NCAA Bracket 2011: Kyle Singler, the 10 Best Defensive Players in March Madness

Thus far, the 2011 NCAA tournament has had its share of both buzzer-beaters and blowouts.

Since the majority of these games come down to the wire, though, most coaches would probably prefer to have solid defense because it's always more consistent than a player's offensive game. Take St. John's, for example. Gonzaga shot over 50 percent from the floor in its upset over the Red Storm.

The tournament has a boatload of great defensive stoppers; some are from small schools, and some are Naismith Award candidates. Morehead State's Kenneth Faried is relentless on the glass, but he's also quick enough to average about two steals a game too.

Who is the "cream of the crop" on defense in this year's Big Dance? Let's take a look...

10. Peyton Siva (Guard, Louisville)

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Peyton Siva #3 of the Louisville Cardinals drives against Ty Proffitt #13 of the Morehead State Eagles and Terrance Hill #11 during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2011 in

Rick Pitino's Cardinals made an early exit yesterday against Morehead State, but that shouldn't take away from the defensive season of sophomore Peyton Siva.

Coming from the Big East, Siva helped anchor a strong Louisville defensive backcourt along with Preston Knowles. He had two steals per game while averaging about 28 minutes of play.

Ironically, Siva had no steals in the Cardinals' one-point loss to Morehead State yesterday, which definitely illustrates how important his defensive contributions are. He's not any higher on this list because Louisville is out of the tournament, but his skills should be recognized.

9. Jackson Emery (Guard, Brigham Young)

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Jackson Emery #4 of the Brigham Young University Cougars is fouled by Phillip McDonald #23 of the New Mexico Lobos during a semifinal game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center

Because of Jimmer Fredette's offense, Jackson Emery's stifling defense doesn't get very much recognition. In fact, Emery is the only solid defender left for BYU since Brandon Davies' suspension.

Emery averages 2.7 steals per contest, and it's safe to say that without his defensive mindset, the team would be in a bigger hole than it already is.

BYU wins with an offensive strategy, but Emery is the exception. The Mountain West Conference isn't by any means difficult, but if Emery played for a better school, he'd be higher on this list.

8. Zeke Marshall (Center, Akron)

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PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 19: The Akron Zips mascot performs on the court during a break in the action against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 19, 2009 in Portland, Ore

He had nine blocks in the MAC championship game against Kent State, which was a tournament record.

Marshall is another classic case of a player from a low-end conference, but his dominance can't be ignored. In only 22.1 minutes per game this season, Marshall averages 2.5 blocks and 4.8 rebounds per contest.

Akron is a No. 15 seed in the tournament and a heavy underdog against Notre Dame. Marshall will do his best to keep the game close, but Notre Dame wins along the perimeter on offense.

He's only a sophomore, so look for Marshall to get more recognition as his minutes increase.

7. Kemba Walker (Guard, Connecticut)

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WASHINGTON - MARCH 17: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies calls a play 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 Washington, DC. (Photo by Nick Lah

Walker is a definite Naismith Award candidate, but he's not recognized enough for his solid defensive skills as opposed to how great he is on offense.

He averages 1.9 steals per game in the toughest conference in all of college basketball, the Big East.

Walker has been the motor of this UConn team all season long, and without him in the lineup making quick steals at point guard, the Huskies wouldn't be so fortunate.

This young star might be the most valuable player to his team in all of college basketball.

6. Rick Jackson (Forward, Syracuse)

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Rick Jackson #0 of the Syracuse Orange shoots over Alex Oriakhi #34 of the Connecticut Huskies during the semifinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden

Senior forward Rick Jackson is averaging a double-double for Syracuse.

Although he may seem a little bit undersized at 6'9" and 240 pounds, Jackson also averages 2.5 blocks per game.

The Orange have struggled at times this season, losing four games in a row at one point, but Jackson remained consistent with his dominant defensive play.

Syracuse was placed in a tough bracket along with Ohio State and North Carolina, but Jackson should guard Jared Sullinger and John Henson well.

He is another Big East product.

5. JaJuan Johnson (Forward, Purdue)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers walks off the court dejected after they lost 74-56 against the Michigan State Spartans during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhou

Johnson had an outstanding season for the Boilermakers in 2010.

He willed this team to a No. 3 seed in the 2011 NCAA tournament, and his ferocious nature on defense is spectacular to watch.

Johnson averages 2.3 blocks, 8.2 rebounds and almost a steal per game. He's extremely athletic with great leaping ability, which makes his blocks appear so much more emphatic.

The NBA draft awaits for Johnson, because not only is he a prime offensive player, his defense speaks for itself as well.

4. Kyle Singler (Forward, Duke)

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils cuts down the net 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

For Kyle Singler, stats don't always dictate how important he is to coach Mike Krzyzewski's defense.

Since Singler decided to stay at school all four years, he's mastered Coach K's press-and-switch defense. There aren't very many teams who play defense as well as Duke, but you can give Singler a lot of the credit for it.

Just last week, he shut down North Carolina star Harrison Barnes in the ACC tournament championship game, and Singler will be looking to do more of the same in March Madness.

Singler's competitiveness is unrivaled, and he may be the best perimeter defender in all of college basketball.

3. Markieff Morris (Forward, Kansas)

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LAWRENCE, KS - MARCH 02: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies on March 2, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Although his brother Marcus is an All-American, Markieff is actually the better defender. Once again, his stats aren't inflated, but he means an awful lot to Kansas' defensive powerhouse. 

He grabs 8.2 rebounds per game and swats away shots at a rate of 1.2 blocks per game. 

The presence of both Morris twins on the floor at the same time is unbearable for opposing offenses, and Markieff defines toughness.

If not for his body inside, Kansas would have struggled immensely because of its backcourt problems.

2. Keith Benson (Center, Oakland)

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MILWAUKEE - MARCH 19: Keith Benson #34 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies shoots the ball over Gary McGhee #52 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Bradley Center on March 1

Benson is an unbelievable talent in college basketball. 

He averages 3.6 blocks per game (second in the NCAA) and 10.1 rebounds.

Oakland isn't a big school, but Benson will be a first-round pick in this year's NBA draft. Unfortunately for Benson, his team is facing a tough Texas team in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

He hasn't faced the best competition throughout his college career, but Benson's statistics don't lie.

1. Kenneth Faried (Forward, Morehead State)

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Kenneth Faried #35 of the Morehead State Eagles handles the ball agianst the Louisville Cardinals during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo b

He's been compared to Dennis Rodman on the boards, which is absolutely fair to say.

Faried just recently became the all-time leading rebounder in NCAA history, and he averages an amazing 14.6 rebounds per game.

Faried also averages 2.4 blocks and 2.0 steals per contest. These defensive numbers are mind-boggling, and Faried will be a lottery pick in the NBA draft.

Nobody has seen defensive talent quite like Faried's, and he should be considered the best defender in this year's tournament, hands down.

Morehead State upset Louisville yesterday and has a great chance to advance to the Sweet 16 with a win over Richmond. Faried will take the Eagles far.