2013 NCAA Bracket Picks and Predictions: Under the Radar Players that could Fuel Upsets: There are so many things about the NCAA Tournament that makes it one of the most-loved and most-watched sporting events in the country, and March Madness has the power to make stars out of players from just about any team. In fact, the NCAA Tournament is the biggest stage that players from smaller conferences will have ever played on, and in many cases, it is there one chance to show the nation their talents. There are definitely NBA-caliber players lurking in the mid-major conferences, and there are players that can basically put a team on their backs and lead them to wins. Knowing which teams have one of these potential game changers can go a long way to picking some upsets during March Madness. With that in mind, I have highlighted a few of the best players in the NCAA Tournament that haven’t gotten a lot of media attention over the course of the year but that could change that real soon by helping their teams pull off an upset or two.
Momo Jones, Point Guard, Iona Gaels
Jones is third in the country in scoring at 23.0 points per game, and he is the centerpiece of a Gaels’ offense that ranks second in the country in scoring. While he does average 1.7 makes from beyond the arc per game, his biggest strength is his ability to attack the rim and get to foul line. Jones is averaging more than seven attempts from the line per game and is converting at nearly an 89 percent clip. The 15th-seeded Gaels face Ohio State in their first game, and if Jones can get OSU guard Aaron Craft in foul trouble, the Buckeyes’ offense could quickly revert to the one-man show that it was during the middle of the year when they struggled to score. This game could boil down to the battle between Jones and Craft.
Mike Muscala, Center, Bucknell Bison
While teams from the Patriot League aren’t known for churning out NBA stars, Bucknell’s skilled big man will be going pro. However, he might lead the 11th-seeded Bison to a win or two in the NCAA Tournament before he does. Muscala is averaging 19.0 points on 52 percent shooting and 11.2 rebounds on the year. He is also averaging 2.4 blocks per game. With his ability to protect the rim and a true back-to-the-basket game, Muscala allows Bucknell to control the tempo of games and win the battle in the paint on both ends of the court. He gives the Bison a weapon not many teams have, and Muscala could give a small Butler frontcourt fits in Bucknell’s first game.
Nate Wolters, Point Guard, San Diego State Jackrabbits
He was quietly won of the best all-around players in the country this year, and Wolters rolls into the NCAA Tournament boasting a stat line that includes 22.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Wolters can score from the perimeter or get to the rim, and with his 6’4” frame, he is no easy matchup for opposing guards. Wolters helped the 13th-seeded Jackrabbits grab the Summit League regular season and tournament titles, and he could help lead an upset over fourth-seeded Michigan in their opening round game. After all, the Wolverines aren’t known for their defense and didn’t play well down the stretch, and Wolters has a big size advantage on Michigan point guard Trey Burke. The game could easily become fast-paced shootout where the shooter with the hottest hand tips the scales in favor of his team. Wolters isn’t a bad player to have in that situation.
Ian Clark, Shooting Guard, Belmont Bruins
Fresh off winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, the 11th-seeded Bruins have a chance to give sixth-seeded Arizona trouble in their opening matchup thanks in large part to Clark’s scoring ability. Belmont’s smooth shooting guard is averaging 18.1 points on 54.1 percent shooting and has knocked down 99 3-pointers at a 46.3 percent clip. Clark’s blend of efficient and explosive offense has helped the Bruins ranked 15th in the country in scoring and fourth in field goal percentage. Meanwhile, the Wildcats sputtered to an 11-7 record down the stretch. A hot night from Clark could be all it takes to send Arizona packing.
Khalif Wyatt, Shooting Guard, Temple Owls
Wyatt is one of the most versatile scorers in the country, and he actually led the Atlantic 10 in scoring this year with 19.8 points per game. His mid-range and perimeter game are both solid, and Wyatt averages 2.2 makes from beyond the arc per game. He also gets to the foul line more than seven times per game where he shoots 83.2 percent. The ninth-seeded Owls don’t have a particularly easy opening round matchup with eighth-seeded North Carolina State, but despite the fact that the Wolfpack may be the most talented No. 8 seed in NCAA Tournament history, Temple could still sneak by. After all, N.C. State has shown no interest in playing defense all year and hasn’t really shown much interest in showing effort in general. Meanwhile, Wyatt is the type of player that gets the most out of his ability and simply finds ways to score. Wyatt and company could be the latest team to catch the Wolfpack napping.
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