The Tryin Times is dedicated to inspiration and ignition of spirit. March Madness each year is something that inspires and ignites the spirit. Last year we were in the beginning of the trying times, so no tourney, no magic, no dancing.
This year we have some truly remarkable talent, and it should make for a once again, remarkable tourney.
I wanted to take some time to focus on some guys I’ve seen play this year, who have what I call.. the warrior spirit. They demonstrate an edge that I believe puts them on another level, and therefore likely to have a great tournament performance. Call it me “booking it” on the record that these guys are going to impress this weekend. These guys all have what I look for who embody the warrior’s spirit, from a skill sense, but also a mental and spiritual sense. I just like what they represent.
My scouting reports on these guys don’t include statistics, only what I see from an observation on their demeanor and effect on the game.. But you can bet these guys will put up numbers.. some you may know, some you may not.. but after the dance, you surely will remember their names! No particular order, but if I had to put together a roster of the guys I’ve seen thus far, here it is…
Here’s my top Tryin Times Performers for March Madness 2021
Duane Washington – Guard – Ohio State
Duane Washington brings a scorer’s mentality and a nice smooth game. His ability to get to the rim and also shoot from outside bring a nice combination. Only saw him play once, but was impressive as of late. He could get hot and lead his team to a few streaky W’s. Ohio State plays with a fearless style I love to see, overcoming Michigan and really hanging with Illinois in the Big Ten championship.
CJ Walker – Guard – Ohio State
Walker brings a combination of John Starks and Isaiah Thomas. He is a strong stocky lefty who has a really tough nose for the game. His ability to use his body to get separation is impressive, and he’s a fighter. He can influence the outcome of any game and he’ll be in your shorts at the defensive end for 40 minutes.
Cade Cunningham – Guard – Oklahoma State
Everybody pretty much knows about this guy by now, but he does have a pro style game and demeanor. He has a streaky side where he can get fired up and go off, but also a sneaky side where he can appear and disappear like a mirage in a game. He sort of reminds me of a young Michael Beasley with a better jumper, and could see him being almost like a Jason Tatum if he has the work ethic. He’s a little cocky, but he’s legit.
Bonus Scout- Avery Anderson is fast as hell and streaky.
Davion Mitchell – Guard – Baylor
This guy is not related to Donavan Mitchell, I checked.. But he is explosive and plays with a wide strong base like the professional 45. He has a really strong demeanor and leads the Bears along with their cavalcade of gaurds. They have about 5 who could probably make this article..but I like Mitchell’s game. He can take over a game and will surely be needed for Baylor to go all the way on the defensive end. Think Marcus Smart.
Matt Mayer – Big – Baylor
His hair is reason number 1 why he is on this list, but the list of reasons why he made the list is long. Don’t let his goofy hair fool you, this kid is a gamer. His towering frame plays with a wreckless abandon, and he moves about the court with grace like a pro. He glides into the right places to score, from in the inside to NBA range. He isn’t afraid to pull the trigger and he will rip boards at both ends.
Andre Curbello – Guard – Illinois
I love this kid. He has a real silky left hander game, but he’s right handed…and his game is as eccentric as his appearance. He often has to play in the shadows of his dark masked-superstar teammate Ayo Dusunnmo, who is also very very good, but Curbello makes my list because I just love his style of play. He isn’t afraid to score from literally anywhere on the court, iso, or shooting off action. He also is a leader and leads the Illini. Reminds me a bit of Marcus Paige from UNC (buzzer beater) but better. They really remind me of the old Dee Brown Luther Head Deron Williams Illinois Team, which is exciting.
Bonus – Also Love Kofi Cockburn – Big – Huge Shaq like monster who dominates inside.
Trent Frazier AKA ASAP Frazier – Guard – Illinois
Skilled Swing who can hit huge shots. I call him ASAP Frazier because he has a swaggy appearance and rappers demeanor. He brings a silk to the game that flows well with Illinois. I love their team chemistry. He is a 3 and D guy who I can never get enough of if I’m building a team. I love what he brings to the table, and that’s why he makes my list. Lefty JR Smith, Julius Page Vibes.
Jalen Suggs – Guard – Gonzaga
Suggs is a real scorer. He leads a pack of wild dogs on the Zags who will be sure to beat down a few teams. But when it does get challenging, you can bet on Suggs having the Ball in his hands. Gonzaga plays well together, but you need a serious scorer when it matters most. Suggs can be that guy, he has a lengthy towering scoring ability a la Brandon Roy, with a lot of explosiveness.
Corey Kispert – Big – Gonzaga
Kispert is swaggy and has the hair and headband and sleeve, but brings an elite style of play. He isn’t extremely explosive, but plays with a very good head on his shoulders. He’s a big guy, but plays like a guard on the offensive end. He flows well within a Zags squad who rolls over anyone they play, and have a European Professional team chemistry. They play like the spurs, and he scores a lot of different ways. Young Kevin Love meets Grant Hill. He can shoot, handle, pass, and defend.
Sean McNeil- Guard – West Virginia
Shooter! This kid can get hot, and I just love a good Juco product. He isn’t an incredible athlete but he’s an incredible warrior. He is part of a really wiley group of Mountaineer guards, making up a strangely offensive Bob Huggins squad. He isn’t the only guard to score for them, but I really love a guy who can get hot. He certainly can. JJ Reddick territory.
Derek Culver – Big – West Virgina
Culver brings a big nasty style of play. He is dominant on the defensive boards and stimeys the offensive attempts at penetration. He is skilled around the rim and brings a presence to any game. He averages a double double, and will provide strength down low, which is always necessary for a deep run.
Jay Huff – Big – Virginia
The Big Tree of the tourney. He is skilled. I don’t know if he has the girth to really excel at the next level, but he is long and skilled. He can shoot it, and if you throw it basically anywhere around the rim, he can go get it and nail one down. He is a big part of how far Virginia can go, and he is fun to watch. Who doesn’t love a big talented giant lumbering around the dance?
Dominick Welch – Guard – St. Bonaventure
This is a bit of a homer pick.. He may not even be the shiniest guard on his team, as fellow guards Kyle Lofton and Jaren English share the ball in Mark Shmidtt’s technical offense. The Bonnies are a hometown favorite but are really sound at both ends. I am REALLY excited to see how Dom from Cheektowaga Central (my hometown and HS rival) does against an athletic LSU team. I’m hoping they shock the world, but it won’t be easy.
Bonus – The ultimate Gus Macker game award goes to Jalen Adaway, who plays a really smooth dad game in the mid range. Really excited to see how they matchup with LSU dominant athletes. Osun Ossuniyi will also be challenged, but his length and athleticism will be ready to rock!
Jordan Bohannon – Guard – Iowa
This kid seemingly has played in the NCAA for about 10 years, but he is one of the best shooters in NCAA history. Iowa has been a pleasant surprise this year, but when tested seems to play a bit drowsy. Bohannon will be a reason they go far, or a reason they go home, either way you won’t want to miss his itchy trigger finger. This kid will literally fire from the hip from anywhere, and he won’t miss many.
Nah’Shon Hyland – Guard – VCU
“Bones” was introduced to me once earlier in the season, and I almost forgot about him until he battled the Bonnies in the A10 championship today. Bonaventure did a good job on him defensively, but ultimately couldn’t keep him down. You could tell toward the end of the second half he was starting to feel it. I’m excited to see him hit that shimmy and bring some of his swagger to a few games in the dance.
There you have it.. that’s my personal all star team heading into this year’s dance. I’m ecstatic that the tournament is happening, and hope that everyone has a fair shake. You can be sure I’ll be live tweeting throughout the tourney on twitter at @jer7rej, and you can hear my thoughts throughout as a piece of my podcast at @rejandthezoo which you can find wherever you subscribe to your pods.
Let’s Dance BABYYYYY!
