2011 NCAA Tournament: 10 Stars Who Must Come Up Big in the Second Round
As the 2011 NCAA tournament gets into full swing with tomorrow’s second-round action, top players from across the country will get their chance to come up big on the game’s biggest stage. For some teams, though, a big game out of their main man is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Read on for the 10 players who must step up if their teams are to advance past Round 2.
10. Tu Holloway, Xavier
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Xavier wouldn’t be in the NCAA field if it weren’t for their do-everything guard, Tu Holloway, who leads the team in scoring and assists.
Holloway is shooting a sparkling 43 percent from the field this season, but some of his worst shooting performances have come in Musketeers losses: 2-for-13 against Cincinnati, 3-for-17 against Charlotte.
Marquette has shown that it’s vulnerable to a hot shooter, giving up six three-pointers to Louisville’s Mike Marra in their Big East tournament ouster. If Holloway plays his usual game, the Musketeers should be moving on to Round 3.
9. Khris Middleton, Texas A&M
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With injured Seminoles standout Chris Singleton likely to start, the Aggies will need to be at their best to beat Florida State.
That means that Khris Middleton, Texas A&M’s leading scorer, has to play well offensively.
Defense is a given for the Aggies, who will make Florida State earn every point. Offense is a lot less of a sure thing (they had fewer field goals than turnovers in a win over Kansas State earlier this year).
If Middleton struggles with his shot, Florida State could take over the game early. If he plays well, the Aggies’ defensive toughness should win out in the end.
8. Frank Hassell, Old Dominion
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He’s not as recognizable as many on this list, but Frank Hassell is every bit as important to Old Dominion’s chances in the tournament. He anchors a team that leads the nation in rebounding margin, giving them a post presence that would look more at home in the ACC than the CAA.
Against a battle-tested Butler squad, Hassell’s toughness in the post will be vital to the Monarchs’ chances. If he can control Butler’s Matt Howard and get his own points on the other end, Hassell will lead ODU to victory. If Hassell struggles, the Bulldogs’ superior guard play could send the Monarchs packing.
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7. Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
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Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen, who threatened not to play if his team was relegated to the NIT, has his NCAA berth and now will have to put his money where his mouth is.
The Wildcats find themselves in the always-dangerous fifth seed, facing a Utah State team whose low seed belies the fact that they spent much of the season in the Top 25.
The Aggies, with five seniors and loads of tournament experience, could shoot Kansas State right out of the gym if they get hot from beyond the arc.
Pullen will need to keep the Wildcats’ offense humming while also using his quickness and strength to pressure the Aggies’ perimeter shooters. If he doesn’t play big on both ends of the floor, Pullen’s NCAA tournament stay could be a very short one.
6. Austin Freeman, Georgetown
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Regardless of who wins tonight’s VCU-USC battle, the Hoyas are in for a fight to start the tournament. If the Rams come out on top, they’ll bring a trapping full-court press to harass Georgetown’s guards. If it’s the Trojans, they’ll slow the game down and force Georgetown to make every possession count.
Either way, Hoyas star Austin Freeman will need to bring his A game. Whether it’s handling the ball against frantic VCU pressure or knocking down jumpers against the USC defense, Freeman has to put his team on his shoulders and carry them into the next round.
5. Trey Thompkins, Georgia
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In a showdown of likely NBA-bound stars, Trey Thompkins and Georgia meet Isaiah Thomas and Washington in their NCAA tournament opener.
Washington’s 6’9” Matthew Bryan-Amaning has been a standout for the Huskies all season, but he doesn’t have the athletic ability to match Thompkins’ above-the-rim game.
If Thompkins can control the paint on offense and get the Huskies’ front line into foul trouble, Georgia should come away with the victory. If Bryan-Amaning can even fight Thompkins to a draw, the Huskies are the pick to win it.
4. Demetri McCamey, Illinois
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With UNLV’s punishing defense awaiting in their opening game, Illinois will need to play smart offensively, and that starts with Demetri McCamey.
The Big Ten’s second-leading assist man, McCamey will need to make good decisions about when to take it himself (he’s also the Illini’s leading scorer) and when to find teammates like Mike Davis in the post.
If UNLV brings full-court pressure, it will be on McCamey to settle his team down and play their offense in the half-court, rather than forcing early shots. He’ll also need to avoid settling for too many jump shots of his own, as this game will likely come down to which team gets the most out of each possession.
3. Talor Battle, Penn State
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Already Penn State’s all-time leading scorer, Talor Battle will need to keep up his hot shooting if the Nittany Lions want to knock off in-state rival Temple.
The Owls, anchored by power forward Lavoy Allen, boast a lockdown defense that held George Washington to 19 percent shooting in the second half of their A-10 tournament win over the Colonials.
Even with Battle putting up 20 points per game, Penn State can struggle to put the ball in the basket (witness their 36-33 win over Wisconsin). If Battle doesn’t put up big shooting numbers against Temple, the Nittany Lions will be going home.
2. Scotty Hopson, Tennessee
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Eighth-seed vs. ninth-seed matchups are always close on paper, and Tennessee’s showdown with Michigan is no exception. Without the frenzied full-court defense of Bruce Pearl teams past, the Vols will need to rely more on offensive execution to come away with a win.
That means Scotty Hopson, the team’s leading scorer, must produce.
During one three-game losing streak earlier this year, Hopson managed just 28 points combined. If he disappears against Michigan, there’s little hope for Tennessee.
1. Corey Fisher, Villanova
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After the Wildcats’ disastrous Big East tournament loss to South Florida, Villanova needs its veterans to right the ship against a dangerous George Mason squad.
That task starts with senior guard Corey Fisher, the Wildcats’ leader in scoring and assists.
Villanova has lived and died by the jump shot all season. If Fisher, their best and streakiest shooter, can get hot, he’ll shoot George Mason right out of the building.
If he doesn’t, it’ll be another one-and-done tournament for the Wildcats.
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