March Madness: Top 10 candidates for Final Four most outstanding player

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) makes a basket with .3 seconds left against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 26, 2017; New York, NY, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chris Silva (30) shoots the ball against Florida Gators forward Kevarrius Hayes (13) during the second half in the finals of the East Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Chris Silva, South Carolina

Chris Silva is an athletic forward who is South Carolina’s best rebounder and rim-protector. He is a very good scorer around the rim and has the ability to knock down a few mid-range jumpers. Silva is an x-factor for the Gamecocks,

The 6-9 sophomore forward from Gabon is averaging 13.0 points and 7.8 boards along with one block in four NCAA Tournament games. He has made 14-of-30 (46.6 percent) of his shots from the floor and 26-of-29 (89.6 percent) shots from the charity stripe.

Silva has scored in double-figures and has grabbed at least five rebounds in all four games. Silva produced a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) in the second round win over Duke. He then went 9-of-12 from the free throw line in the Elite Eight victory over Florida.

The biggest question surrounding Silva is whether he can stay out of foul trouble. Silva has been charged with 15 fouls this tournament, finishing with four fouls in three of four games. He is averaging 5.7 fouls per 40 minutes, which is down from 7.9 fouls during that same span during the regular season.

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