March 20, 2006

Wow, it has been excitement city for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. How about a salute to Craig Littlepage and his selection committee! March Madness is something special and this year we have seen a number of shockers, so many great games and memorable moments like Northwestern State, Louisiana's buzzer beater over Iowa.

There have been a number of great performances, but my pick for the star of stars in the first two rounds is Boston College's Craig Smith, who was a dominant force inside in hard-fought wins over Pacific and Montana.

Here are my elite eight, the creme de la creme, best of the best players advancing to the Sweet 16 (with their tournament averages so far):

Craig Smith, Boston College: 23.5 ppg, 14.5 rpg

Shelden Williams, Duke: 23 ppg, 16 rpg, 59.3 FG pct.

Joakim Noah, Florida: 16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 4.5 blocks per gm.

Brandon Roy, Washington: 24.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg.

Glen Davis, LSU. 21.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg

Marcus Williams, Conn: 20.5 ppg, 8.0 apg

Allan Ray, Villanova: 22 ppg.

Roy Hibbert, Georgetown: 18.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg.

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.