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TSN Basketball Analyst

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TSN's Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin's Sam Dekker, Canadian Trey Lyles of Kentucky, Duke's Quinn Cook and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo.

1. NCAA TOURNAMENT: Gotta give the selection committee a compliment. We've had some wonderful games, upsets and nailbiters this year as well as three #1 seeds make it to the Final Four. You pick the right teams and seed them properly and you create a fun experience for everyone. Job well done.
 
2. SAM DEKKER (Wisconsin): He has been fabulous in the tournament averaging 22 & 5 while shooting close to 60 per cent. He's really helped his NBA draft prospects the past few weeks. Sound player who has good explosion in his game, athletic, skilled and a capable shooter. Can create off the bounce. Like him.
 
3. TREY LYLES (Kentucky): Every time I watch him, he grows on me more and more. He plays very hard which I love. His low-post game is improving and his overall energy and athleticism is impressive. He seems to put himself in the right place at the right time which speaks to his smart approach. His best days are surely ahead of him.

4. QUINN COOK (Duke): His squad has amazing young talent yet it needs that steady hand to point it in the right direction. He has done that. Big time shooter and steady playmaker who gives you terrific defensive energy. Was excellent Sunday vs. Gonzaga's Kevin Pangos. I like the maturity with which he carries himself. After being upset by Mercer in last year's tournament, it's especially sweet to redeem himself with a Final Four berth. Well earned and well deserved.

5. TOM IZZO (Michigan State): One of the great coaches of this era. Watch his teams closely over the years and a consistent pattern emerges - physical, tough, relentless, mentally resilient, disciplined and together. Sometimes we put way too much emphasis on X's & O's, and Izzo is brilliant at it, yet his greatest gift is his ability to get his guys to truly buy in to what the core values of his program are. That takes great vision, leadership and communication skills. He's got it all.