Little Big Men: Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker Headline Bob Cousy Finalists

Often the smallest men on the floor have the biggest impact on the game. They score, they defend, they rebound, but more importantly, they get their teammates involved.

In short, there’s nothing these guys can’t do. Here's a look at the five finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation's top point guard.

Norris Cole, Cleveland State Vikings, Senior

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MIAMI - MARCH 20: Guard Jeff Teague #0 (R) of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons is defended by guard Norris Cole #30 (L) of the Cleveland State University Vikings during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the American Airlin

After playing second fiddle to the Butler Bulldogs the past few years, the Vikings were able to earn the Horizon League's top seed behind Cole's gaudy numbers.

Averaging 21. 6 ppg, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists, Cole led the Vikings in all three statistical categories. Throw in 2.2 steals per game, and it's easy to see why Norris Cole is considered one of the nation's finest.

Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin Badgers, Junior

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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 20: Jordan Taylor #11 of the Wisconsin Badgers brings the ball up the court against the UNLV Rebels during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center November 20, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 68-65. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty I

Taylor is a complete guard. Strong enough to get to the basket and finish, but lethal enough from outside to force teams to honor his shooting ability.

Taylor averages 18.1 ppg and dishes out 4.7 assists. Taylor's ability to hit the outside shot opens things up inside for teammate Jon Leuer, giving the Badgers a potent inside-outside combination.

Taylor plays his best when the spotlight is on (see his 27-point performance against then No. 1 Ohio State on Feb. 12th), which will bode well for the Badgers come tournament time.

Nolan Smith, Duke Blue Devils, Senior

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots against Terrell Bell #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies as teammate Kyle Singler #12 looks on during the first half in the semifinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the

After leading the Blue Devils to the 2010 National Championship, Nolan Smith is having himself another fine season. Averaging 21 points per game, Smith, along with classmate Kyle Singler, has led Duke to the cusp of another ACC Tournament title.

This season is Smith's finest as a Blue Devil. After Duke lost freshman Kyrie Irving, Smith was left without a potent backcourt partner. How did he respond? Only by putting up his biggest numbers in four years for the Blue Devils and coming within one game of winning the ACC regular season crown, losing to Tabacco Road rival, North Carolina, on the final Saturday of the regular season.

Kemba Walker, UConn Huskies, Junior

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies drives to the basket against Syracuse Orange during the semifinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden on Ma

The purest scorer in the group, Kemba Walker can score in a variety of ways. Walker broke onto the scene after tallying back-to-back 30-point performances, followed by a 29-point performance, in leading the Huskies to the pre-season Maui Invitational title.

He hasn't stopped scoring since. Walker came into this week's Big East Tournament averaging 23.7 ppg., but what makes him most dangerous is the bigger the game, the bigger he plays.

So far in four Big East Tournament games, Walker has averaged 27 points per game in leading the Huskies to tonight's final. But he doesn't just score, he also pulls down 5.4 rpg while dishing out 4.3 assists.

Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young Cougars, Senior

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars brings the ball up the court during a semifinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament against the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Cent

It's hard not to root for a guy like Fredette. He plays the game the way it should be played, as if every play could be the difference. And he's got talent to boot.

Fredette leads the nation with a 28 ppg. average, but he does it within the offense. Content to defer to teammates if need be, Fredette combines true point guard savvy, averaging 4.2 assists, with his unnatural scoring ability.

Jimmer and his Cougar teammates were on a path to a No. 1 seed in this month's NCAA tournament prior to Brandon Davies' suspension but will have to settle for less. But with Jimmer leading the way, the Cougars could still be in for a magical ride through March.