NCAA Tournament 2011: Top 25 Players to Watch During March Madness
With less than 24 hours to go until tip-off of one of the most anticipated days in college sports, team preparation and schematics for this weekend’s slate of games is crucial. Coaches are tirelessly figuring out how to game plan against their opponent’s biggest stars, but sometimes those players shine through regardless. They are the type of players who can will their teams to victory or, with a sub-par performance, can leave them falling short. Turning an eye to the Big Dance’s biggest stars, we devised a list of those most crucial to their team’s tournament success.
That said, SwishScout.com presents ‘The Top 25 Players To Watch Through out March Madness.’
Note: On most players, you can click their name or school to take you to a more detailed profile for a more extensive scouting report on the respective prospect.
Honorable Mention: Kris Joseph (Syracuse), Kyle Singler (Duke), JaJuan Johnson (Purdue), Steven Gray (Gonzaga), Erving Walker (Florida), Malcolm Lee (UCLA), Brandon Knight (Kentucky)
25. Jordan Hamilton: Texas
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This guy has been a scoring dynamo all season for the Longhorns and has put himself into the lottery discussion for the NBA Draft. He will be a big piece in advancing past Oakland and Arizona or Memphis, but will need help from his teammates as he can’t do it all.
24. Kyrie Irving: Duke
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Contrary to word last week that he may not play, recent news is that he could see some limited minutes this weekend in the early rounds. If he can get back to 80-90% during Duke’s tournament run, the potential No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft is a game-changer who could clearly boost the Blue Devils’ chances.
23. John Jenkins: Vanderbilt
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John Jenkins (Vanderbilt)
The leading scorer for the Commodores has stepped up his game this year, becoming the star of the show in Nashville. Jenkins is rumored to have NBA aspirations but he will have to come up big against Richmond to keep Vanderbilt from their third straight opening round exit.
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22. Keith Benson: Oakland
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The Oakland-Texas first round matchup is an intriguing one that many like because of the Golden Grizzlies underrated big man. Benson was instrumental in Oakland’s early season upset of Tennessee where the 6’11” center hit a clutch mid-range jumper to seal the game, so don’t expect him have much fear against the Longhorns.
21. Kenneth Faried: Morehead State
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Earlier this season, the Eagles' first round opponent dropped a game to Drexel, a team that grabbed 20 more rebounds than Louisville. Faried is a player capable of grabbing 20 rebounds or more by himself, and could expose the Cardinals if they can’t find a way to counteract his post rebounding and defense.
20. Scotty Hopson: Tennessee
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This has been a breakout year for the junior swing-man, but his toughest challenge lies ahead against a tough Michigan team that will have him on their radar. Hopson has struggled of late, averaging just 13 points over his last three games and was less than impressive in his last two seasons in the NCAA Tournament.
19. Chris Singleton: Florida State
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Another NCAA star who has been sidelined by injury, it appears that Singleton is set to return for the Seminoles in their first round matchup against Texas A&M. Singleton, one of the elite defenders in college basketball, will likely not be 100 percent for the game but is a needed boost to his team that has lost four of their past seven without him.
18. Ashton Gibbs: Pittsburgh
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Ashton Gibbs (Pittsburgh)
The Panthers shooting star has been scorching nets this season, hitting an incredible 48 percent of his three-pointers to help Pitt capture the Big East regular season title. Ashton is a great shooter who can get hot in a hurry, but if his shots aren’t falling, then his production and confidence drop at an exponential rate.
17. Justin Harper: Richmond
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Justin Harper (Richmond)
Another underrated big man from a smaller conference, Harper is an inside-out threat that most haven’t heard of until this week. Richmond’s Princeton-style offense will dictate pace against Vanderbilt and ensure that the star big will get his share of quality scoring looks throughout the game.
16. Talor Battle: Penn State
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Talor Battle (Penn State)
You wouldn’t think it, but the senior point guard from New York is an explosive scorer who can go off, rare for a team that is 298th in the nation in scoring. Battle is a volume shooter who will slow it down for the Nittany Lions, but will look to go out big and with the ball in his hands.
15. Nolan Smith: Duke
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The combo guard has had an outstanding season in Durham, taking over the point guard position and maintaining the high level play that Irving was at before his injury. The Player of the Year candidate has shined in big moments this season while Singler has seemingly faded into the background. It will be interesting to see how the two coexist during the big moments of the tournament.
14. Terrence Jones: Kentucky
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After a hot start the season, Jones’ production has cooled considerably, but he is still a force in the paint because of his size and physicality. TJ has the tools and talent to dominate in the tournament but his mentality and maturity will have to catch up quick so he doesn’t get exposed for being a one-dimensional player.
13. Markieff Morris: Kansas
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The ‘other’ Morris brother has stepped up his game significantly in Big 12 play this season and established himself as one the NCAA’s premier players in the post. Markieff is a rebounding machine who can get a bit chippy out on the floor, but he has the toughness and game to back it up.
12. Marcus Morris: Kansas
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Déjà vu? The Big 12 Player of the Year has played steady all season long with his perimeter game and all-around play on the nation’s No. 2 team. There were stretches where he disappeared but the Jayhawks have enough talent to pick him up and rally quickly.
11. Kawhi Leonard: San Diego State
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One of the more physically gifted and naturally talented players in the NCAA, the forward likely would have been Mountain West Player of the Year had it not been for a certain BYU star. Kawhi is a 6’7” small forward who SDSU runs their offense through. Being one of the best rebounders in the tournament doesn’t hurt either.
10. Ben Hansbrough: Notre Dame
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Ben Hansbrough (Notre Dame)
One of the surprise players of the year in the NCAA, Hansbrough lit up Big East defenses for 44 percent of his three-point makes, averaging 18.5 point per game in the process. Ben definitely has his older brother, and current Indiana Pacer, Tyler's competitive spirit and playmaking ability, averaging about 4.3 assists on a team that moves the ball very well (10th nationally in assists).
9. Tu Holloway: Xavier
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Tu Holloway (Xavier)
A little known scoring guard from the Atlantic 10, Holloway is a flat out competitor who has dominated the opposition for an average of 20 points per game this season. The junior may be undersized at 6’7”, but he has an all-around big game, averaging five assists, five rebounds, and 1.5 steals per contest as well.
8. E’Twaun Moore: Purdue
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E’Twaun Moore (Purdue)
The savvy scoring senior has been scintillating with his ability to take over a game, including 38 points this season in a big win over Ohio State. Moore has had some decent outings in past NCAA tournaments but is going to have to get hot from the perimeter to keep his team afloat against the potential matchups of Georgetown and Notre Dame early on.
7. Isaiah Thomas: Washington
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He nearly gave Gus Johnson a heart attack earlier this week but the cold-blooded guard looks to build on the Huskies’ Pac-10 tournament momentum against Georgia and possibly North Carolina. Although a natural shooting guard, the little general with big game has filled in wonderfully at point this season, averaging six assists in the process.
6. Jacob Pullen: Kansas State
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Jacob Pullen (Kansas State)
‘Fear the beard’ is in full effect during tournament time, as it was at this time last year when Pullen was a clutch player for K-State who carried them to the Elite Eight. Although not quite as talented or able to live up to the hype as last season, the Wildcats are a dangerous team with Pullen’s 19.5 point per game scoring mentality as their driving force.
5. Harrison Barnes: North Carolina
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What a difference a little bit of confidence can make for a player, and coming off a 40-point performance, the freshman’s seems to be sky-high and rising. Barnes is one of the most naturally talented players in the NCAA and a top five NBA draft pick. The only question is: Can his clutch shooting help turn in clutch performances over the next three weeks?
4. Jared Sullinger: Ohio State
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An absolute monument in the post, Sullinger put up 17 points and 10 rebounds in the respectable Big Ten conference this season. With the No. 1 overall seed and a talented supporting cast to back him, Sully looks to lead the Buckeyes back to the title the way Greg Oden did back in ’07.
3. Derrick Williams: Arizona
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The Pac-10 Player of the Year was dominant this season, but when he did struggle, so did the Wildcats. By far the best player on his team, Arizona will run their offense through the talented PF in hopes he can carry them to the second weekend and, hopefully, beyond.
2. Kemba Walker: Connecticut
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After an epic run through the Big East in five consecutive days, you have to wonder if Walker has anything left in the tank to lead his team on a deep run through the NCAA. With all eyes on him, Kemba hasn’t disappointed in the in the final moments of a game this season, but how will he do in a postseason tournament where he has been good, but not great?
1. Jimmer Fredette: BYU
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It’s should be no surprise that ‘Air Jimmer’ is No. 1 on this list. He is the most exciting player in NCAA basketball and the quintessential one-man team. The nation’s leading scorer was a big reason why BYU prevailed in the first round last year against Florida in overtime where he had 37 points. If BYU makes a big time run in the tournament, it will likely be from the McDonald’s numbers that Jimmer time is putting up.
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