NCAA Bracket 2012: Power Ranking the South Region's Top 20 Players

The NCAA Tournament field has been announced. The South Region is one of the strongest, with the likes of Kentucky, Duke, Baylor and Indiana.

Let's not forget last year's national champions Connecticut, UNLV, Wichita State and Pac-12 champions Colorado, which make this a region where just about anything can happen.

To along with the great teams, there are great players playing for these teams. Some are destined for the NBA, while others are products of the systems they play in.

The following slides will count down the top 20 players in the South Region.

Let me know if you think I missed someone.

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

20. Mark Lyons, Xavier

Named third-team All-Atlantic 10, Mark Lyons averaged 15.5 points per game.

His ability to create his own shot and slash to the hole gives him an advantage over many defenders.

With a 39.8 percentage from three-point range, Lyons will be able to knock down the big shot when needed.

His ability to do that brings an already close matchup with Notre Dame closer to being in favor of the Musketeers.

19. Scott Christopherson, Iowa State

Named third-team All-Big 12, Scott Christopherson doesn't get the respect he deserves from those outside of the conference.

Averaging 12.5 points per game and a 45 percent effort from three-point range, Christopherson can hit the big shot when he needs to.

And, if the game comes down to free throws, Christopherson will have no problem stepping to the line as he's made 89.5 percent of his shots from the charity stripe.

He, along with his teammates, are going to make Iowa State's first-round game with Connecticut one of the best games of the first round.

18. Tu Holloway, Xavier

Tu Holloway was named first-team All-Atlantic 10, averaging 17 points and 5.2 assists per game.

The one thing, however, that will continue to follow Holloway is his involvement in the Cincinnati-Xavier brawl earlier in the season.

It's an image Holloway wants to forget, but many won't let him.

He'll get his opportunity in the Big Dance to finally gain redemption on everyone who has questioned his character ever since.

17. Jack Cooley, Notre Dame

With 12.4 points and nine rebounds per game, Jack Cooley showed why he was the leader of the Notre Dame roster all year.

Named second-team All-Big East, Cooley is a bruiser on the inside that should have no problem with going up against Duke's big men in the second round—if they make it past Xavier in the first round.

His 69.1 free-throw percentage is a little bit concerning as teams could take the "Hack-a-Shaq" approach to prevent him from getting easy buckets inside.

16. Pierre Jackson, Baylor

Named second-team All-Big 12, Pierre Jackson is great all around for the Bears.

Averaging 13.3 points per game, Jackson transferred to Baylor from the College of Southern Idaho.

Although his experience is from a junior college, Jackson is the only player on Baylor's team that has won a national title. So, when it comes to needing a big-time shot, Jackson will have been there and done that, and likely won't feel the pressure.

15. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut

One of the more underrated players in the entire country, Shabazz Napier knows what to do when he has the ball.

Averaging 12.7 points and 5.8 assists per game, Napier is the perfect guy to run your offense.

Napier is, in my opinion, the second-best point guard in this region and would be able to show why—only if they wouldn't draw Kentucky in the second round.

14. Quincy Acy, Baylor

Another second-team All-Big 12 selection for the Bears, Quincy Acy finally has a Baylor team that he feels confident can contend for a national title.

Averaging 11.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, Acy is a beast on the inside for the Bears. He was also named to the conference's all-defensive team.

He's been named the Big 12's best athlete by Sporting News, which goes even further than just his basketball ability.

With his abilities on the inside, Acy should see his first real competition there if the Bears reach the Sweet 16.

13. Garrett Stutz, Wichita State

Last year, Stutz helped Wichita State win the NIT.

This year, he had 13.5 points and eight rebounds per game to lead the Shockers to the No. 1 seed for the Missouri Valley Conference.

Unfortunately, they were shocked by Missouri State in the semifinals, which is why they dropped to the No. 5 seed in the region and will face VCU.

Stutz has the ability to control the inside, but so do a lot of other big men in the region.

If he does perform up to his ability, the Shockers could pull a shocker in the second round and beyond.

12. Seth Curry, Duke

With 13.4 points per game, Seth Curry is the second leading scorer for the Blue Devils.

Curry was named third-team All-ACC, but took a back seat to Austin Rivers all year.

However, that doesn't take away from what he can do on the court.

Should Rivers falter even a little, Curry knows what he'll have to do to bring the Blue Devils back on top.

11. Andre Roberson, Colorado

Named first-team All-Pac-12, Andre Roberson helped Colorado win the Pac-12 Tournament title.

Averaging 11.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, Roberson did it all for the Buffaloes.

His efforts on the defensive side also earned him all-conference defensive honors.

With a first-round game against UNLV, Roberson and the Buffaloes have a legitimate chance at going to the second round, coming off a conference title game win.

10. Cody Zeller, Indiana

Named second-team All-Big Ten, Cody Zeller is the only real big name on Indiana's roster.

Averaging 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, Zeller was instrumental in Indiana's upset over Kentucky earlier this year.

Also named Freshman of the Year, Zeller should have no problem helping the Hoosiers power through to the Sweet 16, where they could get a possible rematch with Kentucky.

9. Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Andre Drummond was named to the All-Rookie team for the Big East, as he averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

The one thing I like about this kid is the fact that he can throw down at will. Just give him the ball anywhere near the basket and there's a good chance he'll dunk it.

Drummond is widely believed to be heading to the NBA Draft this year, but there's still some improvement needed in his game.

8. Perry Jones III, Baylor

I honestly believe Perry Jones III should have been higher than on the third-team All-Big 12.

His 14 points and 7.7 rebounds per game show he's one of the top players in the conference, but he could sometimes be overshadowed by teammates.

If it comes down to the final shot in the game, nine times out of 10, it's going to Jones.

7. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Named first-team All-SEC, Kidd-Gilchrist averaged 12 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

The fact that he had Anthony Davis as a teammate, Kidd-Gilchrist didn't have to worry about being in the spotlight and could focus on what he does best.

The thing I love about him is his ability to adapt to any situation he's put in.

That ability is going to be key for the Wildcats if they want to win a national title this year.

6. Royce White, Iowa State

Named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Big 12 first team, Royce White showed all season why he was one of the best players in the conference.

For the year, he average 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, constantly banging inside to get what he needed.

The only problem for White and the Cyclones is the fact that they face Connecticut in the first round. That presents a tough challenge, but should be an interesting matchup for both teams.

5. Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Named second-team All-SEC, Jones had 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Jones is another player that benefits from Anthony Davis' presence. He can continue to do what he does best and not have to worry about being in the spotlight.

The fact that Kentucky lost the SEC title game will only benefit the Wildcats, as there is now a chip on their shoulder to ensure they win six in a row.

Wins are not a guarantee anymore.

4. Mason Plumlee, Duke

I'd hate to be taking a shot in front of Mason Plumlee.

I'd be afraid that he smack the ball back in my face and break my nose.

This year, Plumlee was the unquestioned leader on and off the floor for Duke.

He averaged 10.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. On many occasions, he took over the game on the inside.

Plumlee is by far the best big man in the region and will have a lot to say about how far Duke makes it in the tournament.

3. Austin Rivers, Duke

The fabulous freshman, Austin Rivers has been a human highlight reel all year.

From his game-winner over North Carolina to the countless times he was given the ball when Duke needed a basket, Rivers will definitely be a one-and-done this year.

He averaged 15.4 points per game and has the green light to shoot anytime he has the ball.

2. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb was named to the first-team All-Big East after being named to the All-Rookie team last year.

Averaging 17.7 points per game, the Connecticut offense runs through him. As he goes, so go the Huskies.

Which makes an interesting matchup (possibly) in the second round with Kentucky. If there was any year where a No. 8 seed is guaranteed to have a great game with a No. 1 seed, it will be a Kentucky-Connecticut game.

If Lamb plays the way everyone knows he can, then I wouldn't be surprised to see the Huskies pull the upset.

1. Anthony Davis, Kentucky

The best player in the country, in my opinion, Davis averaged 14.3 points, 10 rebounds and 4.7 blocks a game.

Just feed him the ball inside and he'll throw it down.

Plus, his ability to shoot from the outside makes him even more dangerous and an obvious player to be the top overall pick in the NBA Draft this year.

However, for the NCAA tournament, Davis and the Wildcats will settle for six 1-0 seasons over the next three weeks.

If Kentucky wins the national title, it will be because of everything that Davis does.