2012 NBA Mock Draft: 5 Players Whose Value Will Increase After March Madness

March Madness may be the best few weeks for sports fans, but it also serves as an audition for the next stars of the NBA. Here are the winners of the biggest dance in hoops. 

"One Shining Moment" is only a couple weeks away from playing and there are still some twists and turns yet to go down at the NCAA Tournament. 

However, we have seen enough to be able to extrapolate where some of the collegiate studs will fall at the NBA draft. 

Here is a breakdown of the draft using the order if things finished up today. We have also highlighted a few March Madness superstars that will no doubt continue to rise on draft boards. 

Order based on current standings and projected finish.

 1. Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

INCREASE

Our first March Madness increase player is Anthony Davis. First, the good news is the NBA rule forbidding kids coming from high school may just net Davis a national title. 

The bad news is that he is headed to Charlotte as soon as the draft starts. The farther Kentucky goes in March, the better it will be for Davis. 

He is a big man that plays fantastic defense and will only get better with the ball in the post. He would give the Bobcats fans plenty of reasons to actually see this team play live. 

2.  Washington Wizards – Andre Drummond, C, UConn

The Huskies may have bowed out early, but Andre Drummond remains a big body that will make quite the impact at the next level. No Javale McGee? No worries. 

3. New Orleans Hornets – Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

INCREASE

Harrison Barnes comes in as a pure scorer that can create his own shot. The Tar Heels have injury issues after losing Kendall Marshall. 

The guard injured his wrist, meaning the need for Barnes to move the offense and collect buckets is even greater. 

The Tar Heels are hurting right now, but if Barnes can command a title run with a depleted staff, he would be a superstar.  

4. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ) – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

UConn's failure does not bode well for Lamb. By draft time, though, scouts will only remember that he is a clutch player who wants the ball when it matters. 

5. Toronto Raptors – Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

INCREASE

Jared Sullinger continues to get knocks for being undersized and having conditioning issues. All of that will be erased with an OSU run deep into March. 

Sullinger may not be an player that will blow you away with his athleticism, but he is a refined big man that beats you with hard work and a dedication that shows in his game. 

6.  Sacramento Kings – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Consider the wing shut down with this long Wildcat taking over defensively. His shot will become more consistent with work at the next level, but he continues to be one of the best players in the nation. 

7. Detroit Pistons – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

INCREASE

He is big and punishing on the inside. He comes in a bit raw, but teams will not be able to pass up on one of the most athletically-gifted players in this draft. 

The more we get to see of Kansas, the more that Robinson will make his mark as a big body that can dominate the paint. 

8. Cleveland Cavaliers – Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Kyrie Irving would have the perfect understudy as Waiters comes in as an aggressive guard that just needs a couple seasons of grooming. 

9. Utah Jazz (via GS from NJ) – Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

I love Zeller more as I see what he does defensively during the tournament. He would give the Jazz the kind of player they crave in a hard worker that will dedicate himself to doing the little things right. 

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

The Bucks are without Andrew Bogut and need a big man that can score. Moultrie is as versatile as Bogut and can even stretch the floor with his perimeter game. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers – Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

INCREASE

The book on Jones is that he is the total package that is far too passive to become a superstar. That will all change the more that Baylor impresses us with a deep run in March. 

There are hardly better players athletically. All Jones needs is to command this national stage in his favor heading into the draft. 

12. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN) – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

The Hornets are all over the place after a tumultuous year. I see them continuing to improve this stock, but for now still take the point guard they need. 

13. Utah Jazz – Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

I would have had this as a "Increase" player, but the basketball gods had it in for Marshall as he fractured his non-shooting wrist before the Sweet 16. 

Even if he doesn't play, Marshall comes into the draft as the greatest facilitator in the game. 

14. Phoenix Suns – Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers proved this season that he has ice in his veins and can hit the big shot. Duke's flame out may prove to push Rivers back to the back half of the draft, though. 

15. Houston Rockets (via NYK) – Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

The Rockets get a big man that can light it up from outside. He just needs to add consistency to his shot. 

16. Boston Celtics – Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Trust me, if Rivers slides this far, they will be taking him in the draft. Other than that, I have the Celtics looking for a scorer that can bring some vitality to the backcourt. 

17. New Jersey Nets (via HOU) – Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

It's a little ridiculous how stacked Kentucky is this season. The Nets strike out on Dwight Howard and very well could lose Deron Williams. I am banking on them taking the best player available regardless of position. 

18. Denver Nuggets – Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Poor Wroten could have really made a name for himself in the tourney. The Husky guard can fill a stats sheet and will only get better with some time to mature at the next level. 

19. Philadelphia 76ers – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

It's time to reach for a center. Leonard can be a star, but needs time to refine his game and bring some consistency to his interior game. 

Scouts can't overlook his size and the way he handles it. 

20. Dallas Mavericks – John Henson, PF, UNC

John Henson is nursing a wrist injury, so we have no idea if he will feature in any part of the remaining tournament. 

His work ethic and defensive presence makes his very valuable. 

21. Atlanta Hawks – Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas

Tony Mitchell has shown marked improvement on his perimeter game, which speaks volumes to where his head is at. 

22. Memphis Grizzlies – John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Sure, he is undersized and may not be jumping out of any buildings, but he can make it rain all day from distance. 

23. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC) – Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

He has the size and defensive sensibilities that Boston loves. 

24. Indiana Pacers – Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeffery Taylor has improved greatly this season, signaling he is finally ready to make good as a solid first-rounder. 

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL) – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Cavaliers could go a number of ways, but I like Lamb as a solid guard that can move the offense and consider him a steal at this point in the draft. 

26. Orlando Magic – Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

He has all the talent to signal that he could be a regular contributor, he just needs some work. Another season in college would serve him well. 

27. Golden State (via SA) – Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

Mason Plumlee is that intriguing prospect that will do everything you want, but can be a drain on offense. He will need to prove he can manage a bigger role on offense. 

28. Miami Heat – Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

It's hard to pass on big men that can command the pain like Ezeli. He is raw and will need time to mature to the game at the next level. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Draymond Green is a great leader and will be a blessing in the locker room. He can score and has a great basketball IQ, but the downfall is questions on his defensive ability. 

30. Chicago Bulls – Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

The Bulls get a big man that can shoot the three. He is streaky, but comes in with tremendous value at this point. 

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