NCAA Stars to Watch

We all know about the big-name players in the NCAA who will go top-five in the NBA draft, but the fact is that there are thirty selections made in the first round and anyone drafted can make an impact. Aside from the first couple picks, the draft order is still up for grabs based a lot on clutch play in big moments. With the NCAA tournament about to start, here are a couple names to keep an eye on as the games progress:

Acie Law IV - Texas A&M - Anyone who say A&M's game against Texas should know about Acie Law. Not only does Law have a great skill set as a point guard, he has played all four years in college and should be ready, maturity-wise, to make an immediate impact in the NBA. He is a great passer and loves having the ball with the game on the line down the stretch. If he performs well in March, he should move into the top-ten selections easily. Good point guards are hard to find in the NBA.

Nick Fazekas - Nevada - Another senior, if you haven't noticed I am a fan of players who grow in college, Nick has had a sensational season for a Nevada team that is 28-4. He has averaged 20.5 points and 11.2 rebounds a game. The best part about Fazekas is he is not projected to be better than a very-late first-round pick. He could be a steal for a team in the mid-20s. His Nevada team will be playing with a 7 seed and if they progress past the Sweet Sixteen, Nick could move up.

Marcus Williams - Arizona - Williams is a six-foot seven shooting guard who has enough talent to light up the scoring board each and every night. He is only a sophomore which should allow NBA teams that need depth time to develop him. Right now he mainly depends on his athleticism to score and his three-point, college range, shot is abysmal. With his Arizona Wildcats team seeded relatively low, Williams has an opportunity to prove that he does deserve to be taken in the lottery. If they fade quickly, Williams could end up being taken in the late-teen picks or worse.

Alando Tucker - Wisconson - Tucker is a very good player on a very good team that has high expectations. Last year all the Big Ten teams in the NCAA tournament fizzled out by the second round. If Tucker wants to be drafted high as a small forward, a position that most teams are not in need of, he needs to prove he can carry his team through tough competition. Otherwise, like Williams, he may find himself a mid-first round pick.

Tyler Hansbrough - North Carolina - Tyler does not look like a player who is ready to dominate on the next level and every team in the NBA knows it. If the Tar Heels lose early as a one seed, Tyler could be in trouble. He needs to show scouts something fast. Putting up big numbers and leading his team to the Final Four, where by seeding they are favorites to reach, would send a big message that could move him up. A bad performance could see Hansbrough drop to the second round of the draft.

There are many other players to keep an eye on, of course, but the five mentioned above all are on the NBA draft radar already and have a chance to move their stock up. Keep an eye on how these players and their teams do and you will see who is ready for the NBA and who is not.