March Madness 2012 Predictions: Underrated Players Who Will Carry Their Teams

March Madness can often bring out the best in certain big-time players, but it also provides a stage for those guys who have been big-time all year long. 

Here's a look at some top players who will finally get some deserved attention this March.

Doug McDermott, Creighton Blue Jays

No offense to Albert Pujols, but McDermott is an absolute machine.

He shoots an out-of-this world 61 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range (while attempting over three per game), and 80 percent from the line on his way to 23.2 points per game, which is third in the country.

Creighton's offense can score in a hurry, and McDermott, who also averages 8.2 rebounds per contest, is the main reason why.

He doesn't add a whole lot on defense, but the sophomore uses an "old man's game" to be one of the most dominating offensive players in the nation.

I'm confident in saying that if McDermott, the coach's son, played for a bigger school, he would join Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson in the Player of the Year discussion.

Isaiah Canaan, Murray State Racers

The Racers have been one of the better stories in college basketball this season, and Canaan is the main reason why.

If he isn't named First-Team All-America, it will be highway robbery, but he will have a chance to get on everyone's radar in March.

Canaan, much like McDermott, is incredibly efficient on offense. He shoots 48 percent from the field, 47 percent from three while attempting over six (!) per game, and 84 percent from the line. As Dick Vitale would say, he can flat out shoot the ball.

Add in the fact that Canaan runs this offense and averages just under four assists to go along with 1.3 steals per contest, and his value can't be overstated. 

If Canaan carries Murray State to the second weekend and beyond, you won't be able to color me surprised. He's that good.

Sound the Canaan!

Nate Wolters, South Dakota State Jackrabbits

As a Washington fan, I know all too well how good Nate Wolters is.

Back in December, the junior point guard went into Hec Ed and scored 34 points to go along with seven assists and zero turnovers as the Jackrabbits beat the Huskies by 19.

After the game, UW head coach Lorenzo Romar said it was the best point guard performance in college he had seen since Jason Kidd. 

Wow.

But Wolters, who averages 21.3 points and six assists (to go along with just two turnovers) per game, deserves that kind of credit.

He's in that true point guard mold in the fact that he dishes and takes care of the ball, but he also adds a ferocious scoring attack on top of that.

Wolters could put himself on the NBA draft radar as he and the Jackrabbits make a three- or four-seed very uncomfortable.