Sweet 16 2013: Highlighting Most Exciting Players Remaining in NCAA Tournament

The 2013 NCAA tournament has been absolutely thrilling so far, and one of the main reasons for this has been the extraordinary effort by some of the top players in this event.

There are still plenty of big names remaining in this star-studded tourney, even after the field has been cut down to a “Sweet 16” grouping of teams.

Let’s take a look at the three most exciting talents that are left, as you will not want to miss a single minute of action when they are on the floor.

 

Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana

The Hoosiers were lucky to escape the Temple Owls in the third round, but thanks to Oladipo’s heroics, they have danced into the Sweet 16 and are getting set to face the Syracuse Orange.

This junior shooting guard is at the top of NBA draft big boards for his incredible motor, commitment to playing tough defense, elite athleticism and efficient scoring capabilities.

During the 2012-13 campaign, he averaged an impressive 13.6 points (59.4 percent FG percentage, 43.3 3PT percentage), 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals.

While he’s not without flaws, Oladipo is one of the most intriguing players to watch and, against Temple, even displayed a clutch factor many were concerned he did not possess.

With 14 seconds left, Indiana was up by a single point against the Owls. The 6’5” guard rose up and fired, then left his arm in the air as he backed away and watched the long trey swish through the net.

It locked up IU’s hard-earned victory, and now the No. 1 seed is still alive to carry out its quest of bringing a title back to Bloomington. If the Hoosiers are going to do so, Oladipo will certainly continue to be instrumental to their chances.

 

Trey Burke, G, Michigan

Burke earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors for returning the Wolverines to greatness and putting on an absolutely stunning display from his point guard position.

During his sophomore campaign, the 6’0” star averaged 18.8 points, 6.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals. He’s succeeded despite his diminutive size and is on the radar as a potential first-round draft pick this coming June.

At numerous points during the season, he made a stunning play to get a much-needed bucket or swipe a game-winning steal to help Michigan put together a good enough resume to earn a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Through U-M’s initial two tourney contests, the team has hardly been challenged and looks to have a legitimate shot of winning it all. The Wolverines have a tough matchup in the Sweet 16 against the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks, but they are actually favored to win.

If Burke plays up to his abilities, gets to the cup at will and sets up his talented teammates in good position to score, there’s going to be no stopping this Michigan powerhouse.

 

Sherwood Brown, G, Florida Gulf Coast

FGCU’s run as a No. 15 seed is unprecedented in tournament history, as they became the first team from that position to make a run into the Sweet 16.

The Eagles likely would not have been able to make it this far without Brown, their best player and emotional leader on the floor. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists per game during the 2012-13 campaign and helped this underdog capture the Atlantic Sun tournament crown to get into the Big Dance.

This Cinderella program has leaned on the 6’4” senior to navigate past the second-seeded Georgetown Hoyas—a squad many thought had a chance to win a national title this year—and the No. 7 San Diego State Aztecs.

Brown has answered the call by scoring 41 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, dishing three assists and nabbing three steals in those two contests. He’s also been able to get to the line (12-of-16 on foul shots) and knock down a high percentage of his shot attempts (12-of-21 shooting) in this event.

Florida Gulf Coast will now match up with No. 3 Florida in the Sweet 16, an intriguing showdown between a perennial powerhouse and a high-flying, upstart team that no one ever expected to be here.

Should Brown string together another great performance and inspire his teammates to do the same, we could be talking about FGCU in the Elite Eight.