In Sweet 16, en guard

Kemba Walker

Strengths » Connecticut’s five-day run to a Big East tournament title showcased Walker’s ability to break down a defender — especially in the guard’s crossover that made Pittsburgh’s Gary McGhee fall over before he nailed the game-winning jumper. Walker is one of the quickest guards in the country. And his 12-assist performance against Bucknell in the second round also proves he doesn’t have to score to dominate a game.

Weaknesses » Shot selection is the biggest problem with Walker. In UConn’s nine losses, he shot 64-for-185 (34.6 percent) from the field. The junior has range but is a streaky 3-point shooter, hitting 34.0 percent from behind the arc this year.

Jimmer Fredette

Strengths » The nation’s leading scorer at 28.8 points a game has range unmatched in college basketball and possibly even the NBA. He has hit 121 3-pointers this season, but he’s not just a jump shooter. He can create his own shot off the dribble and gets to the foul line often.

Weaknesses » Fredette averaged 4.3 assists this year, but he’s not a great passer. He dominates the ball, so he has a high turnover rate, averaging 3.5 a game. All of BYU’s opponents focus on the 6-foot-2 guard and try and turn him into a passer. The Cougars’ tournament hopes may rely on how well Fredette performs as a facilitator.

Nolan Smith

Strengths » Smith had his own 10-0 second-half run that helped Duke jump out to a double-digit lead Sunday against Michigan, and it displayed his versatility as a scorer: He hit a 3-pointer, midrange jumper off the dribble and layup as he got fouled. He’s quick and a good decision-maker, averaging 5.3 assists a game.

Weaknesses » Unlike Walker and Fredette, Smith has a supporting cast that is much more capable of carrying the scoring burden. He is an average 3-point shooter (35.3 percent) and could be a more efficient scorer. Smith is a solid player, but nothing in particular overwhelms you like Fredette’s range or Walker’s quickness.

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