NCAA Tournament 2013: Michael Carter-Williams has strong outing as Syracuse routs Montana

Carter-Williams made plays for his team, notching nine assists, eight rebounds, and four points and will continue being a key for the Orange. Carter-Williams stuck to the script, opting to set his teammates up and steered clear of shooting the ball.

While his inability to shoot will remain a concern at the professional level, his playmaking ability and a consistent tournament could help raise his draft stock going forward.

With his great ball-handling ability and ease he gets to the rim he can set teammates up while utilizing his 6’6 166 frame and great length. The issue, as previously mentioned, falls in his inability to score effectively. Can his playmaking ability alone cover the glaring mark on his scouting report?

The Orange will continue through the tournament and Carter-Williams will have an ample opportunity to prove to talent scouts that his intangible court-vision in the open floor and ability to drop dimes at an elite level can be the centerpiece of an offense.

So long as the Orange’s offense continues humming with Carter-Williams at the wheel his draft stock shouldn’t see a hit. However, should it stall, his shortcomings from the field will be evident and damaging.

Syracuse next plays the Cal Golden Bears on Saturday.

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