Josh McRoberts, F, Duke Blue Devils
McRoberts along with Greg Paulus were handed the Duke reins of tradition from Shelden Williams and J.J. Reddick this season. How'd they do? Not as well as Duke fans would have hoped for, but still very good. The Dukies are just spoiled from the great basketball tradition that's been established there over the past couple of decades. The Big Dance could be good for McRoberts who is a true gamer, always playing with intensity and taking on challenges. He has the ability to go inside and out. He's shown great blocking ability and can steal the ball. McRoberts also has excellent court vision, able to find the open man.
Joakim Noah, F, Florida Gators
Noah stepped up big in last year's tournament, winning the Most Outstanding Player award and helped lead the Gators to the championship. Noah is high energy and intensity every time he's on the court and almost plays like a guard at 6'11". Noah can run the floor, moves well without the ball, has a good handle, and can pass off to a teammate for a score. Noah can finish on the break and absorbs contact well. Leadership? Noah has it in excess.
Greg Oden, C, Ohio State Buckeyes
Along with Durant, Oden is right there with becoming the number overall draft pick this coming June if he comes out early. Despite sitting out earlier in the season because of a healing wrist, Oden has made a big-time impact his freshman season. He is undoubtedly the top big man in college, able to run the court, has excellent leaping ability and possessing all the physical tools to succeed - size, length, and strength. Oden gets very good position down in the box on offense and swats a lot of shots on defense. I can't help but think Bill Russell every time I see Oden play.
Alando Tucker, F, Wisconsin Badgers
Tucker is one of the tougher players in college. He has excellent range on his jumper and can finish after contact. Tucker works hard on his game and it has translated well on the floor as Tucker averaged 20 points for the season. There is no question that Tucker is the man for Wisconsin.
Marcus Williams, G, Arizona Wildcats
Williams led the Wildcats in scoring at 17 points a game. He's a 6'7" guard that could play the point position because of his excellent court vision. Williams can score in bunches thanks to an excellent crossover that throws defenders off when he pulls up for a jumper or breezes by them. He'll need to toughen up and attack the basket a little more, especially if his jumper isn't going well. He's been compared to Penny Hardaway because of his size and vision, but doesn't possess the athleticism Hardaway had. However, Williams does make things looks smooth.
Julian Wright, F, Kansas Jayhawks
Wright has a high basketball IQ and doesn't force things, which can be both good and bad. He has the ability to take over a game, but lays back to keep his team involved. Wright has excellent floor vision, able to finish in transition, and take his man off the dribble because of his ball-handling ability. Wright can rebound and block the ball as well. He needs to work on his jumper, but Wright is one of those players that can impact a game without scoring.
Nick Young, G, USC Trojans
Young is right smack after UCLA's Afflalo when it comes to two guards in the Pac-10, but probably has more NBA potential than Afflalo. Young will do whatever he has to to get separation from his defender to stroke a jumper - spins, crossovers, movement without the ball coming off screens, anything. He's an exciting player to watch as he can also post up and shoot a quick turnaround jumper. Young can explode during the tournament and make everyone know who he is on a national level. NBA scouts already do.