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2017 NCAA Tournament: 5 Players To Watch For In East Region

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 14, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; Ball sits on the court before the game the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers between the New Orleans Privateers in the first four of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; Ball sits on the court before the game the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers between the New Orleans Privateers in the first four of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NCAA Tournament: 5 Players To Watch For In East Region
Feb 25, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles the during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

Jayson Tatum got off to a slow start this season. The freshman missed the first eight games of the season because of injury. It took a little while for him to get his feet underneath him, but once he did, Tatum took off.

The highly touted freshman has hit his stride and looks like the player Duke had hoped they were getting. He has turned into a matchup nightmare, as he can score all over the court. He can play off his teammates or create his own shot.

He is shooting only 33.6 percent from deep, but that has not slowed him down.

Tatum is averaging 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He gets it done on both ends of the court and does it not matter if the Blue Devils are playing a lower tier team or a highly ranked rival such as North Carolina.

Tatum is one of the more highly regarded prospects heading into the 2017 NCAA Tournament for NBA scouts. He can cement that status with a strong tournament and is one of the best players in the country despite being a freshman.