NCAA Bracket 2011: Jimmer Fredette and the 10 Best Shooters in March Madness

Many of college basketball's best shooters kicked things off yesterday when March Madness began, while others look to help lead their respective teams to victory today.

The opening day of the 2011 NCAA tournament did not disappoint. (I know it's technically the second round, but I refuse to support the poor excuse for a first round.)

There were games with great defense, others with great shooting and some that came down to the final seconds of play.

As a fan, one of the most exciting things to watch in the tournament is fantastic shooting from players that may not have gotten as much attention throughout the regular season.

Here are ten of the best shooters in the 2011 NCAA tournament.

10. Jordan Taylor (Wisconsin)

Harry How/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 17: Jordan Taylor #11 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives down court in front of Trevor Noack #30 and Mick Hedgepeth #34 of the Belmont Bruins during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at McKale Center on March 1

Prior to this season, most analysts and fans didn't even consider didn't even consider Jordan Taylor the best player on the Badgers team.

That's no longer the case.

Taylor has exploded onto the scene as a junior, scoring 18.2 points per game.

Taylor is shooting 45 percent on field goals and 44 percent from beyond the three-point line this season.

In Wisconsin's 72-58 victory over Belmont yesterday, Taylor scored 21 points including five three-point field goals.

9. Jacob Pullen (Kansas State)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 22: Jacob Pullen #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in action during the CBE Classic game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on November 22, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Jacob Pullen did not have an ideal start to his senior season at Kansas State.

After a few weeks into the season, Pullen was suspended for three games for receiving improper benefits at a clothing store.

Prior to the incident he wasn't shooting well.

When he returned things suddenly clicked, and Pullen helped lead Kansas State to a No. 5 seed in the tournament.

Pullen is shooting 41.8 percent on the year, and averages 19.6 points per game.

Yesterday, Pullen shot over his season average, scoring a team-high 22 in Kansas State's victory over Utah State.

8. Kyle Singler (Duke)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 11: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils looks to drive against Haukur Palsson #13 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on M

It's been an up and down year for Kyle Singler.

Singler has had his worst season shooting from beyond the three-point line.

However, he has managed to improve his overall field goal shooting from last year.

Despite the fact that it hasn't been his best year, Singler is still averaging 17.1 points per game.

That actually ranks third on Duke this year.

So why does Singler make this list?

Simply, because we know what he is capable of. With most of the attention focused elsewhere at Duke, I wouldn't be surprised if Singler steps up to have a fantastic performance in the tournament.

7. E'Twaun Moore (Purdue)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: E'Twaun Moore #33 of the Purdue Boilermakers looks on dejected against the Michigan State Spartans during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2011 in Indianapol

E'Twaun Moore just fell short of winning the Big Ten player of the year award this season.

The 6'4" guard has been a top player for the Boilermakers over the past four seasons.

This year was his best yet.

Moore scored an average of 18.2 points per game.

In the team's most recent meeting with No. 1 seed Ohio State, Moore scored 38 points.

Not bad against a team who many have winning the tournament.

6. Ben Hansbrough (Notre Dame)

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Ben Hansbrough #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish brings the ball up court against Chris Smith #5 of the Louisville Cardinals during the semifinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Ou

It is Ben Hansbrough's fifth season with the Irish.

It's also been his breakout year.

Hansbrough leads Notre Dame in scoring this season at 18.5 points per game.

He is shooting 48.6 percent on field goals, including a phenomenal .44.1 percent from beyond the three-point line.

This is a team that has a very legitimate shot at making it to the Final Four, and much of the pressure falls on Hansbrough.

5. Jared Sullinger (Ohio State)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: Head coach Thad Matta and Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes look on against the Northwestern Wildcats during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 201

Jared Sullinger has had one of the most prolific freshman years in recent history.

When you think of the term "shooter," a player like Sullinger likely isn't going to be what you picture.

Sullinger plays his game under the basket, so you won't see any jaw dropping fade away three-pointers here.

That doesn't mean Sullinger isn't a fantastic shooter. Actually, he makes over half his shots.

Sullinger is shooting 53.6 percent on field goals this season, and averages 17.1 points per game.

His shooting may not be glamorous, but it is efficient.

4. Nolan Smith (Duke)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 05: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils watches on against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 5, 2011 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Kyle Singler may have had an inconsistent year, but Nolan Smith has not.

Smith has continually dropped 20- and 30-point games all season long.

Smith leads the tenth-ranked scoring offense in points per game at 21.3.

The ACC player of the year winner has No. 1 seed Duke rolling into the tournament on all cylinders.

3. Derrick Williams (Arizona)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats drives on Matthew Bryan-Amaning #11 of the Washington Huskies in the first half in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Cente

Derrick Williams, like Sullinger, plays the majority of his game in the post.

This season the sophomore proved that he is unquestionably one of the best players in the NCAA.

He is scoring an average of 19.1 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 61.5.

The ridiculously high average again comes from shooting a lot of shorter shots, but efficiency is the key to winning.

Remarkably, Williams actually can shoot from beyond the arc if needed.

Although he has only attempted 58 shots from the three-point range this year, he has made 35 of them.

2. Kemba Walker (UConn)

Nick Laham/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - MARCH 17: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies is congratulate by teammates during their game against the Bucknell Bison during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Verizon Center on March 17, 2011 in W

Kemba Walker plays in the toughest conference in college basketball, and he still scores like a fiend.

His 23.4 points per game ranks fourth in the NCAA.

The Big East player of the year has put together a highlight reel of a season.

In UConn's 36 games this year, Walker has only failed to score in double digits one time.

If you have yet to see Walker play, chances are you'll see him before the tournament is over.

1. Jimmer Fredette (BYU)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young Cougars reacts to a call while playing against the Wofford Terriers during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado

It wouldn't be right to put anybody at the top of this list other than the nation's leading scorer.

Fredette is averaging 28.6 points per game this season. To put that into perspective, the NBA's leading scorer is Kevin Durant with 28.1 points per game.

Unlike Walker, Fredette has scored in the double-digits every game this season.

Actually, he has only failed to reach at least 20 points four times.

He has scored over 40 points on four occasions, including a season-high 52 points against New Mexico.

There isn't much more that needs to be said.

In case you missed it, his 32 points yesterday helped BYU advance to the next round with a win over Wofford.