NIT Tournament 2013: X-Factors for Every Remaining Team

The 2013 National Invitation Tournament has reached the semifinals stage. The remaining teams include Baylor, Brigham Young, Maryland and Iowa.

The question is, which individuals will decide the upcoming games?

We're all likely to point to the stars on each respective team as the players that will decide the outcomes. The fact of the matter is, the unsung heroes almost always step up to become the deciding parties.

The X-factors.

Remaining Games

Baylor Bears vs. BYU Cougars

In the first of our two remaining semifinal games, the Baylor Bears will take on the BYU Cougars. This game will be headlined by stars in Pierre Jackson and Tyler Haws.

As we all know, however, it will take an X-factor to decide the outcome of this one—so who will it be?

Maryland Terrapins vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

Our second semifinal will pit ACC product Maryland against Big Ten member Iowa. This game is highlighted by NBA draft prospect Alex Len and Hawkeyes leader Roy Devyn Marble.

So who will decide this one?

Cory Jefferson, Baylor Bears

Position: Power Forward

Class: Junior

2012-13 Season Averages

27.7 MPG, 12.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 60.1% FG

The Baylor Bears have extraordinary talent on their roster with athletes such as Isaiah Thomas and playmakers like Pierre Jackson. They even have a sharpshooter in Brady Heslip.

If the Bears are to make it past BYU and potentially win the NIT, however, they need Cory Jefferson to continue his dominant string of play.

BYU is led by forward Brandon Davies. In order to counter his production, the Bears will need Jefferson to step up in a major way. Fortunately, the Bears have discovered that they can rely on Jefferson in the NIT.

With that being said, Jefferson led up to the NIT with five single-digit scoring games in nine games—can he continue this dominance? If so, Baylor is close to unbeatable.

Matt Carlino, Brigham Young Cougars

Position: Point Guard

Class: Sophomore

2012-13 Season Averages

28.5 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.8 SPG

In case you haven't heard, the Baylor Bears are led by one of the best point guards in the nation. That young man is Pierre Jackson, who is averaging 14.5 assists over the past two games.

Where else would we look here but point guard?

Matt Carlino is no slouch, having posted season averages of 11.3 points, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals. Most importantly, he's countered Jackson's production with elite facilitating numbers of his own.

Carlino has nine assists in three consecutive games.

Furthermore, Carlino has made at least four three-point field goals in three consecutive games. If Carlino can continue to produce at this level, BYU can take down Baylor.

If he doesn't, it will not.

Logan Aronhalt, Maryland Terrapins

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Senior

2012-13 Season Averages

13.9 MPG, 5.9 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 43.2% 3PT

Logan Aronhalt attended Albany for three of his four college seasons. In his fourth year, however, he's played for the Maryland Terrapins.

Don't let his season minutes average confuse you—Aronhalt has become a key component of Maryland's offense.

Thus far in the NIT, Aronhalt is averaging 20.0 minutes played per appearance. In that time, he's shooting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Unfortunately, five of his six three-point field goals made came during Maryland's first-round win over Niagara—Aronhalt is 1-for-7 since then.

If Maryland is to advance past Iowa, it'll need Aronhalt to convert from distance. Outside of his contributions, the Terps are below average in that regard.

If his shot is falling, Maryland has a strong chance of getting past Iowa and eventually winning the NIT championship. If it's not, however, the Terrapins will suffer.

The pressure is on the former small-school star to step up on the big stage.

Adam Woodbury, Iowa Hawkeyes

Position: Center

Class: Freshman

2012-13 Season Averages

16.2 MPG, 4.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.8 BPG

If the Iowa Hawkeyes are going to defeat the Maryland Terrapins, it's imperative that they find an answer for Alex Len. It just so happens that Iowa has a 7'0" monster of their own to throw Len's way.

Make that a 7'1" monster, center Adam Woodbury.

For the season, Woodbury has seen limited minutes for a deep Iowa team. In recent games, however, Woodbury has taken on a more extended role.

For instance, he dropped 10 points and eight rebounds in 26 minutes during Iowa's quarterfinals victory over Virginia.

That's what the Hawkeyes need from him against Maryland, as their ability to counter the Terrapins' interior attack will decide this game. If they can force the Terrapins to win from outside, Iowa could pull out the victory.

That rests on Woodbury's large shoulders.