Final Four 2011: Kemba Walker and the Top 8 Players Still in the Tournament
Four teams remain in what has been perhaps the most fascinating March Madness to date.
Littered with upsets, huge performances and huge shots, this tournament has not disappointed college basketball fans around the country.
When taking a closer look at the four teams remaining in this year's big dance, eight players jump out to me for various reasons. Whether it be leadership, scoring, physical presence or a combination of all of these, these players are what this time of year is all about:
Big players rising to even bigger occasions.
8. Jeremy Lamb, G/F, Uconn Huskies
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A young and rapidly improving wing player, Jeremy Lamb has elevated his game in March.
The freshman, averaging 18.3 points per game in the tournament thus far, has improved from 10.3 points per game during the regular season.
With the continued success of the seemingly unstoppable Kemba Walker, Lamb has emerged as a great complement to the dynamic Walker.
Lamb's ability to drive to the rim and use his lanky frame to finish at the hoop and his ability to let it fly from the perimeter make him a very dangerous threat to any defense.
As the freshman continues to gain confidence, look for him to continue to produce for the Huskies team that has yet to slow down as most people expected.
7. Jamie Skeen, F, VCU Rams
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Jamie Skeen saved his best performance for the biggest stage Sunday versus the Kansas Jayhawks. The 6'9" forward burned the Jayhawks for 26 points and 10 rebounds. Skeen also went 4-of-7 from three-point distance.
Before the breakout performance against the Jayhawks, Skeen, the leading scorer for the Rams during the regular season, had been averaging 12 points per game in the tournament.
The fact that Skeen broke out against the No. 1 seed Jayhawks should encourage coach Shaka Smart. His best scorer and leading rebounder seems to be settling into postseason play at exactly the right time heading into their matchup against the Butler Bulldogs.
If Skeen can find a way to repeat his latest performance, the Rams have a very good chance of continuing their run to the title game. If not, Butler may find the slipper fits a little bit nicer this year.
6. Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky Wildcats
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Terrence Jones, averaging a little over 10 points a game to go with seven rebounds a game in the tournament, is not putting up the gaudy statistics Wildcat fans have become used to seeing from the athletic lefty.
Jones, who has a similar game to LA Lakers forward Lamar Odom, has become a secondary player for the Wildcats in the postseason—a contrast to him being the second-leading scorer and the leading rebounder for this Wildcat team during the regular season.
However, Jones is as talented as they come and is capable of going for a double-double any given night.
While his offense has lacked this postseason, Jones does have two blocks in each of his team's four tournament games.
Either way, Jones is an impact player for this young Wildcat team and will continue to play a major role in their wins, whether is it on offense or defense.
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5. Bradford Burgess, G, VCU Rams
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While not the household name you would normally expect from a Final Four team, Bradford Burgess is as important as anyone to his team's success.
Burgess, averaging 17.5 points per game in this year's tournament, has helped pace the unlikely run of the VCU Rams.
Burgess, a 43 percent three-point shooter on the season, is a viable threat from the perimeter but can also use his 6'6" frame to grab over six rebounds per game.
Burgess' versatility and athleticism allow VCU to matchup with the bigger athletes most major schools present at this point in the tournament.
If VCU wants to continue its magical run in 2011, Burgess will have to play bigger than ever. If he can, VCU could be the biggest Cinderella the college basketball world has ever seen.
4. Matt Howard, F, Butler Bulldogs
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In 2010, Butler had future Utah Jazz first-round selection Gordon Hayward to lead the improbable charge into the national title game.
In 2011, Butler once again is looking for a title-game berth, but this time it is Matt Howard leading the way up front for the Bulldogs.
Howard, averaging 16.3 points per game and seven rebounds per game in the tournament, is the senior leader for the darlings of the dance.
Whether it is a game-winning layup against Old Dominion in the opening round or a game-winning free throw to knock off the top-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers, Howard has shown the ability to make plays when it matters most.
Coach Brad Stevens has this team hungry and poised to avenge the narrow loss in last year's championship game. If it is to do so, make no mistake—Howard will have to continue to be consistent on both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs.
3. Shelvin Mack, G, Butler Bulldogs
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Junior guard Shelvin Mack, averaging 21.3 points per game in Butler's four tournament games, is quickly opening everyone's eyes to the talent Brad Stevens has brought to the Bulldogs' corner.
Averaging over three threes per game, Mack has proven to be a capable outside shooter as well as a deadly penetrator.
More importantly, Mack has allowed Matt Howard to control the post from block to block by being a consistent threat to score from anywhere on the court.
Mack, by answering Ervin Walker's three-pointer with one of his own late in the second half of the Bulldogs' Elite Eight matchup with the Florida Gators, also proved he can not only score but can score when it matters the most.
With the aggressive play of VCU looming ahead for the Bulldogs in their Final Four matchup, Mack will have to continue to be great for the Bulldogs as they look to return to the game they came so close to winning in 2010.
2. Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky Wildcats
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What do John Wall, Derrick Rose and Brandon Knight all have in common?
They all are ultra-talented point guards that have been asked to lead a typically young John Calipari squad deep into March.
What is the major difference between these three great point guards?
Brandon Knight is the only one left with the potential to deliver the coveted title trophy back to Lexington, Kentucky.
While Derrick Rose fell just short while leading Calipari's 2008 Memphis Tigers team, Knight has a chance to solidify himself as perhaps the best of the trio should he grab two more wins for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Averaging just under 16 points per game in the tournament, Knight has made good on his title as the leading scorer among all freshmen nationwide.
With a knack for big plays at big times—ask Ohio State—Knight continues to play well beyond his years as the quarterback for the Wildcats.
If Knight can continue to be a matchup problem for opposing point guards, the Wildcats have a very good chance of cutting down the nets in Houston.
1. Kemba Walker, G, Uconn Huskies
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This should come as a surprise to no one.
Kemba Walker has been simply sensational all season for the Connecticut Huskies, and the tournament has been no different for the dynamic junior guard.
Averaging 26.8 points per game in the 2011 tournament, Walker has further solidified his case as the Naismith Player of the Year.
Walker has the ability to throw the Huskies on his back at any given time and can hurt opposing teams in a variety of ways.
While Walker usually starts the game at point guard for Jim Calhoun, he and the rest of the team don't hit their full stride until freshman Shabazz Napier comes off the bench and allows Walker to move off the ball and create shots for himself.
While Kentucky's young backcourt has proven its scoring ability thus far, Walker is a one-man show for the Huskies from Storrs, Connecticut. If he continues to do so, it is hard to see the Huskies falling before the nets come down in Houston.
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