The NCAA tournament has felt even more loaded with potential NBA prospects this year than it did in 2014, with one of the most heralded draft classes of all time. Maybe it's the battle to be No. 1 pick, or the constant shuffling of those in the lottery, or the fact that 33 of ESPN's top 40 prospects were all on teams that made the field of 68. Maybe we just love this time of year regardless of prospect quality.
In any case, there were 74 prospects in the tournament ranked in the top 100 by either ESPN, DraftExpress or both, and 38 remain entering the Sweet Sixteen. Each day of the tournament, we'll check in and see how said prospects performed, and at the end of each weekend we'll provide a Stock Watch, letting you know who's been trending in what direction.
Pre-Tourney Previews: EAST | WEST | SOUTH | MIDWEST | Kentucky
Day One review: Russell, Towns shine
Day Two review: Okafor holds serve, Kaminsky dominates
Day Three review: Hollis-Jefferson locks up Russell
Day Four review: Rozier and Winslow excel
Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Pre-Tournament: 6, 13 (ESPN, DX)
Pre-Sweet Sixteen: 7, 19
Looney slipping some on draft boards was a bit surprising after UCLA's unlikely run to the Sweet Sixteen. This may be more a case of others in his draft range, Justise Winslow in particular, edging ahead of him.
After breaking his face in the Pac-12 tournament, Looney looked hesitant in two tournament games, scoring 16 points on 8-of-18 shooting. Even at less than 100 percent, he pulled in 21 rebounds, pushing his freshman-leading double-double total to 16.
An excellent rebounder and quality defender at the three or four, Looney needs further polish on offense but probably still warrants a lottery pick. An important showdown with Kyle WIltjer looms Friday.
Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
Pre-Tournament: 31, 23 (ESPN, DX)
Pre-Sweet Sixteen: 36, 34
Anderson had plenty on the line entering the tournament: He was coming back from an injury and a medical issue, he had just played two poor games in the ACC tournament and his draft stock was largely in flux. Things didn't go so well, and Anderson may find himself out of the first round - or back at Virginia for a senior season - as a result.
Anderson dropped 15 points with five rebounds against Belmont but went ice cold in a loss to Michigan State, scoring eight points with a single rebound and an 0-of-4 mark from outside. His stroke - bound to regress after a torrid start - waned a bit before the injury, but it was clear the broken finger was still affecting him some.
Where teams rank him will largely depend on how they evaluate his flawed but oft-effective jumper. Even though he's paramount to Virginia's two-way success and a quality defender, there's little separating him from the crowd at the NBA level if he can't also knock down the corner three.
Jake Layman, SF, Maryland
Pre-Tournament: 36, 34 (ESPN, DX)
Pre-Sweet Sixteen: 50, 37
Any thought of Layman being a first-round pick probably got put to rest last week. While his primary skill - shooting - was on display with a two-of-four mark from outside, he did little else and was largely an afterthought in the Maryland offense.
Over two games, Layman scored 14 points with seven rebounds, four assists, six turnovers and eight fouls, hardly a strong showing. The stroke and length to get the shot off will see him get drafted but a senior season wouldn't be the worst idea.
Ron Baker, SG, Wichita State
Pre-Tournament: 38, 49 (ESPN, DX)
Pre-Sweet Sixteen: 52, 52
Baker's stock falling isn't necessarily a product of a poor performance himself, but rather of Wichita State playing so well when he was somewhat quiet. Blame Fred VanVleet.
No longer a candidate for the first round, Baker scored 27 points on 8-of-23 shooting over two games, adding eight rebounds, four assists and five steals. His shooting and ability to play some point guard at 6-foot-4 warrant a draft pick, but it will probably be a late one, if he declares.
Marcus Lee, PF, Kentucky
Pre-Tournament: 76, 58 (ESPN, DX)
Pre-Sweet Sixteen: 81, N/R
Kentucky is loaded, so it's tough to fault Lee for playing sparingly as the rotation tightened. He played 20 minutes over two games, scoring four points with three rebounds and an assists, largely going unnoticed.
Considering he's a sophomore who averages 11.3 minutes, Lee almost certainly needs a junior season to secure a spot in the draft. The potential remains.
Falling off the radar
Mike Tobey, PF, Virginia - The junior was a complete non-factor in two games, playing just 17 minutes over two tournament games. He'll need one heck of a senior season.
Derrick Marks, SG, Boise State - Derrick Marksman was anything but in the play-in game, shooting 10 of 21 and two of six from outside for 23 points. He could still shoot his way into the draft at the combine and in workouts.
Kellen Dunham, SG, Butler - The junior didn't do himself any favors with a 2-of-13 performance in the Round of 64, all but guaranteeing he'll be back for a senior season.
