College Basketball's 10 Best Players with Underwhelming Statistics

Everyone who watches college basketball recognizes names like Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes, Thomas Robinson and a host of others that are filling up the box scores and putting themselves in the National Player of the Year running.

But then there are those "other guys"; the players you may not know on a first name basis,  the ones that tend to fly under the radar because they aren't lighting up the stat sheet on a nightly basis.

In this article, I'm going to provide you with the 10 best players in the country that aren't blowing you away statistically. I understand how completely subjective this is. First of all, what may look underwhelming to one can be incredibly impressive to another. Secondly, defining who the best of the rest is depends on a number of factors.

Value to their team, talent, athletic upside and defensive play are just a few of the traits that set these players apart.

Whether it's because they are buried under a pile of elite talent, haven't had the chance to mature or simply prefer to do the little things, these players may not be household names...yet.

Here are the 10 players I feel are most deserving, in no particular order.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and only my opinion. I have not seen every single college basketball player yet this season; therefore, deserving players may be omitted from this list.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Forward, Kentucky (13.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.0 APG)

When the idea to write this piece came up, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was without a doubt the first player that came to mind. When you play on a team with Terrence Jones, Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague and Doron Lamb, you tend to fall into the backdrop.

Kidd-Gilchrist averages 13.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, but his value to the Kentucky Wildcats is without question. On a team made up of freshman and sophomores with incredible talent, Kidd-Gilchrist does all of the little things that don't show up on the stat sheet.

MKG plays with a grit that you can't teach. What's most impressive about the 13.6 points he averages per game is that he isn't the first, second or even third scoring option on this team. Kidd-Gilchrist is a tremendous offensive rebounder and is versatile on both offense and defense. He has a low-post game to go with an above-average mid-range shot.

Defensively, Gilchrist can guard just about anyone one on the court from point guards to power forwards. But it's the maturity with which he plays the game that sets him apart. Kidd-Gilchrist is a senior leader posing as a freshman, and may be the most consistent and valuable player on the Kentucky roster.

Perry Jones III: Power Forward, Baylor (13.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.0 APG)

Perry Jones III is a freak, plain and simple. The 6'11" forward for the Baylor Bears is as athletic as they come, and has as much upside as any player in the entire country.

His speed, explosiveness and jumping ability isn't normal for someone of his size and length. The problem is that Jones is still in the raw/project phase of his basketball career. He is very inconsistent, but when he is on, it's something to see.

Jones can run the floor and score in the post, but it's his ability to bring bigger defenders away from the basket and take them off the dribble that sets him apart. He reminds you a lot of Kevin Garnett early in his career.

With a wingspan of 7'3", he has the length to be dominant on the defensive end, yet he is only averaging just over a block a game.

He hasn't shown a high motor at all times, which causes him to be inconsistent. But if he manages to put it together even a little bit this season, the rest of the country better watch out.

Jones III is a lock to be a lottery pick in next year's draft.

Kendall Marshall: Point Guard, North Carolina (5.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 9.9 APG)

From the moment Kendall Marshall took over the point guard duties last season, North Carolina has been a different team. The sophomore plays with the poise of a senior, and is as unselfish a player at his position as there is in the entire country.

Though he is among the country's leaders in assists, he makes this list because of a lack of scoring. But don't underestimate how important he is to North Carolina's success. The most incredible thing about his 9.9 assists/game is that he only averages 2.4 turnovers!

That puts his assist/turnover ratio over 4-1, where 2-1 is considered very good, and 3-1 is considered elite.To have a 4-1 a/to ratio in Roy Williams' very high-tempo offense is unheard of.

Marshall lacks the quickness and explosiveness at the point guard position that have made players like Derrick Rose and John Wall such fantastic NBA players. However, he makes up for that with great overall feel, quick decision-making and incredibly accurate passing. And when you have players like Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller, you don't have to be a huge scoring threat.

Kendall is also a very good defender at the college level, making up for his athletic deficiencies with good anticipation and court-awareness. He is one of the main reasons the Tarheels are a Final Four favorite this season.

Andre Drummond: Center, Connecticut (10.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, .6 APG)

Jim Calhoun hit the mother load when Andre Drummond committed to play for him at UConn. The 6'11", 270 lb. Freshman continues to get better as the year goes on. In fact, if this list were compiled after this season, Drummond wouldn't qualify for it.

Every defender that steps on the court against Drummond is at a complete disadvantage. Though he lacks a polished offensive post game, he makes up for it with tremendous strength and leaping ability. His scoring numbers will only continue to increase throughout the season as he learns to create offense on his own.

He can run the floor very well for a player of his size, and tends to get a lot of his points on alley-oops and offensive rebounds.

Like most 18-year olds, he tends to be inconsistent and needs to learn to play with more maturity. The defensive effort isn't always 100 percent, yet he is still averaging nearly three blocks/game. With Drummond getting more dominant with each and every game and playing alongside Jeremy Lamb, UConn has a serious chance to make a run in the tournament this year, despite losing Kemba Walker.

Meyers Leonard: Center, Illinois (13.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.4 APG)

After a lackluster freshman year, Meyers Leonard was going to be leaned on heavily this season due to the loss of Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale, and he has not disappointed. The sophomore has taken his game to the next level and shown everyone why he was recruited so heavily.

At 7'1", the sophomore center has really expanded his game. Not only does he possess the strength and toughness to mix it up down low, it's his quickness and agility that catches the eye. He has shown an impressive array of moves in the post and also has a very good mid-range jump shot.

Leonard's 60 percent shooting percentage becomes even more impressive considering the amount of jump shots he takes. But it's his improvement defensively that is making him shoot up the draft boards. His 2.2 blocks/game lead his team, and he has held is own against some of the better bigs in the country, including Jared Sullinger last night.

Leonard is the most consistent player on an otherwise inconsistent Illinois team. If they are going to make a run at the tournament and finish well in the Big Ten, it will be because of his play down low.

Ricardo Ratliffe: Forward, Missouri (13.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, .6 APG)

The 6'8" 240 lb forward is among the most physical players in the country, and the main reason for Missouri's fantastic start this season.

Though his stats are very respectable, they don't blow you away, save one. Ratliffe is shooting nearly 77 percent from the field this season, making him one of the most efficient offensive players in all of college basketball.

He ranks third on the team in scoring behind both Marcus Denmon and Kim English, but when he shoots it, he makes it count.

He isn't incredibly gifted athletically, but his physique allows him to play with unbelievable strength. He uses that strength and his shorter frame as leverage down on block, where he does a majority of his damage.

He has also become a true senior leader for the Missouri Tigers, and has put them in a strong position to contend for the Big 12 title.

Keith Appling: Point Guard, Michigan State (12.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.9 APG)

Keith Appling took a huge leap from his freshman year to become the player he has this season. He is the spark for the surging Michigan State Spartans, and is continuing to improve as the year goes on.

The 6'1" guard needs to improve his three-point shooting (33.3 percent) and overall shot selection, but his ability to drive to the basket and finish is among the best in the Big Ten. Though he plays with Draymond Green, who is the face of the team and its heart and soul, Appling is quickly becoming an invaluable piece of the puzzle.

It's his ability on the defensive end that makes him so dominant. Ohio State's Aaron Craft gets credit as the best defensive guard in the conference, but I'm not sure that's the case. Appling has been a lock-down defender this year, his intense ball pressure has led to numerous turnovers for the opposition, which leads to transition opportunities for the Michigan State offense.

Replacing fan-favorite Kalin Lucas was a monumental challenge for the young guard, but Appling has handled the pressure well and made the Spartans legitimate Final Four contenders again.

C.J. Leslie: Forward, NC State (13.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.0 APG)

Though he started the season coming off the bench for the Wolfpack, there is no question that C.J. Leslie is the most important player on the team. The 6'8" forward has started to realize his potential and come into his own this season.

Leslie was always a gifted athlete, but was unpolished on both ends of the floor, leading to very erratic play. His length and jumping ability make him most dangerous on the defensive end of the floor, but he's no slouch offensively either.

C.J. is a really good finisher around the basket, and is shooting an impressive 53.1 percent from the field, though he still lacks a consistent mid-range shooting game. He gets most of his points driving to the basket, and is also a dangerous offensive rebounder.

Because of his frame, Leslie is a very versatile defender. He has the strength to hold his own against post players, but can also bother quicker guards with his length.

NC State lacks a lot of talent around Leslie, so it will be up to him to carry more of the load down the stretch in order for this team to be successful

Patric Young: Forward/Center, Florida (12.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.8 APG)

Following the mold of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Ricardo Ratliffe, Florida sophomore Patric Young is another physical forward with a very high motor.

Young made a name for himself in the NCAA tournament last year, impressing many with his physical style of play. And he's picked up right where he left off this year. He is never going to be a player who accumulates impressive stats, but he is the kind of player who can set the tone of a game with his attitude.

Young is a load inside, both offensively and defensively. His 6'9" chiseled frame allows him to do pretty much whatever he wants to with his opponent. Because he doesn't have a plethora of post moves, his strength doesn't manifest itself in terrific offensive production.

But it does make him a very good defender. His above-average wingspan and jumping ability make him very difficult to score on and will make a tremendous rebounder at the next level.

Because he is surrounded by a plethora of talent in players like Bradley Beal and Kenny Boynton, Young tends to fly under the radar a little bit. But that has nothing to do with his ability as a player.

Florida will be a very scary team to face come March, and Patric Young is a vital reason for that.

DeShaun Thomas: Forward, Ohio State (14.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, .9 APG)

DeShaun Thomas's stats may be too good to qualify for this list, but I have him on here because I believe he is the most underrated player in the entire country.

If not for Jared Sullinger, Thomas could be putting up 20 points and seven rebounds with no problem (See his game against South Carolina with Sullinger out of the lineup if you need proof)

The 6'7" sophomore forward is incredibly strong and big-time matchup problem for opponents. His biggest issue at times is falling in love with the jump shot. But when he dedicates himself to taking it strong to the basket and hitting the glass, he can be a dominant college basketball player.

Thomas could actually stand to lose a few lbs (though he is not overweight) in order to become quicker and more explosive with the ball. He needs to develop a more defensive-minded attitude in order to become a complete player. But I believe Thomas could end up being a better pro prospect than Sullinger by the time he finishes at Ohio State.

Thomas is only going to get better throughout the year as he continues to learn how to play while not being the primary scoring option. However, he is too gifted a player not to make a huge impact by the end of the season.