2018 NBA Draft: Assessing the Porter brothers Tournament debut

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers looks on against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers looks on against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
5 of 7
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Michael Porter Jr.’s First Half

Michael Porter Jr checked into the game about two minutes after tipoff. Porter came out aggressively on offense. He was fouled on a pull up mid range jumpshot and split the free throws.

Then, Porter air balled a pull up 3 against a Florida State defender where he struggled to create much separation from his defender. Much like his brother it became very clear early on Florida State was not letting Porter post up.

With all the struggles Michael Porter showed offensively he did flash some offensive ability as well. He was double teamed by Florida State defenders off an inbound pass. Porter split the double team and made a beautiful step through move finishing at the rim. Michael also flashed the his ball handling and grab and go potential. He gathered the defensive rebound, and pushed it coast to coast finding a Missouri guard in the corner that missed a wide open 3.

Defensively, Porter had some good and bad moments in the first half. However, he had more bad than good. Michael Porter Jr. did not have as many issues with the zone as he did in man-to-man defense. He got burnt off a lazy switch off an on ball screen. Then, Porter continued to get beat on the perimeter by Florida State’s guards. He did have one or two moments where he stuck with Florida State guards on the perimeter.