10 Players Who Can Take Over the NCAA Tournament

Ajdin Penava, Marshall Thundering Herd

If you were really paying attention, you're probably sitting there thinking, "How is Bamba just second in blocks?" The answer comes in the form of Marshall's Ajdin Penava, a 6'9" overseas product out of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Because he plays in Conference-USA, Penava hasn't gotten the same recognition as other shot-blocking masters like Bamba and WVU's Sagaba Konate. Still, his 3.9 blocks per game could be key to a First Round upset for the Thundering Herd.

Unlike other past and present mid-major standouts, Penava isn't a blocking specialist. Averaging 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds (2.0 offensively), 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.3 minutes per game, the junior has proven to be quite the two-way player. In fact, his 8.6 box plus-minus led all Conference-USA players this season.

Marshall has the tall task of facing the Shockers on Friday. Tall isn't exactly the right word, though, as the Shockers deploy smaller big men down low, which could play into the hands of Penava and the high-paced Herd.