Looking Ahead: NCAA Matchup of Week Features Big Ten Standouts
Today marks the final day of regular season play at the college level before conference tournaments kick off. Following today's slate of games, the level of competition will pick up as stakes get higher.
Even during the regular season in conference play, there’s a ton of exciting college matchups that feature upcoming NBA talent. As such, NBA fans are able to get a look at players that will be making an impact at the next level one day firsthand.
As it relates to future draft prospects, which college matchup are we most excited about entering the week before conference tournaments begin?
Michigan Wolverines vs Indiana Hoosiers
Sunday, Mar. 5, 2023 at 4:30 PM EST
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Featured Prospects: Jett Howard, Hunter Dickinson, Kobe Bufkin, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Malik Reneau
When it comes to lottery talent in this matchup, it starts with Michigan wing Jett Howard. He's an absolutely elite 3-point shooter that has the size to make an impact at the NBA level immediately. If he can emerge as a more well-rounded prospect that can impact both sides of the ball, he could be one of the best players in this class.
Alongside him in the starting lineup for the Wolverines is Kobe Bufkin and Hunter Dickinson. A 6-foot-4 guard, Bufkin has steadily improved his draft stock as the season goes on, improving as a passer and 3-point shooter. A dominant upperclassman, Dickinson is averaging nearly 18 points and nine boards per game while knocking down 40% of his triples. For both Dickinson and Bufkin, a few key performances in March could really help ensure they're solidified second-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft.
For Indiana, Jalen Hood-Schifino appears to be the best NBA prospect as of today. He went from a second-round projection early in the season to more of a first rounder today. He's emerged as a lethal mid-range scorer than can also fill it up from deep with some consistency.
However, the more dominant player at the college level is forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, who is a double-double machine. He's one of the most impactful players in the country, but his fit at the next level may not be as seamless given he's undersized for a big and not much of a perimeter shooter. Nonetheless, he'll be worth a second-round pick this summer following a campaign in which he's earned a 13.2 C-RAM and 96 DSI from Cerebro Sports.
Looking longer term, Malik Reneau has the chance to be a potential first-rounder in 2024. He'll likely need another college season with an expanded role, but the ceiling is extremely high.
On the last day of the regular season, there will be a handful of future NBA players on the court in this Big Ten matchup.
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