8 Players Who Can Take Over the NCAA Tournament

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia Cavaliers

If you're wondering why Brice Johnson was the only one of the previous four players to not win their conference player of the year award, Malcolm Brogdon is the reason why.

Brogdon isn't a great passer, and he isn't he much of a shot blocker or rebounder -- he's not even the same lockdown defender he's been in the past. But he does make a lot of plays and a lot of buckets. He's practically the engine behind anything the Cavaliers do offensively.

You might say, "If he's not a great passer, then how is he such a good playmaker?" The answer to that question is his feet. Brogdon is a great off-the-ball player and, with one false move, he has the ability to cut backdoor past his defender for an easy two at any moment. And his movement is so key to Virginia's offensive sets that if Brogdon were taken out of the picture I'm not sure the Cavaliers would survive.

His off-the-ball game is so crucial, but it wouldn't be if not for Brogdon's ability to hit from the perimeter. His 2.2 three-balls and 40.9% from deep is the biggest initial threat to his defenders. As a result of his balanced offensive game, Brogdon puts up 18.7 points per game with a proven ability to go off for 25-plus, in efficient style, on any given night. Yes -- efficiency and consistency are weapons.