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Three Sweet 16 players you must watch (and one’s not who you think)

When writing a column for NBCSports.com on three of the must-see players in the Sweet 16, Jelisa Castrodale spotlighted two obvious choices: BYU’s Jimmer Fredette and Arizona’s Derrick Williams.

Smart, safe and solid picks.

The third? VCU point guard Joey Rodriguez, who deftly led the Rams to three wins in five days, including a thrashing of 3-seed Purdue. Here’s her take:

Rodriguez is a throwback pass-first, shoot-second guard who can do a little of everything. Double-digit point totals. Double-digit assists. Double-doubles. If he were an appliance, he’d definitely have an infomercial. … It’s late in the season, but Rodriguez is verb-worthy. Can you get Joey-ed? Florida State will find out on Thursday night. If VCU wins in their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance, that’ll be something worth talking about.

Can’t argue with that. Rodriguez has earned more than a few shout outs.

As an added bonus for Duke haters, she spends the first fourth of the column ripping TV announcers for their love of Kyrie Irving. So there’s that.

You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.