NCAA Tournament games for Pistons’ fans to monitor today

Fans of the Detroit Pistons are hoping that another losing season will pay off with a top-3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

There is a consensus top three with Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero separating themselves from the pack, but the Pistons could drop all the way to 7th, so there are a number of other players to monitor in the NCAA Tournament.

Many of them will be on display today in a full slate of competitive second-round games that will feature players who are definitely on the Pistons’ draft radar.

If you want to see some of the top players in the country in real-game action, here are the games for Pistons’ fans to watch today.

NCAA Tournament games for Pistons’ fans to watch today

There are a ton of good games today and we’ll get to see some of the top college talent face off:

• 5:15 PM ET: Michigan State (7) vs. Duke (2)

It seems like these two teams play every season, and this one will be extra special, as it will be the last time that legendary coaches Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo face off in the NCAA Tournament. But Pistons’ fans will be more interested in Paolo Banchero, who has the athleticism and all-around game to be the best player in his draft class. He’s the favorite prospect of Cade Cunningham and could end up in Detroit if the Pistons land a top-3 pick.

Also keep an eye on forward AJ Griffin, who has rocketed up draft boards of late and could be in the running if the Pistons fall out of the top-4 or get another first-round pick by trading Jerami Grant.

Center Mark Williams could also be a late lottery pick and point guard Trevor Keels could also be chosen in the first round.

• 6:10 PM ET Iowa State (11) vs. Wisconsin (3)

I absolutely love Johnny Davis from Wisconsin, and if the Pistons do end up falling in the draft, I think he’ll get serious consideration. He is a bucket getter who makes winning plays and has a high basketball IQ, so would be a nice fit with Cade Cunningham. He’s coming off a 25 point, 8 rebound performance and will look to bolster his resume even more today.

• 7:45 PM ET Miami (10) vs. Auburn (2)

Jabari Smith is one of the frontrunners for the number one pick and is a guy who would be a great fit with the Detroit Pistons. He is one of the best shooters in this draft class as a 6-foot-10 versatile forward who hits more than 43 percent from long range.

He’s a quality defender on the perimeter or in the post and even though his dribble/drive game isn’t great right now, he projects as a guy who will eventually have a more solid all-around offensive game. There is a lot to like about him, Cade and Saddiq Bey on the perimeter.

• 8:40 PM ET Texas (6) vs. Purdue (3)

Jaden Ivey might be the top overall guard in the 2022 NBA Draft and is another guy who would be a nice fit with Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. He has elite athleticism, can get to the rim and finish and has improved mightily as a 3-point shooter in his sophomore season. If the Pistons drop to the 4th pick, Ivey will get serious consideration, and there are some who believe he should even go in the top-3 of this draft.

• 9:40 PM ET TCU (9) vs. Arizona (1)

Bennedict Mathurin, the 6-foot-7 shooting guard from Arizona, is a guy who will get a long look from the Detroit Pistons if they drop to the 7th pick in the draft, which is about where he is projected to go on most 2022 NBA Draft Big Boards. He is a long and solid defender who rebounds his position well and is emerging as a 3-point shooter as the season goes on. He hasn’t gotten a ton of attention but Mathurin is very good and will be on the Pistons’ radar.