Malaki Branham must contend with Loyola's lockdown perimeter defender, Lucas Williamson, in a matchup of two future NBA shooting guards in the NCAA Tournament.
Sooner or later, both starting shooting guards in Friday’s first-round NCAA Tournament matchup between Ohio State and Loyola are headed to the NBA.
“He’s terrific on both ends. He’s a terrific player, I think there’s no question he’s an NBA player,” Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann said Wednesday. “He’s got great versatility, has been really productive for a really long time. I think he played on their Final Four team, and played an important role on their Final Four team. So he’s a terrific talent. Older kid. They’re all older, to be honest with you.
As for Branham, the excitement for his first NCAA Tournament appearance is palpable, and a matchup with the caliber of defense that Williamson possesses makes it all the more mouth-watering. In Ohio State’s Big Ten Tournament loss to Penn State last week, Branham appeared to be dealing with an ankle injury, and even came out of the came to pedal on an exercise bike on the sideline for a few minutes before re-entering the game. But Branham says he’s fine now, and with eight days between games, the 6-foot-5 wing might put his best foot forward in hisWilliamson can give Branham plenty of problems as a defender, though.
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