10 Players Who Can Take Over the NCAA Tournament

Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns

Another player, another freshman, and another projected top-10 pick in Texas' Mohamed Bamba. At a lanky 6'11", the stretch-five could prove to be a mix between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns at the next level. But after dealing with a toe injury that kept him sidelined three games, Bamba will be out to improve his draft stock.

Bamba has already shown what he can do throughout the course of a regular season. Down low, he's ripped down 10.4 rebounds while swatting an average of 3.7 shots per game (second in the nation). Meanwhile, he's scored 12.9 points per game on 60.3% shooting from two and 28% from three (on 1.7 attempts from three). The 19-year-old isn't afraid to unload from the outside, but he might have to show scouts that he can reach 30% or better before calling it quits for his brief collegiate career.

If Texas is going to get past the First Round, Bamba's going to have to carry them. He's first on the team in win shares (4.6), win shares per 40 (.211) and box plus-minus (11.3). It doesn't come as a surprise to find that the freshman phenom's averaged more rebounds and blocks while shooting a better percentage in Texas' 16 wins with him healthy this season.

With Cincinnati and Tennessee representing the 2 and 3 seeds in the South Region, Texas could make a mini-run if they're able to get past an undersized (no player bigger than 6'8") Nevada team.