The first two rounds are completed, and it has been March Madness at its best.
There have been sensational performances all over the place. Here are my selections for gold- and silver-medal PTPers of the first two rounds. These players were superstars, stepping up big-time as their teams advanced to the Sweet 16.
GOLD-MEDAL PTPers
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Gonzaga guard Dan Dickau (21) takes it to the basket to the tune of 19.6 ppg. |
Dan Dickau, Gonzaga
Quincy Wadley, Temple
Jason Williams, Duke
Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky
Jason Collins, Stanford
Dickau had 29 big points against Virginia. He has been the catalyst as Gonzaga is in the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. Wadley has been brilliant, especially in the first half of wins over Texas and Florida. Williams has fought off an ankle injury to score 53 points, including 11 trifectas, over two games. Prince has been sensational, scoring 27 and 31. Collins has been effective up front, totaling 47 points and 17 boards.
SILVER-MEDAL PTPers
Dan Gadzuric, UCLA
Shane Battier, Duke
Drew Gooden, Kansas
Lynn Greer, Temple
Casey Calvary, Gonzaga
Gadzuric has posted a pair of double-doubles while shooting 70 percent from the floor. Battier also had two double-doubles. Gooden has been a force for the Jayhawks. Greer has been steady, hitting all 17 of his free-throw attempts while running the Owls' offense. Calvary has been a factor on the interior, doing a great job on the glass.
TWO-ROUND MVP: DICKAU
My MVP for the first two rounds -- my overall PTPer -- is Dickau. The orchestra leader, the maestro man for the Zags, was brilliant.
He made things happen, big play after big play. Mark Few's club has the inside power of Calvary, but the catalyst, the one who makes them go up and down the floor, is Dickau.