With the 64 teams matched up, March Madness is less than 12 hours away.  And with that, Interbasket has collected the names of the top ten international players in this year’s field (discuss).

It’s a shame that the St. Mary’s Gaels and the Viriginia Tech Hokies didn’t make the tournament, that forced us to leave out the speedy Patrick Mills of Australia and A.D. Vassallo from Puerto Rico.

Alright enough talking, here are Interbasket’s Top Ten International College Players in this year’s NCAA Tournament:

10. Kristof Ongenaet (Belgium)
Syracuse Senior, 6-8, 215lb Power Forward
Key Stats: 3.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 47.3% FG
Known recently as the player that suffered an ugly fall after dunking the ball against Lousiville, Ongenaet is a 6-8 lunch pail-type power forward for Syracuse.  Ongenaet knows he’s not the star, or probably not one of the Orangemen’s top-five players when other teams scout Syracuse.  And Ongenaet revels in it.

“They should keep a stat on how many times I fall on the ground,” Ongenaet said. “But I’m just trying to get the ball and be aggressive and do the little things. It’s just part of my game. I’m glad to take those things and help the team.”

This will be Ongenaet’s first and final March Madness, look for him to be on the floor even more when Syracuse takes on when they play No. 14 seed Stephen F. Austin. Every team needs an Ongenaet, and that’s why we put him at #10.  For more on Kristof Ongenaet, Read: Kristof Ongenaet says goodbye to the Dome after 2 years as Syracuse men’s basketball’s ‘glue guy’ (Daily Orange), Kristof Ongenaet dunks, falls in Big East Championship (Interbasket)

9. Dogus Balbay (Turkey)
Texas Sophomore, 6-0 176lb Point Guard
Key Stats: 3.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steal, 44.8% FG, 45% FT
Don’t let Dogus Balbay’s 3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and a free throw percentage barely higher than his field goal percentage fool you.

The real numbers you should look at are 6.0 point, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 46.7% from the field – those averages represent Balbay’s numbers in the eleven games since Balbay was inserted into Texas’s starting lineup.

Balbay has become an integral part of the Texas Longhorns’ offense. Some would even say he is the main conductor, “If you watch tape, you see he’s a leader. He’s talking, directing traffic…” said Texas coach Rick Barnes.

“Dogus is pushing the ball more,” said Texas shooting guard AJ Abrams. “It gives me a chance to catch and shoot, or catch and rip with one dribble.”

Balbay could eventually be higher on the list, but since he really doesn’t have a jumpshot, and we’ve only see him really produce for 11 games, he ends up at #9 on our list.  For more on Dogus Balbay, read: Dogus Balbay Player Profile (Interbasket), Dogus directs Texas offense (The Daily Texan)

8. Alfred Aboya (Cameroon)
U.C.L.A. Senior, 6-9, 245lb Center
Key Stats: 9.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 steal, 55.2% FG, 67.5% FT
As an undersized 6-9 player manning the pivot, Alfred Aboya is U.C.L.A.’s third leading scorer (9.8), leading rebounder (6.2), and is the hardest worker on the team.

Like many prospects from Africa, Aboya came to the United States very raw, and defensive minded.  Now in his Senior year, the native from Cameroon has put in the time and dedication in making himself more of a threat on the offensive end, as well as on NBA radars.

“Improvement is about repetition.” the 24-year old Aboya told The Daily Bruin. “When you get the chance to practice and be active with your teammates, it helps you and it helps them. You help each other become a better player.”

Through his hard work, Aboya is averaging a career high in points this season, and has added a reliable midrange game.

With that said, U.C.L.A.’s starting five of Darren Collison (14.5), Josh Shipp (14.4), Aboya (9.8), Nikola Dragovic (9.3), and Jrue Holiday are arguably the most-rounded starting five in the tournament.

Aboya is #8 on our list not so much for his newfound mid range jumper, but for his defensive skills and hard work on both sides of the court.  And really, how can you not cheer for a guy like this?

U.C.L.A. is seeded #6 and will take on #11-seeded Virginia Commonwealth on Thursday. For more about Alfred Aboya, read:  UCLA’s Alfred Aboya, Inspiration through Basketball (Interbasket)

7. Jonathan Tavernari (Brazil)
Brigham Young University Junior, 6-6, 215lb, Forward
Key Stats: 15.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 43.4% FG, 38% 3PT
The 6-6 power small forward from Brazil is BYU’s third leading scorer, leading rebounder, and is second on the team in steals.

Tavernari splits time on the inside, as evidenced by team leading 7.3 rebounds, as well as a perimeter, as a consistent three-point threat – he’s hit 82 three-pointers this season, team leader in that category.

He was named 2007 Mountain West Freshman of the year, and during his Sophomore campaign, set a BYU single season record by hitting 88 three pointers.

Tavernari comes from Sao Bernardo, Brazil and when Tavernari was recruited out of Brazil, by Bishop Gorman High School, he became the center of a controversy that he wanted no part of.   Because of his recruitment, many of the local Southern NevadaHigh Schools threatened to pull out of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.  As Tavernari became eligible and dominated by avergaing  25 points and 10 rebounds per game, the TV cameras, protests and police escorts were at every match.

Tavernari is #7 on our top ten list.  For more about Jonathan Tavernari, read: Hard to gag BYU’s Tavernari and his game (Rivals Yahoo)

6. Goran Suton (Bosnia)
Michigan State Senior, 6-10, 245lb Center
Key Stats: 9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists,  54% FG, 39.4%, 84.1% FT
Via war-torn Bosnia, Goran Suton is a strong rebounder and Michigan State’s best post player. He led the team with five double-doubles despite missing five games earlier in the season because of a knee-injury.

“G,” as his teammates refer to him, is an efficient offensive player who shoots 54% from the field, 39.4% from three, and 84.1% from the free-throw line. can also hit the occasional three pointer, and an very good passer.

Goran’s 8.4 rebounds per game in Big Ten play, becoming Michigan State’s first player to lead the conference in rebounding since Antonio Smith did in 1997.   Even with that accomplishment, MSU coach Tom Izzo believes Suton can do better, to fight more, and motivate himself.  “Goran has to bring it every minute of every game.” said Izzo after MSU defeated Wisconsin in late Febraury.

With the Final Four culminating in Detroit, Suton should have no problem finding that extra motivation to go deep into the tournament, “I feel we can be a really good team. If we continue to play good defense and rebound, it will happen.” Suton said. “If we go out without a Final Four, it would be very disappointing.”

Suton was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s NCAA Basketball March Madness issue along with Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, North Carolina’s Ty Lawson, Pittsburgh’s Sam Young, Memphis’ Tyreke Evans, Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet, Louisville’s Terrence Williams, and Duke’s Gerald Henderson.  Not bad company.  Check out the cover here.

Points for being on SI, and nearly averaging a double-double.  Suton is #6 because even with Raymar Morgan, the big fella is key to Michigan State’s hopes in advancing.  The #2 seeded Michigan State Spartans will take on #15 Robert Morris on Friday, March 20th.

5. Artsiom Parakhouski (Belarus)
Radford Junior, 6-11, 260lb Center
Key Stats: 16.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, 55.2% FG, 65.5% FT
Artsiom Parakhouski is not the most-talented player on the list, nor would he be here if litte Radford U didn’t have such a great run and took the Big South’s automatic bid to the tournament, but that doesn’t minimize the importance of the 6-11 center from Belarus.

With Parakhouski in Radford’s lineup, the Highlanders won the Big South conference regular season title and the Big South tournament, both firsts for the little school in Virginia.

Pronounced art-SEE-um pair-uh-COW-ski, Artsiom has only been playing basketball for only the last five years — and learning English for less than three.

Parakhouski hopes to lead Radford to another first, their first March Madness win.  A tall order especially against the #1 seeded North Carolina TarHeels, but anything is possible this time of year, “The little schools are losing nothing if they lose,” said Parakhouski. “Nobody knows them. It’s just going in and playing free. But big schools, they are under the big pressure. And sometimes small schools are beating big schools.”

“I like our chance,” Parakhouski says smiling.

Parakhouski makes our list at #5 because even though he’s playing for a small school, no one player on this list is more important to his team. For more about Artsiom Parakhouski, read: Season of wonder at Radford: Coach, center spark NCAA run (USA Today), Large Artsiom Parakhouski leads little Radford to Big Dance (Interbasket)

4. Luke Nevell, Utah (Australia)
Utah Junior, 7-2, 265lb Center
Key Stats: 16.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 60.7% FG, 79.1% FT
From Perth, Australia, Luke Nevill is Utah’s 7-2 center that became the first player ever to earn both the Mountain West Conference‘s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same year.

Nevill also led the Utes to the 2009 Moutain West Championship, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after putting up 18 points and 15 rebounds in a tight 52-50 win over San Diego State.

Just as the 7-0 Aussie Andrew Bogut came through the University of Utah on his way to the NBA, Luke Nevill hopes to take a similar path to the next level.

But despite the glaring similarities; attending Utah, hailing from down under, and being a seven-foot center, Nevill doesn’t exactly mirror his countryman.  Andrew Bogut has never had problems being aggressive or physical, two traists that the shaggy-haired Nevill is generally criticized for lacking.

Still, Nevill doesn’t let all that bother him too much, his hopes that team success, along with his numbers will translate in the tournament as well as on the next level, “Teams at the next level want winners and want players who win games,” said Nevill, “The more you win, the better you get.”

Utah is the number 5 seed and is matched up against 12th-seeded Arizona Wildcats where Nevill will have to go up against another NBA prospect in Jordan Hill.  For more about Luke Nevell, read:  Utah’s Nevill moving ever closer to fulfilling NBA dream (Salt Lake City Tribune)

3. Samardo Samuels (Jamaica)
Lousiville Freshman, 6-8, 260lb Power Forward/Center
Key Stats: 11.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 59.0% FG, 67.1% FT
Coming to the United States from Trelawny Parish, Jamaica, Samardo Samuels is a super-freshman playing for the Louisville Cardinals (28-5), whom ended the regular season ranked #1 overall by the AP.  The 6-9, 260lbs power forward has started every game of the season and hasn’t disappointed by putting up 11.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 60% shooting from the floor.

Samardo was a highly-sought players in his high-school class before selecting Louisville  (North Carolina, Connecticut, and Georgetown were all in contention).

Despite being a 20-year old freshman, Samardo has the body of a man 5 years older.  At 6-8, and a rock-solid 260lbs, Samuels uses his strength, athelticism, and a team-leading 99 fouls to hold down Louisville’s interior.  Samuels led six Cardinals in double figures with 15 points as Louisville defeated Syracuse 76-66 in the 2009 Big East Championship.

The #1 seeded Louisville Cardinals will take on #16 Morehead State.

Samardo Samuels makes our list at #3, not bad for a Freshman.  We’re likely not going to see him put on a Louisville jersey after the season.  For more about Samardo Samuels, read: From Jamaica, with love (CNN/SI)

2. Greivis Vasquez (Venezuela)
Maryland Junior, 6-5, 190lb Guard
Key Stats: 17.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 39.9% FG, 31.9% 3PT, 87.7% FT
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, the divisive Vasquez is the do-it-all player for Maryland – one of those rare college players that averages more than 5 rebounds and 5 assists.   Vasquez used a variety of drives, teardrops, and three-pointers to show off his ability to fill up the boxscore in Maryland’s 88-85 upset of North Carolina.  Vasquez had a triple double in that game, 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Greivis loves to incite the crowd, in fact he feeds off it.  Whether at home or on the road, he always seems to be yelling at fans, popping his jersey, or shooting a meaningless three pointer with the game well in hand.  Vasquez’s motivation on the court sometimes comes from an ongoing conversation with the fans off the court.  Whatever it is, Maryland needs Greivis Vasquez to be aggressive because the pattern is, when Vasquez is involved, Maryland can compete with any team in the country.  Ask North Carolina.  “Greivis is one of those guys who loves the game, loves to play and loves to compete.” Maryland coach Gary Williams said.

The problem with Vasquez is that he isn’t always consistent with his performances, but when he is, Maryland can be as dangerous as his mouth.  And that’s why Vasquez is #2 on our list.

1. Hasheem Thabeet (Tanzania)
Connecticut Junior, 7-3, 265lb Center
Key Stats: 13.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 64.3% FG , 62.2% FT
The two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Big East Player of the Year (shared with Dejuan Blair), Hasheem Thabeet has polished his offense this year and has become a game changer on both sides of the court.  So much so, that the 7-3 center is projected by most mock drafts as #2 pick in next years NBA Draft after concensus Blake Griffin.

Still even with a career high 13.7 points a game, teh Second-Team All-American’s biggest strength are his reaction time and  long arms, which allow Thabeet to make opponents think twice, and block shots at a record pace (the junior center is four blocks away from breaking the career Big East record set by Patrick Ewing, who played four years at Georgetown), “Blocking shots is like telling them ‘don’t come back,’ ” said Thabeet. “They going to come back, you gonna block it again everytime they come to the paint the lane, they gonna make a U-turn or they gonna end up taking a bad shot.”

Thabeet will be the overwhelming reason why there will be no upset when #1 seeded UConn Huskies takes on #16 Chatanooga.  For more about Hasheem Thabeet, read: Hasheem Thabeet wins Defensive and Player of Year Awards (Interbasket)

And that completes are top ten list.  Any thoughts? Comments? Apologies go out to Nikola Dragovic of U.C.L.A. (Serbia), Benson Akpan of Stephen P. Austin (Nigeria), and Kirill Pishchalnikov of Virginia Commonwealth (Russia)

Link and Resources: Kristof Ongenaet dunks, flips over in Big East Championship (Interbasket), Download Iphone March Madness App (iTunes), Artsiom Parakhouski leads Radford to Big Dance (Interbasket), Greivis Vasquez, Maryland shocks #3 North Carolina (Interbasket), NBA Prospect Patrick Mills injures hand, out 4 weeks (Interbasket), Jeremy Lin of Harvard, Asians struggles with Basketball Discrimination (Interbasket), College Basketball on your iPhone (collegebasketballiphone), UCLA’s Alfred Aboya: Inspiration through Basketball (Interbasket)