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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; Hartford, CT, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) drives to the basket against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at XL Center. SMU defeated UConn 69-61. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Semi Ojeleye, F, Southern Methodist

The SMU Mustangs come into the 2017 NCAA Tournament under the radar. It is difficult for a team that hasn’t lost since Jan. 12, but they have managed to do it. The committee under-seeded the Mustangs and they will look to show people why this week.

Leading the charge will be Semi Ojeleye.

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Ojeleye originally committed to Duke out of high school. He spent his first two collegiate seasons with the Blue Devils, playing sparingly. He transferred and ended up at SMU, where he has blossomed as a player.

Ojeleye has had an excellent season in his first real chance at playing time at the college level. Ojeleye led the Mustangs to a 30-4 record, as they ran through the American Athletic Conference tournament as well.

He has stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

He is the engine that makes the shorthanded Mustangs go. They usually play only six guys, sometimes seven. Fatigue would seemingly be a factor, but they have yet to slow down this season.

This is as good a chance as any for Ojeleye and the Mustangs to put themselves on the map and show a national audience what they are made of.