9:45 pm EST CBS

For live stream, try stream2watch.me

Few people were talking about UCLA point-forward Kyle Anderson this past regular season. It wasn't until the Bruins' late season conference tournament run that I even heard his name (which is also a good deal my fault, due to my location on the east coast). Today, he's one of the most anticipated watches of the NCAA Tournament. He's also projected to go fifth in next year's NBA draft.

Anderson is unique for several reasons. For one, he's 6-foot-9 and is the team's point guard, a position from which he's dished out 6.6 assists per game this year, tied for 6th best in the country. Based on his statistics (8.7 rpg, leads the team) and highlight reels, size is a major part of his game. Nicknamed, "Slo-Mo," Anderson plays at a medication-inducing pace, but is able to penetrate because of his handle, craft, and lanky frame.

Anderson's shot is equally slow -- with a slight hitch -- but it's effective enough to force opponents to guard him on the perimeter. It's also taken from a high release point, meaning Anderson can pretty much use it at will whenever he's marked by a guard.

Some might be concerned about Anderson's lack of quicks compared to the typical NBA athletes. I can't say this with absolute confidence -- given I haven't yet watched him live -- but the NBA isn't as much about speed as you'd think. In fact, it may be less about speed/quickness (at least on the offensive end) than college.

Consider a guy like Steve Nash. Not especially explosive, Nash nonetheless thrived because of his superior all-around skills and feel for the game. (He also had a deadly jump shot and slightly above-average size for a point guard.) Dwyane Wade is a somewhat similar example. Obviously, he's one of the best athletes in the game. He doesn't, however, play at the frenetic place of guys like Jose Barea (a favorite of mine) and Raymond Felton. Wade's poised and controlled game creates a domino effect among his teammates. Thus, his passes are easier to handle, unlike a player closer to the warped explosiveness of Russell Westbrook, who might his teammate with a beautiful pass but at an incompatible speed.

Anderson, possibly, could thrive like Wade and Nash. Helping his case is his size. It will be intriguing how an NBA team decides to use him next year, either as a guard or a forward. Because of his preternatural passing abilities, a host of NBA teams should benefit from his unique services. Time to gauge his psyche tonight against one of the toughest teams in the land, #1 Florida.

Prediction: I'm always concerned that Florida might run into a wall on the offensive end and not be able to make up for it on defense. Still, they've seemed to raise their games on both ends so far this tournament. It's not much of a stretch, but I choose them for the win.