7 Must-Watch NCAA Tournament First Round Games for Hawks Fans
By Chris Guest
No. 8 Missouri vs. No. 9 Florida State
The biggest wild card in the tournament, Missouri is headlined by Michael Porter Jr., who has missed almost the entire season with an injury. Though he is still projected to go in the top 10 in the 2018 NBA draft, he came back and played Missouri’s final regular season game and looked to be a shell of himself.
If he can get back to the same level he was in high school, Porter might be able to make a minor run in the tournament, which would rocket his draft stock up into the top 3 to top 5 territory – exactly where it was prior to the start of the season.
Even if Porter does not play (or still looks rusty when he does), his brother Jontay Porter also plays on Missouri and has impressed in Michael’s absence with the Tigers.
In the Minnesota pick’s range, Jontay Porter might still be available, and would come in ready to play in the frontcourt. With a hefty 6’10”, 240-lb. frame, Jontay could throw his weight around in the paint – nabbing rebounds and providing a strong interior rim-protecting presence for Atlanta.