Players to Keep an Eye On

Ten to Watch:

There is a good chance you are already on a first name basis with some of the most acclaimed stars in the country: Tyler Hansbrough & Ty Lawson, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love & Darren Collinson, Chris Lofton, Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo, DJ Augustine, Roy Hibbert, Brook Lopez, Derrick Rose and Chris Douglass-Roberts . New stars have emerged into the spotlight over the past few weeks as the media has fallen in love with players like Aaron Harangody of Notre Dame and Adam Emenecker of Drake (really, really great story, by the way: you can read more at: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2008/columns/story?columnist=rittenberg_adam&id=3285253

However March is the time when stars are born, often beyond some of the usual suspects. Here are ten to keep an eye on as March Madness unfolds.


1. David Padgett (Lousivlle, senior C) – Perhaps no single player means more to their team than Padgett. The 6-11 super senior (on an extra year of eligibility because of injury plagued seasons) is the general on the floor for the Louisville Cardinals. While his stats are not stellar, his impact on the floor is immense. His deft passing, fierce competitiveness and soft shooting touch make defenses sag of do-everything swing man Terrance Williams, however it is his leadership that truly make him special. Simply watch the way he takes oft-troubled sophomore power forward Derrick Caracter under his wing on each timeout, and the way his teammates look to him in big moments and you can see the potential of this club to still be playing in April.

2. Shan Foster (Vanderbilt, senior SF) – Shan Foster cemented his legacy at Vanderbilt and his status as conference player of the year over the more heralded Chris Lofton with an absolutely amazing performance 3 weeks ago in which he hit NINE consecutive 3’s – all after the 10:00 mark in the 2nd half, including the game winner in overtime. This athletic assassin, teamed with freshman big man AJ Ogilvy, makes Vanderbilt a true contender, and a dangerous foe for the Jayhawks should they meet in the Sweet 16.

3. Stephen Curry (Davidson, soph SG) – If you haven’t had a chance to see the sharp-shooting son of former NBA’er Dell Curry play yet, you are in for a true treat. Averaging over 25 ppg, Curry has the ability to get hot, create his own shots, and shoot Davidson right into a Sweet 16 game. Early season tests from Duke, UCLA and UNC have Stephen and his Davison club well prepped for tourney action.

4. Mike Green (Butler, Sr. SG) – This season Green only led his team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and the weight room. OK, I made the last one up, but have you seen some of the guys running around for Butler? Green and Graves make up one of the best backcourts, not just in a mid-major conference but in the entire country. In a tourney where guard play is at a premium, those two make Butler a force to contend with.

5. Drew Neitzel (Mich St. Sr. PG) – It has been a bit of a roller coaster season for Neitzel and the Spartans, but Tom Izzo always seems to have his squad ready for March, and with the sharp-shooting and gritty senior leadership of Neitzel, 2008 could prove no exception.

6. Trent Plaisted (BYU, So. PF) – The 6’11’’ Senior averaged more than 15 points and 7.5 rebounds all season and gives the Cougars a legit post prescence, something that is lacking for most teams in the tourney. BYU will go as far as Plaisted takes them

7. Drew Lavender (Xavier, Sr. PG) – As Lavender goes, so go the Muskies. Leading a team with six players averaging double figures, and NONE more than 13.5ppg does not happen by accident. It takes great balance, and more importantly a great floor general to make it work. The 5’7’’ Lavender is the engine that makes the balanced Musketeers attack go. The health of Lavender and his injured ankle will go a long way in determining how long X is dancing.

8. Jarryd Bayless (Arizona, Fr. PG) – All the attention heading into the opening round game has been focused on West Virginia’s Joe , but the game hinges much more squarely on Bayless’s shoulders. The freshman sensation missed time during the season (partially to blame for Arizona’s double-digit losses) but when healthy is on the same plane as Eric Gordon, OJ Mayo and Derrick Rose. He’s that good. If the ‘Cats can claw past the Mountaineers, he and Chase Buddinger present real match-up problems for the Dookies.

9. Courtney Lee (W. Kentucky, Sr. SG) – If you are a regular reader, Lee is no surprise to you, but to the casual basketball fan his inclusion might be as puzzling as the red thingy that is his school’s mascot (it’s a Hilltopper… no clue either). This sure-fire NBA first rounder makes WKU one of those pesky 12 seed matchups.

10. LaVance Fields (Pitt, SG) – How is this for numbers to chew on; Pitt is 17-1 with Fields in the line-up. He will be in the line-up come tourney time, fresh off a Big East title in which they toppled 4 teams in 4 days, including trendy Final 4 pick Georgetown.


More special players to watch: DJ White (Indiana, Sr. PF), DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M, Fr. C), Stanley Burrell (Xavier, Sr. SG), Pat Calathes (St. Joe’s, Sr. SF), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova, Jr. SG), Brian Butch (Wisconsin, Sr. PF), Bill Walker (Kansas St., So. SG), Dominique James (Marquette, Jr. PG), Joe Crawford (Kentucky, Sr. SF), Hasheem Thabeet (UCONN, So. C), AJ Graves (Butler, Sr. SG), Joe Alexander (SF WVU), AJ Abrahams (Texas, Jr. SG), Kyle Singler & DeMarcus Nelson (Duke, Fr. & Sr. – SGs)