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2016 NBA Draft: Who Shined on Day 1 of Sweet 16?

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Sheldon McClellan (10) reacts after a play during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Sheldon McClellan (10) reacts after a play during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in a semifinal game in the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Ingram, Duke Blue Devils

Opponent: Oregon Ducks (1)

Result: 82-68, L

Stat Line: 40 minutes, 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 9/20 FG, 2/7 3PT, 4/6 FT

Position: Small Forward

Age: 18 (9/2/1997)

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

Analysis

The Duke Blue Devils concluded their run through March Madness in the Sweet 16. Matched up against an Oregon Ducks squad that has more than validated its being a No. 1 seed, Duke was outgunned and overmatched during an 82-68 loss.

As has been the case for the vast majority of the 2015-16 season, the one reason for optimism during the Blue Devils’ final game was the play of Brandon Ingram.

The freshman phenom completed his in-game quest to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft with 24 points against the Ducks. He and Dillon Brooks had a memorable duel, but it was the 18-year-old Duke star who stood out on the draft front.

Ingram still struggles at the free throw line, but he further established that he can get his shot off whenever he wants.

Ingram is still finding his game offensively, but he’s a defensive playmaker with the upside on both ends to be an All-NBA contributor. He’s also 18 years old, won’t turn 19 until September, and has a jump shot that’s already worth fearing.

If this is the last time we see Ingram in a Duke jersey, it was quite the game to go out with.

Next: Closing Statement

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