Austin Rivers: March Madness Predictions for Duke Star

Austin Rivers is primed and ready to make an epic entrance onto college basketball's biggest stage. 

The bright lights of March Madness are about to shine directly onto Duke's rookie star. Don't expect him to whither, though, as I expect him to respond by tearing up the stat sheet.

Rivers is a fearless player with the kind of attitude you want in your top scorer. 

Mike Krzyzewski was confident enough in him to allow him to take the game-winning shot for the Blue Devils in their thrilling win against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

He came on strong at the end of the regular season, scoring 20-plus points in four games in the month of February and raising his seasonal average for points from 14 per game from November through January to 18 per game in February.

One of the best things about Rivers' game is his ability to create points off his own dribble. He can beat any defender off the dribble and he's quick enough to get into the lane and lay it in before any backside help can arrive.

Of course, this by no means excludes Rivers from criticism.

He can become too entranced with his own game at times and leaves his teammates standing around. He needs to become a better facilitator if the Blue Devils have a hope of winning the tournament.

Rivers also needs to work on his foul shooting, as well as simply getting to the line more often. He only shot 64 percent during the regular season while getting to the line five times a game. There will be many more points to be had if he can become more proficient in both of these areas.

Krzyzewski is a master at getting young players to perform at a high level.

He's one of the best coaches in NCAA history, and he will have Rivers and the rest of the Blue Devils as prepared as any team in the tournament.

Rivers will come out with guns blazing on his way to a glorious debut. I'm expecting the Blue Devils to make it to the Elite 8, and Rivers will have as much to do with their success as anyone on the team.

He's going to knock your socks off. Just wait and see.

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