NCAA Bracket 2012: Top 25 Players to Watch in March Madness

March Madness is filled with stars, and the 2012 NCAA tournament is no different. These players have made themselves stars worth watching for either their stellar play or because of a major storyline.

The Big Dance is a friendly environment for star players because of its format. Because each round consists of only one game between teams, a player like Lehigh's C.J. McCollum could potentially turn in a 40-point performance and eliminate one of the best teams in the country.

Because each individual performance is magnified by the tournament's format, March is a time for stars.

Davidson's Stephen Curry immortalized himself in the tournament, as did Connecticut's Kemba Walker last year. These 25 players have the best chance to immortalize themselves in college basketball lore this year. 

Scott Machado: Iona

Scott Machado is the point guard who led Iona to the NCAA tournament this season.

Machado leads the Gaels in assists with 9.9 per game, and also chips in 13.6 points per game. He is also second on the team with five rebounds per game.

He is the national leader in assists per game this year, just edging out Kendall Marshall of North Carolina. 

Iona has the potential to be this year's VCU. Not only are they a dangerous mid-major, they also must play in the First Four like VCU did.

Machado will be key for this team if it's going to make a deep run, and he's the player to keep an eye on.

Mike Moser: UNLV

Mike Moser is the reason UNLV has been making national headlines since toppling No. 1 North Carolina and making the Top 25.

He has come a long way since being ranked No. 55 in the 2009 college basketball recruiting class. Since then, he has transferred (from UCLA to UNLV), added 13.5 points per game to his average after one year and has become his team's leading scorer and rebounder.

UNLV has the potential to make a deep run in this year's Big Dance, but it all hinges on Moser playing well.

Brad Beal: Florida

Brad Beal is only a freshman, but he's already Florida's most important player. When Beal struggles, the team typically loses, so he will be the player to watch for the Gators.

Beal has a smooth shot that draws favorable comparisons to a younger Ray Allen, which is the highest of praise for a shooter. 

Beal has great range and can knock down threes at an impressive pace, but what makes him special is his intensity and athleticism. Typically, a 6'3” shooting guard only has skill in the backcourt. Beal, however, is Florida's second-leading rebounder behind only center Patric Young.

The biggest issue that Florida must address is their rebounding, but this 6'3” shooting guard is giving the team quite a bit of help on that front.

Cody Zeller: Indiana

Cody Zeller is Indiana's incredible freshman who has already emerged as the team's leader.

Younger brother of Tyler Zeller on North Carolina, Cody has already played against, and beaten, some of the best big men in the country including Jared Sullinger and Draymond Green.

Zeller is a Freshman of the Year candidate because of his ability to change the game from the post. He is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Hoosiers, and can be looked to if the team needs a big basket.

Zeller's play will be vital to the success of Indiana. As the only team to knock off No. 1 Kentucky, the Hoosiers have a lot of interest and hype surrounding them. As the best player on one of the teams to watch, Zeller finds himself on this list.

Jordan Taylor: Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a defensive-minded team, but their offensive game has a clear leader. 

Point guard Jordan Taylor leads the Badgers in points and assists per game, but has seen his scoring and passing numbers drop off from last season. If the Badgers are going to make a run in the tournament, Taylor needs to improve his game offensively. 

If the Badgers make a deep run, you can expect Taylor to be behind it, and if they are sent home early, it will also be due to Taylor's play.

Isaiah Canaan: Murray State

Isaiah Canaan is a junior point guard for Murray State, and has been key in his team's success this season. While Ivan Aska has helped as well, Canaan is clearly the leader for the team, and will be the one to watch in the Big Dance.

The floor general leads the team in points and assists per game. He has the ability to drop 30 or more points on any given night—he has dropped 30-plus four times this season and has reached 18-plus 20 times.

Murray State has not played many games against elite teams, and it will be important for Canaan to play well if the team is going to meet expectations and reach the Sweet 16.

Fab Melo: Syracuse

The seven-footer for Syracuse is the key to their success.

Fab Melo anchors Jim Boeheim's 2-3 defense, and with him in the game, the team is much more successful. In their only loss of the season, Melo did not play.

Melo is a great rebounder, but he can also score in a variety of ways. He's effective when both facing the basket or playing with his back to it, and can also knock down free throws.

Melo's dominance is felt most on the defensive end, however, where his mere presence is enough to deter some opponents from trying to get the ball inside offensively. 

When Melo is playing well, the Orange are a very tough team to beat.

Doug McDermott: Creighton

Doug McDermott is the driving force behind Creighton's success this season. The team absolutely could not be in the Top 25 without him. 

McDermott is the third-best scorer in the entire country, averaging over 23 points per game. He shoots over 60 percent from the floor, and almost 50 percent from three.

As the clear-cut leader of a dangerous mid-major team, McDermott has drawn comparisons to BYU's Jimmer Fredette. 

If Creighton is going to replicate BYU's success in the NCAA tournament last year, McDermott will have to be on his game. 

Garrett Stutz: Wichita State

Garrett Stutz is the center for Wichita State, and he is a big reason for the team's success. The Shockers have become arguably the best mid-major in the country, and Stutz is a big reason for that. 

Stutz leads the team in points and rebounds per game with 13.5 and eight, respectively. The big seven-footer gives this small team enough height to hang with the big boys. 

Stutz completely changes the game when he's in, but surprisingly, he averages under 25 minutes per game this season. This number will need to go up in the tournament.

We've seen Stutz play very little in some games and up to 50 minutes in a triple-overtime thriller against Drake. The key for the Shockers will simply be to keep Stutz in and have him be effective.

Nate Wolters: South Dakota State

Nate Wolters is one of the best scorers in the country, currently eighth in the nation with 21.3 points per game. But the South Dakota State star is much more than just a scorer. 

The junior guard also leads the team in rebounds, assists and steals per game. His 5.2 rebounds and six assists per game complement his scoring nicely, and on defense, his quick hands allow him to grab 1.7 steals per game.

Wolters is the driving force behind one of the teams who could pull off a monumental upset this year.

Royce White: Iowa State

Iowa State is having one of the best seasons in recent memory, beating top-10 teams like Kansas and Baylor while hovering around the Top 25 for the majority of the season.

Sophomore Royce White had led the way for the Cyclones, leading the team in all five major statistical categories. 

White is having the season of his life, and he did not even play during his freshman year.

White came out of nowhere and just about no one saw this coming. The only question left about him is what will he do in his first NCAA tournament. He certainly has the potential to leave a lasting impression. 

John Jenkins: Vanderbilt

John Jenkins entered the season as one of the best shooting guards in the country. While his Vanderbilt Commodores have been a disappointment this season, Jenkins is still an excellent player with the ability to take over a game.

Jenkins has been nothing short of phenomenal, averaging 20 points per game in the regular season, putting him at No. 15 in the country. 

Jenkins has scored double-digit points in every game this season and has gone over 20 points in half of the team's first 30 games.

Vanderbilt is going to rely heavily on Jenkins if they are going to make some noise in the Big Dance.

C.J. McCollum: Lehigh

He might only play for Lehigh, but C.J. McCollum could be one of the best players in the Big Dance.

McCollum leads his team in points and rebounds per game at 21.9 and 6.5 per game respectively. He is also second in assists with 3.5 per game.

He is the nation's sixth-leading scorer with 21.9 points per night. He averaged 28 points per game in the the team's last two games in the Patriot League tournament.

McCollum will only play one game in the NCAA tournament, but it will be worth watching him play just to see if he will take over the game and drop 30 points, which he has done five times this year. Be sure to check this kid out.

Kevin Jones, West Virginia

Senior power forward Kevin Jones is West Virginia's go-to-guy.

Jones averages a double-double with over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. Jones leads the team in both stats, and is the reason the Mountaineers are one of the better rebounding teams in the nation. 

His offense is incredible, considering he does almost all of it from inside. His 20.1 points per game puts him at No. 15 in the country, the highest mark for any true-power forward on this list (I don't consider Doug McDermott a true power forward).

Whenever West Virginia plays, the spotlight is on Jones. He has the power to take over a game, but when he is taken out of the equation the Mountaineers are not an intimidating team.

If West Virginia is going to pull off an upset or two, they will need Jones. 

Will Barton, Memphis

Will Barton is a do-everything small forward for the Memphis Tigers. His 18.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game all lead the team, and he also kicks in 3.0 assists.

Barton is as efficient as he is athletic, shooting 51.3 percent from the floor. He is also a smart player who knows his limits—if double teams come, he's not afraid to dish it out to his teammates. 

The Tigers are 10-1 when Barton records a double-double this year with their only loss coming against then-No. 4 Louisville on the road. They are also 10-4 when he scores more than 20 points, with three of those losses coming against teams that were ranked in the Top 10 some time this season.

If Barton plays well, the Tigers have a chance to do some serious damage and go to the Sweet Sixteen or beyond.

J'Covan Brown, Texas

J'Covan Brown is a prolific scorer for Texas, but he also chips in 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists (second on the team) per game.

Brown is the No. 16 scorer in the nation at 20.1 points per game, and has the ability to take over games when necessary.  

Brown has scored 20 or more points in 18 games this season, and more than 30 points four times. 

Brown has good range but can also get inside and score. He is extremely undersized at only 6'1", but when he drives he can get up and finish over or around defenders.

If I could pick one player to take a step-back jumper with the game on the line, Brown would be that player. If that doesn't give him a chance to be this year's Kemba Walker I don't know what does.

Perry Jones III, Baylor

Perry Jones III is Baylor's X-factor because he is so inconsistent against elite teams. He has had the tendency to fade out of the picture during big games, which has many NBA scouts and fans questioning him.

Jones dropped a career-high 31 points against Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament, which is a good sign because the Bears need him to get hot if they are going to go far.

He has the potential to score 20 or 30 points every night, but his 14 points per game average is not indicative of that. 

Jones is not only playing for the Bears, but for his professional future. If he is going to shoot up draft boards he needs to have a good tournament.

Kim English, Missouri

Kim English has been overshadowed by Marcus Denmon and Phil Pressey this season, but he made himself a household name with his performance in the Big 12 tournament.

English averaged 14.9 points per game this year, shooting 53 percent from the floor.

In Mizzou's first game of the Big 12 tourney, English dropped 27 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the floor against Oklahoma State. 

Missouri next played Texas in a game where English shot no less than 90 percent from the floor, including three-of-four from three. He didn't miss a shot until he suffered a minor injury during the game, and finished with 23 points.

In the championship game against Baylor, English shot six-of-10 from the floor, including five-of-eight from three. He ended up with 19 points and a Big 12 title.

English has the potential to lead the Tigers to a championship, and if he stays hot he will finally receive the recognition he deserves.

Yancy Gates, Cincinnati

Yancy Gates led his team to the finals of the Big East tournament before losing to Louisville by six in a hard-fought game.

The senior forward averaged 12.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in the regular season, but stepped it up for the Big East tourney.

Against Georgetown and Syracuse, Gates averaged 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and fueled Cincinnati's upset of the Orangemen. 

It looks like Gates is peaking at the right time, which is exactly what Kemba Walker did last year. He was the best player in the Big East tournament this year, and will look to continue that trend in the Big Dance.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is an extremely versatile small forward for Kentucky. He can score in bunches, but also has stellar defense, and is a big reason why the Wildcats have one of the country's top defenses. 

Kidd-Gilchrist also excels at rebounding and shot-blocking due to his athleticism and length. He also has good timing, which is key at the next level, and his freakishly athletic nature will be his best friend in the NBA.

This kid is going to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft, but his performance in the NCAA tournament should determine if he is in the first seven or the last seven.

Robbie Hummel, Purdue

Robbie Hummel has one of the saddest stories in college basketball. His 2009-10 season was cut short due to an injury, and then during Midnight Madness before the 2010-11 season he tore his ACL, which sidelined him for the season.

Hummel is one of the best all-around kids in college hoops, and the college basketball world was disheartened by such a horrible injury so early in his recovery.

What Hummel looks to do now is to come back to the Big Dance stronger than ever, and to make people remember that he is a dominating player.

Hummel leads Purdue in points, rebounds and blocks per game, and is second on the team in assists.

Austin Rivers, Duke

Despite being just a freshman, Austin Rivers is already Duke's go-to-guy. He earned that role with his buzzer-beating three against rival North Carolina in their first meeting. 

Rivers was ranked anywhere from No. 1 to No. 3 in the 2011 recruiting class. He is going to be an NBA player one day, but it is still unclear if that will be next season or the season after that.

The Blue Devil floor general has great range, which he uses to bury threes or draw the defense out so he can drive through the lane. He is an expert when it comes to probing the defense, and his floater is truly special.

Rivers' draft stock is dependent on his performance in the Big Dance. If he can prove himself to be ready on the biggest stage in college basketball he could end up a lottery pick in this year's draft. If the team does not make a deep run, or Rivers does not prove effective, he should be back for another year.

Draymond Green, Michigan State

Draymond Green is a versatile forward for Michigan State who was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, and led his team to the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles. The senior leads the team in points and rebounds per game, and led them in assists for a while as well.

The Spartans rely heavily on Green, and their hopes to reach the Final Four are highly dependent on Green playing well and leading the team on the hardwood and in the huddle.

While sophomore Keith Appling, freshman Branden Dawson and senior Brandon Wood make up a solid core, this team will meet an early exit if Green does not step up. 

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Harrison Barnes is a freak of a player that coaches have no answer to.

There is no set way to guard Barnes, which is why he is one of the best scorers in the nation. His size and length, coupled with his athleticism and quickness, makes him a special player.

Whether he's facing a bigger or smaller defender, Barnes has the ability to score at will. 

Barnes is going to be the player to watch for North Carolina. He has the ability to take over a game, which means that he could single-handedly lead the Tar Heels to the Final Four.

Thomas Robinson, Kansas

As one of the favorites for National Player of the Year honors, Thomas Robinson is one of the players to watch in the NCAA tournament for obvious reasons.

Apart from trying to prove that he is the best player in college basketball, Robinson's performance is also vital to his team's success.

Robinson should be in the first five picks of the NBA Draft this year, but his performance in the tournament should create separation between himself and the other six or so players fighting for the second-overall pick.

The best players in the game always step up when it matters most, and Robinson should be no exception.

Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is a monster in the paint. While there were many questions and concerns about his lack of muscle when he entered college basketball, he has proven his doubters wrong, winning the SEC Player of the Year award.

Davis is a stat-stuffer who can score, rebound, block shots, force turnovers, pass well and succeed in just about any aspect of the game.

With his great length and timing he has become the most feared shot-blocker in college basketball. 

Davis is the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and is the favorite for National Player of the Year honors.

The reason to watch Davis is to see just how far he can take Kentucky. In Kentucky's lone loss to Indiana in the regular season, Davis did not play much due to foul trouble, and was not as effective as usual when he was in. He is the key for John Calipari's squad, and the quest to cut down the nets runs through him.

For your printable bracket for the 2012 NCAA tournament, click here

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