2012 NBA Draft: Projections for Thomas Robinson and the Final Four's Top Stars

As usual, the NCAA tournament has delivered an action-packed three weeks of classic college basketball action. while tonight's championship game could also be a classic, all eyes will be focused on the NBA draft.

The four teams that invaded New Orleans for this year's Final Four brought a ton of talent with them, and most of that talent will be playing at the next level next season.

Here's a look at how we project each of this year's Final Four stars to do during their rookie NBA seasons.

Anthony Davis, Kentucky

There's no doubt that Davis is one of the best big man pro prospects in some time, and we love the way the kid always shows emotion and has a smile on his face.

But we have the 14 words that will wipe that smile right off his face.

"With the No. 1 overall pick, the Charlotte Bobcats select Anthony Davis from Kentucky."

If it's not the Bobcats, Davis is still going to be heading to a bad team, and losing is no fun at all—especially for a kid who's already won 37 games his freshman year at Kentucky. Chances are he won't win that many his first two years in the NBA.

By this time next season, Davis' smile will be gone.

He's got the ability to be fantastic on the defensive end, but Davis could initially struggle on the offensive end of the floor. That doesn't mean he's not going to be a great NBA player, but it could be a rough go of it at first.

2013 Projections: 9.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.6 BPG

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is a Top Five pick for sure, and in our latest mock draft we have him going second overall to Washington.

Similar to Davis, though, MKG's college team will seem normal compared to the dysfunctional Wizards, if that's indeed where he ends up. Either way, though, he's going to be asked to do a lot right off the bat.

And he's so talented that he's going to open up some eyes immediately.

Kidd-Gilchrist will have an impact offensively, but he will have a big impact defensively. When it's all said and done and we look back at this class, MKG will be the best player in the Class of 2012.

2013 Projections: 12.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 BPG

Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones is going to be a solid pro and doesn't mind getting dirty to do so. He isn't scared of contact and won't shy away from the big moment.

Luckily for him, Jones is likely to go in the middle of the first round, so he won't be on an awful team right off the bat. But he may have to work his way into a lineup, so I wouldn't expect a huge rookie season.

That could be an adjustment all by itself. Anyone on this Kentucky team isn't used to riding the bench, because they've never really had to do it before.

2013 Projections: 11.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG

Doron Lamb, Kentucky

If the sophomore Lamb comes out, he's likely to be a late first-round or early second-round pick. If he returns to school, he's a surefire lottery pick the following season.

We're assuming Lamb declares for the draft, and if he does, the kid can score. As a late first-round pick though, he will be going to a good team and minutes could be tough to come by right off the bat.

Stay in school, Doron.

2013 Projections: 8.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.5 APG

Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Repeat after me. Stay in school.

If Teague declares, he's likely to go in the second round. The best-case scenario is he sneaks into the end of the first round, but his game needs to improve to become a solid NBA point guard.

Teague's offensive game is up and down, but he could certainly become an NBA scorer.  However, he could serve from another season to improve on taking better care of the basketball and using his teammates better. One more year in college could solve all those problems.

If he comes out now, it wouldn't be the best idea.

2013 Projections: 7.7 PPG, 4.3 APG, 2.0 RPG

Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson has a chance to win a National Championship with Kansas, but he's going to need a bigger trophy case, as he's going to have a Rookie of the Year award to go with that.

Robinson is going to be a beast at the NBA level and has the skill set to be dominant.

Winning may be tough since he's likely going to go to a bad team, but Robinson is going to have a huge rookie season.

2013 Projections: 18.4 PPG, 12.5 RPG

Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

Taylor's a solid guard with an NBA future, but it's probably going to come as a second-round pick and with a learning curve.

He's no Jeremy Lin who will bounce around the league, but Taylor is probably going to be selected late and will have to sit and take advantage of minutes off the bench. He will put together a decent NBA career, though.

Taylor better win tonight—it could be the last game he starts for a while.

2013 Projections: 7.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.4 RPG

Jeff Withey, Kansas

Withey could come out this season, but it would be a huge mistake. He would have had a better chance of winning the Mega Millions lotto last week than being a first-round pick for this upcoming draft.

If he comes out, Withey is a mid-second-round guy and could do some good things off the bat, but if he sticks around for his senior season, he's probably a mid-first-round pick next season.

The smart money is on Withey staying in school.

2013 Projections (at Kansas): 12.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.6 BPG

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger will go anywhere from No. 5 to slightly outside the lottery this summer, but no matter where he goes, we're calling bust.

He's not a great athlete, and he's going to struggle against more athletic and better NBA players off the bat. Sullinger may open the season as a starter, but he will eventually find himself with a seat on the bench.

Sullinger's going to end up more like a Corliss Williamson, who put together a good season every now and then, instead of becoming an All-Star-caliber big man.

2013 Projections: 9.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG

William Buford, Ohio State

Buford may not go in the first round, but wherever he ends up, he's going to produce. He's a good athlete with a good offensive game that will have a decent impact coming off some team's bench.

Buford's got a nice jumper and has improved as a guy who can put the ball on the deck and get to the rim. He may never be an NBA star, but he will be a solid guard.

2013 Projections: 10.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG