James Michael McAdoo vs. Mouphtaou Yarou and JayVaughn Pinkston
Since going to a smaller lineup, with James Michael McAdoo playing center, the Tar Heels have been much better than earlier in the season. McAdoo, who used to be a projected top 10 pick, has a really up and down season, so he will need to have a big performance in the Tournament to boost his NBA stock. Also, the Tar Heels need him to have a big game, both on offense and keeping the big bodies of Mouphtaou Yarou (6-10, 255) and JayVaughn Pinkston (6-7, 260). McAdoo has struggled defensively against stronger opponents, so Yarou and Pinkston could have an advantage in this match-up. If McAdoo can control the defensive glass, hold his own in the pain, as well as using his quickness on the offensive end, he could see a real boost this his draft stock, scouts want to love him, he just needs to give them a reason. Another thing to watch is this, Villanova is the best in the country in getting to the line (26.3 time a game) so it will be crucial for McAdoo to avoid foul trouble.
Trey Burke vs. Nate Wolters
This probably the top match-up of the Tournament's opening round. Trey Burke is the National POY and the top point guard in the country. If Burke is the best point, Nate Wolters maybe the second best. Burke is an elite pick-and-roll guard who can score in the open floor and is shooting 40% from 3 on the season. He is a likely first round draft pick. Wolters on the other hand, is the fourth leading scorer in the country who has a really complete game as a point guard; he can get to the rim, set up teammates, and shoot it from deep. Both guys are quick, skilled, and experienced but if one guy has an advantage on the other, it's Wolters size. Burke is between 6-0 and 6-1, while Wolters stands 6-4. Burke has struggled against size and finishing at the rim, so if Wolters can keep Burke in front of him, he'll should be able to challenge him and close that space, making it difficult for Burke. Both of these guards have a chance to go in the first round, and Wolters could be in for a big rise boards, while Burke could end up in the top 10 with a good Tournament.
Shabazz Muhammad vs. Rodney Williams
Once Jordan Adams broke his ankle, it not only threw UCLA's season into panic mode, but it also put a whole lot of pressure onto Shabazz Muhammad. Muhammad is the leading scorer for the Bruins and will be expected to step up big time. He's the top 3 recruit, he's the potential lottery pick, so the expectations are very high for him. Muhammad is a strong, NBA athlete and he wasn't challenged with defenders who could match up with him very often in the Pac-12, but Minnesota has the perfect guy for him, Rodney Williams may have disappointed based on his potential, but the guy is one of the top athletes in the country and a lockdown defensive player. Watching Williams and Muhammad go at in on the perimeter should be interesting because Williams can stay in front and challenge every shot. Where Muhammad will have an advantage is in the post, so it will be interesting to see how often he'l take the ball down there. Either way, this is a chance for Muhammad to lock up a top 5 pick and Williams to make a name for himself as a defender and advance his team into the next round.
Jamaal Franklin vs. Oklahoma's Guards
There isn't a more explosive, athletic guard in the country than Jamaal Franklin, he's one of the best rebounders in country, regardless of position (he averages a ridicules 9.5 a game) and his motor is constantly running. Oklahoma will have to figure out a way to keep up with him on the glass and in the open court if they want to win. Oklahoma has a number of guards, but none of them are the same level of size and explosiveness so it will take a team effort to slow down Franklin, while also taking care of the ball so that he can't reek as much havoc on the defensive end. Franklin has struggled shooting the ball this year, but he's the kind of high level athlete with a great motor that you just can't find, the guard version of Kenneth Faried. NBA teams love that and there isn't an NBA team that wouldn't get better with him on it, a big tournament could get him into the mid-first round.
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