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NCAA Tournament 2021: Five players for Tennessee basketball to watch first weekend

By Caleb Calhoun

Feb 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ethan Thompson (5) gestures on the court during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Ethan Thompson (5) gestures on the court during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Liberty Flames guard Darius McGhee (2) dunks the basketball during practice before the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Liberty Flames guard Darius McGhee (2) dunks the basketball during practice before the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Scouting Report. Darius McGhee. player. Pick Analysis. Guard. Liberty Flames. 3. 2382

Junior; 5’9″ 160 pounds

Don’t sleep on the No. 13 seed Liberty Flames. This team has the No. 3 ranked scoring defense in the nation, allowing 59.6 points per game. Meanwhile, they are in the top 10 in made three-pointers per game and three-point percentage. Oh, and they are No. 5 in fewest turnovers per game with under 10 and No. 22 in free throw shooting at 77.7 percent.

A mid-major team that plays defense, can shoot from the outside and the free throw line and doesn’t turn the ball over is usually the formula for a Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament. It also explains why Ritchie McKay’s team was able to win the Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament Championship for the third straight year with a 23-5 record.

The catalyst for all of this, though, is Darius McGhee. Liberty only has one elite player, and this undersized guard is that player. McGhee is hitting nearly three and a half three-pointers a game and shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 15.6 points per game. He also leads the team in steals and is second in blocks.

Simply put, this guy does everything across the board. His play will carry Liberty. Chris Parker is the only other player averaging double figures, but if there is a mid-major breakout star in this tournament, McGhee could easily be that guy.

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