8 Players Who Can Take Over the NCAA Tournament

Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats

Speaking of Kentucky, Malik Monk is the player most adept to a big-time performance. While fellow freshman and teammate De'Aaron Fox orchestrates the offense, Monk is the SEC Player of the Year and has proven he's the team's most explosive player.

In 34 games, the 6'3" scoring guard has averaged 20.4 points with 2.8 treys on 40.3% shooting from deep. What's crazy is Monk has exceeded that average 15 times this season. He's scored at least 25 in nine games and 30 or more in four games. In doing so, he's splashed in five or more threes on six separate occasions.

Fox and others are steady presences, but Monk led the team with 5.4 win shares on a PER of 22.0 and a usage of 27.6%. He's the number-one offensive weapon and will need to play like it for his team to find success. Before he and Ball possibly meet in the Sweet 16, the Wildcats will have to get past Northern Kentucky and what should be a tough Round 2 opponent at the bottom of the South bracket.