Derik Queen’s Buzzer-Beater & Cooper Flagg’s Return Headline The Opening Weekend of NCAA Tournament

In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael Barlowe is joined by James Barlowe and Leif Thulin to break down the biggest NBA Draft takeaways from the opening weekend of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The trio opens by comparing where their brackets stand before diving into Derik Queen’s clutch game-winner and how his performance impacts his draft stock. They then shift to Cooper Flagg’s impressive return from injury, noting how comfortable and dominant he looked despite the layoff. The group also discusses VJ Edgecombe’s performance, emphasizing the need for him to be more assertive offensively, and wrap up with thoughts on Jeremiah Fears, whose late-season surge and tournament play may be pushing him up draft boards.

#DerikQueen #cooperflagg #VJEdgecombe #JeremiahFears

Timestamps

2:05 – Leif and James check in on where their brackets stand
3:12 – Reactions to Derik Queen’s game-winning shot and draft implications
7:26 – Cooper Flagg’s return
14:54 – VJ Edgecombe’s performance: waiting for more aggression
22:05 – Jeremiah Fears’ late-season surge and rising draft stock

NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com/LONBABigBoard?sid=YouTube

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.


#NBADraft #NBA #NBAMockDraft #MockDraft #NBABigBoard #NBACombine