NCAA Tournament 2011: 16 Top Sharpshooters of the Sweet 16
As we all wait for the Madness to resume on Thursday evening, certain players will be in the spotlight.
Some guys for sweet dunks, others for great blocks and some for crashing the boards over everyone.
However, the shooters are ultimately those that can make or break the game.
When they get hot, look out and get excited, because the nylon might catch fire.
So, sit back and take a look at the best marksman from each team in the Sweet 16.
Justin Harper, F Richmond Spiders
1 of 16
Each year, he's made drastic improvements to his game.
His hard work has paid off, as the Richmond Spiders are now in the Sweet 16.
On the year Harper, averages almost 18 points and seven rebounds per game, as well as shooting 53 percent from the field, 45 percent from downtown and 79 percent from the line.
Also, in averaging almost 32 minutes per game, Harper only gets called for an average of 2.3 fouls.
A dangerous combination of scoring, conditioning and defense, which will be interesting to watch against the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks.
Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina Tar Heels
2 of 16
A destructive force inside, and a dangerous threat at shooting J's and outside, Harrison Barnes has tons of potential.
He's been a crucial difference maker for the Tar Heels this season as the team's leading scorer per game (15.5) as well as putting in the most minutes (29.2).
Throughout the season, he has averaged 42.6 percent from the field, 75.2 percent from the line and 34.6 percent from downtown.
Versus No. 11 seed Marquette this week, Barnes will need to keep up his pace, because the Golden Eagles are no easy task.
Chris Singleton, F, Florida State Seminoles
3 of 16
Despite being hurt from mid-February through mid-March, Chris Singleton has come back solid in the NCAA Tournament.
Comparing the numbers will not suffice, because Singleton averaged more minutes prior to his injury.
But his presence on both sides of the ball has significantly helped the 'Noles.
Also, for those that have been consistent contributors this season, Singleton leads Florida State shooting 37 percent from three-point range, but also shoots 44 percent from the field.
.png?w=256 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
Brady Morningstar, G, Kansas Jayhawks
4 of 16
Is it me, or does it seem that Brady Morningstar has been at Kansas forever?
Well, he is a fifth-year senior, so half of a decade is quite a while.
Despite only averaging seven points per game, Morningstar puts in over 27 minutes per game and is second on the team in assists and steals per game.
Whether its from the field or downtown, Morningstar can light it up.
On the year, he's 41 percent for threes and 49 percent elsewhere.
From the line, he's third on the team at 74 percent.
Kemba Walker, G, Connecticut Huskies
5 of 16
Who else could have been on this list from the Huskies?
Despite only being 34 percent from three-point range, Kemba's game is J's from the field and driving.
From the field, he shoots 43 percent and is also a team leading 81 percent on free throws.
At the end of the game, if Uconn is down one or two with the just seconds left, look to the bottom of the net.
Dwight Buycks, G, Marquette Golden Eagles
6 of 16
First on the team in shooting 41.5 percent from downtown, Buycks has been money for Marquette in also shooting 46.4 percent from the field.
Now, although he only averages nine points per game, he puts in 28.3 minutes as well as a team leading 3.5 assists per game.
Come time for tip-off against the North Carolina Tar Heels, don't be surprised if he goes overlooked, which then makes him more dangerous to light it up.
Seth Curry, G, Duke Blue Devils
7 of 16
The fact that Seth Curry puts in over 25 minutes per game, but only averages nine points, shows just how good the Duke Blue Devils really are.
And now with Kyrie Irving back, they are even that much better.
With that said, Curry still remains as one of their most dangerous shooters, as he's 43.8 percent from downtown and 42 percent from the field.
Much like his older brother, Seth can shoot arguably just as well and is a volatile aspect to Coach K's winning formula.
Jon Diebler, G, Ohio State Buckeyes
8 of 16
On the nation's best team, Jon Diebler has quietly shot 50 percent from three-point range and the field, while also shooting 82.7 percent from the line.
With freshman Jared Sullinger receiving most of the exposure, Diebler has been doing his part in scoring 12.6 points per game and putting in 35.6 minutes.
When the ball gets dished out of the paint or around the horn, Diebler is the guy to look for because coach Thad Matta knows it's going down.
Jordan Taylor, G, Wisconsin Badgers
9 of 16
One of two Badgers averaging in double figures for points (18), Jordan Taylor leads the team with 36.4 minutes per game.
As for shooting?
He's 43.8 percent from the field, 43.6 percent from downtown and 85 percent from the line.
He also leads the team with 4.8 assists per game.
So, not only can he drain it from virtually anywhere; he also sets his teammates up as well.
Therefore, late in the game it only makes him more difficult to guard, because he's very dynamic.
Bradford Burgess, G, VCU Rams
10 of 16
He's second on the team with 14.1 points per game and shooting 38.4 percent from the field.
Also, he leads the the team in shooting 40.3 percent from downtown, as well as being third on VCU from the line (75.4 percent).
If there's a player that can shoot well versus the Florida State defense, Burgess is that man.
His range and accuracy could be deadly and may be enough to give the Rams the edge after the final buzzer.
Matt Howard, F, Butler Bulldogs
11 of 16
He can get it done in the paint, just outside the paint from the elbow, or from downtown.
Matt Howard is Butler basketball.
After the first two rounds in the NCAA Tournament, Howard has won it for the Bulldogs at the very end.
From long range he shoots 43 percent, from the field 49 percent and 78 percent from the line.
Shooters need to have the ability to get it done in any situation from anywhere on the floor, even as a forward, Howard has that ability.
Chase Tapley, G San Diego State Aztecs
12 of 16
With the Aztecs having three NBA talent players on their roster, someone like Chase Tapley can easily go overlooked.
With that said, he needs some recognition for his efforts.
On the year he's 49 percent from the field, 39 percent from downtown, and 82 percent from the line.
Now, although he only averages 8.7 points per game, he's only putting in 25.3 minutes.
However, come time for the tip versus UConn, don't be surprised if he gets more time for dropping buckets.
Jimmer Fredette, G BYU Courgars
13 of 16
Who else did you think was going to be from BYU on this list?
I'm guessing no one.
Anyway, the national player of the year, no one is important to their team as Jimmer Fredette is to the BYU Cougars.
Shoots 40 percent from three-point range, 45 percent from the field, 89 percent from the line, and a team leading 28.8 points per game.
Also, his conditioning is top of the line as he averages 35.5 minutes per game.
When the Cougars verse the Florida Gators this week, Jimmer will once again have to shine on a big stage.
Derrick Williams, F Arizona Wilcats
14 of 16
He has the ability to put it down from anywhere on the floor, and in doing so makes the Wildcats a dangerous opponent for the Duke Blue Devils.
On the year he averages 60 percent from the field, 58 percent from long range, and 74 percent from the line.
Now, obviously the majority of his shots come in as high percentage buckets, but don't let that fool you as the only way to score.
He can shoot J's with the best of them, and has the range when it matters.
Also, leads the team with 19 points and 30 minutes per game.
Erving Walker, G Florida Gators
15 of 16
His size and weight of 5 ' 8" 171 lbs is rather devious as Erving Walker has established himself in the college ranks.
Despite looking up at the opposition more often than not, Walker leads the Gators with 14.7 points per game and shoots 39 percent from downtown.
From the field he's even more dangerous in shooting 42 percent. He is also 78 percent from the line.
His quickness and speed allow him to get open shots, and against BYU this week, the Gators will need him to utilize that against BYU.
Doron Lamb, G Kentucky Wilcats
16 of 16
On a Kentucky Wildcat team that averages 76 points per game, Doron Lamb is third on the team with 12.6 points per game.
In putting in 28.4 minutes per contest, Lamb shoots 49.7 percent from the field, a team leading 47 percent from downtown, and is also 79 percent from the line.
When the 'Cats face the Bucks' in the Sweet 16, Lamb will need to continue his high level of play to keepy Kentucky versatile.
Ohio State is very good, but Doron Lamb can hit from anywhere.
.png?w=480 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
