This already is a special NCAA Tournament, with two 15 seeds winning and then Lehigh nearly winning again. Yes, it’s smudged by the presence of four teams from the Buckeye state in the Sweet 16 — Ohio, Ohio, the other Ohio and the Ohio that starts with X.
But no one has made a bigger impression so far than Michigan State’s do-it-all Draymond Green, whose humorous, insightful media sessions dazzle writers, and whose on-court dynamics dazzle opposing coaches.
Saint Louis’ Rick Majerus, a defensive legend in the NCAA, couldn’t stop gushing about Green after Michigan State’s 65-61 victory Sunday. Several times in his post-game comments, Majerus said he thought Michigan State was a national championship team, a sentiment that’s growing.
“Last time I played them, I said this: They should win the national championship,” Majerus said, referencing 2000, when Michigan State beat his Utah team and went on to win it all. “They’re extraordinarily well-coached. They have great kids. They compete. They do it the right way. The one kid is a great, great collegiate player, Green.”
Ah, but the Magical Majerus praise wasn’t done yet.
“Green does a great job of being a good defender for an outstanding scorer,” Majerus said. “I think he’s the best player in the country. Is he the best potential player in the country? No, I take the kid probably from Kentucky (Anthony Davis). But if I had to take a kid right now to win the national championship, I’d take Draymond Green.”
Green’s giant smile will appreciate that. And these days, with Green threatening to post a triple-double every game, Majerus isn’t exaggerating.
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