5 Good Hands People

Here are the players in whose clutches you'd most want to see the ball when the game's on the line

DERON WILLIAMS, G, Illinois

Illini's powerful (6'3", 210 pounds) junior point guard, who led the Big Ten in assists (6.5 per game), may be the nation's savviest decision-maker. The sure-handed Williams will protect the rock down the stretch, and if the play breaks down, he's solid enough from the field (42.6%) to hoist it up himself.

SEAN MAY, C, North Carolina

His viselike grip means the 6'9", 266-pound Tar Heels junior won't easily surrender the ball. A jump-hooking inside threat (16.7 points average), the relentless May can go back up and grab his misses, and he's reliable (75.7%) from the line. Double him down low, and you leave another dangerous Heel open.

ANDREW BOGUT, C, Utah

As the best-passing big man in the country (2.3 assists a game), the Utes' 7-foot, 240-pound sophomore will most likely see an open man before the defender does. Like May, Bogut can score (20.7 average) and follow his shot (3.6 offensive boards). He shoots an adequate 72.8% from the line.

MIKE WILKINSON, F, Wisconsin

With his ability to score from inside or out, the Badgers' 6'8", 240-pound senior, a 50.8% shooter from the field, is one tough matchup. Ever around the ball, Wilkinson makes good things happen even when he misses: Guard Alando Tucker rebounded his last-minute air ball to beat Indiana.

CHRIS PAUL, G, Wake Forest