Is another one I'd put on that list. Wallace, Hibbert, and Summers get most of the attention when people talk about Georgetown, with Sapp and Freeman close behind, but anyone who watches the Hoyas play knows that Ewing is the engine that makes this team go. When we need a big play, such as a rebound or a defensive stop, he's the guy usually in the mix
I'd also add Lazar Hayward from Marquette, a do-it-all forward who has been instrumental when the Eagles have been successful this season. J.P Prince from Tennessee is another versatile energy guy. There are so many good players in the NCAA these days that this list could go on forever. It's going to be one of the best tourneys of my lifetime. There are so many good-to-great teams out there that realistically you could make a case for about 10 or more teams to have a legit shot at the Final Four and National Championship.
Smitty, what are your thoughts on David Padgett? Although I am biased as a Cardinal fan, I feel that he might be one of the most important players in the country to his respective team. He is clearly not the most outstanding player in the Big East, but based on the Cards' recent success, be should be in everyone's discussion for "Most Valuable."Big matchup this weekend! Let's hope for an injury-free and hard-fought game!
Smitty, what are your thoughts on David Padgett? Although I am biased as a Cardinal fan, Anybody that can run an offense like a point guard is valuable to a team. Definetly a team leader.
I think David Padgett is the player on Louisville that worries me the most. His high-post pick and rolls killed us when we played on your home floor, and he rarely if ever makes a bad decision with the ball. It's no coincidence that the 'Ville started flying once he came back from injury. I fully agree.
After watching what McClinton did last night against BC, I love the guy. His energy and sheer balls willed Miami to a probably NCCA-berth clinching win, and he made it so fun to watch with his attitude and passion. Miami is a good team. I miss having Miami and BC in the Big East, we used to have some classic battles, especially with BC
There are a ton of players in the country that are invaluable to their teams, so Clark was really in a no-win situation here if he wanted to make everyone happy. Still, I think we can all agree he's one of the most informative and entertaining writers on the site
I can't wait for this tourney. It's going to be SO good. Good luck to all of you. We'll see you this Saturday, 'Ville. It'll be a battle
Go ahead and laugh if you like, But what's the most undervalued part of the game? Well? That's right, it's defense, and Michael Flowers is the best defender on the best scoring defensive team in division 1. His scoring average (9.6), is modest, but he is a vital offensive contributor on a very balanced team, and he's made lots of clutch plays down the stretch, including but not limited to that last second three-pointer-and-steal that beat Texas at Texas. And is on-ball defense really is sick. Ask Drew Neitzel.
There should be more glue-guys and defensive standouts on this list. It's easy to find some guy who's averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds and say he's going unnoticed. It's harder to find a guy who wins games by being hardnosed and relentless. And you gotta have them on your team, or all your flashy, overappreciated "stars" won't get very far.
In regards to McClinton, he's an unbelievable player -- especially as a shooter, but I don't think he fits in the "undervalued" group of players. When a team faces Miami, priorities 1 and 2 are stopping Jack McClinton, he gets the focus of opponets and the media. That doesn't take away from Jack's ability, I wouldn't trade him for any player in the ACC (that does NOT mean I think he is the most talented, but his value is huge).
I agree that Jack McClinton is the number one priority when playing Miami but I can't believe that you wouldn't trade McClinton for Hansbrough. I think that Hansbrough to UNC is the most valued and would be on most other teams. McClinton is great but I don't rank him in the top tier of value and/or talent. Although, being there and seeing McClinton and the Hurricanes beat Duke I think that they could win a few games in the tournament if they get hot and figure out how to play with a lead.
