March Madness 2012: Players Who Will Carry Their Teams to Deep Tourney Runs

Last year, Kemba Walker was brilliant in postseason play, leading UConn to a national championship by scoring 23.5 points and 5.6 assists per game in the NCAA tournament.

Who will be this year's Kemba Walker? What player has the ability to single-handedly carry his team to a deep tournament run?

Let's find out.

(Note: Some excellent players have been left off this list because other players are capable of carrying their team. The players below need to be a dominant factor for their teams to advance.)

Austin Rivers, Duke

If there is one player who can dominate a game in a similar fashion to Kemba Walker, it is the freshman point guard at Duke, Austin Rivers.

Rivers was good for 15.4 points per game this year, though he has the potential to blow up and score closer to 30 on any given night.

Watch out for Rivers in a potential Sweet 16 matchup against Baylor, which would be a very exciting and high-scoring game.

Draymond Green, Michigan State

Even when Green has a bad day, he still helps his team win. In Michigan State's Big Ten tournament championship win, Green only shot 4-15 from the field and contributed 12 points.

However, he did have nine rebounds and hit a key three-pointer down the stretch, so he still managed to do his part.

Don't expect him to have many off days for Michigan State in the tournament—he's Mr. Double-Double, averaging 16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Look for Green to lead the Spartans in a deep tournament run this year.

Michigan State's toughest game before a potential matchup against Missouri in the Elite Eight is a third-round game against Memphis. If Green can lead the Spartans past the Tigers, look for them to make the Final Four.

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Ohio State is a really good team when Sullinger is average.

They're an elite team when Sullinger is at the top of his game.

In games Sullinger has scored 20 or more points, the Buckeyes are 10-1 this year. Ohio State has tough potential matchups in the Sweet 16 (Florida State) and Elite Eight (Syracuse). However, if Sullinger is on, they can beat either squad.

Marcus Denmon, Missouri

Let's get this out of the way—Missouri will advance to the Elite Eight, and they'll do so on the back of Marcus Denmon.

Denmon makes an impact in every regard on the court, averaging 17.7 points, 2.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game. Missouri is good enough to beat anyone in the nation, and behind Denmon they'll come close to doing just that.

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