NCAA Brackets 2011: Does Arizona Have What It Takes to Stop Nolan Smith?

Can Nolan Smith Guide The Blue Devils To Another Final Four Appearance?

Quick, who has been the best player in college basketball this season? Jimmer Fredette? Wrong. Jared Sullinger? Nope. Kemba Walker? Guess again.

The correct answer would be Duke point guard Nolan Smith.

Offensively and defensively, there has been no one in college basketball that has been better or meant more to his team that Smith has to Duke.

This team was in danger of falling apart when Kyrie Irving went down with an injury, but Smith stepped up his game in a big way to keep Duke on top of the standings for most of the year. Here the Blue Devils are again, in another Sweet 16, thanks in large part to Smith's efforts this season.

On the season, Smith is averaging 21 points, five rebounds and five assists per game.

Now, Smith leads the Blue Devils against Arizona on Thursday night for a trip to the Elite 8.

Do you still have questions about how much Smith means to this Duke team?

Lars Anderson from Sports Illustrated makes a great point about just how important Smith is to this team. Duke had just called a timeout during their game against Michigan. Their lead was shrinking, down to 39-35 early in the second half and coach Krzyzewski was screaming that the team was not playing.

"Right after that key timeout with 16:59 left in the game, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Smith scored 10 straight points for the Blue Devils," Anderson wrote. "It was because of March moments like this that Smith decided to return to the Blue Devils instead of turning pro, and he singlehandedly kept Duke in the lead."

Smith is the heart-and-soul of this Duke team. Everything runs through him. We all love Kyrie Irving, and he is the piece that can put this team over the top as far as winning another title, but if Irving has a bad game, this team is doomed.

Everyone else can play well, but Irving is the glue that holds this team together.

Arizona doesn't defend well, though they did look pretty good in the first-half against Texas. The Wildcats will likely try to double-team Smith in order to keep him in check, but he is such a good passer that he will find the open man.

Duke will defeat Arizona and Smith will be the biggest reason why. No one in the West region has what it takes to stop him.

Related Story: What Will Another National Title Do For Nolan Smith's Draft Stock?

Garcelle Beauvais Kristy Swanson Ali Campoverdi Giuliana DePandi Pamela Anderson