Sweet 16 2012: Top 10 Players on Remaining Cinderella Teams

Cinderella teams are hoping their best players continue to carry them in the NCAA tournament.

After pulling off an upset or two, these underdogs are looking at an uphill battle. In order to be successful, these schools will need their studs to carry them through.

As a result, I have ranked the 10 best players that are on these underdog teams. For the sake of this article, each team could only have two players on the list. Additionally, a Cinderella team is a team with a No. 6 seed or lower.

These are the best players remaining on the upset-hungry Cinderellas.

10. Walter Offutt, Ohio

Walter Offutt has turned his game up a notch in the NCAA tournament.

He is now averaging 16 points, three rebounds and three steals per game. He led the Bobcats in scoring against South Florida, hitting all four of his three-point attempts.

Ohio will have a very tough time knocking off North Carolina. However, with Kendall Marshall's injury, look for Ohio's guards to try and take advantage of UNC's backups.

If Offutt can find his stroke, Ohio could very well pull off the huge upset.

9. Mark Lyons, Xavier

Mark Lyons is the heir apparent to Tu Holloway.

Lyons is second on the team in points, assists and steals per game, all behind Holloway. The two are tremendous competitors and they feed off each other's energy.

Lyons hasn't shot well or played well in the first two games of the tournament. However, his great play in the Atlantic 10 Tournament helped Xavier get to the final.

Lyons is capable of stepping up at big moments; he just needs the right opportunity.

8. C.J. Leslie, NC State

C.J. Leslie is a major reason North Carolina State has made its tremendous run through the ACC Tournament into the Sweet 16.

The sophomore forward leads the team in scoring and is second in rebounding. Additionally, he shoots nearly 53 percent from the floor, which means he is one of the best finishers in the country.

Leslie has matured a lot over the season and he has slowly evolved into the player he was capable of being. Kansas is an incredibly tough matchup, but Leslie's play gives the Wolfpack a chance.

7. Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati

Even though they're a No. 6 seed, the Cincinnati Bearcats are a Cinderella story.

After an embarrassing brawl early in the year, the team has bounced back to nearly win the Big East Tournament and now play in the Sweet 16.

Sean Kilpatrick is a major reason why.

He's the best scorer on the team. More importantly, he is the most consistent scorer on the team. When Cincinnati needs a bucket, Kilpatrick is the go-to guy.

After a sub-par game against Texas, Kilpatrick was fantastic against Florida State. He knocked down four three-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and had a team-high 18 points. Without him, the Bearcats would be on their way back to Cincinnati.

If Kilpatrick continues to play well, Cincinnati has a good chance of pulling off a few more upsets.

6. Kenny Boynton, Florida

Even though Florida didn't pull off an upset in the first two rounds, Billy Donovan's side is definitely an underdog going forward.

However, that doesn't mean you should bet against the Gators.

Kenny Boynton is playing great basketball. He leads the team in scoring and has helped Florida demolish its first two opponents (average margin of victory: 25 points).

Obviously the games will be a little closer, but Florida will be up for the challenge. After blowing teams out, the Gators will need to refocus. Their biggest issue is probably Boynton's shooting.

Boynton averaged three made three-pointers during the regular season on 41 percent shooting. However, he hasn't been able to find his stroke yet, and he is an abysmal 2-of-12 from behind the arc in the tournament.

If he gets back to shooting like he's capable, Boynton instantly makes Florida a Final Four team.

5. D.J. Cooper, Ohio

D.J. Cooper is Ohio's best player, and he's played like it in the NCAA tournament.

He led the team in points, assists and steals per game in the regular season, and he has played even better in the tournament. In fact, he led the team in rebounding in the win over South Florida.

Plain and simple, Cooper has been playing out of his mind.

At times, his shot selection is questionable, but he's been hitting those shots so far. Cooper's averaging 20 points, four rebounds and six assists per game in the tournament, which makes Ohio incredibly tough to beat.

Cooper will need to play even better to pull off an upset over North Carolina. He's capable of stepping up his play; he just needs to do it.

4. Yancy Gates, Cincinnati

Yancy Gates is a fun player to watch.

He is a fantastic physical specimen and he works hard on both ends of the floor. He can put the ball in the bucket and protect the rim on the defensive end of the floor.

Gates does not have the flashiest numbers, although his 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game averages are pretty impressive. Still, his heart and desire give Cincinnati a much-needed toughness.

The senior wants to win as badly as anybody, and it has been evident over the past month (or so) of the season. Gates will not roll over and die, and he won't let his teammates do it either.

Jared Sullinger is one of the best big men in the country, and it will most likely be up to Gates to neutralize him. Luckily for Cincinnati, Gates is ready for the challenge.

3. Bradley Beal, Florida

Bradley Beal has been one of the best players in the NCAA tournament.

In the regular season, he finished second on Florida in scoring and led them in rebounding. As for the tournament, he has been nothing short of dominant.

Beal is averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game in the tournament. Considering both games were blowouts, those numbers could easily be higher.

Beal has been playing like a man possessed and he has Florida in great shape to make a surprise run at the Final Four. Marquette will be a tough matchup, but the Gators are good enough to pull off the upset, especially if Beal plays like he's been playing.

2. Lorenzo Brown, NC State

Lorenzo Brown has been absolutely outstanding for North Carolina State this year.

He is second on the team in scoring and leads the way in assists and steals. At the point guard spot, he has the responsibility of making the offense run.

In the NCAA tournament, he has done just that.

Brown is averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. While it's only two games, those are gaudy numbers.

Brown is the engine that makes the Wolfpack run, and they will go as far as he can take them.

1. Tu Holloway, Xavier

Tu Holloway is a beast.

Even though his statistical production is down from last year, he is a much better, more refined player. He's trusting his teammates more and making better decisions. Holloway's shot selection is loads better, which allows him to be a more efficient player.

As a senior, he knows what it takes to win in March. Xavier upset Notre Dame and grinded out a victory over Lehigh. Holloway averaged 23 points in each of the wins, making six three-pointers along the way. Additionally, he sat a total of five minutes in those two games combined.

Holloway is a gamer, and he will do what it takes to win. As Xavier hopes to keep winning, Holloway will need to keep taking over games.

Considering he's the best player on the remaining Cinderella teams, Xavier's fate is in good hands.