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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 84: NCAA Tournament preview with Ricky Scricca

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 15: Dewan Huell #20 of the Miami Hurricanes defends Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the game at The Watsco Center on January 15, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 15: Dewan Huell #20 of the Miami Hurricanes defends Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the game at The Watsco Center on January 15, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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The NCAA Tournament is here and it is time to focus on the prospects the Magic might take in the upcoming draft. We break it all down on the podcast.

If Orlando Magic fans tune off the Magic for a while — particularly Friday’s game against the Boston Celtics — no one could blame them. Likely the Magic’s scouting staff will be spread out across the country doing the same. Even some of the team’s high-level executives might skip the beginning of this homestand in order to get that last bit of scouting in.

For some fans, the NCAA Tournament is the be-all, end-all for college scouting. Performance in the tournament forms their opinions of players. It is, of course, just one part of the puzzle.

Then again, plenty of players have increased their stock and made a deep impression with their performance during these high-pressure games. It will be another note tagged to the reports on these players.

The background research goes on into May and then come the interviews at the Draft Combine following the NBA Draft Lottery.

Fans though love the NCAA Tournament. Everyone is filling out their brackets (present company included) and trying to get into the madness of March Madness.

Every major college prospect will play in the NCAA Tournament. Some of the potential matchups for them is tantalizing too. Arizona Wildcats big man Deandre Ayton could get the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round. Trae Young and the Oklahoma Sooners might face off against the star-studded Duke Blue Devils featuring Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter in the second round.

Meanwhile, tournament favorites, the Villanova Wildcats, will feature a rising two-way wing in Mikal Bridges. And then there are promising players like Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba and the recovering from injury Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr.

They may get just one game to show what they can do on a big stage. But one game is enough to make an impression. And even at the college level, one elite player may be enough to keep the dream alive and score an upset or two. That might be enough to rise a spot or two, or at least get in the conversation.

For those that are just jumping into the NCAA season and starting to study up on some of the potential draft prospects, we are here for you.

On this episode of the Orlando Magic Daily Podcast, our Ricky Scricca joins the show to discuss what to watch for from each of the prospects and where they stand heading into the NCAA Tournament:

On This Episode:

  • Comparing big boards and who we like in the NBA Draft
  • How has Michigan State Spartans big man Jaren Jackson Jr. risen up draft boards?
  • The Trae Young hype — real or overblown?
  • Can Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young translate to the NBA and warp the court like Stephen Curry?
  • Where does Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley III fit in the modern NBA?
  • How does Wendell Carter project into the NBA?
  • What do we know about Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr.?
  • Where would Michael Porter Jr. fit with the Orlando Magic? Is he worth giving up Aaron Gordon?
  • What makes Arizona Wildcats center Deandre Ayton so special?
  • Should we be more worried about Deandre Ayton’s defensive shortcomings?
  • Why is Villanova Wildcats wing Mikal Bridges rising on draft boards?

Be sure to follow Ricky Scricca on Twitter @scricca1 for his draft and Orlando Magic analysis all throughout the NCAA Tournament. And check out his draft profiles on Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr. on Orlando Magic Daily. I am sure he will have more draft profiles coming out soon as we head toward the NBA Draft in June!

Next: Prospects to keep an eye on during March Madness

Also, subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on Panoply, iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn.