Ah it’s that time of year again. March Madness, the time of year that is still able to make me feel like a five year old on Christmas morning.
Every year, there are mid-major teams and superstars the majority of the world has never heard of lurking in the shadows, waiting anxiously to take the world by storm. In the previous years we have had the pleasure to watch the likes of Ali Farokhmanesh, Stephon Curry, Gordon Hayward, and Eric Maynor take down many of the power houses in college basketball. This year should be no different from the others as there are five players looking poised to wreak havoc on everyone’s brackets come Thursday.
1. Nate Wolters, South Dakota State, Guard
The casual fan probably has never heard of this 6-4 Mr. DoItAll Guard, but come tourney time the entire world will. Wolters leads a S. Dakota State team in points, rebounds, and assists averaging 21ppg, 5rpg, and 6apg. Not to mention the man has five 30+ point performances this season. His team is weak inside but they more than make up for it with their behind-the-arc shooting and seven players averaging 6ppg plus. Wolters could send Baylor packing early.
2. Casper Ware, Long Beach State, Gaurd
Easy name to remember, not an easy name to forget, especially once the tournament is all said and done. Ware is a heady, veteran guard that can absolutely light it up. While averaging 17ppg with 3apg, Ware has had three 30 point outbursts all the while almost slaying the likes of UNC and Kansas. Long Beach State possesses a starting lineup of 4 seniors and 1 junior. New Mexico could be going home early if they mistakenly confuse Casper Ware with Casper The Friendly Ghost.
3. Wendell McKines, New Mexico State, Forward
This man is a monster down low. That is all there is to it. McKines averages 18.8ppg along with 10.8rpg. He also has recorded 21 double doubles this season. New Mexico State is another veteran team that possesses four players averaging double figures. McKines will no doubt give Indiana big man Cody Zeller trouble down low.
4. DJ Cooper, Ohio, Guard
Cooper is a strong ball handler but, an even better scorer and distributor (5.7apg) . Cooper has scored double digits (14.6ppg) every game this year except for six. Ohio is the strongest 3-point defending team in the country which Michigan relies heavily upon. If Cooper can break the 1-3-1 of Michigan and score how he is accustomed to, Ohio could very easily knock Michigan out early.
5. Scott Machado and Mike Glover, Iona
The only reason, these two are at number five is due to the fact they have to play a play in game. Machado is an NBA prospect whom leads the nation in assists at 10apg and Glover is big inside averaging 18ppg with 9rpg. Iona is a very explosive team and fun to watch. If they get on a roll, Machado could have his team dancing late into March. The Gaels are the most dangerous team to fit the magic glass slipper this year.
Yes, Juwan Howard, these men are “gon shock the world.”
Others to keep an eye on: Kerron Johnson(Belmont), Isaiah Canaan (Murray State), Donte Poole(Murray State), Ray McCallum(Detroit), Wes Elkmeier(Colorado State).
Alex Rosencutter is a former NAIA basketball player at Clarke University and a kinesiology major at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, this hoops addict and die hard Miami Heat fan, who is obsessed with old school hoops, has a fever for basketball and the only prescription is more basketball.
