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March Madness: Prospects to watch for in NCAA Tournament’s second weekend

By Ryan Doyle

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 28: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates his three point shot in the overtime period against the Seton Hall Pirates on February 28, 2018 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Seton Hall Pirates 69-68 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 28: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates his three point shot in the overtime period against the Seton Hall Pirates on February 28, 2018 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Seton Hall Pirates 69-68 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Moritz Wagner, Michigan Wolverines
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 17: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Houston Cougars in the second half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena on March 17, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. The Michigan Wolverines won 64-63.(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Moritz Wagner & Charles Matthews, Michigan Wolverines

Thursday vs. Texas A&M, 7:37 p.m./TBS

The tantalizing Michigan Wolverines big man has been the key for Michigan’s back-to-back Sweet Sixteen runs. The near 7-footer has 3-point range and has been a perfect fit for the Wolverines’ five-out system.

Wagner has not put up crazy numbers in the Tournament so far, but his ability to stretch the floor has opened up driving lanes in what is typically a crowded paint in college basketball. This will be a major key in the Michigan Wolverines’ next matchup against the Texas A&M Aggies, who just beat the defending champion North Carolina Tar Heels by 19 points.

The junior shot 40.3 percent from three and grabbed 71. boards per contest. The NBA-bound big man will fill the prototypical stretch-big role.

Another leader on the Wolverines is guard Charles Matthews. The 6-foot-6 junior has been one of Michigan’s most consistent offensive weapons, averaging 10.5 points per game and 16 rebounds per game in two contests.

Matthews transferred from Kentucky in 2016 and has had the definition of an up and down season with Michigan. He has had multiple stretches, where his offense disappeared and with it, much of the value he has.

But once March and the Big Ten tournament came around, he turned things on.

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The Wolverines have a roster chock-full of experience. With Matthews and Wagner in tow, Michigan will have a rare advantage as youth dominates some of the other top rosters.