10 College Basketball Players Who Could Be 2012's Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams took the college basketball world by storm last year.

Following a solid but mostly off-the-radar freshman season, Williams blew up in his second and final season in Tucson. 

He led U of A in a variety of statistical categories. He led the Wildcats in points, shooting and rebounding, and he was the most efficient scorer in the country with a 2.0 points-per-shot average.

The 6'8" sophomore took over multiple games and carried Arizona to a 30-victory season and a trip to the Elite Eight, beating Memphis, Texas and Duke along the March Madness way.

Here is a list of 10 players who could be this year's Derrick Williams. Each of them has the talent to carry his team through conference play and possibly on a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

10. Isaiah Caanan (Murray State)

Isaiah Caanan is a big reason why Murray State is 13-0 and ranked No. 22.

The six-foot junior guard leads the team in scoring (18.6 ppg) and assists (4.2 apg) and, surprisingly, is the Racers' No. 2 rebounder (3.8 rpg).

Caanan dropped 36 on Southern Mississippi and had a 15-point, seven-assist outing when MSU beat Memphis.

9. Keith Wright (Harvard)

Keith Wright may be the best player on the best team in Harvard history.

The Crimson (10-1) are currently No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

Wright's numbers aren't glitzy or gaudy. He is averaging 10.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg.

But the 6'8" senior is the proverbial "heart and soul" of this team that could run the table in the Ivy League and then be a team that no one wants to play in the NCAA Tournament.

8. Tony Wroten (Washington)

Tony Wroten is already proving to be a matchup nightmare for his opponents.

His length (6'5") and his ability to blow past just about anyone who tries to guard him make him a lethal weapon on this Washington team.

The fabulous freshman guard leads the Huskies in scoring (16 ppg) and is second in assists (3.0).

Don't be fooled by UDub's 6-5 start. A rough patch (three-game losing streak against Nevada, Marquette and Duke) could have easily been three big wins.

7. Mike Scott (Virginia)

Mike Scott is the best ACC post player outside of Chapel Hill.

Scott has helped the Cavaliers off to a 10-1 start, No. 24 in the AP Poll.

The fifth-year senior leads UVA in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounding (9.9 rpg) and FG shooting (63.3 percent).

The Cavs have three more pre-conference games to play before starting ACC action at home against Miami on Jan. 7th.

6. Herb Pope (Seton Hall)

Herb Pope may be one of the most underrated bigs in the nation.

Pope is currently the No. 6 rebounder (11.5 rpg) and No. 9 scorer (21.4 ppg) in the country.

He is a huge reason why the Pirates are 10-1.

Seton Hall has one more pre-conference game before they launch into Big East play on the road against No. 1 Syracuse on December 28th.

5. Arnett Moultrie (Mississippi State)

Renardo Sydney may get a whole lot more media attention for some unknown reason, but Arnett Moultrie is flat out getting it done down low for the Bulldogs.

The 6'11" transfer from UTEP is a beast on the boards, grabbing 11.7 ppg, which is good for No. 5 in the country.

He also leads Mississippi State (12-1; currently ranked No. 17) in scoring (17.8 ppg) and FG shooting (57.5 percent).

Moultrie will show what he has in the Bulldogs' next game as they face the super-talented front line of Baylor in Dallas on December 28th.

4. J'Covan Brown (Texas)

What can Brown do for you?

If you are Longhorns head coach Rick Barnes, J'Covan Brown can light it up.

Brown leads the super-young UT team in scoring (19.0 ppg) and has found multiple ways to help his team off to a surprising 9-3 start.

Texas faces Rice on New Year's Eve before opening Big 12 play at Iowa State on January 4th.  

3. Doug McDermott (Creighton)

Doug McDermott is starting to get a little recognition and respect for his big-time game.

McDermott is the No. 2 scorer in the nation (25.4 ppg) while grabbing 8.3 boards per game.

The No. 21 ranked Creighton BlueJays (10-1) have beaten three Big Ten teams (Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern) this season.

If McDermott didn't go to school in Omaha, you'd know much more about him.

2. Orlando Johnson (UC-Santa Barbara)

Don't worry that Orlando Johnson goes to UC Santa Barbara, or that the Gauchos are 5-5.

Johnson is the best player in the West.

The 6'5" senior is pulling off the team trifecta: he leads UCSB in scoring (20.9 ppg; No. 12 in the nation), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and assists (2.9 apg).

The Gauchos' five losses have come against legit teams (San Diego State, UNLV, Cal, Washington and BYU).

Look for them to be strong in Big West play as they open against Cal Poly on the 2nd of January. 

1. Cody Zeller (Indiana)

Cody Zeller may not be a flashy personality, but he has been the man for IU, as Hoosiers basketball (12-0, currently ranked No. 18) has become relevant again.

Zeller leads Indiana in scoring (15.1 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg) and FG shooting (66.3 percent).

Even though Tom Crean has other weapons, Zeller's superior inside play is the foundation for the early success that IU has experienced this year.

Zeller and the Hoosiers face a big challenge as they open Big Ten play on the road against Michigan State on December 28th.