8 Players Who Can Take Over the NCAA Tournament

Isaiah Whitehead, Seton Hall Pirates

When Kemba Walker and his Connecticut Huskies won the national championship back in the 2010-11 season, Walker wasn't the best player in the nation, and the Huskies weren't best team on a consistent basis. They were the hottest player and team in the nation, and that's why they won the title.

That is this year's Isaiah Whitehead and his Seton Hall Pirates. At 25-8, Seton Hall finished the regular season third in the Big East. But, behind Whitehead -- the tournament's Most Outstanding Player -- the Pirates ran through the tournament, beating 1 seeded Villanova in the title game in thrilling fashion.

In the conference tournament, Whitehead averaged 23.3 points and 5.7 assists per game. He wasn't all that efficient as he shot just 42.8% from the field, 33.3% from three, and turned the ball over an average of 5.7 times per game, but the sophomore was still productive all the same.

Whitehead plays out of heart and skill -- without awareness of how the metrics perceive him -- much like Kemba Walker in his run through the Big East and NCAA tournaments. So, if you're looking for something pretty, look elsewhere. If you're looking for something inspiring, on the other hand, you found your guy.