N’Faly Dante named as one of top players on double-digit seeded teams

Andy Katz named N’Faly Dante as the No. 1 player on double-digit seeded teams in this year’s NCAA tournament field.

The Oregon Ducks are in the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years. Making it to the Big Dance was a long shot for Oregon since the Ducks needed to win their conference tournament to qualify. But after battling hard for three straight games in the Pac-12 tournament, the Ducks punched their tickets to the tournament.

A massive reason for Oregon’s success in the conference tournament was the premier play of senior center N’Faly Dante. In the Pac-12 tournament, Dante averaged 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.3 stocks (steals + blocks), per game.

Dante’s recent run of elite form has garnered national attention since Oregon received its automatic bid. Andy Katz, a reporter with the NCAA, named who he sees as the best 10 players from double-digit seeded teams in this year’s field. Topping the list, is N’Faly Dante.

Five seasons ago, Dante joined the Oregon Ducks, and since then, his road through college hasn’t been easy. But in a career riddled by injuries, Dante has persevered and enshrined himself as one of the great Oregon big men. In those five seasons, Dante has played over 100 games and scored over 1000 points for the Ducks. Now, he’s headed to his first NCAA tournament.

On Thursday, Oregon will play South Carolina at 1:00 p.m. PT in the first round of the NCAA tournament. If they win that game, they’ll play the winner of No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Akron.

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