TORONTO -- Long gone are the days when basketball fans tuned in to March Madness hoping to catch a fleeting glimpse of a Canadian. Teoscar Hernandez Blue Jays Jersey . When the NCAA mens tournament tips off Thursday, look for numerous Canadians not only playing major minutes, but playing starring roles. "Whats a tangible barometer for us to hold onto is the number of our players who are playing prominent roles within these teams," said Rowan Barrett, assistant GM of Canadas national mens program. "Were not tuning in to hope our Canadian guy gets two or three minutes. Were seeing a number of teams where our players are either the player of the year in the whole conference, the leading scorer of the team, the freshman of the year or theyre on the Wooden list as one of the top players in the entire country." Canadians, Barrett said, are the driving forces behind their teams, and "thats got to be exciting for Canadians and exciting for Canadian basketball." A total of twenty-seven Canadians will suit up in the tournament. Of course, theres Andrew Wiggins of Vaughan, Ont., a favourite to go No. 1 overall in this years NBA draft. The Kansas Jayhawks star was the Big 12 freshman of the year. But while Wiggins has been dominating NCAA headlines, there are numerous other Canadians shining on the college stage, including Andrews brother Nick, who plays for the undefeated Wichita State Shockers. Theres Melvin Ejim, a small forward from Toronto and senior at Iowa State, who claimed AP Big 12 player of the year honours. Michigan sharp-shooter Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ont., was named the Big 10 player of the year. Of the top five shot-blockers in the NCAA, three of them are Canadian. Jordan Bachynski, a seven-foot-two centre from Calgary, leads with 4.13 blocks a night for Arizona State. Bachynski was the Pac 12 defensive player of the year. Khem Birch, a 6-9 forward from Montreal, is second in blocks with 3.76 for UNLV. Torontos Sim Bullar, a seven-foot-five centre for New Mexico State, is fifth with 3.41. "The good thing is when you have so many Canadians performing at a high level, it inspires other Canadians, it inspires the kids coming in and theyre thinking, OK, Im not just coming in here to play, Im coming here to lead, Im coming in here to be a driving force and the level and the bar continues to be raised," said Barrett, who played college basketball for St. Johns. "I think thats great for our game, for our athletes who do decide to play in the NCAA. Its a tangible show of the growth of our game." Theres Tyler Ennis of Brampton, Ont., who is the starting guard at Syracuse. Ennis was one of 25 players on the mid-season list for the John R. Wooden award for the NCAAs top player, and is touted as an NBA first-round draft pick. There were some tense moments Sunday before the NCAA unveiled its March Madness bracket, Barrett said. The tournament is a chance for players to turn some heads prior to the NBA draft, but obviously not all of the 92 Canadians in Div. 1 would make the spring showcase. "Thats always exciting for sure, and especially when there are some of our Canadian players that we want to get into the tournament, that were not sure are going to get in, like a Dwight Powell at Stanford," said Barrett. Powell, from Toronto, was also on the mid-season Wooden award list. "You want him to get on that stage, he wants to get drafted this year, hes on the draft boards. So it was really exciting, exhilarating for him to get in there." Barrett predicts five Canadians may go in this years draft. Whats also exciting, he said, is that the college stars are also keen to play for Canada. "I think its great just the novelty of Canadians, to look and say, Hey thats great, there are Canadians there (in March Madness), but its a total other thing to see them donning the red and white and going out there and sweating and bleeding for their country as they give everything they have," he said. "Hopefully that will be the most inspirational thing for some of these younger players who are coming in and watching the game." Justin Smoak Jersey .A. Happ capped a challenging season with one of his best efforts of the year. Randal Grichuk Blue Jays Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Im sure youve received many emails wondering what your take is on the Spezza goal that looked like Neil blatantly kicked it in while standing directly in the middle of the crease where, you know, usually a goalie is to make a save but couldnt be due to Neil being there! Thanks! Jon - Westfield, MA Jon: Lets first ask Henrik Lundqvist what he thought of the scoring of the Sens second goal with . http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-dalton-pompey-jersey/ . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club.Paul Merson has doubts over Jamie Vardys compatibility with Arsenal and has questioned the Gunners pursuit of the Leicester City striker. Vardys future at the King Power Stadium appears uncertain after Arsenal lodged their interest in the striker, whose 24 goals fired the Foxes to the title last season.Sky sources understand the 29-year-old held talks over a move to the Emirates after the Gunners triggered his £20m release clause, but there was no decision on Vardys future as he jetted off to France for Englands Euro 2016 training camp. With preparations for this summers tournament taking precedence, and with Vardy reported to be considering an improved deal from Leicester, former Arsenal midfielder Merson reflected on the potential transfer, before suggesting Vardy may be having second thoughts.It doesnt fit with me, he told Sky Sports. Arsenal dont get the ball forward quickly enough. I dont get the transfer, I really dont get it. Arsenal are interested in signing Jamie Vardy, according to Sky sources. But was has he said about a possible move from Leicester? No disrespect to Vardy but his strengths are getting the ball over the top. Teams come onto Leicester and they hit them on the counter.The vast majority of Vardys goals came from one-on-one with goalkeepers. Teams kick-off against Arsenal and immediately put 10 behind the ball and theyve got to try and break them down. Vardy: Stay or go? As Jamie Vardy mulls over a move to Arsenal, we weigh up the pros and cons of the transfer I think Vardy is really thinking whetheer Arsenal would suit him. Alen Hanson Blue Jays Jersey. If that wasnt the case he would have signed straight away, he wouldnt have had to talk to anyone about it as Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in the world. There has got to be a reason (for the delay).He is probably thinking whether he could score goals with Arsenal. The ball never goes over the top and hes not going to play a one-two with three players before scoring as thats not his game. He is the best in the business at the ball over the top, nobody catches him. I think Vardy is really thinking whether Arsenal would suit him. If that wasn’t the case he would have signed straight away. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson Arsenals Premier League title charge faltered in part to a lack of goals last season, with the Gunners top scorer, Olivier Giroud, eight goals shy of Vardys haul.Understandably, the acquisition of a prolific goalscorer would only strengthen Arsenals bid to end their 12-year wait to be crowned champions. Olivier Giroud says hes been told Leicester striker Jamie Vardy wants to join Arsenal But Merson believes Vardys price tag is key to the deal, adding: Arsenal think Vardy is cheap. £20m in this day and age is cheap.Ross McCormack was sold to a Championship team for £11m so Vardy isnt expensive, is he? Also See: Wenger: Vardy wont start Vardy exit wont break Foxes Giroud: Vardy keen on Arsenal Transfer Centre LIVE! ' ' '