NCAA Tournament 2012 Bracket: 10 Underrated Studs Who Will Emerge

March Madness is filled with bonafide superstars and underrated playmakers, year in and year out. 

This year is no different. 

The NCAA tournament bracket is filled with electric scorers, lock-down defenders and prototypical glue guys. 

Some of these players are household names. Some of these players will be household names by the time their team's run ends. 

Whether their team's play one game, or make the ultimate Cinderella run, these players deserve attention. 

Here are 10 underrated studs that will emerge in the Big Dance.

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

Toure' Murry, Wichita State

Fans of mid-majors are familiar with Wichita State's Garrett Stutz and Joe Ragland. Toure' Murry is not as well known, but just as important.

Murry is the glue holding the Shockers together. He averages 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He also steals over one ball per game, on defense. 

The Shockers are arguably the best mid-major in this year's tournament. Murry is a versatile player. He can guard multiple positions, and can score in a variety of ways on offense. 

He is also an unselfish player with an eye for the open man.

Wichita State faces last year's Cinderella, VCU, in the first round. Murry will play a huge role in a Wichita State victory.

Victor Oladipo, Indiana

Victor Oladipo plays in the shadows of Christian Watford and Cody Zeller, but he brings very important elements to the Hoosiers' game. 

Oladipo is a lanky athlete with the ability to defend inside, or outside. He averages 1.4 steals per game, and is also a threat to block shots. 

On offense, Oladipo averages 10.9 points and 1.8 assists per game. He also hauls down 5.5 boards per contest. 

The loss of Verdell Jones III leaves a void in the Hoosier backcourt. Oladipo will come out of the shadows, and emerge as a vital part of the Indiana attack. 

His versatility on both ends of the court makes him a vital asset to Tom Crean's Hoosier team.

D.J. Cooper, Ohio

D.J. Cooper does a bit of everything for the Ohio Bobcats. If the Bobcats want to upset Michigan in Round 1, he will need to do that and more. 

Cooper averages 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. His ability to score, and setup his teammates makes him a special playmaker. 

He scored 23 points against Akron in the MAC Championship game to give the Bobcats a tournament berth. If the Bobcats want to continue that run, Cooper must turn in big games night in and night out. 

Cooper is worth watching. He is undersized but plays with tremendous heart on both ends of the floor. He is good enough to steal a win, or two, for Ohio.

Brandon Wood, Michigan State

Brandon Wood averaged just 8.6 points per game for the Michigan State Spartans, this season. 

Wood, a Valparaiso transfer, has shown a propensity to score earlier in his college career. He averaged over 17 points per game two seasons in a row at Valparaiso. 

The loss of Brandon Dawson to injury leaves a void in the Spartan offense. Wood filled that void handsomely in the Big Ten Championship game with a 21 point performance.

The Spartans went from unranked to No. 1 seed this season. If they wish to continue their unlikely run they must find some support for Draymond Green, offensively. 

Wood showed that ability against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Look for Wood to continue those performances as long as the Spartans stay alive in the tournament. 

Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins and Jeffery Taylor are who fans think of when Vanderbilt pops up in conversation. Festus Ezeli is not, but he may be the most important member of the Commodore squad. 

Ezeli's numbers are down from last season, but he still averages a solid 10 points per contest. He also pulls down 5.5 rebounds per game.

The Commodores rely on their perimeter attack to win games. Their defense is suspect, but Ezeli's two blocked shots per game are a reason for optimism.

If the Commodores plan on playing Syracuse in the Sweet 16, they will need to break the Orange's 2-3 zone. 

Ezeli provides a presence on the boards, and commands attention inside. This allows Jenkins and Taylor to operate on the perimeter, something they must do if they wish to advance beyond the Round of 16.

Michael Snaer, Florida State

Florida State's team defense gets most of the attention in Tallahassee. A smaller part of that defense is guard Michael Snaer, the team's best defender and scorer.

Snaer, a former McDonald's All-American, leads the Seminoles with over 14 points per game. he also pulls down almost four rebounds and dishes out two dimes per contest. 

On top of his offensive output, Snaer steals one ball per game. He is one of the best on-ball defenders in the nation because of his length, and strength, in the backcourt.

Snaer has gotten better as the season progressed. He is an underrated scorer with the ability to shut down the opposing team's best scorer.

That combination is rare among star players.

P.J. Hairston, North Carolina

P.J. Hairston entered Chapel Hill with the reputation as a dead-eye shooter. Hairston did not perform to that standard for most of the season, but broke out in the ACC Championship game. 

The Tar Heels lost Leslie McDonald before the season, and Dexter Strickland during the season. This depleted the depth in the Carolina backcourt, increasing Hairston's role off the bench. 

Hairston averaged just over five points per game this season, and under 30 percent from beyond the arc. Against Florida State in the ACC Championship game, he racked up 13 points and three treys. 

The game against the 'Noles may be just what Hairston needed to find his stroke. The Tar Heels could use his help on the perimeter, and can expect him to deliver when it matters the most. 

Chace Stanback, UNLV

Chace Stanback is UNLV's most versatile player. 

Stanback is a lanky point forward with the ability to score down low, or on the perimeter.

He uses his 6'8'' frame to pull down almost five boards per game, but his scoring is the main asset he brings to the Runnin' Rebels. Stanback averages just under 13 points per game. 

The Runnin' Rebels love to spread the floor and use their athleticism to exploit slower defenders. Stanback is a matchup problem for most forwards because of his speed and athleticism. He pulls defenders away from the basket and uses his length to get shots off. 

UNLV is very capable of making an Elite Eight run. If they do, Stanback will play a major part.

Casper Ware, Long Beach State

Casper Ware has electric ability on the offensive ability on the floor.

He has averaged 17 points per game in each of the past two seasons. Fans around the nation will have no choice but to recognize Ware's elite scoring ability in the tournament. 

Ware also dishes over three assists per game, but his main goal is to score the basketball. He runs the point for the 49ers, but he is more of a lead guard. 

He understands how to get to the basket, and finishes at the rim despite his small stature. 

If you leave Ware open behind the arc, you can expect him to hit a dagger.

Ware thrives on the attention. He plays his biggest games on Long Beach State's biggest stages.

March Madness is the biggest stage of them all, and fans should expect Ware to turn in a few breathtaking moments.

Isaiah Canaan, Murray State

Isaiah Canaan is the closest thing this season's March Madness has to Kemba Walker. 

Murray State's junior guard has the uncanny ability to hit big shots, and can carry his team through the thickest situations. 

Canaan averaged 19.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for an under-the-radar Racers' team. He is an excellent penetrator, has a solid mid-range game and can also knock down three-point shots.

The Racers need Canaan to turn in major performances if they want to wear Cinderella's slipper. Viewers can expect Canaan to answer the call. 

College basketball fans around the nation will be buzzing about Canaan's superb ability, and the heart that goes with it.

Honorable Mentions

This tournament is too deep to cut this list here. These players did not make the cut, but teams should be way of their skills nonetheless.

A.J. Nicholson, St. Bonaventure: Nicholson is the main reason the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure were able to steal a bid. Nicholson locks down the paint, and is a double-double threat every time he steps on the court. If St. Bonaventure wants to grab an unlikely victory in Round 1, Nicholson will lead the way. 

Joe Ragland, Wichita State: Wichita State is lucky to have Ragland in their backcourt. He is a fearless competitor with big-shot mentality. Ragland can create his own shot, but is also a very capable scorer. The Shockers have a great chance at being this year's Cinderella. Ragland plays a major part in all of their success.

Ray McCollum Jr., Detroit: McCollum was a McDonald's All-American out of high school. He decided to play for his dad at Detroit rather than play for any Goliath program. McCollum did not find immediate success but got his game on track in the second half of this season. He is a dynamic scorer with tremendous heart.