Otega Oweh helped Kentucky escape Santa Clara with a buzzer-beating three to force overtime on his way to 35 points. However, he was not alone, as Denzel Aberdeen scored 16 points as well.
They will need both today to get past Iowa State, but I will be backing Aberdeen. Two other guards I am eyeing today are Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Brayden Burries.
So, here are my NCAA Tournament player props for Sunday's second-round games.
NCAA Tournament Player Props for Sunday, March 22
- Denzel Aberdeen Over 13.5 Points (-115, Fanatics)
- Ja'Kobi Gillespie Over 5.5 Assists (+110, Fanatics)
- Brayden Burries Over 16.5 Points (-115, Fanatics)
Denzel Aberdeen is not unfamiliar with the NCAA Tournament, as he came off the bench on Florida's national title team a season ago.
Most notably, he scored 12 points in the Sweet 16 against Maryland. He transferred to rival Kentucky and has averaged 13.3 points per game this season.
Aberdeen has upped that average to 15 per game over his last 20 contests. He has scored 14 points in 16 of those games, as well as nine of his last 10 games. He has also averaged 35 minutes over his last 10.
He will face an Iowa State defense that is fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency. However, head coach T.J. Otzelberger's first priority will likely be slowing Oweh. That means the Wildcats will need Aberdeen to step up and make shots to have a chance of pulling the upset.
Action PRO projects him for 13.1 points today.
Given his consistency, I think he is up for the challenge.
Pick: Denzel Aberdeen Over 13.5 Points
On Friday, Ja'Kobi Gillespie paced the Tennessee offense with 29 points on 11-of-21 from the field, ending the season of America's favorite Cinderella, Miami (OH). However, he also had nine assists and created over 60% of Tennessee's points.
Gillespie has recorded six assists in six of his last 10 games, while averaging 6.1 per game in that span.
For the season, he ranks 74th in Division I with a 31% assist rate. That mark nearly doubles anyone else on Tennessee's roster, which means that if he is on the floor, he will likely either be scoring or setting up one of his teammates.
It was noticeable that Gillespie had nine assists while Tennessee's second leading scorer did not score in 18 minutes.
The talented freshman has been battling an ankle injury, but he averages 17 points per game. If Gillespie approaches that mark against Virginia today, he will likely assist a couple of those baskets on his way to a total of six again.
Pick: Ja'Kobi Gillespie Over 5.5 Assists
Arizona had no problem advancing to the Round of 32 with a 92-58 win over Long Island.
Brayden Burries led the way, scoring 14 of his 18 points in the first half. He has scored 17 points in six of his last eight games while averaging 18.6 points per game.
Today figures to be a little tougher for him with Arizona drawing Utah State. However, the Aggies are 90th in effective field goal percentage defense and 214th in three-point percentage defense.
Burries went 4-for-5 from three on Friday and is a 38% shooter from deep this season. However, he is also capable of scoring at all three levels. He has converted 57% of his twos and 80% of his free throws while getting to the foul line 4.2 times per game.
Arizona can hit opponents in a lot of different areas with seven players averaging nine points per game and five in double digits.
However, Burries sets the pace as the team's leading scorer, and he enters this game on a roll.
Action PRO projects him for 16.6 points.
I like him to stay hot today and help the Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16 with 17+ points.
Pick: Brayden Burries Over 16.5 Points
