Old Spice Classic 2013: Key Players to Watch in Tournament Final

The 2013 Old Spice Classic is approaching its end. The top two teams have prevailed, and thus, the tournament final has been set with potential national title contenders going toe-to-toe.

The question is, which key players should you be focusing on during the Old School Spice Classic tournament final?

The final will feature the No. 5 Oklahoma State Cowboys going up against the No. 21 Memphis Tigers. Oklahoma State is a perfect 7-0, while Memphis is currently 4-1.

This will be the second time that Memphis and Oklahoma State will meet since Nov. 19. During that game, the Cowboys erupted for a 101-80 victory over the Tigers to continue their undefeated campaign.

Something tells me that it'll be closer during the second meeting between two of college basketball's best on-paper teams. The question is, which players will play the most significant roles in the outcome?

Let's find out.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 1

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Joe Jackson, Memphis Tigers

Position: Guard

Class: Senior

2013-14 Season Averages

29.0 MPG, 14.8 PPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 RPG, 2.2 SPG

Quietly, Joe Jackson of Memphis has developed into one of the most well-rounded players in the country. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals on a three-point shooting mark of 44.7 percent in 2012-13, and he is capable of doing it again in 2013-14.

Thus far, it hasn't been smooth-sailing.

Jackson is averaging 14.8 points and 3.8 assists on 50.0 percent shooting from the field, but he's converting just 12.5 percent of his three-pointers. Against Oklahoma State on Nov. 19, he finished with just six points in 25 minutes with four personal fouls.

Memphis will need a significantly greater performance by Jackson to stand a chance at winning this one.

Jackson is averaging 17.3 points in the three games since Memphis and Oklahoma State last met. In his most recent outing, he torched the LSU Tigers for 17 points and four steals, which suggests that he's ready for a monumental outing.

Jackson vs. Smart should be something special.

Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Position: Guard

Class: Sophomore

2013-14 Season Averages

29.0 MPG, 21.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG,3.6 APG, 3.3 SPG

Through seven games, Oklahoma State combo guard Marcus Smart is showing scouts why it was a brilliant move for him to come back for his sophomore season. He's still a dominant defender and dangerous slasher, but the key developments are ball control and jump shooting.

Thus far, Smart is shooting 38.1 percent from three-point range and averaging 2.9 turnovers per game. In 2012-13, he shot 29.0 percent from distance and averaged 3.4 turnovers per contest.

If you didn't think so before, you should now: Smart is a potential NBA franchise player.

It's too early in the season to claim his new shooting stroke is sustainable, but he's making 2.3 out of his 6.0 attempts per game. That rise from 1.2 on 4.0 attempts in 2012-13 is noteworthy for a number of reasons, specifically his work ethic.

When a player capitalizes on another year in school, he deserves even more praise than he received during the year prior. Oddly, that obvious truth is occasionally lost amidst the hype surrounding the fantastic freshmen.

Against Memphis, look for Smart to come up with yet another monster performance. He put up 39 points and five steals during Oklahoma State's first meeting with the Tigers, and he is averaging 21.7 points and 3.3 steals per contest for the year.

If you're looking for a National Player of the Year front-runner, Smart is your guy.

Shaq Goodwin, Memphis Tigers

Position: Forward

Class: Sophomore

2013-14 Season Averages

24.0 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG

Shaq Goodwin was once a highly touted recruit whose size and physicality were praised. During his freshman season, however, Goodwin's dominant moments were far too scarce to claim that he'd lived up to the hype.

In 2013-14, he's beginning to do so.

Goodwin is currently averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steal in 24.0 minutes per game. After converting just 46.6 percent of his field goals and 62.8 percent of his throws, he's boosted those marks to 66.7 and 73.7.

Memphis will need him to dominate on both ends to upset Oklahoma State.

Goodwin had 13 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 26 minutes during his first meeting with the Cowboys. He was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line but had just five total field-goal attempts and threw up two in his following game.

If Goodwin isn't aggressive, this game will be up-tempo and Oklahoma State will take over. Smart is too good in transition, and teammates Markel Brown and Phil Forte are of similar efficiency, which means Memphis needs to slow it down.

Goodwin will be the key to that approach.