NCAA Bracket 2010: Mid-Major Players Worth Watching

Players on elite programs are showcased throughout the entire season, but in March, everyone is televised. Mid-Major players share the spotlight and have the opportunity to prove they are worth America's attention.

This is a slideshow of 13 mid-major players who have the ability to provide you with entertainment and excitement. You have probably heard of some of them, but there are definitely plenty you don't know yet.

Enjoy!

Omar Samhan, Saint Mary's

Omar Samhan is a beast. He's 6'11" and weighs 260 pounds, allowing him to dominate down low. Averaging 20.9 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, Samhan is a game-changer on both ends of the floor.

Marqus Blakely, Vermont

If you like watching an all-around talent, tune into the Syracuse/Vermont first-round matchup this Friday night.

Yes, Syracuse has Wes Johnson, but by now, you've probably seen him play a million times. Instead, the gem of the game is Marqus Blakely, the high-flying, versatile, athletic Catamount forward.

The 6'5" Blakely enters the tournament averaging 17.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. If that's not a little bit of everything, I don't know what is.

Going up against Providence's Jamine Peterson, Blakely posted 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five steals, and four blocks. The forward also had 21 points, seven boards, three assists, and two blocks against Cornell.

He's the real deal and a pleasure to watch. Without Arinze Onuaku, Syracuse has the difficult burden of defending Blakely.

Photo from Vermont Daily News

Gordon Hayward, Butler

NBA scouts love Gordon Hayward's potential. At 6'9" he has the build of a forward, but he also has the fundamentals and ball-handling skills of a guard.

Hayward is the best player on what is arguably the best mid-major, Butler, making him an elite candidate for Mid-Major Player of the Year.

He's averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga

Because of Gonzaga's publicity and consistent tournament appearances, you probably know of Matt Bouldin. He's the Bulldogs leading scorer at 15.8 points per game and best distributor with 4.1 assists per game.

Whether he's draining a 25-footer or slashing to the hole for a wild layup, Bouldin is definitely worth watching.

Jahmar Young & Jonathan Gibson, New Mexico State

You must acknowledge New Mexico State's talented backcourt when discussing the Aggies. Jahmar Young and Jonathan Gibson are the two guards you talk about, so it makes sense to include them in one slide.

Young enters the tournament averaging 20.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 37.6 percent from long range.

His partner is averaging 17.5 points, 2.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 three-pointers per game.

Together, they fuel a fast-paced Aggie offense that is not only exciting to watch but could also surprise the inconsistent Spartans of Michigan State.

Photo from daylife

Ryan Wittman, Cornell

Ryan Wittman grabs four rebounds per game and provides solid defense, but his shooting is the best part of his repertoire. In fact, I guarantee he hits one shot against Temple that makes you jump out of your seat and shout, "WHAT?!"

Cornell's senior is shooting 42 percent from deep this year and averaging 17.5 points per game. Unfortunately for Cornell, its bandwagon fans, and anyone hoping to witness a shooting clinic, Temple plays exceptional three-point defense and Wittman could be limited.

Keith Benson, Oakland

Keith Benson's a defensive master. At 6'11" he has the ability to alter shots, blocking 3.4 per game. The Michigan native also grabs 10.5 boards and scores 17 points per game.

Hopefully he won't get into foul trouble, to which he is vulnerable, because he could give Gary McGhee a headache down low.

Benson went for 21 points and 11 rebounds at Michigan State but didn't fare as well against Wisconsin, Kansas, Memphis, and Syracuse.

Photo from nbadraft.net

Anthony Johnson, Montana

Montana's Anthony Johnson is averaging 19.6 points per game while shooting 46.4 percent from deep.

That gives you a sense of the kind of player he is, but you'd really know his style of play if you watched the Big Sky championship game, in which Johnson put on a unique show. The 6'3" guard carried the Grizzlies back from a 20-point halftime deficit, scoring his team's final 21 points.

If that doesn't provide an incentive to watch Montana square off against New Mexico, I don't know what would.

Photo from helenair.com

Reggie Holmes, Morgan State

Reggie Holmes is a scorer who will put points on the board against any team. He posted 34 at Arkansas, 26 at Minnesota, and 23 at Baylor. On the year, Morgan State's senior is averaging 21.8 points per game on 36.5 percent three-point shooting.

West Virginia's long defenders could potentially be a problem for Holmes, but more than likely he'll produce offensively.

Photo from meacwacsports.blogspot.com

Ronald Moore, Siena

Ronald Moore is one of the most valuable point guards in the tournament field. His abilities to control the pace and push and distribute the ball are vital to Siena's success.

Moore led the nation with 7.8 assists per game and his court vision is worth your viewing.

You might remember him from last year's first round double overtime thriller against Ohio State. Moore nailed a game-tying three with three seconds remaining in the first overtime and eventually won it on another triple.

He's only shooting 23 percent from deep this season, but as he showed in the MAAC Championship, he can still convert the clutch shot.

Gerald Lee, Old Dominion

Smooth in the post, Gerald Lee won't woo you with statistics. He's only averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, but he's clearly a talented player. Many analysts have compared him to Tim Duncan.

Lee's matchup against Notre Dame's Luke Harangody is very intriguing.

C.J. McCollum, Lehigh

It's not often that someone receives a conference's Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards in the same season. At least not in Mid-Major basketball.

Lehigh's C.J. McCollum assembled an exceptional freshman campaign to defy the odds and take home both accolades from the Patriot League. The 6'3" speedy guard averaged 18.9 points, 2.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. A sharpshooter, he also converted 70 of his 163 three-point attempts.

McCollum's Mountainhawks only faced one tournament team, Richmond, out of conference, and the freshman only scored 12 points. But, that was his first collegiate game.

By the time Patriot League play rolled around, McCollum had found his stroke. The guard went on to average 23.5 points per league game.

He'll be going up against Kansas, the overall No. 1 seed, but he can score in a variety of ways and could entertain his viewers.

Follow Ari Kramer on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ari_Kramer for more mid-major basketball and tournament updates/analysis.

Photo from lehighvalleylive.com