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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; Denver , CO, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) looks to pass around Fresno State Bulldogs forward Karachi Edo (4) in the first half during Utah vs Fresno State in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) looks to pass around Fresno State Bulldogs forward Karachi Edo (4) in the first half during Utah vs Fresno State in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes

Opponent: Fresno State Bulldogs (14)

Result: 80-69, W

Stat Line: 36 minutes, 16 points, 18 rebounds, 9 offensive rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 5/11 FG, 6/9 FT

Position: Center

Age: 20 (10/15/1995)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’1″, 242 pounds, 7’1″

Analysis

Jakob Poeltl has the potential to both thrive in and break down a small-ball lineup. He’s mobile enough to run in transition and hold his own against athletic big men, and is skilled enough to score from the post and protect the defensive interior.

Poeltl’s performance against the Fresno State Bulldogs wasn’t perfect, but it was exactly what scouts needed to see: a dominant performance on the boards.

Poeltl is generally regarded as a Top 10 prospect, so it’s not as though his draft stock was in danger. The performance against the small-ball Bulldogs was a big one, however, as Poeltl absolutely dominated the boards on both ends of the floor.

Poeltl recorded 18 total rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass—almost twice as many as Fresno State recorded as a team.

Poeltl has the size at 7’1″ to be the starting center in a traditional lineup. He’s a shot-blocking rim protector whose offensive game has progressed tremendously, and while his shooting range isn’t quite as deep as teams prefer in the modern era, he’s a Top 10 prospect for a reason.

This was yet another example of how Poeltl will exploit his size advantage whenever the opportunity arises.

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