NIT 2012: Power Ranking Top Players in Title Game

An NCAA tournament will come to a close on Thursday night.

Notice I said "an" NCAA tournament. Not "the" NCAA tournament.

It's the NIT tourney that will come to an end. The final game features a matchup between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Stanford Cardinal, both of whom have been better than advertised to this point in the tournament.

Naturally, both teams have gotten this far because some key players have stepped up their game. Here's a rundown of the top players that you need to be familiar with if you plan on watching the NIT title game.

4. Josh Owens, F/C, Stanford

Josh Owens was Stanford's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer during the regular season, averaging 11.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Since the start of the NIT tournament, Owens has been even better. In Stanford's four games, he's averaged 13 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He helped the Cardinal topple UMass in the Final Four with a double-double that saw him score 15 points and pull down 12 rebounds.

Owens generally doesn't get many touches in a given game, but he took a total of 14 shots against the Minutemen. He could be in line for that many touches again if Minnesota bothers Stanford's guards as much as it bothered Washington's guards.

Regardless, consider Owens a double-double threat. He's playing solid basketball right now.

3. Andre Hollins, G, Minnesota

Andre Hollins was a bit player for the Golden Gophers during the regular season. He averaged just over 21 minutes of action per game, and scored 7.8 points per game.

Hollins has taken on a much bigger role in Minnesota's last three games. He's played at least 36 minutes in all three of them, and has averaged nearly 20 points. As a bonus, he's pitched in 13 assists.

Hollins hasn't been overly efficient in his last three games. He's just getting more shots than usual. Still, you have to give him credit for making the most of the opportunity, and he should be considered a significant asset for Minnesota heading into Thursday's game.

Besides, Hollins has extra incentive to play well against Stanford. As the St. Paul Pioneer Press pointed out, Hollins was recruited by Stanford, but Minnesota wanted him just a little more.

2. Chasson Randle, G, Stanford

Chasson Randle has had to share the spotlight with Aaron Bright in the NIT tournament, but that shouldn't overshadow what Randle did during the regular season.

Randle was Stanford's leading scorer this season with an average of 13.8 points per game. He was at his best when Stanford knocked off Arizona State in the Pac-12 tournament, scoring 30 points and shooting 6-of-8 from distance.

Randle got off to a slow start in the NIT, but he's come on strong in Stanford's last three games. He's averaged better than 15 points, and has pulled down a few more rebounds than usual.

Randle will be at his best for the Cardinal to top Minnesota, which just handled the likes of Terrence Ross and Tony Wroten. If he answers the call, the Cardinal have a very good chance of winning the NIT title.

1. Rodney Williams, F, Minnesota

Rodney Williams was Minnesota's top player during the regular season, averaging 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Williams has taken his game to the next level in the NIT tourney. He's averaging 21 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and he narrowly missed recording a double-double against Washington.

Williams is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, and Minnesota will run away with the title game if he is as efficient as he was against Miami and Middle Tennessee. In those two games, Williams was a combined 17-of-21 from the field.

Stanford will have to make a point of limiting Williams. Even then, he's a threat to lead Minnesota to the NIT title.