College Basketball 2012-13: The Top 15 Long-Range Bombers in the Country

There were plenty of sharpshooters who scorched the nets from long range last season.

With the likes of Murray State's Isaiah Canaan and Indiana's Jordan Hulls topping the ranks, college basketball will once again have a stellar collection of game-changers behind the arc.

Hot shooting from deep can carry teams throughout the season.

Here are the top 15 long-range bombers in 2012-13.

Kris Davis (SIUE, Sophomore)

The Cougars basketball team was not much to brag about last season, finishing with a 10-17 record.

However, the play of freshman guard Kris Davis was sensational. Davis led the nation in three-point percentage (just under 60 percent), hitting 58-97 shots from long range.

The Detroit, MI native had two games in which he hit five three-pointers; his latest was against Tennessee Tech last December.

Davis ranked third on the team in scoring in 2011-12, and will look to improve on his impressive stats in his sophomore campaign.

Gary Bell Jr. (Gonzaga, Sophomore)

Gonzaga guard Gary Bell Jr. also had a stellar freshman season.

Bell averaged more than 10 points per game, while shooting higher than 47 percent from behind the arc (46-97), which was the best in the WCC.

The Washington product shot 60 percent from three-point range in the NCAA tournament—impressive numbers for a freshman.

Bell played big minutes for Mark Few last season, averaging nearly 29 per game. His experience should prove to be beneficial in his second go-around.

James Kinney (San Jose St., Senior)

James Kinney was a stud for the Spartans last season, leading the team with nearly 16 points per game (fourth in the WAC).

The junior guard was also impressive from long range, shooting just under 40 percent (86-216). Kinney's 2.8 three-pointers per game tied for the most in the conference last season.

One of his best performances came against UTSA last November, when Kinney hit seven three-pointers on his way to a 30-point outing.

The senior guard has the potential to have a monster season in 2012-13, as he hopes to catch the eye of NBA scouts.

Parker Smith (North Florida, Senior)

Parker Smith has been a sniper from three-point range since his freshman year at Tennessee State in 2008-09.

After transferring to North Florida, Smith has continued his success for the Ospreys.

While his team's 16-16 record last season was pedestrian, Smith's play was anything but. The 6'3" guard led the team with 14.5 points per game, while shooting 41 percent from behind the arc (96-234).

Smith put together one of the best performances in all of college basketball last season, scoring 46 points while hitting 11 three-pointers in a victory over Mercer in February.

Look for this senior to go out with a bang in the upcoming season.

Sean Armand (Iona, Junior)

Iona was the most high-powered offense in college basketball last season, scoring an NCAA-high 82.9 points per game.

A big reason for that was the Gales' three-point shooting, headlined by sophomore guard Sean Armand.

Armand averaged 9.5 points per game, while shooting better than 46 percent from long range (79-171).

Armand's best game last season was against Siena, when he scored 32 points on 10-19 shooting from the arc.

With the absence of Mo-Mo Jones in the upcoming season, the junior will be relied on to do much more for the offense.

Langston Galloway (St. Joseph's, Junior)

Langston Galloway was the A-10's best three-point shooter in 2011-12, hitting more than 46 percent of his attempts (90-193).

Galloway averaged more than 15 points per game for the Hawks, which was second most on the team.

A 32-point outing against Pennsylvania, on 6-9 shooting from behind the arc, was his best performance of the season.

The 6'2" guard improved his three-point percentage by more than seven percent from his freshman season. Now a junior, Galloway has the potential to be one of the best shooters in the country this season.

Seth Curry (Duke, Senior)

Three-point shooting is encoded into the Curry family DNA.

He has yet to live up to his brother's magnificent college career, but Seth Curry was a solid producer for the Blue Devils last season, scoring more than 13 points per game.

While his three-point percentage took a step back from his sophomore campaign, Curry was still one of the most dangerous sharpshooters in all of college basketball (64-167 from three-point range).

With the departure of Austin Rivers, in addition to the announced redshirt of Andre Dawkins in the upcoming season, Curry will be relied upon to carry more of the load.

The senior guard can only hope to have half the college basketball finale that his brother, Stephen, had at Davidson, but a good season should be in store nonetheless.

Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga, Sophomore)

Kevin Pangos had a stellar freshman season for Few's squad.

Pangos led the Zags with more than 13.5 points per game in 2011-12, while also being the team's leading assist-man.

The 6'1" guard was deadly from three-point range, ranking second in the conference in scored triples per game, while shooting better than 40 percent.

Pangos exploded onto the scene last November with a 33-point performance against Washington State, hitting nine three-pointers.

There may not be a better player in the WCC than Pangos in the upcoming season.

Kenny Boynton (Florida, Senior)

Billy Donovan's team was loaded with sharpshooters last season, tying for the nation's lead with 9.6 triples made per game.

While Brad Beal garnered most of the headlines, Kenny Boynton was one of the best three-point specialists in the country in 2011-12, shooting higher than 40 percent from long range.

Boynton led the team with just under 16 points per game last season, while hitting six treys in four separate contests.

The senior guard will be one of the most highly touted players in college basketball next season. With his range and driving ability, defenses will have a hard time containing Boynton in 2012-13.

Travis Bader (Oakland, Junior)

Like the Gators, Oakland was also one of the best three-point shooting teams in 2011-12, ranking third in the NCAA with 9.2 triples made per game.

Travis Bader was the primary cause, as he hit 124 threes last season, which was the third most in the country.

Bader's long-range percentage decreased from his freshman season, but his 39.5 percent last season is pretty darn good.

The sharpshooter's best outing came against South Dakota State in January, when he scored 37 points on 10-14 shooting from downtown.

NBA scouts will watch this junior guard with a close eye in the upcoming year.

Ryan Kelly (Duke, Senior)

There were not many 6'11" big men that shot the ball as well as Kelly last season. In fact, none of them did.

Kelly was Coach K's most consistent asset from behind the arc, hitting more than 40 percent of his three-point attempts. He also ranked third on the team with 11.8 points per game.

Kelly showcased his range early and often last season. A 23-point outing against Wake Forest, on 4-5 shooting from downtown, was his best performance of the year.

The absence of their starting big man was deadly for the Blue Devils in March of 2012.

Now, the senior will headline a squad that will be seeking revenge after their first-round exit last season.

Brady Heslip (Baylor, Junior)

Not many people outside of Big-12 country knew who Brady Heslip was during the regular season in 2011-12.

But by the end of the NCAA tournament, Heslip was no longer nameless.

The 6'2" guard dazzled in a third-round effort against Colorado, scoring a career-high 27 points on 9-12 shooting from long range.

A sophomore last season, Heslip was the Bears best three-point threat, shooting higher than 45 percent from behind the arc.

Fans may have wondered "who is that Baylor kid throwing up the 'three-goggles'?" Now, the junior guard will receive the respect he deserves.

Doug McDermott (Creighton, Junior)

All-American Doug McDermott did it all for his squad last season, carrying more weight on his back than if he gave Rosie O'Donnell a piggyback ride.

McDermott averaged more than 22 points and eight rebounds per game in 2011-12, both team highs.

The 6'7" forward also showcased his versatility, punishing defenses who gave him too much space on the outside by shooting nearly 49 percent from long range.

This season, the junior returns as arguably the best college basketball player in the country.

Look for McDermott to carry the load once again on his way to another NCAA tournament appearance.

Jordan Hulls (Indiana, Senior)

Indiana guard Jordan Hulls may look like he belongs in the next Lord of the Rings film than on a basketball court, but there is no denying his ability to shoot the rock.

Hulls aided the Big Ten's highest scoring team, tallying more than 11 points per game (third on the team).

The 6'0" guard did most of his damage from the outside, shooting higher than 49 percent (72-146).

Hulls' best performance last season came in a victory at Penn State, where he scored 28 points on 7-9 shooting from downtown.

Hulls, one of the most consistent sharpshooters throughout the last three years, will give opponents headaches once again in the upcoming season.

Isaiah Canaan (Murray State, Senior)

Isaiah Canaan was the top scorer on a lethal Racers offense last season.

Canaan led the team with 19 points and more than 3.5 assists per game in 2011-12. The smooth-shooting guard also shot better than 45 percent from behind the arc (98-215).

Canaan hit seven of eight three-point attempts against Austin Peay in January, on his way to a 35-point performance.

Opponents in the OVC were discouraged to hear of his return, as Canaan's presence all but guarantees another conference title for the Racers.

Mid-major guard Damian Lillard crept into the lottery in the 2012 NBA Draft. Don't be surprised if Canaan does the same in 2013.