AUSSIES SET FOR BATTLE IN THE 2018 NCAA TOURNAMENT
Sara Anastasieska
Only playing ten games this season for the California Golden Bears, Anastasieska (who has been a more than capable three-point shooter at times) has not hit the court since January and is unlikely to see any court time during the tournament.
First Round Opponent: Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday
Maddy Dennis
Averaging 3.7 points per game for the Dayton Flyers, Dennis has been a solid contributor off the bench in her third year for the school but has not played in over a month heading into the NCAA Tournament.
First Round Opponent: Marquette Golden Eagles on Saturday
Jessie Edwards
A senior centre for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Edwards will be laying it all on the line this month. She has recorded 4.7 points per game on 51% shooting and leads the team for blocks with a total of 27 across 31 games. Starting 17 of those contests, Edwards will have a major role to play under the rim against the higher-seeded Phoenix.
First Round Opponent: Green Bay Phoenix on Sunday
Jacob Epperson
A knee injury bothered Epperson for much of this season but the centre has gotten healthy at the right time of the year and has now played the past 11 games heading into the NCAA Tournament for the Creighton Bluejays. He scored in double-figures in three of those contests before tallying nine points and five rejections in the last game of the regular season. Four losses from their final six games does not hold the Bluejays in good stead but should set up a thrilling contest against Kansas State.
First Round Opponent: Kansas State Wildcats on Sunday
Gorjok Gak
Gak has only played sparing minutes for Florida this season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds. The Gators will have to wait a few more days to find out their opponent in the first round with St. Bonaventure to take on UCLA on Thursday for the right to face Florida.
Gabe Hadley
A guard representing the New Mexico State Aggies, Hadley has not been able to find much rhythm on the court this year although he does have a season-high of 14 points which came in just ten minutes in a win over Chicago State and overall, he is shooting 39% from the field and 39% from downtown.
First Round Opponent: Clemson Tigers on Saturday
Chantel Horvat
Horvat’s ability to influence all areas of the floor has been evident in her freshman season with the UCLA Bruins, averaging 4.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists while also sitting in the top half of the team for steals. Her point production has dropped heading into the NCAA Tournament but as the number 3 seed, the Bruins are expected to go far this year.
First Round Opponent: American Eagles on Monday
Fabijan Krslovic
Through his first 22 games this season, Krslovic had only scored in double-figures once but since then, he has reached that mark on eight occasions including in four of his past five outings. The forward is a key piece of the Montana Grizzlies starting line-up and his form, which has also featured two double-doubles out of his last three games, will have them buoyed for the next month.
First Round Opponent: Michigan Wolverines on Saturday
Kouat Noi
Continuing his very efficient season with the TCU Horned Frogs, Noi averaged 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in only 22 minutes per game. While his free-throw shooting can be suspect, Noi is recording 50% field goal shooting and 43% shooting from the three-point line to help power his strong offence. Arizona State and Syracuse must fight it out on Friday before the Frogs find out their opponent for the first round.
Anneli Maley
One of only five Oregon Ducks players to have featured in every game, Maley has proven to be a handy piece for the school off the bench in her freshman season. She notched a season-high of nine points and eight rebounds against Southern Utah a few weeks ago before collecting seven points, five boards and two assists in the last game of the regular season. On the back of a 30-4 record, Maley could be a part of something special with the Ducks in 2018.
First Round Opponent: Seattle Redhawks on Sunday
Tiana Mangakahia
Breaking several records this year, Syracuse Orange’s Mangakahia finished the regular season by setting the all-time ACC single-season mark for assists. She has been simply outstanding with averages of 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 2.6 steals and will be crucial to Syracuse’s chances as they face a tough first round match-up as the eighth seed against the ninth seed.
First Round Opponent: Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Monday
Keanu Pinder
The Arizona Wildcats are heading into the tournament on a high after finishing first in the Pac-12 Conference with a 27-7 record. They have won eight of their past nine and while Pinder is receiving consistent court time, he has been able to only make a minimal impact off the bench. Arizona do not have things easy, facing Buffalo, who finished first in their conference as well, in the first round.
First Round Opponent: Buffalo Bulls on Saturday
Stephanie Reid
For the first time in Buffalo Bulls womens basketball history, they have earned at an large bid into the NCAA Tournament. Four Australians are a part of the team including Reid who is averaging 11.8 points and seven assists per game while shooting 45% from the field and 36% from long range which are both career-highs. A senior, she will be desperate to finish her college stint positively.
First Round Opponent: South Florida on Sunday
Alanna Smith
Back in the NCAA Tournament with Stanford Cardinal, Smith has had another brilliant season with averages of 13.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals. Incredibly, each of those statistics are career-highs for the junior and have her set for an influential upcoming month. Smith has experience on her side and as the fourth seed, Stanford will go into their first clash as heavy favourites.
First Round Opponent: Gonzaga Bulldogs on Monday
Jordan Smith
Only playing five games through the regular season for the CSUN Matadors, Smith has been unable to make an impact in her junior year. The team has won their past four games but with a 19-15 record, will likely struggle against the number one seed Notre Dame.
First Round Opponent: Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday
Dejan Vasiljevic
Vasiljevic had been struggling to find his shot for most of February but he is rounding into form in his past few games with 10.7 points on 8-13 shooting (62%) from beyond the arc. Overall, he is hitting 41% from the three-point line which is up from 35% in his first season and if he gets hot, he could single-handedly carry the Miami Hurricanes deep into the tournament.
First Round Opponent: Loyola-Chicago on Saturday
Jack White
White is developing his game as a member of the Duke Blue Devils but if his regular season is anything to go by, he is unlikely to see much court time in the post-season. Perennial features in the NCAA Tournament though and Champions in 2015, Duke are expected to go far once again in 2018 and come into this year as the number two seed with a 26-7 record.
First Round Opponent: Iona Gaels on Saturday
Courtney Wilkins
Playing 27 games in her junior year, Wilkins comes off the bench to boost the front court stocks of the Buffalo Bulls as a member of the four-part Aussie contingent. Scoring a quick six points in their last game of the regular season illustrated how efficient she can be in limited minutes but Wilkins is unlikely to see much action during the NCAA Tournament.
First Round Opponent: South Florida on Sunday
Katherine Ups
Playing alongside Reid, Katherine Ups plays a crucial role for Buffalo off the bench with an average of seven points per game. She has developed a three-point shot over her four-year college career but is still most dangerous closer to the basket and if she can penetrate to keep the defence back on their toes, Buffalo will like their chances against South Florida.
First Round Opponent: South Florida on Sunday
Liisa Ups
Another Australian guard in her senior year for the Bulls, Liisa Ups has one last chance to finish her college career in style. Coming off the bench to back up Reid, her numbers are not spectacular but having hit the court for some significant minutes in six of the team’s last seven games, she will be aiming to have an impact this month.
First Round Opponent: South Florida on Sunday
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