When you're trying to figure out why all of your Final Four picks got bounced before the Elite Eight, it will probably have something to do with these guys.
Nick Fazekas, F, Nevada:
Last year, teams got "Pittsnogled" by a smooth, white center from West Virginia. While "Fazekased" might not have the same ring to it, expect similar results. Standing at 6'11", Fazekas is a match-up nightmare (21.8 ppg) and can board with the best of them (10.3 rpg).
Leon Powe, F, California:
With all due respect to Shelden Williams, Tyler Hansbrough, and Nick Fazekas (see above), Powe is the nation's toughest post player. Averaging 20 ppg and 10 rpg, Powe terrorized PAC-10 opponents to the tune of games like 30 and 10 against Arizona, 41 and six versus Oregon, and 22 and 20 over USC.
Steve Novak, F, Marquette:
Despite standing 6'10", Novak has one of the sweetest strokes around, shooting 46.4 percent from downtown (tops in the Big East) and a ridiculous 97.3 percent on free throws. Novak also comes up big when it counts (41 points and 16 boards in a win over UConn) and could give UCLA fits in the second round.
Nate Harris, F, Utah State:
Harris is a master of efficiency, averaging 17.2 ppg on over 62 percent shooting. The Aggies also know when and how to get him the ball. He leads a well-balanced squad against the vulnerable Washington Huskies in round one.
Steve Burtt, G, Iona:
The tournament's leading scorer (25.2 ppg) not named J.J. or Adam. He's made at least five 3's in five of his last seven games, and he'll need to turn in a similar performance against LSU in the first round. His team may be overmatched, but March is when magic happens.
