My Ultimate March Madness Team for This Season

With the conference tournaments in full force and March Madness looming, I've gotten a good solid look at pretty much every team in all the major conferences, as well as the key "mid-majors". To me, it's fairly clear which players will bring it come tournament time, and which players may fold under the pressure. Knowing that, I wish I could build a team, with five starters and three key subs, that I think would be well rounded, balanced, and generally unstoppable. It can't be all me-first scorers, as you need bodies in the paint for rebounds. The more versatile you are, great, but if you have one superior skill, there's a chance you'll find a spot on my team. If I could build my ultimate 8-man team for the tournament, it would look something like this.

Point guard: Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin

Taylor is extremely efficient, with a phenomenal assist to turnover ratio, which is probably the #1 statistic I look to in evaluating a point guard. He can also fill the hoop, as evidenced by his 39-point outing, but is very comfortable feeding the hot hand. Taylor can also knock down clutch shots, which is a HUGE plus in March.

Shooting guard: Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame

Maybe more of a combo guard, but he can fill the hoop but is unselfish as well. Can get his shot off pretty much anywhere, and when he gets hot, there aren't many players better. Another great defender as well.

Small forward: Derrick Williams, Arizona

With such talented guards, I want an absolute sniper at my 3 spot. A guy who is 6-foot-8 and shoots 60% from three will suffice at this position.

Power forward: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue

Versatile at the 4, meaning he can stretch the defense out to 17 feet while still average 8+ rebounds a game. Very athletic at 6-foot-10, he'd get plenty of chances to finish on this squad.

Center: John Henson, North Carolina

Very long, blocks 3+ shots per game and alters countless others. Paired with Johnson in the post, not many players would get to the rim and if they do, it would not be a clean look.

Bench

Jimmer Fredette, BYU

I would love to be able to bring this guy in at either guard position and watch him go off. He's been tearing up teams' best defenses, so if he was heading against their second teams, watch out.

Jon Leuer, Wisconsin

Can stretch the defense out to the 3, but has a polished post game too. At 6-foot-10, he could easily fill in at the 4 or 5.

Kemba Walker, UConn

If I was bringing in Jimmer to score, I'd be bringing in Kemba to close. Chances are games wouldn't be close with this squad, but I would for sure want Kemba on the court in the last two minutes.

Very close calls:

Nolan Smith, Duke: Does everything well, and deservedly a 1st team All-American. He'd probably be the 9th guy I put on this team, but if I'm building a well-rounded team, I'm not sure who I'd bump in favor of him.

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State: Big body and knows how to use it. Great in the post, but too-one dimensional in my opinion.

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State: Can crash the boards with the best of them, averaging 14.5 rpg during the season, tops in the country. Wouldn't be looked to for scoring on this team, but is capable, at 17.5 ppg.

Marcus Morris, Kansas: 17 and 7 for what I think is the best team in the nation. A little small for what I'd like on my front line, but versatile and efficient.

Honorable mention: Jacob Pullen, KSU; Marshon Brooks, Providence; Dwight Hardy, St. John's.