March Madness 2011 Bracket: Ranking the 10 Most Impactful Players Remaining
Throughout this slideshow, I'll be ranking the 10 most important players that are still alive in March Madness.
Keep in mind that this list is based off teams that could not win without these players performing to their full potential. I know readers will throw out names I missed, but I felt as if their respective teams could win even with a mediocre performance from some of their top players.
So, here we go, and please let me hear your feedback.
No. 10: Jon Leuer
1 of 10
People could argue Jordan Taylor as the best pure scorer on this Badger team, but in my mind, Jon Leuer is by far more important if they are to reach the Elite Eight.
Not only does Leuer provide scoring, but he also gets on the boards and is a good, lengthy defender at 6'10''.
Leuer stretches the floor on offense with the ability to shoot and get in the post.
No. 9: Matt Howard
2 of 10
Yes, Shelvin Mack is vital if the Butler is going to make another Final Four run, but Matt Howard is the X-factor.
The most important thing for Howard may be to stay out of foul trouble. He struggles to stay on the floor because of how hard he plays, and I expect Wisconsin to attempt to attack him.
A double-double for Howard could be the beginning of another historical Butler run.
No. 8: Joey Rodriguez
3 of 10
This may come as a surprise to a lot of readers, but VCU may just be the most complete basketball team remaining in the field.
If their senior point guard leader Joey Rodriguez can continue to distribute the ball around to VCU's scorers like Brandon Rozell, Jamie Skeen and Bradford Burgess, then the Rams will be in great position to pull off another win.
I've been watching Rodriguez since his freshman days when he was backing up Eric Maynor, and he is the pure leader of this time.
Rodriguez doesn't want to go home.
.png?w=256 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
No. 7: Darius Johnson-Odom
4 of 10
DJO is just a junior, but if this guy gets going with the flow of the offense, well, I think America has seen what Marquette is capable of.
He is a good defender and can even distribute the ball. Odom can't be shy on offense and shouldn't be afraid to put up 20 shots.
No. 6: Kevin Anderson
5 of 10
Kevin Anderson, next to Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker, is the best scorer left in the tournament.
This guy can light it up on the offensive end. Alongside Justin Harper, the Spiders have made a poised run at the Sweet 16. Moving on any further than that relies on how Anderson comes out and plays.
He is capable of putting up 30 and single-handedly carrying Richmond past top-seeded Kansas.
No. 5: Nolan Smith
6 of 10
I realize Kyrie Irving is back, but he clearly is not he same as before the injury.
While Kyle Singler has struggled with his shot the entire season, Nolan Smith has really picked up the scoring slack.
Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins are both hit or miss. Smith is really competitive and does not want his collegiate career to end, and I don't think it will until the final game of the tourney.
No. 4: Derrick Williams
7 of 10
Possibly the most versatile player in college basketball, Derrick Williams has carried the Wildcats thus far.
He is a do-it-all type of player. The kid rebounds, scores and is an amazing defender. If Williams continues his hot play, the potential No. 1 overall draft pick this year could lead his team to the Elite Eight.
No. 3: Jared Sullinger
8 of 10
The diaper dandy of the year, Jared Sullinger, is next on the list.
Things got a little difficult with the final three players. Sullinger has been the most dominating player all year long and is a complete animal in the paint. No defender, or even three defenders at a time, have been able to figure out how to stop Sullinger.
The Buckeyes will continue to move on as long as that trend continues.
No. 2: Kemba Walker
9 of 10
Kemba Walker is, in my opinion, the player of the year in college basketball.
Where would UConn be if it wasn't for his spectacular play?
Maybe in the NIT, if they were lucky. With Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier growing up quickly, Kemba has landed a spot shy of No. 1 on my list. Walker has been unreal since the Big East tournament began, and with the competitive fire in him, I don't expect anything less in the remaining games.
The Huskies were projected to finish 10th in the Big East and are now just one of two remaining Big East teams left. That right there is proof of just how much Walker has meant to this team.
If there's five seconds left on the clock, there isn't any other player I would trust more with the ball than Kemba Walker.
No. 1: Jimmer Fredette
10 of 10
The leading scorer in the nation, Jimmer Fredette, has landed the No. 1 spot on my list. He is the most important player to his team, hands down.
BYU will only go as far as he takes them.
Thinking of Fredette and his play so far, it almost brings back shades of Stephen Curry's famous Elite Eight run with Davidson a few years back. They even both have a couple of point guards who have the exact same play in Jackson Emery and Jason Richards.
The difference this year with BYU is that they actually have a decent draw in the Sweet 16.
Beating No. 2 Florida won't be easy, but aside from them, there are only a four and eight seeds left in their bracket. If Fredette puts up his usual 30, I would not be surprised to see Final Four picture in this year's One Shining Moment video.
Let's just hope they don't screw up that song again with a Jennifer Hudson music video, but that's a different article for a different day. Thanks for reading!
.png?w=480 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
