Doug McDermott has emerged as one of the best college basketball players of the season. He leads No. 7 Creighton against 10-seed Cincinnati in the second-round of the NCAA tournament. The Bearcats are about to find out just how dynamic McDermott is. Few teams have found a way to contain him. He earned All-America honors last season and has become one of the most unknown mid-major sharp shooters this season.
Many teams have tried to design defenses to curb McDermott's production but have yet to succeed. This season he is averaging 32.1 points per game along with 7.5 rebounds. He is shooting 49 percent from beyond the 3-point line along with 56 percent field goal shooting percentage. Most of his shots go in without even touching the rim. He has won Missouri Valley Conference player of the year honors two seasons in a row and he is the school's leading scorer.
Most NBA scouts have McDermott projected to be a late first round pick if he declares at the end of this year. If he leaves, he will not be able to help lead Creighton into the Big East. Friday's matchup is a preview of the old Big East against new Big East that will make its debut next season. Along with Creighton, Butler and Xavier will also leave the mid-majors for the Big East.
Cincinnati will play a tough defensive game that could stop McDermott. Their production on offense will come down to Cashmere Wright and leading scorer Sean Kilpatrick who is averaging 16.9 points per game and can make shots from anywhere on the court. The game will come down to which team can shoot the three-point shot. Creighton is hitting 42 percent from behind the arc while the Bearcats have struggled with long range shots.
