March Madness 2011 Bracket: Power Ranking the Top 10 Players in the West Region

So, all of the dust has finally settled, and the bracket for the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been set. Ohio State, Pitt, Duke and Kansas claimed the four No. 1 seeds in this year's tournament.

Duke will be representing the West Region's No. 1 seed. Other notable teams in the West Region this year include: San Diego State, Texas and Big East tournament champion Connecticut. With the West region well so well represented, it raises the question: Who are the top 10 players in the region?

10. Dogus Balbay: Texas

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GREENSBORO, NC - DECEMBER 18: Dogus Balbay #4 of the Texas Longhorns against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Greensboro Coliseum on December 18, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Balbay was named the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year this season. The senior guard was often given the assignment of guarding the opposing team's best player.

Which was no easy task given the strength of the Big 12 this season. Look for Balbay's defense to be a huge factor when the Longhorns take on Oakland Friday afternoon.

9. Talor Battle: Penn State

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: Talor Battle #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a play against the Michigan State Spartans during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapol

Battle led Penn State all the way to the championship game in the Big Ten tournament before falling to the overall No. 1 seed Ohio State.

Battle was also recognized as a member of the media's All Big 10 First Team.

8. Marcus Denmon: Missouri

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Marcus Denmon #12 of the Missouri Tigers drives to the hoop against the Texas A&M Aggies during their quarterfinal game in the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at Sprint Center on March 10, 2011 in Kansas Ci

Denmon averaged 17 points per game this season leading to All Big 12 First Team honors. Missouri had high expectations before the season, but the team largely failed to live up to them.

However, the Tigers are still dancing. If Missouri hopes to refresh everyone's memory of the their high preseason ranking, Denmon will have to step up his game.

7. Derrick Williams: Arizona

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats looks on while taking on the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 12, 2011 in Los Angel

Williams was named Player of the Year in the Pac-10 this season. Additionally, he led the conference in field goal and three-point percentage.

6. Jordan Hamilton: Texas

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 12: Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns goes up for a shot against Brady Morningstar #12 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2011 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament championship game at Sprint Center on March 12, 2

Hamilton was the Longhorns' leading scorer this season. In addition, the California native was named to the All Big 12 First Team. Texas will need Hamilton to step up big in order to make some noise in the tournament.

5. Alex Oriakhi: Connecticut

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a play against the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Gar

Oriakhi was the second leading rebounder in the Big East this season. Oriakhi quietly averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds throughout the Big East tournament this past week.

With the majority of the other team's focus on Kemba Walker, Oriakhi and the rest of the Huskies are in prime position to have big games throughout the tournament.

4. Kawhi Leonard: San Diego State

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Kawhi Leonard #15 of the San Diego State Aztecs holds up three fingers after scoring a three-point basket against the Brigham Young University Cougars during the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketbal

Kawhi Leonard averaged a double-double this season in the Mountain West Conference. The sophomore averaged 15 points per game and nearly 11 rebounds.

Leonard is one of the main reasons the Aztecs are a dark horse team to make the Final Four this season. With his steady post play, Leonard has established himself as a legitimate NBA prospect.

3. Kyle Singler: Duke

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils smiles after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 75-58 in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 13, 2011 in Greensboro,

Singler was All-ACC first team this season. On the other hand, he has struggled to find his rhythm at times this season.

However, he is the reigning MOP of the Final Four, and the way he plays in this year's tournament will the ultimate measuring stick for Duke's success.

2. Nolan Smith: Duke

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils brings the ball up the court during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro C

Nolan Smith was the only unanimous decision for All ACC first team this season. Also, the guard was a member of the conference's All-Defensive Team.

Smith was instrumental in leading Duke to victory over North Carolina in Sunday's ACC tournament championship by scoring 20 points and dishing out 10 assists.

1. Kemba Walker: Connecticut

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies holds up the David R. Gavitt Most Outstanding Player trophy after defeating the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented b

Kemba Walker has become a household name in the basketball world this week by leading Connecticut to the Big East tournament championship.

Walker led the Huskies to five wins in five nights against some of the toughest teams in the nation. Four of the five games were against ranked opponents.

Naturally, Walker was named tournament MVP, and he broke the tournament scoring record in the process.

Walker's Big East tournament performance now has people talking of Connecticut making a serious run at the national championship.