March Madness 2012: Players Set to Shine in College Basketball's Premier Month

The most magical time of the college basketball season is right around the corner. March Madness creates legends and breaks young hearts, and this season will be no different.

As the conference tournaments approach, followed closely by the NCAA Tournament, I scan the college hoops landscape for the elite players in the nation.

Some of those players will elevate their game in March, while others will shrink under the bright lights. This is a short list of players who will deliver when it's all on the line.

Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson is simply the premier forward in the nation. He is considered the front-runner for National Player of the Year honors, as he averages 17.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

He has doubled his production from his sophomore year in nearly every major category. Through 27 games this season, Robinson has missed double figures in scoring only once.

Robinson is aggressive and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He was held scoreless in his final postseason game last year versus VCU.

For a competitor like Robinson, there is no way he'll duplicate that performance again. This is his team now and he'll show up big time.

Andre Drummond, UConn

It has been a slow process for the Huskies and Drummond. The 6'10" man-child has not dominated yet, as some thought he would.

UConn is only 17-10 after being ranked in most preseason top-10 rankings. They lost four in a row at the end of January and are only 3-3 in February. They must first finish the season strong to ensure they play in the Big Dance.

Much of that hope starts with Drummond. He must lock down the middle on defense and command the ball on the block.

Drummond is physically superior to most of the players he matches up against, but he has been learning to play under control. He is averaging 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, but don't be surprised if that jumps to a healthier double-double in the postseason.

Earlier in the year, foul trouble was killing any rhythm he tried to establish. Now he is concentrating on staying on his feet and not trying to block every shot.

It seems Drummond is, for all intents and purposes, a one-and-done player. As it stands, he and Anthony Davis of Kentucky have to be considered the front-runners for the top selection in the NBA draft.

Drummond can grab a firm hold on that spot if he has an impressive Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament performance. I believe he will do just that—Drummond is beginning to get his game where it needs to be, and it starts on defense.

He has blocked 10 shots in his last four games and averaged four offensive rebounds through the stretch. Drummond is getting effort baskets, and that sets a big man up to play a more complete game.

Drummond is about to show why he should be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Darius Miller, Kentucky

The only senior who is a major contributor for the Wildcats, is Miller. His versatility and leadership is what gets him the playing time, and it will be his greatest tool in March.

Miller provides a steadiness on the floor, as he is generally surrounded by the Wildcats' awesome freshmen: Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Miller is a wide body, but he has decent handle and he can shoot the three.

This season he's shooting 39 percent from the arc—at 6'7", that is a huge asset to have. It will lend itself well to Kentucky's cause right now, as well as Miller's in the future.

Most recently, Miller helped dig the Wildcats out of a hole against a Mississippi State squad.

Miller made three big three-pointers to help spur the team past the Bulldogs. Kentucky trailed by as many as 16 in that game, and it was Miller's poise and shooting ability that made that win possible.

More moments like that await the top-ranked Wildcats as conference tourney time arrives. Miller is ready to take and make the tough shot for the Cats.

He will be an invaluable asset for Kentucky down the stretch.