Winthrop Eagles (Overall: 26-6, Conf: 15-3)
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Team Strengths:
Much of the threat posed by Winthrop is coming from the tandem of Keon Johnson (22.5 PPG) and Xavier Cooks (16.3 PPG). Johnson has an Isaiah Thomas-like style of play, because along with his small stature (5’7) is a great ability to get past opponents and score. Cooks, meanwhile, is a versatile swingman, who aside from being able to provide points, also register 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 blocks.
With the big help from the two, the school’s 2016 campaign had them reigning the Big South on offense, as they finished the conference play being the number one team in points (80.5 PPG) and threes. Additionally, they will enter the opening round as winners of eight straight games, and in that span, they own an average winning margin of 16 points (83.9 PPG to 67.9 PPG).
Defensively, they can also be good when they’re on. They are able to hold opponents to just 40.5 percent shooting while recording over five blocks per contest, which are both ranked inside the top 32 in the country.
Team Weaknesses:
The Eagles fall under the cliche of a team relying too much on one or two players. Such formula can quickly kill a team’s national championship run, unless that duo is on the level of Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen, etc., which Johnson and Cooks obviously aren’t.
Another big hurdle for the team is rebounding. Not only do they give out dozens of second chance opportunities to the opposition, they also struggle getting one for themselves. They are ranked way down to the top 220s in offensive rebounds and offensive rebounds allowed.
Team Stats:
| CATEGORY | STAT | NCAA RANK |
| Points | 79.7 | 43rd |
| Rebounds | 37.4 | 114th |
| Assists | 12.8 | 214th |
| Field goal percentage | 45.7 | 104th |
| Three-point percentage | 37.3 | 71st |
| Free throw percentage | 72.0 | 114th |
| Turnovers | 13.1 | 218th |
Starting Lineup:
| POSTION | PLAYER | PPG |
| F | Josh Davenport | 5.7 |
| F | Xavier Cooks | 16.3 |
| G | Bjorn Broman | 5.5 |
| G | Anders Broman | 8.2 |
| G | Keon Johnson | 22.5 |
Writer’s Prediction:
Winthrop gives first-round opponent, Butler, a good fight, but will ultimately fall short.
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