March 15, 2006

At this time of the season, diaper dandies have played a full season and should have an impact on the NCAA tournament. Think about what Carmelo Anthony did for Syracuse when the Orange cut down the nets and gave Jim Boeheim that elusive title. Then there was Never Nervous Pervis Ellison helping Louisville defeat Duke in the 1986 title game.

Here is a look at my super seven impact diaper dandies who can make a difference in this year's NCAA tournament:

I'll start with Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina, my pick for diaper dandy of the season. He has been a key to the Tar Heels. Go ask Paul Hewitt about Hansbrough as the young man put up 40 points against the Yellow Jackets. He can score and rebound with the best of them.

Shawne Williams of Memphis has fit in nicely with Rodney Carney and Darius Washington Jr. Williams is an inside-outside force who can shoot from long range. With him in the lineup, I understand why the Tigers are a #1 seed.

At Marquette, Dominic James has been a big plus for Tom Crean's club. The guard can penetrate and dish the rock, plus he is capable of scoring too.

Greg Paulus of Duke has shown great leadership skills and an ability to make key plays while limiting turnovers. In the first two games of the ACC tournament, he turned the ball over once while dishing out 10 assists.

His teammate, Josh McRoberts, is going to be special next season when he moves inside to replace Shelden Williams. You could see signs of growing confidence in the ACC tournament; McRoberts would go to the basket hard and try to dunk.

Kansas has had a number of key freshmen, including Mario Chalmers and Julian Wright, but it is Brandon Rush who makes my super seven. Rush is a solid scorer who has raised the level of his game.

Finally, Boston College's Tyrese Rice provides a real spark off the bench. He wants the ball in crunch time and is not afraid to shoot in a pressure situation.

Keep an eye on these super seven diaper dandies because they could be difference-makers, coming through with the big plays.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.