SBNation.com - College basketball's top 100 players for 2013-14https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2013-10-18T13:23:42-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/46059152013-10-18T13:23:42-04:002013-10-18T13:23:42-04:00College basketball's top 100 players, No. 20-1
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<p>Two seniors, two freshmen and one sophomore make up the top five in SB Nation's list of the top 100 players in college basketball. </p> <p><b>Previously:</b></p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/14/4836348/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-players-hoops/in/4605915">No. 100-81</a></i></p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/15/4841588/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops/in/4605915">No. 80-61</a></i></p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/15/4841588/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops/in/4605915"></a></i><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/16/4845722/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops/in/4605915">No. 60-41</a></i></p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/17/4847402/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-individual-rankings-hoops/in/4605915"></a></i></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/17/4847402/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-individual-rankings-hoops/in/4605915"><i>No. 40-21</i></a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/15/4841588/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops/in/4605915" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p><b>20. Alex Poythress, SO, F, Kentucky</b></p>
<p>This is one that people might take issue with, and that's completely understandable. Last season Poythress was the most inconsistent Wildcat on a team that became defined by that very characteristic. Still, his next-level talent was apparent to anyone and everyone on a handful of occasions, and he's the type of player who will thrive with an influx of talent around him. Not everyone "gets it" in one year, even in the basketball crazy world of Lexington, where that has become the expectation instead of the hope.</p>
<p><b>19. Montrezl Harrell, SO, F, Louisville</b></p>
<p>Some were calling Harrell Louisville's best NBA prospect <i>last </i>year, when he was averaging just 16.2 minutes for a Cardinal team that went on to win the national championship. He scored 226 points last season, and somewhere around 2/5 of that total came via the slam dunk. Rick Pitino will need the 6'8, 235-pound Harrell to be a bit more well-rounded in his sophomore season. He'll also need him to shoulder even more of the load inside now that Chane Behanan has been suspended indefinitely.</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5V_f0XSaXdA" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>18. Andrew Harrison, FR, G, Kentucky</b></p>
<p>John Calipari probbaly doesn't <i>have </i>to have an elite point guard to have success, but history shows that it definitely helps. With NC State transfer Ryan Harrow struggling to run the show last season, the Wildcats went from the preseason No. 3 team in the country to one that didn't win a game in the NIT. Harrow bolted after just one season in Lexington and left the reigns to the highly-touted Harrison, the consensus No. 1 point guard in the class of 2013. He and twin Aaron will called upon to produce, and lead, from day one.</p>
<p><b>17. P.J. Hairston, JR, G, North Carolina</b></p>
<p>There's no question he can play - Hairston led UNC in scoring last season at 14.6 ppg - but there's significant question surrounding whether or not he <i>will </i>play. Hairston has been suspended indefinitely following a series of offseason incidents which included citations for speeding and reckless driving, an arrest for possession of marijuana and driving without a license, and reports of a link to convicted felon Haydn "Fats" Thomas. Though he remains suspended, Hairston is still practicing with the team.</p>
<p><b>16. Rodney Hood, SO, F, Duke</b></p>
<p><span>While Jabari Parker is the Duke newcomer likely to grab the majority of preseason headlines, it's Hood who might prove to be the most important. The Mississippi State transfer averaged 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his only season as a Bulldog, and possesses a combination of size and athleticism that the Blue Devils desperately needed during the second half of their Elite 8 loss to Louisville last season. It's worth noting that in 33 years at Duke, Mike Krzyzewski has only taken on four Division-I transfers. The previous three - Roshown McCleod, Dahntay Jones and Seth Curry - all worked out pretty well. </span></p>
<p><b>15. Glenn Robinson III, SO, F, Michigan</b></p>
<p>No one questions his athleticism or his status as an NBA prospect, but the challenge for GR III this season will be stepping up as a leader now that Trey Burke has moved on. If he can do that, and adjust to a likely move from power forward to small forward, then the Wolverines have a shot to make consecutive Final Fours for the first time since the Fab Five era.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S6wlrfTNbiI" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1382115956828"></p>
<p><b>14. James Michael McAdoo, JR, F, North Carolina </b></p>
<p>Lofty, if not unfair, preseason expectations made McAdoo's sophomore season look far worse than it actually was. All the 6'9 forward did was get better as the year went along, and wind up being UNC's leading rebounder (7.3 rpg) and second-leading scorer (14.4 ppg). He ended the season by scoring in double figures in 11 straight games, although he was just 5-of-19 from the field in the Tar Heels' round of 32 loss to Kansas.</p>
<p><b>13. C.J. Fair, SR, F, Syracuse</b></p>
<p><span>Perhaps the most consistent player in the country, Fair led last season's Final Four squad in scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). Though he's known mostly for his work around the rim, the forward also drilled nearly 47 percent (30-of-64) his three-point attempts. With Brandon Triche, Michael Carter-Williams and James Southerland all being paid to play the game, Fair enters his senior season as Syracuse's unquestioned "go-to-guy" for the first time in his career. </span></p>
<p><b>12. Jahii Carson, SO, G, Arizona State</b></p>
<p>Head coach Herb Sendek has already said that this will be the final season in Tempe for Carson, who averaged 18.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals last year as a freshman. He's currently dealing with what Sendek described as a "stress reaction" in his right tibia, which has limited his ability to practice. Still, Carson is expected to be good to go when the Sun Devils open the season on Nov. 8.</p>
<p><b>11. Shabazz Napier, SR, G, Connecticut</b></p>
<p>Despite playing on a team that began the year knowing it was banned from any type of postseason play, Napier was a star for first-year head coach Kevin Ollie. He ranked in the Big East's top 10 in scoring (17.1 ppg), assists (4.6 apg) and steals (2.0 spg), and earned first team all-conference honors. He was also the only player in the league to average at least 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.</p>
<p><b>10. Gary Harris, SO, G, Michigan State </b></p>
<p>Expectations for Harris were so high in East Lansing that a season which saw him earn Big 10 Freshman of the Year honors was viewed as a disappointment by some. It ended on a particularly sour note, however, as Harris missed nine of 11 field goal attempts and was lit up by Seth Curry during Michigan State's Sweet 16 loss to Duke. If he can avoid the injury bug that has followed him fairly relentlessly over the past 12 months, then it's hard to envision a more confident and aggressive Harris not having a monster sophomore campaign.</p>
<p><b>9. Aaron Gordon, FR, F, Arizona</b></p>
<p>The most-recent MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game was also the leading scorer and rebounder for the U-19 USA squad at last summer's FIBA World Championship. Folks in Serbia are already quite familiar with what Gordon brings to the table.</p>
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<p><b>8. Aaron Craft, SR, G, Ohio State</b></p>
<p>Craft is sure to be the butt of about a trillion awful "when is this guy going to graduate?" jokes during his senior season, but that's only because of how solid he's been since donning a Buckeye jersey for the first time three years ago. The only phrase you'll hear hurled in his direction more often is "best on-ball defender in college basketball," a distinction he's proven himself worthy of time and time again. Craft's recent engagement also resulted in an <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fcollegebasketball%2Feye-on-college-basketball%2F23610109%2Faaron-craft-gets-engaged-and-the-tweets-about-it-are-mustsee&ei=dMhNUsnAE4rq8wS--4HQCg&usg=AFQjCNFa233d3NrN-RAfMgkPqAKF5vAPNw&sig2=KKzmwUm6DcJe1PslaKMPUA&bvm=bv.53537100,d.eWU" target="_blank">unofficial day of mourning in Columbus</a>.</p>
<p><b>7. Jabari Parker, FR, F, Duke</b></p>
<p>It's ironic that Andrew Wiggins was commonly referenced as "the best high school basketball player since LeBron James" since it was Parker who appeared on the cover of <i>Sports Illustrated </i><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/2012/0521_mid.jpg" target="_blank">along with that exact description.</a> A nagging foot injury forced him to relinquish his stranglehold on both that title and the No. 1 ranking in the class of 2013. The injury has also left a number of folks wondering what expectations for Parker should be in what will likely be his only season as a Blue Devil.</p>
<p><b>6. Adreian Payne, SR, F, Michigan State</b></p>
<p>Payne finally had the breakthrough pro scouts had been waiting to see during the second half of last season, notching double-doubles in six of Michigan State's last 11 games. The elevation in his game left plenty of people surprised to see Payne elect not to take it to the NBA, a group which included head coach Tom Izzo. The big man's explanation for the decision was pretty straightforward.</p>
<p>"I like doing things the right way," <a href="http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9222011/adreian-payne-returning-michigan-state-spartans-senior-season" target="_blank">he said</a>. "With me graduating, I'm able to set a standard and be a role model for kids to look up to so I can give hope to another child that may have the same situation as me to let them know that it's possible."</p>
<p>Payne and classmate Keith Appling will now try to avoid the dubious distinction of becoming the first Spartans to play four years under Tom Izzo and not make it to a Final Four.</p>
<p><b>5. Doug McDermott, SR, F, Creighton</b></p>
<p>The Meryl Streep of the top five, McDermott will almost certainly be a first team preseason AP All-American for the second year in a row when the honorees are announced later this month. He was also a postseason first-teamer in both 2012 and 2013. You can Google the stats, awards and stories about him walking on as a senior for yourself, but McDermott's 2013-14 season is basically about one thing: getting Creighton out of the NCAA Tournament's opening weekend for the first time in four decades.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpuXZq-hQo"> </a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpuXZq-hQo"><i>Watch DraftExpress' Preseason Scouting Report of Doug McDermott</i></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpuXZq-hQo"> </a></p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mpuXZq-hQo"></a><b>4. Julius Randle, FR, F, Kentucky</b></p>
<p>If there's a player in the country capable of displacing Andrew Wiggins as the top pick in next summer's NBA Draft, it's Randle. He has a body that would terrify the biggest guy at your gym, and the world class athleticism to consolidate it. Expect to hear his name and "victimized" in the same sentence more than a few times between November and March.</p>
<p><b>3. Russ Smith, SR, G, Louisville </b></p>
<p><span>Critics are quick to point out his questionable decision-making and spotty jump-shot, but the fact remains that Smith averaged 18.7 points per game for a team that was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and went on to win the national championship. The last player to average more points for a national champion and decide to come back to school was Duke's Jason Williams, who averaged 21.3 ppg in 2000-01 before electing to play one more year in Durham. If that wasn't enough to sway you on Smith as the third-best player in the country, then there's also the fact that he's likely going to leave Louisville as the school's all-time steals leader.</span></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FDXJ94oLkNY" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1382116091196"></p>
<p><b>2. Marcus Smart, SO, G, Oklahoma State</b></p>
<p>Smart may have well been the No. 1 overall pick in last June's NBA Draft had he elected to turn pro, which makes his decision to return to Stillwater - and compete with a much deeper draft class in 2014 - one of the most surprising in recent memory. His potential financial loss is Oklahoma State's gain, as the unanimous Big 12 Player and Freshman of the Year will be looking to lead the Cowboys into the second round of the big dance for the first time since 2005.</p>
<p><b>1. Andrew Wiggins, FR, F, Kansas</b></p>
<p>We've seen a handful of freshmen rack up national awards in recent years, just never <i>before </i>the season. The accolades should be expected when you're referred to as the "biggest can't-miss NBA prospect since Kevin Durant" as often as Wiggins has been. Though Bill Self has tried to temper expectations in recent weeks, the 18-year-old Wiggins' decision to become a Jayhawk will make every nationally televised Kansas game a must-watch occasion for college and pro fans alike.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/18/4797626/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-wiggins-smart-russ-hoopsMike Rutherford2013-10-17T10:30:06-04:002013-10-17T10:30:06-04:00Top 100 Players, No. 40-21
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<figcaption>Jamie Squire</figcaption>
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<p>College basketball's most controversial player lands in the second-to-last helping of SB Nation's top 100 players countdown. </p> <p><b>Previously:</b></p>
<p><i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/14/4836348/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-players-hoops" target="_blank">No. 100-81</a></i></p>
<p><i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/15/4841588/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops" target="_blank">No. 80-61</a></i></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/16/4845722/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops" target="_blank"><i>No. 60-41</i></a></p>
<p><b>40. Tim Frazier, SR, G, Penn State</b></p>
<p><span>Perhaps the most forgotten premier guard in the country, Frazier </span><span>averaged 18.8 points, 6.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game his junior year, accounting for 58 percent of Penn State's offense. The reason he's still forgotten is because of the ACL tear he suffered just four games into what was supposed to be his final year as a Nittany Lion. Instead he's back for one more go-round in Happy Valley, much to the delight of State fans hoping the team can improve upon the two Big Ten wins it posted a season ago. As for his knee, Frazier put to bed the concerns of the many doubters who believed he'd never get back to full strength when he dropped 26 points in the second game of PSU's European exhibition tour over the summer. </span></p>
<p><b>39. Cory Jefferson, SR, F, Baylor</b></p>
<p>The explosive Jefferson had the potential to be a first round pick in last summer's NBA Draft, but chose to return to Waco for one more run with the Bears. The fifth year senior started all 37 games for Baylor in 2012-13, averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He led the Big 12 and ranked sixth nationally with a .610 field-goal percentage, and recorded 10 double-doubles, the fourth-most in the league. He closed the season by averaging 21.6 ppg during BU's run to the NIT title.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TaDl1J7Uc2A" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1381994536970"></p>
<p><b>38. Yogi Ferrell, SO, G, Indiana</b></p>
<p>With a plethora of talent around him, Ferrell did a great job of shifting from the score-first guard he was in high school to the facilitator Tom Crean needed him to be during his first season as a Hoosier. Now Crean might need him to shift back. Ferrell spent a large portion of his offseason working on getting better from behind the three-point line, an area where he shot just 30.3 percent last season. Everyone expects a drop-off from Indiana this season, how severe that drop is - or whether it occurs at all - will depend largely on the play of their sophomore point guard.</p>
<p><b>37. Joe Harris, SR, G, Virginia</b></p>
<p>A first team all-conference performer as a junior in 2012-13, Harris ranked fourth in the ACC in scoring (16.3 ppg) and three-point percentage (42.5), and fifth in made three-point field goals per game (2.2). He was the league's second-leading scorer (18.4 ppg) during conference play, and is the only first team All-ACC honoree back for another season of college ball.</p>
<p><b>36. Jordan McRae, SR, G, Tennessee</b></p>
<p>The versatile 6'6 guard might be the most proven player in the SEC, coming off a season in which he was the Volunteers' leading scorer (15.7 ppg). He also wears a number (52) that you almost never see a guard sporting. Somehow I think that makes everything he does that much more impressive.</p>
<p><b>35. Patric Young, SR, C, Florida</b></p>
<p>College basketball people have marveled at Young's physique for what feels like about a decade now, but they've also been waiting for him to evolve into one of the sport's most dominant big men for just as long. That hasn't happened yet, with Young posting averages of 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in his junior season, both down a decimal point from the year before. He's talked often this offseason about wanting to "play loose" in his final year as a Gator, a mindset which should help him finally access at least some portion of that vast untapped potential.</p>
<p><b>34. Willie Cauley-Stein, SO, C, Kentucky</b></p>
<p>The whispers around Lexington this time last year were that Cauley-Stein had been getting the better of projected No. 1 pick Nerlens Noel during pick-up games and early practices. Though Cauley-Stein was never able to usurp Noel as UK's starter until the latter went down with a season-ending knee injury, he did more than enough with his time on the court to warrant an early first round selection had he chosen to follow Noel to the league. Instead, he's back to man the middle for the Wildcats and make a run at UK's second national title in three years. He's also about to be fully discovered as one of college basketball's most eccentric personalities, and might be the first guy you should turn to for help <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC4Q-AsoATAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fcollege-basketball%2F2013%2F10%2F16%2F4843562%2Fkentucky-wildcats-willie-cauley-stein-zombie-apocalypse&ei=wnpfUoK3KtOt4AOv3YC4DA&usg=AFQjCNFBD-0j1-90_RxrUS1nBSNlUUFtjg&sig2=hwCWCWN-zpgvVwSIGiiZKA">should a zombie apocalypse breakout this afternoon.</a></p>
<p><b>33. Le'Bryan Nash, JR, F, Oklahoma State</b></p>
<p>The return of Marcus Smart has made Nash somewhat of an afterthought, which is crazy to think about considering the level of hype he originally brought with him to Stillwater two years ago. While he didn't have enough pieces around him to fully shine back then, ample help is no longer a concern at Okie State. It's a perfect situation that head coach Travis Ford says the now veteran Nash is ready to cash in on.</p>
<p>"He played as well as anyone during the summer," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24048784/unfinished-business-for-oklahoma-state">Ford recently said </a>of Nash, who averaged 14.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last year as a sophomore. "He didn't have the help he needed when he came here but now that's not the case. He understands how tough he is to stop. His maturity level has really impressed me. I'm expecting really big things out of him."</p>
<p><b>32. Dez Wells, JR, G, Maryland</b></p>
<p>While<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fcollege-basketball%2F2013%2F8%2F21%2F4645930%2Fdez-wells-xavier-maryland-lawsuit-expulsion&ei=SJVfUsO6MZHJ4APVlICgBg&usg=AFQjCNH5-7gsiw9aw6Yx-FNtSIpBhoU9zg&sig2=brqf_Ed_Ljr0sh-_S3vHCQ&bvm=bv.54176721,d.dmg" target="_blank"> the lawsuit he filed </a>against his former school, Xavier, has dominated any offseason Google News search of Wells' name, the fact remains that he's about to become the face of Maryland basketball because of what he does on the court. The Terps' leading scorer (13.0 ppg) and assist man (3.0 apg) last season, Wells can consistently get into the lane as well as anyone in college basketball. They'll largely go as he goes now that Alex Len is suiting up for the Phoenix Suns.</p>
<p><b>31. Marshall Henderson, SR, G, Mississippi</b></p>
<p>His jarring personality has created a situation where, as a direct reaction to it, people both overrate and underrate Henderson's actual merit as a player. The controversial senior guard, who is practicing with Ole Miss but remains suspended indefinitely, can single-handedly keep the Rebels in a game with just about anybody, but is just as likely to cause his team to lose control of a game that had appeared to be well-in-hand. Still, his accomplishments last season - he led the SEC in scoring (20.2 ppg) and nearly guided the Rebs to the Sweet 16 - speak for themselves.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PpDkeDJ5q4o" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1381994834944"></p>
<p><b>30. Joel Embiid, FR, C, Kansas</b></p>
<p>Folks who have seen the 7-footer since he arrived on campus have marveled at his natural skill, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kansascity.com/2013/09/25/4508284/kus-self-impressed-with-freshman.html">including his head coach</a>. Bill Self says that the native of Cameroon, who played soccer growing up, might have the best feet of any big man he's ever seen.</p>
<p>"I think it kind of reminds me a little bit of (Hakeem) Olajuwon early in his career," Self said. "I'm not saying he's Olajuwon; I'm not saying that at all. But (there are) some similarities when (Olajuwon) was real raw and he was young - but was always light on his feet. And I think Joel is the same way."</p>
<p><b>29. Cleanthony Early, SR, F, Wichita State</b></p>
<p>Had Wichita State played solid basketball in the final five minutes of their Final Four loss to Louisville, Early might be entering his senior season as a household name. Instead, he's having to settle for a healthy dose of national love in preseason pieces like this one. While most remember him for being one of the NCAA Tournament's breakout stars, Early's play when tossed into the spotlight didn't come as all that much of a surprise to those who had seen the Shockers play before then. Though the 6'9 forward was prone to spending too much time on the perimeter, he still produced a handful of monster performances, including a 39-point outburst in a win over Southern Illinois.</p>
<p><b>28. Rasheed Sulaimon, SO, G, Duke</b></p>
<p>Sulaimon averaged 11.6 points per game as a freshman and figures to fill a much bigger role for Coach K this season. Krzyzewski recently named four starters and said that Sulaimon was one of a couple players competing for an open fifth spot, but it's hard to imagine that being anything more than a motivational tactic. With Ryan Kelly, Seth Curry and Mason Plumlee all graduated, the Blue Devils need leaders, and that's an area where <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fcollege-basketball%2F2012%2F11%2F14%2F3646238%2Fduke-freshman-rasheed-sulaimon-says-lil-wayne-cussed-him-out&ei=Ko1fUqHpLPav4AO7xICwDQ&usg=AFQjCNFfm34VdyE68lXaYDnUsNI51F4g-Q&sig2=7VUnZjZjH7mmosgNtd4e4A&bvm=bv.54176721,d.dmg">Lil' Wayne's least favorite Dukie</a> has to step up.</p>
<p><b>27. Semaj Christon, SO, G, Xavier</b></p>
<p>The speedy floor general was one of the best freshmen in the country last season, sporting team-best averages of 15.2 ppg and 4.6 apg. The Cincinnati product scored in double figures in each of Xavier's final 18 games, but needs to showcase some improvement from beyond the arc now that the word is out on his ability to get to the bucket.</p>
<p><b>26. LaQuinton Ross, JR, F, Ohio State</b></p>
<p>Ross steps into basically the same situation DeShaun Thomas found himself in 12 months ago, when the entire college basketball world expected him to fill the monstrous shoes left behind by Jared Sullinger and become a star. Ross showed signs of making the same jump Thomas did at the end of last season, when he averaged 17.7 points per game and shot 50 percent from the field in Ohio State's last three games of the NCAA Tournanment. Everyone knows he can score, but proving he can consistently defend in the post will be the biggest challenge Ross faces in his heightened role.</p>
<p><b>25. Jordan Adams, SO, G, UCLA</b></p>
<p>Lost in the hype surrounding Shabazz Muhammad and the debate over Ben Howland's job security was the fact that Adams was probably the Bruins' best player and certainly one of the most productive freshmen in the country. The 6'5 guard averaged 15.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and made big play after play for UCLA in key situations throughout the year. If he didn't break his foot in the Pac-12 Tournament, then the Bruins could have made a run in the big dance, and Howland might still have a job.</p>
<p><b>24. Spencer Dinwiddie, JR, G, Colorado</b></p>
<p>Colorado has crashed the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1963, and the play of their point guard has been one of the biggest reasons why. As a sophomore in 2012-13, Dinwiddie led the Buffs in in both points (15.3 ppg) and assists (3.0 apg) on his way to first team All-Pac 12 accolades. He spent his summer playing for Team USA in the World University Games, where he led the entire tournament in assists. He also boasts one of college basketball's best mustaches.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1857235/20130307_ajw_ac4_288.0.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1857235/20130307_ajw_ac4_288.0_medium.jpg" alt="20130307_ajw_ac4_288"></a></p>
<p><b>23. Isaiah Austin, SO, C, Baylor</b></p>
<p>The 7-foot-1 center who can do as much (or more) damage on the perimeter as he can in the paint averaged 13.0 points and 8.3 rebounds as a freshman. He drew some heavy criticism, however, for his willingness to settle for the outside shot and not use his height to get easier shots around the rim. Austin took 90 three-pointers last season, a total which accounted for nearly 25 percent of all the shots he attempted. An offseason where he added nearly 20 pounds of muscle should help make that ratio a tad more ordinary in 2013-14.</p>
<p><b>22. Mitch McGary, SO, C, Michigan</b></p>
<p>The 6'10, 260-pound big man was huge for the Wolverines during their run to the national title game, averaging 14.3 points and 10.8 boards in six postseason contests. He was so good on the largest of stages that many assumed his first season for John Beilein would be his last. He chose to stick around, but a lingering lower back injury has kept him from starting practice with the rest of his team.</p>
<p><b>21. Tyler Haws, JR, G, BYU</b></p>
<p>Haws averaged 21.7 points per game last season, and that was coming fresh off a two-year Mormon mission which kept him from playing any organized basketball. He's now entering his fifth year as a college-eligible player, but this is the first time he's gone through a complete college offseason. That offseason included a trip to Russia with the USA World University Games team. Playing for a squad that needs him to put up the gaudy numbers he's capable of, expect the Jimmer comparisons to flow (too) fast and (too) furiously for the next six months. You could be looking at college basketball's leading scorer for 2013-14.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/17/4847402/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-individual-rankings-hoopsMike Rutherford2013-10-16T17:47:19-04:002013-10-16T17:47:19-04:00Top 100 Players, 60-41
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<figcaption>Jamie Sabau</figcaption>
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<p>The middle chunk of SB Nation's top 100 is noticeably lacking in the mid-major department, and features two members of the defending national champions. </p> <p><b>Previously:</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/14/4836348/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-players-hoops"><i>No. 100-81</i></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/15/4841588/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoops"><i>No. 80-61</i></a></p>
<p><b>60. D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, SO, G, Georgetown</b></p>
<p>Georgetown isn't typically a place where high-profile freshmen go and thrive right off the bat, so it wasn't much of a surprise to see Smith-Rivera go through some growing pains in his first season under John Thompson III. Despite coming off the bench, he played starter's minutes throughout the second half of the season, and gave a glimpse of his All-American potential with a 33-point breakout game against DePaul. With Greg Whittington's status for 2013-14 still unclear, Smith-Rivera could easily begin his sophomore campaign as the Hoyas' go-to-guy.</p>
<p><b>59. T.J. Warren, SO, F, North Carolina State</b></p>
<p>The 6'8 forward averaged a solid 12.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in a complementary role as a freshman on a veteran team last season. His field goal percentage of .622 was the best in the ACC, and he enters his sophomore season having shed some of the baby weight that kept him from seeing the court for long stretches at times a year ago.</p>
<p><b>58. Davante Gardner, SR, F, Marquette</b></p>
<p>Someone who hasn't shed any baby weight is Gardner. The 290-pound big man was Marquette's leading scorer for a large chunk of 2012-13 despite coming off the bench and averaging just 21.5 minutes per game. If his conditioning can improve to the point where he's playing at least 25-30 minutes a night, then he'll be one of the most dominant low post players in the Big East.</p>
<p><b>57. Noah Vonleh, FR, F, Indiana</b></p>
<p>The only five-star recruit joining an Indiana team that lost its two best players to the NBA, Vonleh needs to be as good as advertised from day one for Tom Crean's team to keep the momentum from the past two seasons rolling. The 6'10 New Hampton School (NH) product was originally a member of the 2014 class, but opted to reclassify in large part because of his desire to help a Hoosier team he knew would need him. He's added 20 pounds of muscle since arriving in Bloomington to get himself ready for the wear and tear of Big Ten post life.</p>
<p><b>56. Chaz Williams, SR, G, Massachusetts</b></p>
<p>Despite being generously listed at 5'9, Williams has earned the reputation of being one of the best scoring guards in the country, although that's certainly not all he brings to the table. His 473 assists over the past two seasons are the second-most among Division I returnees, and his 147 steals in just two seasons at UMass are still enough to rank him fifth on the school's all-time list. He flirted briefly with signing a professional contract in Turkey over the summer, but ultimately chose to return to school and attempt to get the Minutemen back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years.</p>
<p><b>55. Treveon Graham, JR, G, VCU</b></p>
<p>The junior swingman was one of last season's biggest breakout stars, averaging 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Rams. The versatile Graham spent part of his summer representing the United States at the World University Games.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ArA8jfUA8-o" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1381959284820"></p>
<p><b>54. Jarnell Stokes, JR, F, Tennessee</b></p>
<p>The flashes of brilliance Stokes showcased as a freshman when he joined the Volunteers halfway through the season left more than a handful of folks predicting that he would set the world on fire as a sophomore. Those expectations unfairly left Stokes' season averages of 12.4 points and 9.6 rebounds looking far more pedestrian than they actually were. As a junior, he'll help lead a team that should be able to get the Vols back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the Bruce Pearl era ended.</p>
<p><b>53. Wayne Selden, FR, F, Kansas</b></p>
<p>His five-star status implies natural talent, but it's the reports of his relentless work ethic in practice that has Selden already being labeled as a fan-favorite in Lawrence. While Andrew Wiggins is probably the most heralded freshman to hit college basketball since the Greg Oden/Kevin Durant season of 2006-07, Kansas fans are expecting Selden to assume the same role that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist played for Kentucky two years ago; the tireless worker who does all the little things to help the team win, and doesn't care if the better NBA prospect is receiving more attention.</p>
<p><b>52. Alex Kirk, JR, C, New Mexico</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Mountain West's best big man is back after a season in which he posted averages of 12.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in his first year as a full-time starter. Kirk was also the only Lobo who played to his full potential in New Mexico's upset loss to Harvard in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 22 points and pulling down 12 rebounds against the overmatched Crimson frontcourt.</p>
<p><b>51. Markel Brown, SR, G, Oklahoma State</b></p>
<p>The attention demanded by teammates Marcus Smart and Le'Bryan Nash has left Brown to assume the status of being one of the most underrated guards in college basketball. Folks who follow the sport loosely would likely be shocked to find out that his 2012-13 average of 15.3 ppg was a full point better than Nash's, and put him just .01 points per game shy of Smart. He's also one of the nation's best dunkers, which impressive considering he stands just 6'3.</p>
<p><b>50. Andre Hollins, JR, G, Minnesota</b></p>
<p>Richard Pitino has talked openly this offseason about the possibility of starting senior Maverick Ahanmisi at the point, which would allow Hollins to play his more natural position, the two guard. If that happens, the explosive Hollins, who dropped 41 on Memphis at the Battle 4 Atlantis, could make a run at the Big Ten scoring title. Hollins was at his best when the stakes were the highest last season, scoring 28 points in the Gophers' NCAA Tournament win over UCLA and 25 in their loss to Florida two days later.</p>
<p><b>49. Sean Kilpatrick, SR, G, Cincinnati</b></p>
<p>Kilpatrick's 577 points last year was the highest single-season total at UC during the Mick Cronin era, but it came at a price. The redshirt senior was relied upon so heavily on the offensive end during the first half of 2012-13 that he appeared visibly worn down by the time the most important games of the year rolled around. Finding him help when the Bearcats have the ball will be even more of a concern now that Cashmere Wright and JaQuon Parker have moved on.</p>
<p><b>48. Jerian Grant, SR, G, Notre Dame</b></p>
<p>Grant is listed as a senior, but technically has two seasons of eligibility remaining at Notre Dame. After a 2012-13 where he posted averages 13.3 points and 5.5 assists, many believe he'll only use one of those years before bolting for the NBA. If that happens, he'll need to improve upon his 34 percent average from behind the three-point line.</p>
<p><b>47. Joe Jackson, SR, G, Memphis</b></p>
<p>The lone Tiger named to the AAC's preseason first team, Jackson led Memphis in scoring (13.6 ppg), assists (173; 4.8 apg), steals (60; 1.7 spg) and three-point field goal percentage (44.7) last season. It was a complete performance that earned him 2013 Conference USA Player of the Year honors.</p>
<p><b>46. Kyle Anderson, SO, G, UCLA</b></p>
<p>Despite a somehwat disappointing freshman campaign that saw him play off the ball and post averages of 9.7 points and 8.6 rebounds, Anderson has already announced that this season will be his last in college. He's a terrific passer who will likely have the ball in his hands far more now that Larry Drew (and Ben Howland) have left town.</p>
<p><b>45. Chris Jones, JR, G, Louisville</b></p>
<p>Though they're likely to begin the 2013-14 season ranked somewhere in the top three, there are plenty of people questioning how the defending national champions are going to replace the intangibles provided by graduated point guard Peyton Siva. Enter Jones, the 2012-13 JuCo Player of the Year. The former Tennessee commit enters the Division-I ranks with a reputation of being a pure scorer, something which will likely have to change in a backcourt that already has one Russ Smith.</p>
<p><b>44. Juvonte Reddic, SR, F, VCU</b></p>
<p>The 6'9 senior averaged nearly 14.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last season, and has gone from a freshman who looked incredibly lost in 2010-11 to a bon-a-fide NBA prospect. The comparisons he's drawn to former Ram Larry Sanders are justified.</p>
<p><b>43. Chane Behanan, JR, F, Louisville</b></p>
<p>Behanan showed just how valuable he can be to the Cardinals with his gritty 15-point, 12-rebound performance in the national championship game. The challenge for the former McDonald's All-American is giving that type of effort night in, night out. A player with his size and skill set should post better averages than the 9.8 points and 6.5 rebound marks he finished with a year ago.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w-cbDmuAZ6k" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1381959345976"></p>
<p><b>42. Dwayne Evans, SR, F, Saint Louis</b></p>
<p><span>A first team All-Atlantic 10 selection, Evans led the resurgent Billikens in scoring (14.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg) last season. The versatile forward has been SLU's leading rebounder in each of the past three seasons. </span></p>
<p><b>41. Kevin Pangos, JR, G, Gonzaga</b></p>
<p>The focal point of one of the nation's best backcourts, Pangos will likely be asked to shoulder more of the scoring load in his third season under Mark Few. It's a role he has the ability to play whether he's running the point or playing off the ball with David Stockton in the game.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/16/4845722/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoopsMike Rutherford2013-10-15T15:19:47-04:002013-10-15T15:19:47-04:00Top 100 players, No. 80-61
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The second chunk of the top 100 features a healthy mix of proven veterans, predicted breakout stars and highly-touted freshmen. </p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/14/4836348/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-players-hoops" target="_blank"><i>Previously: No. 100-81</i></a></p>
<p><b>80. Jamil Wilson, SR, F, Marquette</b></p>
<p>The leading returning scorer for the Golden Eagles posted solid averages of 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while playing 25.2 minutes per game last season. The combo guard has stepped up as the team's unquestioned leader during the offseason, and appears ready to assume a much larger role now that the tremendously-named duo of Junior Cadougan and Vander Blue has moved on.</p>
<p><b>79. Perry Ellis, SO, F, Kansas</b></p>
<p>Ellis struggled to find his role on the last year's veteran-laden Jayhawk squad, which left the McDonald's All-American averaging just 5.8 points per game. That mark is still good enough to make him Bill Self's leading-returning scorer for 2013-14. A reported increase in both range and confidence have more than a handful of experts predicting that Perry will lead KU in scoring as a sophomore.</p>
<p><b>78. Kaleb Tarczewski, SO, C, Arizona</b></p>
<p>The 7-footer personified a freshman class that came in with enormous expectations last season but largely failed to live up to the hype in their first try. Tarczewski looked lost for the majority of the 2012-13 season, never scoring more than 12 points and grabbing double-digit rebounds in only four games. Sean Miller has spent a solid chunk of the summer raving about the improvements the big man has made, improvements which <a href="http://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2013/10/13/4834388/arizona-basketball-red-blue-scrimmage-aaron-gordon" target="_blank">were on full display </a>when he missed just one shot and scored a team-high 18 points in Arizona's Red-Blue scrimmage last weekend.</p>
<p><b>77. Jerrelle Benimon, JR, F, Towson</b></p>
<p>Towson was one of the best stories in college basketball last season, setting the record for the biggest turnaround in Division-I history by posting an 18-13 record just one year after going 1-31. One of the biggest reasons was the addition of Benimon, who averaged 17.1 points and 11.1 rebounds in his first season since transferring from Georgetown. The 2013 CAA Player of the Year will look to do the unthinkable and lead the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament now that their one-year ban for sub-par APR scores is a thing of the past.</p>
<p><b>76. Chris Walker, FR, C, Florida </b></p>
<p>The second Gator on this list who is incredibly difficult to place because of his off-the-court issues. It's those issues which have left Walker guaranteed to not have any impact <i>on </i>the court until at least the second semester of the season. In fact, Walker isn't even enrolled at UF right now as he attempts to get his academic record in good enough standing to join the team in December. The five-star big man was a huge land for Billy Donovan, but you wonder if he'll be too far behind to have a significant impact on this season even if he is able to join the team before conference play.</p>
<p><b>75. Sam Thompson, JR, F, Ohio State</b></p>
<p>Already one of college basketball's most exciting players, Thompson is poised to make a name for himself this season as more than just a highlight dunk or block waiting to happen. He shot better than 40 percent from beyond the arc last season, but attempted only 57 three-pointers. Establishing himself as a more consistent outside threat will help take a lot of the pressure off guys like Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith, and it will create more space for LaQuinton Ross. Oh, and he can also do this:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WCl668QWuZQ" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1381856245164"></p>
<p><b>74. Anthony Ireland, SR, G, Loyola Marymount</b></p>
<p>No team in the country relies on a player more than Loyola Marymount relies on Ireland. The 5'10 senior was on the floor 93 percent of the time the Lions played in 2012-13, and took 31 percent of his team's shots during those minutes. He made the most of those opportunities, averaging 20.2 points per game and failing to score more than 15 points just six times all season.</p>
<p><b>73. Fuquan Edwin, SR, G, Seton Hall</b></p>
<p>Edwin will be asked to take on an even larger role than he assumed a year ago when averaging 16.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. He'll also be asked to gel with freshman backourt mate Jared Sina, another player who is capable of posting some big numbers. If that repore works out, Edwin and company are hopeful that the new Big East will allow for a better conference mark than the 3-15 one the Pirates posted a season ago.</p>
<p><b>72. Roy Devyn Marble, SR, G, Iowa</b></p>
<p>Marble enters his senior season as the face of Fran McCaffery's resurgent Hawkeye program. He's showcased the ability to play the one, the two or the three at various points in his career, but will likely spend the bulk of his 2013-14 as McCaffery's point guard. Marble, whose father Roy is Iowa's all-time leading scorer, has increased his scoring average in all three seasons, and heads into his final year as a Hawkeye with 1,134 career points.</p>
<p><b>71. Geron Johnson, SR, G, Memphis</b></p>
<p>Josh Pastner took a flyer on the oft-troubled Johnson - who <a href="http://memphis.247sports.com/Article/The-Transformation-of-Geron-Johnson-154238" target="_blank">recently said </a>he'd be in the military right now if Memphis hadn't given him a chance - and it's paid off. Johnson averaged 10.4 points and was second on the team in assists (3.3 apg) in his first season at Memphis, but his largest impact probably came on the defensive end where he averaged almost two steals per game. Even with senior guards Joe Jackson, Michael Dixon and Chris Crawford in the fold, there are plenty of folks in The Bluff City who believe Johnson could be the best of the bunch.</p>
<p><b>70. Tyler Ennis, FR, G, Syracuse</b></p>
<p>The freshman from Canada played extremely well during Syracuse's four-game exhibition tour in August, and knows he'll be relied upon heavily on a team without any other true point guard. His outside shot is streaky at best, but Ennis has the quickness, the poise and the pieces around him to run the show effectively for Jim Boeheim right out of the gate.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/piOx2iwiX94" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p><b>69. Branden Dawson, JR, F, Michigan State</b></p>
<p>Coming off major knee surgery, Dawson appeared a step slow and a bit hesitant throughout his sophomore season, where he averaged 8.9 points for the Spartans. According to coach Tom Izzo, the mental handcuffs that slowed the once-explosive Dawson down have finally been removed.</p>
<p>"When I watched him this summer, he was finishing so much better," Izzo says in the team's media guide. "I think we will see a lot different kid this year. He's also worked on his shot a lot. He's still got work to go, but he's making strides."</p>
<p><b>68. T.J. McConnell, JR, G, Arizona</b></p>
<p>While most of the buzz in Tucson is surrounding the Wildcat freshmen, it's the addition of McConnell, a junior transfer from Duquesne, which could be the most vital for Sean Miller's team. Miller hopes that McConnell can provide the level-headedness that the scoring-mined Mark Lyons often lacked at the point last season. In 2011-12, his final season at Duquesne, McConnell averaged 11.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He shot over 50 percent from the field, including 43 percent from deep, and his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.5-to-1 in 2010-11 was sixth-best by a freshman in NCAA history.</p>
<p><b>67. Sam Dekker, SO, F, Wisconsin</b></p>
<p>After coming off the bench to average 9.6 points per game as a freshman, Dekker might be getting more "breakout star" love from national writers than any other player in the country. He's also getting plenty of attenion from scouts at the next level, and has been a mainstay on 2014 NBA Draft big boards all offseason.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qj5iWivM1tU" height="480" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p><b>66. Luke Hancock, SR, F, Louisville</b></p>
<p>The talk in Louisville after Hancock missed 25 of his first 29 three-point attempts as a Cardinal last season was that the George Mason transfer "wasn't good enough" to play for U of L. After dropping 22 on Michigan in the national championship game and becoming the first non-starter to be named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, well, the talk has changed. Of course it's not like Hancock was a one (or two) game wonder. He connected on 28 of 49 attempts from three-point range (57.1 percent) in Louisville's final 14 games, and after drilling a clutch three in the final minute of a win at Syracuse, became the guy the Cards consistently turned to when they needed a big play in March.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Km7_zQu8Uvo" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1381864054277"></p>
<p><b>65. Anthony Collins, JR, G, South Florida</b></p>
<p>Collins ranked 30th in the nation last year with a 2.37 assist-to-turnover ratio and finished the season with 197 assists for the Bulls, the fourth-best total in school history. Still, most had expected him to make a greater jump the year after a handful of national pundits had thrown his name into the mix for being the best freshman point guard in America. If USF is able to bounce back from last season's dismal 12-19 performance, then he'll almost certainly be the largest reason why.</p>
<p><b>64. Keith Appling, SR, G, Michigan State</b></p>
<p>It's been discussed ad nauseum at this point, but Appling's ability to put his scoring on the backburner and become a true point guard is the biggest key for Michigan State's national title hopes. He led the team in scoring a season ago (13.4 ppg), but again struggled with turnovers and finished just 10th in the Big Ten in assists, a mark Tom Izzo says must be improved. He has to realize that consistently getting the ball to potential lottery picks Gary Harris and Adreian Payne in the right places is the best possible development for his own chances of playing at the next-level. Improving upon the 32 percent three-point mark he posted as a junior would also help.</p>
<p><b>63. Jabari Brown, JR, G, Missouri</b></p>
<p>The Oregon transfer and former five-star recruit was Missouri's best player at times last season, and might be the biggest reason some think the Tigers can bounce back from that relatively disappointing campaign. Though he was playing catch-up after missing the first half of the year, Brown was at his best once conference play rolled around. He ranked No. 7 in the SEC in scoring (14.6), No. 9 in free-throw percentage (.778), No. 6 in three-point percentage (.376) and No. 5 in three-point makes per game (2.3).</p>
<p><b>62. Travis Bader, SR, G, Oakland</b></p>
<p>Bader, who averaged better than 22 points per game as a junior, is open anytime he's across midcourt, and with good reason. Though he's averaging nearly 11 three-point attempts per game for his career, he's also a career 40.4 percent shooter from beyond the arc. That's a remarkably stellar average for such a high-volume shooter. It's also why he has a shot to break the NCAA record for three-pointers made in a career this season. Don't be surprised if Bader leads the country in scoring in his final year with the Golden Grizzlies.</p>
<p><b>61. Aaron Harrison, FR, G, Kentucky</b></p>
<p>His unofficial title as "the other Harrison" almost makes you forget that Aaron enters college as the top-rated shooting guard in the class of 2013. A pure scorer, Harrison figures to have plenty of opportunities to put the ball in the bucket thanks to his twin brother, Andrew, who will be running the show in John Calipari's dribble-drive offense.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/15/4841588/college-basketballs-top-100-players-2013-14-best-hoopsMike Rutherford2013-10-14T13:30:46-04:002013-10-14T13:30:46-04:00College hoops' top 100 players
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JMC2simXiTjpgMjPe0yO3UF6_kU=/90x0:3908x2545/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21132871/164584543.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jamie Squire</figcaption>
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<p>The first helping of SB Nation's top 100 countdown features a solid mix of mid-major stars and (old) Big East veterans. </p> <p>Whenever there's an undertaking as easily debatable as this one, at least a brief explanation of the formula used is required. Let me first clarify that for these rankings I did not consider pro potential. The only two factors utilized were past performance and predicted future performance at the college level, with more emphasis placed on the latter.</p>
<p>Now let's continue with the first helping of a list that I'm certain will spark zero controversy.</p>
<p><b>100. Kyle Vinales, JR, G, Central Connecticut State</b></p>
<p>Following a sophomore season in which he ranked eighth nationally in scoring (21.6 ppg), Vinales announced in April that he planned to transfer. He took visits to a number of schools, including La Salle, Kent State and Buffalo before ultimately committing to Toledo...and then decomitting the next day. When all was said and done, Vinales wound up choosing to stay at Central Connecticut State for at least one more year. He became the fastest Blue Devil to hit the 1,000-point mark during last season, and is on pace to shatter the school's all-time scoring record.</p>
<p><b>99. Corey Hawkins, JR, G, UC Davis</b></p>
<p>One of the Left Coast's hidden gems, Hawkins led the Big West and ranked 12th in the nation in scoring (20.3 ppg) in his first season at UC Davis. The Arizona State transfer also ranked 2nd in the league in in free-throw percentage (.842), 6th in defensive rebounds (4.8 drpg), 7th in steals (1.5 spg), 10th in field goal percentage (.474) and three-point field goal percentage (.400), and 15th in total rebounding (5.6 rpg). Hawkins eclipsed the 30-point mark five times last season, including a 40-point explosion against Hawaii.</p>
<p><b>98. Mike Tobey, SO, C, Virginia</b></p>
<p>Tobey's pedestrian freshman numbers (6.8 points/14.0 minutes) don't seem to warrant inclusion on this list, but every now and then the 6'11 center showed the potential to be a premiere ACC big man. A summer spent putting on muscle and playing for Team USA in the U-19 World Championships should help speed up that evolution.</p>
<p><b>97. Derrick Marks, JR, G, Boise State</b></p>
<p>The Chicago native is described by teammates as a "silent assassin" who proved throughout last season that he's at his best when the lights are the brightest. He dropped 24 in a four-point loss to Michigan State, 35 in Boise's historic win at Creighton, and 38 and 27, respectively, in March victories over tourney-bound Colorado State and San Diego State. Marks has to cut down on his fouls and turnovers (3.4 per game) in order for the Broncos to have a shot at overtaking New Mexico and UNLV in the Mountain West.</p>
<p><b>96. Jakarr Sampson, SO, St. John's</b></p>
<p>The 2013 Big East Rookie of the Year flirted briefly with taking his game to the NBA, but ultimately chose to play at least one more season for Steve Lavin. He led the Johnnies in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and was second in scoring (14.9 ppg) in 2012-13. With the return of Sampson and leading scorer D'Angelo Harrison as well as the additions of JuCo All-American Orlando Sanchez and top 30 recruit Rysheed Jordan, hopes are high that St. John's can make it back to the big dance for the first time since 2011 and win a game there for the first time since 1999.</p>
<p><b>95. Tyreek Duren, SR, G, La Salle</b></p>
<p>A first team preseason All- Atlantic-10 selection, Duren will be asked to shoulder much of the load left behind by leading scorer Ramon Galloway. The only Explorer to start all 34 games last season, he was just a combined 2-for-13 from the field in Ls Salle's first two NCAA Tournament wins before dropping 19 in the team's round of 32 victory over Ole Miss. He finished the season second on the team in scoring at 14.2 ppg.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=21723" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="21723-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe></p>
<br id="1381771636036"><p><b>94. Jerami Grant, SO, F, Syracuse</b></p>
<p>After playing an extremely limited role during the first half of the season, Grant proved he was a Big East (now ACC) caliber player when he was asked to step up during starting guard James Southerland's suspension. He scored in double figures in back-to-back wins over Villanova and Louisville, and netted 14 in a win over his brother Jerian's Notre Dame squad. He enters his sophomore campaign as the biggest x-factor on a Syracuse squad that features a mix of proven veterans like C.J. Fair and Rakeem Christmas, and some highly-touted newcomers like point guard Tyler Ennis.</p>
<p><b>93. Wayne Blackshear, JR, F, Louisville</b></p>
<p>The fact that he was a starter on a national championship team should be enough to defend this inclusion, but if you need more, the multiple reports of the former McDonald's All-American being fully healthy for the first time since arriving at Louisville should suffice. It's hard to believe that Blackshear, who was once labeled as Rick Pitino's most important U of L recruit ever, could wind up as the forgotten man on a championship squad, but that's exactly what happened last season. He'll again be competing for minutes on the wing with Luke Hancock, the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, but if he can get back the confidence and aggression that made him the 2011 Chicago Sun Times Player of the Year (over Anthony Davis), then he could be due for the breakout season that many predicted would come last year.</p>
<p><b>92. Brandon Young, SR, G, DePaul</b></p>
<p>The rare unheralded Big East star, Young is the only player in the history of DePaul basketball with at least 1,200 points, 400 assists and 100 three-pointers. He was the token great player on a bad Blue Demon team in 2012-13, hitting double figures in 30 games and leading the squad in scoring, assists, steals and minutes played. He'll be very good again in his senior season, and DePaul will likely be very bad again in his senior season.</p>
<p><b>91. JayVaughn Pinkston, JR, F, Villanova</b></p>
<p>After a college career that started off on a rocky note when he was suspended for what was supposed to be his freshman season following an assault arrest, Pinkston has emerged as Jay Wright's most consistent performer. The undersized power forward has earned a reputation for outworking bigger bodies around the basket, and finished his sophomore campaign as 'Nova's leading scorer (13.3 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (5.0 rpg). He'll have to play even grittier in 2013-14, as the Wildcat frontcourt looks to adjust to life without Mouphtaou Yarou.</p>
<p><b>90. Dorian Finney-Smith, SO, F, Florida</b></p>
<p>The 6'8 forward averaged a modest 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds as a Virginia Tech freshman two years ago, but the talk in Gainesville all offseason has been that he has looked like Florida's best player. With point guard Scottie Wilbekin still suspended indefinitely and McDonald's All-American Chris Walker not enrolling until the second semester (at the earliest), Billy Donovan has to hope that the summer hype surrounding Finney-Smith turns out to be justified.</p>
<p><b>89. Javon McCrea, SR, F, Buffalo</b></p>
<p>McCrea enters his final season at UB as the school's fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,467 career points. Last season, the two-time first team All MAC forward set the school's single-season scoring record and finished second in the MAC in scoring (18.0), tied for third in rebounding (7.9), third in field goal percentage (.557) and second in blocked shots (89). He'll undoubtedly be the focal point of first-year head coach Bobby Hurley's offense.</p>
<p><b>88. Will Sheehey, SR, F, Indiana</b></p>
<p>The Big Ten's Sixth Man of the Year last season, Sheehey returns to Bloomington as the Hoosiers' leader and most established scoring threat. Sheehey, who averaged 9.5 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game for last year's star-studded IU squad, was hampered this summer by a groin injury but began practicing with the rest of his team earlier this month.</p>
<p><b>87. Anthony Drmic, JR, F, Boise State</b></p>
<p>The second Bronco to crack the top 100, Drmic led Leon Rice's team in scoring last season at 17.7 points per game. The second team All-Mountain West selection scored in double figures in 27 of 32 games and hit at least one three-pointer in 29 of 32 games. He opted not to spend the summer playing for the Australian National team as he'd done in years past, instead working on adding muscle to his 196-pound frame.</p>
<p><b>86. George Beamon, SR, G, Manhattan</b></p>
<p>The preseason Player of the Year in the MAAC played in just four games for the Jaspers in 2012-13 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. A year after ranking in the nation's top 25 in scoring, Beamon was averaging 16.8 points and 2.3 steals before the injury. The return of Beamon is the biggest reason many people expect the Jaspers to compete for the MAAC title in year three of the Steve Masiello era.</p>
<p><b>85. Scottie Wilbekin, SR, G, Florida</b></p>
<p>Perhaps the hardest player on this list to rank because of both his up-and-down play on the court and unclear future off it. In June, WIlbekin was "suspended indefinitely" for the second time in seven months, a status which remained until he was "partially reinstated" last week. The long and short of is that Wilbekin will likely be "fully reinstated" by the time season rolls around, but who knows what kind of playing shape he's kept himself in over the summer, and who knows whether he'll be able to keep himself in his coach's good graces. Wilbekin was terrific for stretches and maddeningly awful during others in 2012-13, ultimately finishing his junior season with averages of 9.1 points and 5.0 assists. His assist total ranked second in the SEC.</p>
<p><b>84. Wesley Saunders, JR, G, Harvard</b></p>
<p>The unanimous first team All-Ivy League selection scored in double figures in 29 of 30 games while leading the Crimson to the third round of the NCAA Tournament and a third straight Ancient Eight championship. He led the conference in scoring (16.2 ppg) and was also tops in steals (55), third in field goal percentage (52.2) and minutes played (37.3), and was seventh in assists (3.5).</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eyIT7aECu0c" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1381771737267"></p>
<p><b>83. James Young, FR, F, Kentucky</b></p>
<p>Though <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2013/10/10/2870251/calipari-says-young-cats-are-jelling.html" target="_blank">John Calipari says </a>that two NBA scouts recently told him that Young was "the best player in the country right now," he's still just the fourth-most heralded member of his recruiting class...on his own team. The 6'6 forward is also not the last member of said class that you're going to see on this list.</p>
<p><b>82. Jake Odum, SR, G, Indiana State</b></p>
<p>The senior guard became the first Indiana State player since 2001 to earn first team All-Missouri Valley accolades when he received the honor after last season. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals last year, and is a top candidate for MVC Player of the Year honors now that Creighton and Doug McDermott have moved on to the Big East.</p>
<p><b>81. Nick Johnson, JR, G, Arizona</b></p>
<p>After a solid first two seasons in which he made a name for himself as one of the nation's best defenders, 'Zona fans are hoping that this is the year Johnson breaks out and becomes more of a national name. The Wildcats lost their top three outside threats from a team that didn't shoot the ball particularly well to begin with, an area where Johnson will be relied upon heavily to pick up the slack.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/10/14/4836348/college-basketball-top-100-players-2013-14-best-players-hoopsMike Rutherford