Which NCAA Tourney Teams Have the Most NBA Starters in the League Today?

There is a whole lot of money going to be spent on those players next year.

And I mean a lot.

The man in the middle, Anthony Davis, is going to be the No. 1 pick next year, and some lucky lottery team is going to be fortunate enough to acquire him.

We hope it's the Charlotte Bobcats based on how awful they are this season, but with the lottery, it could be any team from the cellar dwellers to the teams that barely miss out.

Don't forget that the Chicago Bulls received the No. 1 pick after achieving a 33-49 record the year before. They beat out the Miami Heat, who had finished 15-67. My personal thoughts on the lottery? Pointless. If a team wants to tank games in order to acquire a player who may or may not play well, why stop them?

It's not exactly fair that an average team receives the top pick in the draft, while the teams that needed those players are being utilized on teams that didn't need them in the first place. I'm not going to rant and rave about this anymore, but it's a gimmick that has no place in this league.

Either way, let's take a look at the five NCAA teams that are going to showcase the most talent in this year's upcoming draft, as well as the players who could potentially start on an NBA team when they enter the league.

Syracuse University

Fab Melo: Projected No. 20 pick

Having another season derailed by various off-court problems, we still have not seen the best out of Fab Melo.

In flashes, we have seen how prolific of a center Melo can be. He's huge at 7'0'' and 255 pounds and is an extraordinary shot blocker. In 25 minutes in a win against Seton Hall, Melo recorded 10 blocks in an effort where he also scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He's averaged three blocks for the year.

Unfortunately for NBA scouts, Melo was recently declared ineligible to play in the NCAA tournament, and we may have to wait a third year to finally experience the hype that surrounds the Brazilian center.

Even if he does declare, he'd still be a first-round pick solely because of his size. He'll need to cut down his personal fouls—averaging three per—if he wants to become a relevant player in the NBA upon his entry.

Kris Joseph: Projected No. 30 pick

A key member of the team that's currently a No. 1 seed, Kris Joseph is going to have to elevate his game if he wants his Orange to win the championship in what will most likely be his final year.

Joseph has gone the unconventional route of spending all four years at college. He worked his way through the ranks and has come from a freshman averaging three points in 14 minutes per game to a senior that is averaging 14 points in 32 minutes of playing time.

It is the second consecutive season that Joseph has averaged 14 points per. He's also racking up five boards and dishing out two assists per.

Joseph is a terrific athlete who can drive at will, while also containing the ability to shoot from as far out as the perimeter. He converted two three-pointers per last season at a 36 percent clip.

Duke University

Austin Rivers: Projected No. 7 pick

One of the most hyped up high school athletes since LeBron James, Austin Rivers managed to somewhat live up to those high expectations that surrounded him throughout grade school.

Rivers averaged 15 points, three boards and two assists per in his freshman season at Duke, and put on some of the most memorable performances of the NCAA season.

His game winner against North Carolina that concluded a 29-point effort, where he shot 6-of-10 from deep, was one of the defining moments of the short college career for the son of the Boston Celtics head coach.

Rivers is as athletic as they come for a player of his size at 6'4" and 200 pounds. He's NBA ready, can play both guard positions and can score from inside as well as outside, where he converted two three-pointers per on 37 percent shooting.

He does have some problems with his shot selection and has the tendency to rely too heavily on his jump shot, while also ignoring his teammates, but that's always easy to repair once he joins an NBA team.

Mason Plumlee: Projected No. 26 pick

The NBA lacks big men who can be productive; therefore, you're going to see Mason Plumlee projected to be taken in the first round.

Plumlee has size and can use it well. He's equipped with a solid offensive game around the paint and has a short jumper to assist him. He averaged 11 points on 56 percent shooting to go along with nine boards, two assists and two blocks per.

Mason has played three years at Duke and may just spend a senior year there. He still has a ways to go in order to refine his game, and one more year under Coach K may just be the correct move to make.

University of Connecticut

Andre Drummond: Projected No. 2 pick

A freshman center, Andre Drummond responded to the hype that he brought with him to the University of Connecticut by living up to expectations.

He's projected as a No. 2 pick and would be an asset on any team needing an athletic power forward or center who can score, rebound and defend in the paint.

In what will most likely be his lone season at UConn, Drummond averaged 10 points, seven boards and three blocks per. He's a hard-worker in the post on both ends of the floor, but is extremely limited outside of the paint.

Drummond shot below 30 percent from the foul line. That's not a mistake. Drummond took 88 free throws and converted 26 of them, which is easily the worst free throw percentage among players who are going to be selected in the top 10.

That free throw percentage and his overall inability to play out of the paint could scare away a few potential suitors.

Jeremy Lamb: Projected No. 5 pick

In the projected draft, the Huskies are the only team to have two players expected to go within the top five picks.

For good reason, too. Drummond is a load to handle in the middle and could be the next Derrick Favors, while Jeremy Lamb would be a huge asset to any team looking to add some instant offense to a stagnant system.

In his sophomore season at UConn, Lamb averaged 18 points, five boards and two assists per. He shot 48 percent from the field and converted on two three-pointers per at a 34 percent clip. He also shot above 80 percent from the line and committed two turnovers per.

Lamb is a game changer who's going to be a premier player in the NBA as long as he gets on a team that's going to make him their focal point.

University of North Carolina

Harrison Barnes: Projected No. 3 pick

A superstar athlete who saw some attention being taken away from this year due to the hype surrounding Anthony Davis, forward Harrison Barnes is a surefire top-five pick after another terrific season at the University of North Carolina.

Barnes did damage from everywhere on the court. He was using his freakish athleticism and footwork in the post, hitting the mid-range jumper, hitting his three's and doing his part on defense. Overall, Barnes averaged 17 points and five rebounds in what could very well be his final season as a Tar Heel after two years.

Perhaps the most intriguing stat is how well the 6'8" forward shot from deep. Barnes converted on 38 percent of his three-pointers. With his ability to hit the three ball combined with his ability to put the ball on the floor, Barnes is definitely deserving of the pick and will most likely be taken at somewhere in the top five.

Tyler Zeller: Projected No. 12 pick

A true 7' footer with four years of college under their belt? It's a shock that Tyler Zeller is projected to be taken outside of the top ten.

Makes it even more surprising when you see the improvement he's made since his freshman year and how well he played in his senior season. Zeller averaged 17 points, nine boards and a block per in his final season, unless he decides to go the route of being a super senior.

Why would he do that? He's going to be making millions upon millions of dollars for being tall. A player like Zeller who can score and grab rebounds is one of the largest commodities you can have in this league and it wouldn't be a surprise if he ends up being taken within the top ten.

However, the draft this year also happens to be loaded with big men. Guys like Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Anthony Davis make Zeller less valuable.

John Henson: Projected No. 14 pick

He'll surely see his draft stock drop a little after suffering a wrist injury that kept him out the final two games, but not too much since John Henson still happens to be 6'11".

That's the thing with these guys that are 6'10" or taller. If they can score a little and do a good job on the boards and on defense, they will easily go in the first round. That includes Henson, who could score well on the inside and rebound just as well as teammate Tyler Zeller.

Henson averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per in his third year.

Kendall Marshall: Projected No. 16 pick

There aren't any other Tar Heels projected to go in the first round, but having four go in the first 16 picks isn't too bad of a draft class.

North Carolina is on par with the Miami Hurricanes when it comes to sending out products in the NFL this year. They have more talent going early in the draft than any other team at the NCAA level.

Marshall was the key reason behind the Tar Heel's offense, and his facilitation was on par with the best in the NCAA. He's a pass-first point guard who would be of huge value to any team looking to find a guard who's more open to facilitating by passing instead of shooting.

Kendall averaged eight points, 10 assists and three boards per. He shot 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from deep on two three-point attempts per.

University of Kentucky

Anthony Davis: Projected No. 1 pick

A center who has footwork and can score from the perimeter as well? Say hello to your next No. 1 pick.

Wildcats center Anthony Davis has taken the NCAA world by storm and has overshadowed the already established names of Harrison Barnes and Jared Sullinger with his work under the basket.

The 6'10" forward/center has been the strongest reason as to why Kentucky currently holds a No. 1 seed after a 32-2 record, as well as going a perfect 16-0 in SEC play.

Davis is a surefire No. 1 pick after posting up 14 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and a steal per. He's shooting 64 percent from the field, hitting 70 percent of his free throws, converting on only two turnovers per and two personal fouls per.

The Wildcat has extremely lanky arms capable of blocking or deterring any shot that comes his way. He could still put some weight on, especially when he begins playing the NBA, but there's no doubt he'll become one of the league's premier shot blockers when he plays next season.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Projected No. 8 pick

An NBA ready forward who also happened to play a large part determining the success of this Wildcats team, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the second and last player from Kentucky who is projected as a top 10 pick if they enter the draft this season.

Kidd-Gilchrist hasn't received as much publicity and build-up like his teammate Anthony Davis, but it shouldn't diminish his accomplishments as a future top-10 pick.

He's strong, athletic and can put the ball on the floor, as well as hit the mid-range jumper consistently. The small forward is averaging 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists per and would be a perfect fit for any team with a young frontcourt looking to add another athlete.

Terrence Jones: Projected No. 18 pick

Rounding out the most vaunted frontcourt in the NCAA, power forward Terrence Jones has been flying under the radar and may just be the steal of the draft if taken as high as he is projected.

Jones averaged 13 points on 50 percent shooting, hit 33 percent of his three-pointers, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots per. He has some concerns with his free throw shooting at 65 percent, but he's proven in the past that he's capable of knocking down mid-range jumpers as well as three-pointers.

Jones is an uncharacteristic power forward who bears resemblances to a Thaddeus Young or Jeff Green type of player. He can put the ball on the floor, play extremely well in the post and occasionally hit the mid-range jumper.

His defense is also a large part of his game, as noted by his two blocks per.

Doron Lamb: Projected No. 24 pick

The last member of this serious Kentucky Wildcats starting lineup to be projected as a first-round pick, shooting guard Doron Lamb is coming off a terrific sophomore season after being heavily hyped as a high school recruit out of Oak Hill Academy.

Lamb is another player who may be projected to go a little higher than he should. The kid can ball and it shows in the statistics he put up, as well as the impressive play he exhibited throughout his sophomore year.

Lamb averaged 13 points, three boards and two assists per. He definitely wasn't as prolific at facilitating the offense as a passer, but he did know how to score in a number of ways. Lamb had no trouble in putting the ball on the floor or shooting from beyond the arc, where he posted a 46 percent average.