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2016 NBA Draft: Who Stood Out on Day 1 of NCAA Tournament?

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) celebrates in front of Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Demetris Morant (21) during the second half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) celebrates in front of Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Demetris Morant (21) during the second half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke University Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) celebrates during the second half of a first round game against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks during the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Duke University Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) celebrates during the second half of a first round game against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks during the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Ingram, Duke Blue Devils

Opponent: UNC Wilmington Seahawks (13)

Result: 93-85, W

Stat Line: 39 minutes, 20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 offensive rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 7/12 FG, 1/2 3PT, 5/10 FT

Position: Small Forward

Age: 18 (9/2/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 196 pounds, 7’3″

Analysis

Mission: Pass Ben Simmons as the No. 1 Prospect has officially commenced for Duke Blue Devils freshman Brandon Ingram. The Blue Devils were on upset alert, and while it was Marshall Plumlee who stole headlines, Ingram played just as instrumental a role in Duke escaping with the win.

Ingram scored 20 efficient points and pulled down nine rebounds while playing all but one minute of Duke’s 93-85 victory.

The elephant in the room is Ingram’s continued struggles from the free throw line. After converting just 68.8 percent of his attempts leading up to the NCAA Tournament, he went 5-of-10 in a game that was decided by single digits.

Missed free throws can cost teams the game in March Madness, but it’s hard to fault Ingram when he was so strong in every other area.

Ingram played active and physical defense, opportunistically pouncing at the chance to make a play. Offensively, he used his shooting touch to space the floor, and his length to overwhelm a generally small UNC Wilmington team.

Up next: a Yale Bulldogs team that upset fellow NBA Draft prospect Taurean Prince and the Baylor Bears in the Round of 64.

Next: A Career-Altering Development

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