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By
Channing McCarthy
NBADraft.net
3/24/08
Ok, so I guess
we can all unfasten our seat belts, lean back, and take a deep breath
over the course of the next three days. In addition to being able
to get our pulse and heart rate down somewhere in the stratosphere
of normality; the days leading to Thursday’s upcoming contests
provide an opportunity to analyze the various factors that may cause
each of the remaining teams to succeed all the way to San Antonio
or flounder out of the tournament. With that said, today is the
first of a four part series in which the focus will be placed on
each of the 16 team's indispensable piece. These are players that
might not necessarily possess the most talent on their respective
team, but are a critical catalyst for their team’s success
and failure. We’ll begin with the East Region and work our
way West.
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Wayne
Ellington
Icon SMI |
Wayne Ellington
(North Carolina)
Likely national
player of the year, Tyler Hansbrough is unquestionably the Tar Heel’s
premier player. But the play of sophomore Wayne Ellington might
be the biggest factor in UNC’s tournament success. Through
the first two games against Mount St. Mary’s and Arkansas,
Ellington has been stellar; averaging 22 points on an astounding
63% from the floor (14 of 22 in the two games combined). In addition
to being remarkably efficient, Ellington is the player most responsible
for UNC’s offensive spacing; as he is proficient at producing
spotting up, pulling up off the dribble, or finishing in transition.
Although, Ellington is brilliant offensively, it is his effort and
production at the defensive end that is going to be most critical;
as an imminent match-up against Kyle Weaver awaits. If Carolina
survives Washington State, it certainly won’t get any easier
for Ellington as he will either draw the assignment of defending
the Smiths (JaJuan and Tyler for Tennessee or Jerry for Louisville).
In each scenario, Ellington is going to face off against players
and teams who are capable of making things difficult for him offensively
(particularly Weaver) and challenge him defensively with their own
ability on the offensive end. If UNC is going to win it all, it
will certainly need Ellington to excel the rest of the way.
Wayne Chism (Tennessee)
With season
averages of 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds, sophomore forward, Wayne
Chism isn’t going to wow anyone from a statistical standpoint.
While Chism was a bit of a disappointment during the regular season
(a big reason for his numbers is the depth of the Vols’ roster),
with averages of 16 points and 6 rebounds thus far in tournament;
he has been arguably Bruce Pearl’s best player. What makes
Chism so valuable is that he has the range and mobility to cause
significant problems for Louisville’s frontcourt (namely center,
David Padgett) and should the Vols advance; the strength and athleticism
to challenge Tyler Hansbrough, and the agility to dominate the interior
of Washington State. Though Tyler Smith gets most of the recognition
as the Vol's "glue guy", Chism's interior prowess makes
him a crucial piece to the team.
Earl Clark (Louisville)
Talk about a
hit or miss; as stellar as Clark can be, there were 14 occasions
this season in which the sophomore swingman was held under double
figures (Louisville went 9-5 in those games), but when he is on,
Clark is arguably one of the most versatile players remaining in
the tournament. At a legitimate 6”8, he has the length to
rebound (over 8 per game), disrupt shots (1.6 blocks), and play
the passing lanes (over a steal a game); as well as the perimeter
skill set to be effective from 18 feet out (46 FG%), handle the
ball, and finish on the break. Through the tournament’s first
two games, Clark has been a vital spark for Louisville off the bench,
as he has scored 14 and 15 points respectively. More importantly,
Clark is the only Cardinal that has the athleticism to negate the
ridiculous versatility of Tennessee’s Tyler Smith; and should
they advance, Wayne Ellington or Kyle Weaver. Clark's athleticism
triggers the Louisville press and makes him a key piece to their
Final Four aspirations.
Taylor Rochestie (Washington
State)
In virtual
obscurity for much of the country, the Cougar’s junior guard
has put up some very solid numbers (10.7ppg 3.2rpg 4.8apg 1stl).
What’s even more remarkable about Rochestie’s level
of productivity is that he has just 58 turnovers all season (its
even more special considering that fourteen of them came in a two
game span against Gonzaga and Portland State). It is that kind of
steadiness (2.8/1 a/to ratio) that allows both Weaver and Low the
luxury of operating in the half-court, and not bringing the ball
up against defensive pressure. In addition to being able to handle
the ball, Rochestie is arguably Washington State’s best outside
shooter (43% from three) and distributor (thus far in the tournament
he is averaging 8 assists per game). With an East semi-final match
up against Ty Lawson and UNC, and potential match-ups against ball-hawking
Louisville or Tennessee (should the Cougars advance); Rochestie’s
ball handling prowess is going to be needed more than ever. Rochestie
provides Wazzou the perfect third guard compliment to the tremendous
Weaver and Low tandem.
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