50 Best Players in College Basketball For the 2012-2013 Season
By Jason McIntyre
50. Shonn Miller, F, Cornell – The Ivy League’s rookie of the year (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.7 blocks per game).
49. Brandon Triche, G, Syracuse – Will Michael Carter-Williams be the better Syracuse guard? I’ll go with the experience. It’ll be Triche’s team now that Waiters, Scoop & Joseph are gone.
48. Mason Plumlee, C, Duke – The best Plumlee should be the best rim protector in the ACC. He was 5th in the conference last year at 1.6 blocks per game.
47. Frantz Massenat, G, Drexel – Early favorite for CAA player of the year. Averaged 13.7 ppg as a sophomore, when he shot 45 percent from deep.
46. Mark Lyons, G, Xavier – [UPDATE: He transferred to Arizona. Replacement – Can we get a judges ruling on Ryan Harrow, G, Kentucky?]
45. Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor – Probably my favorite heat-check player in college basketball. Averaged 13.8 ppg, but he (and Brady Heslip) will be gunning like LaceDarius Dunn was in 2010.
44. Brandon Davis, PF, BYU – Enter sex jokes here.
43. Elias Harris, F, Gonzaga – Yes, he’s still in school.
42. CJ Leslie, F, NC State – Has he improved at all during his career? Last year, we had him ranked in the 20s.
41. Aaric Murray, C, West Virginia – Transfer from LaSalle who averaged 15.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg should have a massive impact filling the void of Kevin Jones.
40. Adonis Thomas, F, Memphis – Best player on a stacked team.
39. Michael Snaer, G, Florida State – Tenacious guard should be one of the ACC’s best.
38. DJ Cooper, G, Ohio – Up-and-down talent – only shot 34 percent for the season; then outplayed Michigan’s Trey Burke in the opening round of the NCAA tourney; then shot 3-for-20 vs. UNC.
37. Jamaal Franklin SG, San Diego State – Averaged 17.4 points, 7.9 rebs for the Aztecs, will battle Moser for conference POY honors.
36. Kyle Wiltjer, F, Kentucky – Wildcats lost six players to the NBA and have a lot of new pieces. Wiltjer should be a 15 ppg glue-guy.
35. Rotnei Clarke, G, Butler – Most anticipated transfer (from Arkansas) in college hoops. Shot 43 percent in his last season with Razorbacks.
34. Kenny Boynton, Florida – Shot 40 percent on 3-pointers. Should take over the Gators with Beal and Walker gone.
33. Peyton Siva, PG, Louisville – Probably my favorite player in college basketball. Needs to play more under control, though. Cardinals are headed back to the Final 4.
32. Alex Oriakhi, PF, Missouri – Don’t read into the transfer from Connecticut’s disappointing junior year (6.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg). The Huskies were a mess. Expect him to improve on his sophomore numbers (9.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg).
31. Alex Len, C, Maryland – Somewhat disappointing freshman year – 6 ppg, 5.4 rpg. Expect him to double those numbers this year in College Park.
30. Patric Young, F, Florida – Can’t shoot FTs, built like an Adonis, beast around the basket … he’s Ben Wallace, right?
29. Alex Poythress, F, Kentucky – Freshman might lead the Wildcats in scoring.
28. Brandon Paul, G, Illinois – Awesome individual talent who, if he works on his 3-point shooting, could become a very, very good player.
27. Mike Moser, F, UNLV – Rebels might have their best team since the Tark days, and Moser’s their best player.
26. Trevor Mbakwe, F, Minnesota – Yes, he’s still in school.
25. Rodney McGruder, G, Kansas State – Sleeper for Big 12 player of the year? Averaged 15.8 ppg last year; dropped 30 on Southern Miss in the NCAA tourney.
24. Phil Pressey, G, Missouri – Dynamic point guard surrounded by talent should put the Tigers in Final 4 contention.
23. Jeff Withey, C, Kansas – Came out of nowhere to block 3.5 shots a game. But can he excel without Thomas Robinson beside him?
22. Chane Behanan, F, Louisville – Reminds me of a young Barkley, minus the perimeter game – tireless rebounder, great hands, undersized, yet undaunted.
21. Erik Murphy, F, Florida – Quietly emerged as a very good stretch 4 – he shot 42 percent from deep. Smart player who has an underrated handle.
20. Nate Wolters, PG, South Dakota State – Averaged 21.2 ppg for the Jack Rabbits. If it hasn’t happened already, someone will compare him to Jimmer.
19. Kyle Anderson, F, UCLA – Smooth talent has been compared to Magic Johnson for his passing ability. Yes, people love hyperbole.
18. Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville – Improved significantly as a sophomore, averaging 9.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks. Potential 1st team All-American center.
10. Trey Burke, PG, Michigan – Glad he stayed in school. He makes Michigan a Final 4 contender.