Hump day! That mean’s it’s time for my Top 5.
This week’s topic focuses on college basketball’s elite, but
not necessarily the stars of their respective teams.
Today’s Top 5: The most underrated players in college
basketball’s Top 10.
1.
Wayne Seldon, No. 7 Kansas: The Jayhawks are a
team loaded with NBA talent. Andrew Wiggins is the go to guy. Joel Embiid
is the enforcer inside. Nadir Tharpe runs the offense and seems to hit the
big-time shot when they need it. But when Kansas is really clicking, Seldon is
playing his best basketball. The 6-foot-5 guard can be a lights out scorer and
a great defender. However, there are times when he seems distant, like
most freshmen do in their first year of college. This is what happened in
Monday’s loss against Kansas State. Seldon disappeared and wasn’t even on the
court for the final minutes of the game. In my opinion, Kansas is the favorite
to win a national title when Seldon is on his game.
2.
T.J. McConnell, No. 2 Arizona: Aaron Gordon and
Nick Johnson are the ones making headlines, bit McConnell is the one winning
games. I’ve only seen Arizona play a handful of times this year, but every time
this guy impresses me. The entire offense runs through McConnell, who is
averaging 7.5 point, 5.5 assists and 4 rebounds a game. He does a little of everything for this squad. He’ll dive on the floor for a loose ball, he’ll make
a screen when he doesn’t have the ball and he’ll give up an open shot to give a
better shooter a chance. Arizona is a top 25 team when McConnell is not on the
floor. It can win a national championship with him on it.
3.
Travis Trice, No. 9 Michigan State: Tom Izzo’s
squad has seen its share of injuries over the past couple months. Adreian Payne, Branden Dawson, Keith Appling. They’ve all seen some sort of time on the
sideline due to an injury. However, the Spartans haven’t fallen that far off
the radar, thanks in large part to Trice. You’ve probably seen him play. He’s
the one that looks like a high school freshmen instead of a junior in college.
Trice gets little credit, but he’s the one that’s taken over All-Big Ten
candidate Keith Appling’s role since he senior was hurt. And when Trice is
playing his best, Michigan State is tough to beat, no matter who is injured.
Just ask Wisconsin who needed a game-winner to beat the depleted Spartans, on
its home court.
4.
Ron Baker, No. 4 Wichita State: It’s hard to say
that the second leading scorer on an undefeated team is underrated. But Baker
fits this category. Teammates Fred VanVleet and Cleanthony Early get most of
the attention. Super dunker Tekele Cotton has gotten some love as well with his
highlight reel moments. Baker though, he just plays his game. It’s not flashy.
He only averages 12 points a game and shoots about 35 percent from behind the
arc. But yet, he always seems to make the big shot, or make a block, or steal the ball, just when his team needs it most. Just look at the Shockers win against Southern Illinois Tuesday. Make no mistake, where Ron Baker goes, Wichita State
goes.
5.
Xavier Thames, No. 5 San Diego State: Thames isn’t
the most underrated player on the Aztecs roster. In fact, he’s the best player
on this roster. But he might be one of the most underrated players in college
basketball. I know it has a lot to do with the conference he plays in. But
still, Thames is the real deal. He averages 18 points, 3 rebounds and has a
2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. At times, he is SDSU’s only offense. Not only
that, he is a leader and when he plays well San Diego State is tough to beat
because it is such a good defensive team.
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Thanks for reading! Look for a Nebraska basketball blog
tonight after the Huskers take on Illinois. Have a good Wednesday.
Reach me at: award6344@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @_andrewward
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