Russ Smith

Junior. Guard.

6-feet. 165 pounds.

This is where everything starts for Louisville. This guy is a scoring machine. He takes a lot of shots but makes a lot of shots, averaging 18.4 points per game. Smith has scored 20 or more points in 17 games this season, including four of the last five games. He is coming off his third-best scoring performance of the year, notching 27 points on 7-of-15 shooting. He drilled 4-of-7 threes and shot 9-for-10 at the foul line. Smith is quite impressive as a part of Louisville’s pressure defense, averaging over two steals a game. He pilfered the ball an astounding eight times in his team’s round one game last week. He gets to the foul line all the time, attempting 235 free throws this season, almost double the next guy. Smith was a bench player last season but his play this season earned him the nickname “Russdiculous” from head coach Rick Pitino. Pitino, a big horse racing fanatic, named his horse with the same moniker.

Peyton Siva

Senior. Guard.

6-feet. 185 pounds.

Part two of the Cardinal’s phenomenal backcourt tandem, Siva is the team leader in steals and averages just short of 10 points per game. Siva is a heady player, which is obvious in his intuitive defense. He was named Big East Scholar Athlete of the Year for this season. Siva is the lead distributor for his squad, making all things go with almost six assists per game. In the Big East championship game against Syracuse and the round one game blowout over North Carolina A&T he racked up eight assists and four steals each game.

Gorgui Dieng

Junior. Center.

6-foot-11. 245 pounds.

This is one big, athletic guy, who uses his body to the tune of almost a double-double average. Dieng averages an even 10 points each contest and adds in 9.5 rebounds as well. And boy does this guy like blocking shots, he swats 2.4 shots each game, third-most in the Big East this regular season. He knows how to dish the ball well too, producing two assists per game. For a big man, Dieng’s body endures big minutes, as he plays 31 minutes per game. His immense size and athletic frame is complemented through his fluid athleticism.