Big 12 Bloomers: 12 Up-And-Coming Players You Should Know About

Do you know who the standouts in the Big 12 are so far this season?

There have been stars emerging for each team in the Big 12 conference, most of them unheard of before the 2010-2011 season started.

If you follow the Big 12, you probably already know the likes of Marcus Morris, Jacob Pullen, and LaceDarius Dunn. But what about those who aren't quite yet in the national spotlight yet?

Or how about the guys that aren't putting up mind-boggling numbers but still have a major impact?

Scouting for your favorite Big 12 team's opponents? Look no further.

By order of the current Big 12 standings, let's take a look at each team and pick one player who's name will most likely become more popular as Big 12 play progresses. 

Thomas Robinson: Kansas Jayhawks, Forward

Thomas Robinson is an absolute beast.

With Marcus and Markieff Morris down low, Robinson has been getting his minutes coming off of the bench. Head coach Bill Self has found an effective way to use him as a replacement for one of the twins.

The sophomore has improved his game incredibly over the past year and can give any Big 12 post player a run for his money. If it wasn't for the Morris twins, Robinson would be starting.

Robinson has doubled his minutes from a year ago, averaging 16.6 per game. He's also averaging 6.9 rebounds and 9.1 points per game. Needless to say, Robinson is emerging as one of the best bench players in the conference.

The Washington, D.C., native has long arms and broad shoulders reminiscent of a smaller Dwight Howard.

Watch out for Robinson's role to increase as Big 12 play starts.  If he continues to come off the bench, Robinson is a front runner for the Sixth Man Award.

Ricardo Ratliffe: Missouri Tigers, Forward

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - DECEMBER 08: Ricardo Ratliffe #10 of the Missouri Tigers in action during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores on December 8, 2010 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Ricardo Ratliffe may be a newcomer to the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference, but looking at his immediate impact you would never know it.

Ratliffe transfered this past offseason from Central Florida Community College as one of the nation's top junior college prospects. He has already been named Big 12 Rookie of the Week twice as the Missouri Tigers are off to a 12-1 start.

Although a rookie to the Big 12, Ratliffe has adapted quickly and is becoming a strong presence down low for Missouri. Mike Anderson frequently comments on his ability to pass and score in the paint. He currently leads the team in rebounding (7.3) and double-doubles (three).

Ratliffe will become more well-known outside of Missouri in the coming months.

Dash Harris: Texas A&M Aggies, Guard

Dash Harris won't usually lead the Aggies in points and probably won't make SportsCenter's Top 10 plays, but the junior is still a major part of Mark Turgeon's squad.

Harris may not score the most points (3.4 ppg) but he still finds a way to stay on the court for the Aggies. Turgeon uses Harris for over 26 minutes per game because he has emerged as a true point guard. The California native leads TAMU in assists (3.8) and even manages to pull down a few rebounds as well.

His greatest ability to get all of the Aggies on the court involved. Harris has quick speed and utilizes great ball movement.

Plus, the guy's got a pretty sweet name.

J.P. Olukemi: Oklahoma State Cowboys, Forward

J.P. Olukemi is playing well in his first season with the Cowboys after sitting out during the 2009-2010 campaign.

Another junior college transfer, Olukemi was a top ranked recruit as well. Oklahoma State got a good deal with Olukemi as he came to OSU with three years of eligibility.

The Cowboys have been playing well behind the leadership of Keiton Page, Marshall Moses and Matt Pilgrim. Olukemi is starting to add his name into the Cowboy elite by averaging 9.6 points per game. Olukemi put up a career-high 21 points on Missouri State a few weeks ago when he shot 5-for-5 from the field and 10-for-12 from the line.

Olukemi provides a spark off of the bench and is a big part of the Cowboys bench production.

Oklahoma State may have one of the better teams in the Big 12 South, watch for Olukemi to become a big part of OSU's success.  

Melvin Ejim: Iowa State Cyclones, Forward

Melvin Ejim has helped spark excitement in Ames for the first time in a while.

The true freshman has already posted nine double-doubles in 12 career games and has been awarded Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors twice (11-22, 12-13).  

Ejim was overlooked by the rest of the Big 12 coming out of high school and is quickly emerging as one of Iowa State's best players.

Ejim is third on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and second in rebounds (6.8 rpg).  He's pushing over 28 minutes per game and expect that number to increase as head coach Fred Hoiberg finds more ways to use his strengths.  

If he keeps up the production, Ejim could be one of the most productive true freshman in Iowa State basketball history.

Iowa State is going to be better than expected this year and Ejim is going to be a great part of that success.

Tristan Thompson: Texas Longhorns, Forward

Another true freshman on this list is Tristan Thompson, one of Rick Barnes' top prospects coming into the 2010-2011 season.

Texas had some doubters coming into the season after losing Avery Bradley, Dexter Pittman and Damien James. Rick Barnes has been able to have some success early in the season with a much younger team.

Part of the Longhorns success has been because of Thompson. The Canadian native is scoring 11.2 points per game and a pulling down a team-leading 8.0 rebounds.  He had 17 points in the Longhorns impressive win at Michigan State last week.  

Texas has another freshman in Cory Joseph who has already started to shine, but Thompson is one to keep an eye on for the Big 12 Rookie of the Year award. If he keeps improving, Thompson should be a premiere player in the Big 12 a year from now.

Caleb Walker: Nebraska Cornhuskers, Guard

The Cornhuskers are out to a great start (10-2) and have been getting consistent production out of their junior college transfer, Caleb Walker.

Walker transferred to Nebraska after playing two seasons at Butler Community College. He is quite an athlete, playing both football and basketball his freshman year at Butler.

The first-team junior college All-American has played well for Doc Sadler as he is contributing 6.2 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Not the most intriguing numbers, but Walker is closing in on 20 minutes per game and will see his playing time increase as Big 12 play starts. Walker won't be the most glamorous player for the Cornhuskers this season, but if NU continues to find success he will be a reason why.

As of now, the Cornhuskers are red hot. Emphasis on red.

Rodney McGruder: Kansas State Wildcats, Guard

Rodney McGruder has seen his role for KSU increase with the recent suspensions of Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly.

The sophomore is leading the team in rebounds (8.0 rpg) and is second in scoring (11.4 ppg). McGruder had a career-high 24 points as he led KSU in its latest victory over UMKC.

The 6-4 guard has seen a major increase in minutes averaging 28.5 per game as opposed to the entire 2009-2010 season where he averaged only 12.5. McGruder has averaged over 30 minutes per game since the suspension of Pullen and Kelly.

McGruder has been playing exceptionally well even though the Wildcats have hit a rough patch. K-State fans may be panicking as all the preseason hype is beginning to fizzle out.  

Nonetheless, K-State has the ability to be a top team in the Big 12 and McGruder is a name that you will certainly know by seasons end.

Perry Jones III: Baylor Bears, Forward-Center

Perry Jones III is an absolute stud.

Although Baylor is another team who is struggling, Scott Drew has something special in Jones.  Jones was one of the top recruits in the nation last season. He is already becoming a great defender and can handle some competition inside.

Jones is averaging 12.5 points per game and is pulling down a team-high 8.2 rebounds. He's got long arms and is getting stronger on the low post.

Together with Quincy Acy, Baylor has the ability to possess one of the most powerful frontcourts in the nation. It will all depend on Jones' progression through the season, but two months into his freshman campaign he looks phenomenal.  

If you hadn't heard of or seen Perry Jones III play, consider this a favor. He's fun to watch and could be a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Levi Knutson: Colorado Buffaloes, Guard

Levi Knutson has helped CU bounce back after a sluggish start.

He won't grab the daily headlines as Colorado has one of the best backcourts in the nation in Alec Burks (19.3 ppg) and Cory Higgins (16.9 ppg). But the senior will help take some pressure off of Burks and Higgins given the scenario of foul trouble and double teams.

Knutson is currently leading the Buffs in 3-pointers (19) and 3-point shooting percentage (.487). He has scored in double digits in each of the last seven games.

Colorado hit a low when they dropped a road game to Harvard by 16 points. Since then, the backcourt play has been terrific thanks to Burks, Higgins and Knutson. 

He's not afraid to jack the trey, so beware if he makes it rain against your favorite Big 12 team.

Andrew Fitzgerald: Oklahoma Sooners, Guard

Jeff Capel is looking for his young talent to step up and so far Andrew Fitzgerald is one of the few to do so.

Fitzgerald has seen his minutes more than double from last season and is currently the leading scorer for the struggling Sooners (14.0 ppg). OU fans may not have a lot to look forward to this season, but considering Fitzgerald is a sophomore that's a good sign for the future.

Fitzgerald has shot .500 or better from the field in eight of 11 games and owns a .534 season percentage to rank fifth in the Big 12.  

The sophomore class isn't bad for OU with Fitzgerald and teammate Steven Pledger, but the Sooners are still trying to figure out solutions.

Fitzgerald is trying to put this team on his back, but we'll see how much he can actually carry once Big 12 play starts.

Robert Lewandowski: Texas Tech Red Raiders, Forward

The Red Raiders are struggling and it's not due to inexperience.

Texas Tech just can't seem to get the ball rolling despite having multiple seniors. Robert Lewandowski is a great contributor to the Tech offense who wasn't such a factor a year ago.

Lewandowski is second on the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and fourth in scoring (11.4 ppg) behind three seniors. Texas Tech can put up points but is still trying to find a way to slow down other teams from getting to the hoop.

Lewandowski is playing well in his junior season and seems to be adapting well to the increase in minutes.  

The Kansas native should develop even more as the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if the rest of the team does as well.