It’s Blockbuster Saturday for NCAA basketball! I’m giving you the top players in the nation that are not necessarily the blockbusters! They are more the silent stars that live in the shadows of the big-timers

This is Part II: #4-6

4. Taylor Battle, Penn State Nittany Lions, guard

Why he deserves a break out: Because he’s from Albany, like me! And he went to Bishop Maginn high school-where Mark went! Ok, actually it’s because he is a really solid player and he is leading the Big 10 in scoring. And there is just some sexy, cocky quality about him in this pic:

His stats:

• 18.9 ppg
• 5.8 rebounds per game
• 5.5 assists per game
• 25 steals in 18 games
• 3-pt %: 41
• Scored 26 points twice this season, against Mt. St. Mary’s and Northwestern

Why he’s unknown: Maybe because no one knows what the hell a Nittany Lion is. Team is so-so, kinda the bottom of their conference with bigger teams like Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and Ohio State leading the way.

5. Manny Harris, Michigan Wolverines, forward

Why he deserves a breakout: He has been the key to Michigan’s turnaround season and he is tied with Taylor Battle as the lead scorer in the Big 10. He is also #2 in rebounds in the conference.

His stats:

• 18.7 ppg
• 7.6 rebounds per game
• 4.7 assists per game

Why you haven’t heard of him: Don’t worry, you will. He is pushing his way through and with Michigan being ranked in the top 25, more and more headlines will be emerging.

6. Edwin Ubiles, Sienna, guard

Why he deserves to break out: Because I found this quote about him:

“[He is] the most athletic player in the MAAC…Explosive, extremely skilled, multi-position talent… Plays above the rim…Long, lean and bouncy… Can score in a variety of ways…Creative with and without the basketball…Electrifies fans with rim-rocking dunks and lightning-quick first step…Equally effective on the perimeter and off the dribble…” Of course, it was from the Siena College Official Athletics site so they may be a bit biased

I am going to admit that I am picking him because he is in playing in college up in Albany, New York and he was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. I was born in Albany and went to school in Poughkeepsie (shhh, actually New Paltz but it’s close enough)

His Stats:

• 14.4 ppg
• 4.9 rebounds per game
• 2.3 assists per game

Why you haven’t heard of him: Because have you ever heard of anyone from the Albany area? That is why I left. But Siena’s doing good this season and they have made it to the tourney before so look out!

on to Part III

Go pack to the Intro of this series or Part I

Can’t wait? Check me out on The Bleacher Report for the article published as a slideshow!

About the author: Jennifer Taglione is the owner of this fabulous website Stiletto Sports. Despite writing well over 500 posts, she still maintains that she is not a sports writer! She is however a huge fan of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, the Celtics, and totally kicks butt on March Madness brackets! Connect with her by following her on Twitter @StilettoSportsJ and subscribing to her weekly newsletter. For more info check out the About the Editor page!

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