NCAA Bracket 2012: Players Under Most Pressure Heading into Sweet 16

After a weekend of tremendous individual performances, there are 16 teams left to battle for the NCAA tournament crown. Each of those squads have one or two players feeling the heat of a potential national title run, but a couple of them are under more pressure than others.

Here are three players who will be in the spotlight heading into the Sweet 16. For a complete look at the bracket as it currently stands, visit the NCAA web site.

P.J. Hairston (North Carolina)

The Tar Heels have already been playing without Dexter Strickland since January, so potentially losing Kendall Marshall as well would be a massive blow to UNC's title chances—that is, unless Hairston steps up to the plate and fills the void.

He has averaged just 13 minutes per game and hasn't made a single start all season, but if Marshall is unable to make a surprising recovery, he'll be called on to play a bigger role. His performance will likely determine how long North Carolina survives.

Hairston has enough talent to limit the damage done by Marshall's wrist injury, but the expectations will be tough to live up to.

James Southerland (Syracuse)

Syracuse endured an early scare from UNC Asheville after losing Fab Melo, but rebounded nicely to knock off a strong Kansas State team. Southerland's emergence is one of the main reasons the Orange are still alive.

He'll need to maintain that high level of play, which includes two straight games of 15 points, if the Orange are going to defeat Wisconsin. The Badgers play at an incredibly slow pace, so every possession will be vital to the team's success.

Southerland won't be able to match Melo's defensive abilities, but if he's able to contribute double-digit points and a handful or rebounds, the Orange will be in great shape.

Perry Jones III (Baylor)

It's a testament to Baylor's depth that the Bears have been able to advance from their first two games without getting significant contributions for Jones. As the competition level goes up, however, they won't be so fortunate unless Jones picks up the pace.

The sophomore forward has only scored nine points in the tournament, which matches his worst two-game stretch of the season. He'll need to return to his expected output, around 14 points and eight rebounds, for the Bears to get past Xavier.

Even though the Musketeers haven't garnered much interest from the national media, they have enough size and outside shooting to knock out Baylor if Jones isn't on his game.