First Round vs. UNC Wilmington: 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists

Second Round vs. Yale: 29 points, two rebounds, and one assist.

Sophomore Allen has been the most improved player in the country this season, averaging 21.8 points per game. The ACC’s leading scorer has been Duke’s go-to player late in games to carry them to victory. Although he is seen as a dirty player, and has been mentioned alongside other hated Duke players like Christian Laettner, he remains a consistent threat on the court and opposing teams don’t seem to have an answer for him.

2. Buddy Hield (Senior, Oklahoma):

First Round vs. CSU Bakersfield: 27 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks

Second Round vs. VCU: 36 points, seven rebounds, and one assist

Hield, who has been the most exciting player in college basketball this season, is leading all scorers this tournament with 63 points through two games. The Oklahoma phenom is making 50 percent of his field goals and 46 percent of the three-pointers he attempts each game. Hield has proved himself this season and has made himself into a near-lock for a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft after showcasing his consistent scoring ability.

North Carolina's Brice Johnson (11) celebrates after blocking a shot by Florida Gulf Coast's Kevin Mickle (10) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, March 17, 2016. North Carolina advanced, 83-67. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/TNS)
North Carolina’s Brice Johnson (11) celebrates after blocking a shot by Florida Gulf Coast’s Kevin Mickle (10) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, March 17, 2016. North Carolina advanced, 83-67. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/TNS)

1. Brice Johnson (Senior, North Carolina):

Last two games:

First Round vs. FGCU 18 points, seven rebounds, eight blocks, and three assists

Second Round vs. Providence 21 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.

Johnson has been an integral part to North Carolina’s success this season, averaging a double-double each game. Johnson had a career-high, and set a Tar Heels tournament record for blocks, in the Tar Heels’ first-round game against Florida Gulf Coast. His all-around ability on the court has made him the top performer in the NCAA tournament.

 

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