Jerian Grant & Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame vs. Fred VanVleet & Ron Baker, Wichita St. (Thursday, 4:15 PM PT)
Two of the best backcourts in the country square off with a lot on the line for both their teams, and their potential draft positions.
Grant is the only surefire first-round pick of the group, an impressive combo guard with size, speed, and excellent passing ability. His backcourt mate Jackson hasn’t had quite as good a showing in the tournament, but also possesses the speed, athleticism, and basketball IQ to play point guard at the next level.
Both Jackson and Grant will need to improve their shooting, which is the least of worries for the Wichita St. guards. Baker is one of the best shooters in the draft and has no fear of the big stage as he has shown over the last two years. VanVleet has been one of the country’s best point guards all season and has continued his great play with a pair of fantastic performances in helping the Shockers reach the Sweet 16.
Jackson and VanVleet are similar in that they both have all of the skills and intangibles you want in a point guard, but lack ideal size. Both have the potential to play their way into the end of the first round though Jackson is clearly ahead on most draft boards at this point.
Baker may be caught in between positions at the NBA level as he lacks the size to play the two, but may not be able to guard point guards. Keeping up with one of the draft’s most athletic combo guards would help ease that fear while Grant can prove that he is head and shoulders above everyone not named Russell or Mudiay in what is a deep point guard class.
CONTINUE: Kevon Looney vs. Domatas Sabonis