March Madness 2012: Big Ten Superstars That Will Shine in Big Moments

If you're a fan of Big Ten basketball and will be tuning into this years NCAA tournament, I highly suggest you keep your eye on Trey Burke of Michigan and William Buford of Ohio State.

Is it blasphemous for me to mention these two bitter rivals in the same article?

Perhaps it is.

Like it or not, though, both of these schools have a lot to offer in March Madness.

These two players and their respective schools are easily the best in the conference—along with Michigan State, mind you—and there should be no doubts that they will be major factors in the upcoming March Madness tournament.

Ohio State has the capabilities to go very far in the tournament, but with a guy like Burke at the helm for Michigan, I wouldn't count them out either.

Let's take a look at these two players highlighted for a quick preview of what they will be bringing to the March Madness frenzy.

Trey Burke, Guard, Michigan

It's incredible to think that Wolverines point guard Trey Burke is only a freshman, because he plays like he's been leading the team for four years.

While Tim Hardaway Jr. is the big name and co-captain Zach Novak is arguably just as important as anybody, it's Burke that really makes this Michigan team click. He's an incredible scorer, but he's also great at facilitating the offense, fast-break and he's a hound on defense.

What makes Burke real special, though, is his ability to come up clutch in the big moments of games, and his performances against some of the team's biggest rivals go a long ways in proving that point.

If Michigan wants to make some noise in the tournament, they are going to have to rely on their young guard.

William Buford, Guard, Ohio State

There is nothing more dangerous in the NCAA tournament than a team with a dominant big man and a senior guard with the ability to do anything and everything.

That is exactly what the Buckeyes have in center Jared Sullinger—the dominant big man—but it's Buford that makes this team so dangerous.

He averaged 15 points, 4.9 rebounds and three assists per game this season—a little bit of everything—and he's undoubtedly the leader of this team as the only senior.

Buford is going to be huge for the Buckeyes down the stretch of big games, and he has the ability and confidence to make the big shots when needed.

Sullinger may be the big name with the big numbers, but I'll take Buford in the clutch moments of the game any day of the week.