by B. B. James

Created on: March 16, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Greg Oden and Kevin Durant will have a huge impact on the 2007 NCAA Tournament. They are both dominant players - in different ways - and they have played great during high-pressure games late in the season. Durant is the high-scoring, go-to guy who can do everything except play defense. Oden is a dominant defensive player who works relentlessly for his teammates to get him the ball in the lane, where he is unstoppable.

As we learned with Carmelo Anthony a few years ago, a freshman can lead his team all the way to the NCAA title. There's every reason to think that Oden can do the same thing. It's less clear that Durant can have the same impact, because the rest of his team is far weaker than a typical top NCAA team. It seems more probable that Durant can carry his team for 3-4 games, but that's all.

And don't forget that there are numerous other great freshmen who will have a big impact this year. A few examples.

Ty Lawson, the point guard for North Carolina, is perhaps the fastest player in college basketball. Watch him blow by players time and again.

Brandan Wright, North Carolina forward. If it wasn't for Durant and Oden, this guy would be on the cover of Sports Illustrated with Lawson, with some headline about "Fabulous Freshmen Lead NC." The guy is a monster, but smooth, too.

Spencer Hawes, center for Washington. He was hurt part of the year (like Oden), and so he's been forgotten. But watch this 7-footer a couple of times, and you will see a dominant inside force.

Chase Budinger, forward, Arizona. The guy has had nights when he's gone "Durant" on high-quality opponents. Like putting up 30 points/10 rebounds against Oregon last month.

D.J. Augustin, guard, Texas. He's very inconsistent, but when he's good, he makes Durant shine that much brighter.

There are other frosh who start for the teams and could take their teams as far as the Sweet 16 if they play well. Let's hope these guys have great tournaments, and then decide to stay in college for another year.

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