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Orlando Magic 2024 NBA Draft Preview: 5 prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament has arrived and while the Orlando Magic are in the middle of their playoff chase, they still will need to keep an eye on a few players as they look ahead to the NBA Draft.

By Philip Rossman-Reich

It's NCAA Tournament time and the Orlando Magic will be looking at a lot of different prospects to fill needs for next season, including Duke guard Jared McCain.
It's NCAA Tournament time and the Orlando Magic will be looking at a lot of different prospects to fill needs for next season, including Duke guard Jared McCain. / Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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The pressure is always heightened in March.

The beginning of the month brings with it Free Throw Awareness Month and all the pressure that comes with big games.

The NBA is in the middle of its playoff chase as teams get more serious for the sprint to the end of the season and the postseason ahead. College basketball is hitting its NCAA Tournament and preparing to crown its national champion.

March is when everyone gets serious about basketball's present and its future. This is when the players stake their claim to the title and new players emerge to preview who will run the basketball world. That goes for both the NBA and college games.

March is where a lot of players make their names.

For NBA fans, the NCAA Tournament and the pressure-packed games -- not to mention a whole afternoon's worth of games and all-day basketball is just the best -- are when they start to look more closely at the draft prospects. These are high-profile games and the last games many players will play before they are dissected for the draft process.

Even in the middle of the Playoff chase, it is important to sit down and think about the draft process. No team should skip steps and skip out on the draft. Even if this is a particularly down year for the draft.

Or even if the team finds itself in the playoff picture for the first time in a long time.

Yes, the Magic are going to approach this draft perhaps a bit differently than years before. On the eve of the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament (Wagner and Colorado State advanced already in Tuesday's First Four games with another pair of games Wednesday), the Magic hold the 21st pick in the draft.

That is a lot different than the sixth pick.

And, on top of that, Anthony Black (the sixth pick from last year) and Jett Howard (the 11th pick) are out of the rotation. Orlando may not necessarily have room for another rookie or could more regularly defer rookies to the G-League for their first seasons.

Still, there is the chance to get talent and add players to the roster. And everyone has to do their homework in the draft. Everyone needs to add the best players they can.

The Magic may be drafting later in the draft than usual, but they should still watch the NCAA Tournament with an eye on the draft to mine some talent. And so should you.

Here are the players to keep an eye on for the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

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