by Kenneth Gregory Smith

Created on: March 20, 2009

There are several key players who need to bring their 'A' game to the NCAA playoffs in order for their teams to make it to the Final Four. For Duke to have a chance, junior Gerald Henderson must continue his high level of play. Henderson possesses a wide array of skills that enable him to sometimes take over a game. He can slash to the basket, he can hit an outside jumper, and he can create his own shot. He also plays great defense. Henderson parlayed his regular season play into a slot on the Atlantic Coast Conference first team. Duke has been somewhat of a disappointment during the last two NCAA tournaments, losing in the first round in 207 and dropping a second round game in 2008.

Louisville is a popular pick by many to reach the Final Four. One of their key players is junior Earl Clark. Clark is a 6-9 forward who handles the ball well for a big man, can shoot from mid-range, and has a long wingspan that disrupts opponents inside. Another key player for the Big East champion Cardinals is senior Terrence Williams. Williams has has an outstanding career and would like nothing better than to lead the Cardinals to the national title.

Connecticut was the nation's number one ranked team until one of their stars, Jerome Dyson, got injured and was lost for the season. In his absence, seniors Jeff Adrien and A.J. Price must raise their level of play. Both Adrien and Price need to shoot well in order to take the pressure off of the Huskie's superstar 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet.

North Carolina is another popular pick to cut down the nets in Detroit. While most fans focus on established superstars Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson, junior Wayne Ellington must get his shooting groove back in order for the Tar Heels to emerge victorious. North Carolina is almost impossible to stop when Ellington is on his game. Ellington is a streaky shooter who has made nearly 40 percent of his three-point attempts.

For the past several years, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have challenged the more well-known college basketball powers. Gonzaga is a considered to be a "mid-major" team, that is a smaller school that plays in a smaller, lesser known conference. The Bulldogs have had good teams in the past, but have never made it to the Final Four. Their chances this year hinge on the play of junior guard Matt Bouldin. Bouldin is similar to Gerald Henderson, in that he has a variety of ways to score and at time can take over a game. Bouldin must play well for Gonzaga to crash the big boy's NCAA party.

Learn more about this author, Kenneth Gregory Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.