Big Ten Tournament Bracket 2012: Jared Sullinger and Top NBA Prospects to Watch

The Big Ten tournament will have its share of next-level talent. As many fans focus on the outcome of the tournament, many NBA scouts will be focused on specific players that may or may not be available in the June NBA draft.

Here is a spotlight of the five best NBA prospects in the Big Ten tournament:

Jared Sullinger - Ohio State

It all starts with Sullinger when discussing the Big Ten's best NBA prospects. At 6'9", he's extremely skilled on the low post, with great foot work, a bruising style and a nice touch.

It sounds perfect, right?

The only thing is that Sullinger is not a premier athlete, and at 6'9", he is a bit undersized. On the collegiate level, he's been stellar.

In his two years at Ohio State, he has averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game, but less than a block shot per game. This speaks to his lack of lift; it also has to be a concern for scouts if that lack of explosion will hinder him in finishing near the basket in the NBA (see Carlos Boozer).

The best thing Sullinger did for his development as a player was extend his range. This season, Sullinger has hit 38 percent of his three-pointers. He has only taken 29, but the ability to stretch the defense will be key for him on the next level.

If Sullinger is in the 2012 draft class, as most expect, he'll be selected in the top seven picks.

Meyers Leonard - Illinois

Leonard has the one quality that NBA teams will always drool over: size. He is a legit seven-footer, but he isn't a stiff; he has good athleticism and nice footwork.

He is also a sophomore, and this year he is averaging 13 points, 8.5 rebounds and just under two blocks per game.

Leonard may declare for the draft in June, but he will still be a project for whatever team selects him. I'd like to see him play stronger, especially at his base. He is rooted out of position a little too often, and the players are only going to get stronger in the NBA.

At this point, he's further along than Byron Mullens was when he came out of high school and entered the draft in 2009. But he puts me in the mind of Mullens from a size-and-athleticism comparison.

NBA teams will take a chance on Leonard this year if he declares, and I'd expect him to be selected in the middle of the first round.

Cody Zeller - Indiana

Zeller is an active, hard-working post player. He isn't a freak athletically, but he is a better pure athlete than, say, Tyler Hansbrough.

He moves tremendously well without the ball and gets great position on the post. In this his freshman season, he has averaged 16 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He could declare this season, but with the draft class already looking stacked, he may wait for 2013.

By that time, he will have improved and the class won't be quite as strong.

If he plays well in the Big Ten tournament and the Hoosiers have a decent stay in the NCAA tournament, Zeller could shine.

If he shines to the point of boosting his stock, he just may hear his name called in the middle of the first round as well.

Draymond Green - Michigan State

Green is the heart and soul of this Spartans team. He leads the team in scoring and rebounds, averaging a double-double at 16 and 10. Green looks like a power forward, but at 6'6" he's undersized for that spot in the NBA. He will have to play the 3 most times, and that is something I think he can do in a reserve role.

He works hard on defense, and like Sullinger, he has added three-point range to his game. Green is shooting the three and connecting 40 percent of the time.

This is huge for a undersized player that isn't adept at putting the ball on the floor. Green will play in the NBA based on desire and solid fundamentals.

William Buford - Ohio State

Buford has been extremely consistent throughout his four years. In his senior season he has averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game.

Buford is a solid defender, and he makes his outside shot with regularity, shooting 39 percent from three-point land for his college career.

Buford reminds me of Arron Afflalo, and he could step in and start at the shooting guard for a number of teams in the NBA.

He is a senior, and that experience will be attractive to contending teams. Buford will be selected in the middle or late first round.