While the NCAA Tournament has cachet all its own, one way of looking at the Tournament is through the lens of the NBA. While the lottery guys get plenty of buzz leading into the Tourney, I like to spend more time on the players on more middling teams for the first few days since it is less likely that their teams survive long enough to evaluate them further.

On that note, here is the day-by-day:

Saturday

Headline game(s):

Michigan vs. VCU (12:15 PM Eastern)- Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Glenn Robinson III battling Shaka Smart’s fit-inducing system makes this both the most watchable and the most interesting prospect game of Saturday.

Michigan State vs. Memphis (2:45 PM Eastern)- Gary Harris and Adreian Payne going against Memphis’ collection of high level athletes. DJ Stephens gets another chance to show what he can do after an eye-opening first round block party. 

Other games to watch:

Gonzaga vs. Wichita State (8:40 PM Eastern)- Considering how well the Shockers played against Pitt, this one should be a tough test for Kelly Olynyk and the Zags.

Syracuse vs. Cal (9:40 PM Eastern)- The two main prospects in this game (Michael Carter-Williams for Syracuse and Allen Crabbe for Cal) will each have challenges on offense in this one. However, that should be exactly the right crucible to improve the draft stock if one or both of them can put together a good all-around game.

Sunday

Headline game:

Kansas vs. North Carolina (5:15 PM Eastern)- The game on the weekend with the most prospect star power. Ben McLemore and Jeff Withey (who had a very nice opening round) try to move on against the UNC talents. McLemore in particular will have a challenge because the Tar Heels have quality defensive talent on the perimeter that will make scoring more difficult than usual.

Other games to watch:

Indiana vs. Temple (2:45 PM Eastern)- Two of the only remaining top ten players left here (Zeller and Oladipo), which warrants inclusion on the list.

Miami vs. Illinois (8:40 PM Eastern)- One of the best Point Guard matchups of the entire Tournament as Brandon Paul and Shane Larkin go at it. Paul could not pick a better game to resuscitate his draft stock than this one.

Duke vs. Creighton (9:40 PM Eastern)- Plenty of potential NBA players in this one, especially after a nice little game from Doug McDermott on Friday. A nice showcase on offense and defense for Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly, and McDermott, three often-discussed players who still have to prove themselves in terms of the draft.

San Diego State vs. Florida Gulf Coast (7:10 PM Eastern)- Jamaal Franklin tries to do what Otto Porter and Georgetown could not: beat this year’s Giant Killers. FGCU’s surprising level of athletic talent will force the talented SG and who knows, potentially they have some underscouted NBA talent of their own…