March Shine-ness

By on March 18, 2015

 

Prime Time Players, or “P.T.P” as Dick Vitale likes to say, are an integral part to every team.  Everybody has heard of Willie Cauley Stein and Frank Kaminsky.  But what about the players you have not heard of, those players from other Power 5 conferences or mid-majors that have propelled their teams to the NCAA tournament.  The following players are soon to be household names and join the list of other great NCAA tournament players.

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) dribbles the basketball against Brigham Young Cougars guard Skyler Halford (23) during the first half in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. (photo USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Terada)

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) dribbles the basketball against Brigham Young Cougars guard Skyler Halford (23) during the first half in the finals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. (photo USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Terada)

 

  1. Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga): Unable to get out of the shadows of Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd Gilchrist and all the other 5 star recruits that John Calipari recruited, Wiltjer transferred to Gonzaga. Wiltjer averaged 16.7 points per game, shooting 46% from beyond the arc and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 3rd straight West Coast Conference Title and a number 2 seed in the South Region.  Nothing would make Wiltjer happier than to beat his old team and put an end to Kentucky’s undefeated season.
  2. Seth Tuttle (Northern Iowa): All Tuttle did this year was produce. Averaging 15 points per game along with 6 rebounds per game Tuttle was named Missouri Valley Player of the Year and helped the Panthers finish with a final ranking of 11 in the AP Poll.  He shoots 61.6% from the field as well as 43% from beyond the arc.  He has the panthers poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
  3. Bobby Portis (Arkansas): Another player whose name you more than likely have never heard. As a sophomore he was named AP SEC Player of the Year beating out the “Kentucky 5.” Portis was 1 of 3 Power Conference players to average 17.5 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.  He is also the only sophomore to be named to the Wooden Watch 15.

Pay close to attention to these players as they are sure to provide you with some highlight worthy plays.

Categories: Basketball, Featured, Sports
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