NCAA Tournament 2011: Dont Be Fooled by the Stars of March

The NCAA Tournament has a strange affect on our society.

Business men and women go from money-making transaction machines to inefficient fanatics, frantically scouring the Internet for live video feeds of the Roadrunners of Texas-San Antonio vs. the Alabama State Hornets, while the nation as a whole, begins a hot and heavy love affair with that scrappy 5'8" gunner with the deadly three point shot from Cornfield U.

Yes we love our NCAA tournament. We love the buzzer beaters and upsets, but don’t mistake the players who make those great plays, as great players themselves.

Year after year, average to below-average NBA prospects are vaulted to lottery status due to big performances in the NCAA tournament. The names of Christian Laettner, Adam Morrison, Mateen Cleeves and the first candidate from the 2010 NBA draft class to have the word “bust” whispered around him—Gordon Hayward—all come to mind.

This NCAA tournament should be no different. With no true stars, such as Derrick Rose circa 2008 or Kentucky's John Wall, average pro prospects are sure to be elevated to super star status come NBA draft time.

BYU's Jimmer Fredette is this year's leading man.

Averaging nearly 29 points per game, Jimmer Fredette has become the poster boy for college basketball. Armed with a mean jumper and without a shooting conscience, there is no limit to the amount of points Fredette can put up in a game.

But let’s be honest. Haven’t we seen this before? Actually I think Jimmer may just be a cheap imitation of a former Duke Blue Devil, J.J Redick. And we all know the rude awaking the NBA has been for Redick. In reality Jimmer Fredette is just another great college player, who's skill set and athleticism will not allow for stardom in the NBA.

So celebrate the NCAA tournament. Enjoy the upsets. Revel in the “greatness” of a Jimmer Fredette. But don’t be fooled by what you're watching.