10 College Basketball Players Who Will Be Leading Scorers in 2012-13

School is in session, and we'll be reviewing a compilation of the shoo-ins and hopefuls who will make up the top-10 leading scorers in college basketball for the 2012-13 season.

There will be no tests, but there will be brackets in March, so you're encouraged to take notes and educate yourself on the elite scorers to watch for this season.

In no particular order, here are the collegiate studs sure to be racking up the points this season.

Doug McDermott

Doug who? From where?

Whether you read the Sports Illustrated piece on Doug McDermott last February or you've seen him play at Creighton, this baby-faced junior forward is doing things.

McDermott averaged 22.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest last season as a sophomore, which was up from his 14.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a freshman.

Expect this kid to continue to put up big numbers this season and be among the leading scorers in college.

Cody Zeller

Cody Zeller is already at the top of a lot of preseason lists for First Team All-American in 2012-13.

Don't overlook his innate ability to score the basketball.

Zeller came to the Hoosiers as a freshman last season with the lofty expectations of putting Indiana back in the national spotlight.

The seven footer poured in 15.6 points per game along with 6.6 rebounds in 2011-12, and he's prime to do more damage in his second season under head coach Tom Crean.

His presence down low will provide him with a lot of high percentage shots, so look for the Indiana offense to run through Zeller this season.

C.J. McCollum

C.J. McCollum is that kid where you look for a flaw, but there just isn't one. 

This Lehigh guard was ranked sixth in the nation last year with 21.9 points per game, and if you haven't taken notice of him yet, be sure to follow him in his senior year this season because he can drop points with the best of them.

He's also much more than a top collegiate scorer; check out his humble perspective on deciding to finish school.

Via AOL Sporting News:

"

My family and I believe another year in college will be more beneficial for me on and off court. If I were in a situation where I needed money, I would definitely consider taking my career to the next level. But both of my parents work hard to ensure my brother and I can live comfortably, which takes away any added pressure to pursue a professional career at this time. The fact that my brother plays professionally over in Israel doesn’t hurt, either.

I believe that finishing up my degree at Lehigh University is an essential and pivotal step in the right direction for my future career in Journalism and Sports Broadcasting. Growing up, I promised my mother I would complete my degree and although there is no time limit, I feel like the time is now.

 

"

James Michael McAdoo

A name that college basketball fans will get to know very well this season is James Michael McAdoo.

Why is a kid who only averaged 6.1 points per game on 15.6 minutes of play last year going to register among the top scorers in 2012-13?

Three reasons: The departures of John Henson, Tyler Zeller and Harrison Barnes to the NBA.

With those three offensive weapons gone from Chapel Hill, McAdoo will likely be the Tarheels' first option on offense.

Expect this 6'9" power forward to blossom and be a big-time scorer. After all, he did show flashes of his offensive prowess in March of last season.  

Deshaun Thomas

Junior forward Deshaun Thomas is on track to be one of the most dynamic scorers this season.

His points per game nearly doubled from his freshman year to his sophomore year, and with Jared Sullinger now out of the mix, Thomas should have the ball in his hands a lot more.

He can score the ball in such a variety of ways that he is sure to frustrate defenders on his way to being a top scoring threat in 2012-13.

Shabazz Muhammad

Shabazz Muhammad is a name you better get to know.

The word on the street about this lefty is that he's pretty good.

The UCLA-bound sensation is going to wow a lot of defenses this season, as he's got a very high motor and is extremely athletic.

Don't be surprised to see this kid rise to become one of the best scorers in college by the end of his freshman year.

For a little validation, check out this YouTube video of Muhammad doing what he does best. 

Elijah Johnson

Senior guard Elijah Johnson should be on your radar as a potential top scorer this season.

He's fresh off an impressive junior season where he averaged 10.2 points per game, and he was in a lineup that included Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor.

In all likelihood, Johnson will move from shooting guard to the point since Taylor is now in the NBA, but he'll still be a large part of the Jayhawks offense.

Johnson has shot nearly 50 percent from the field over his career at Kansas, and with those freaky hops, expect him to be a menace on offense this coming season.

Nerlens Noel

The 6'10" Nerlens Noel will do his best Anthony Davis impersonation this season for Kentucky.

Noel brings his high-flying act to Calipari's college-for-a-year system, so expect this kid to make a major splash.

The strength may not be where it needs to be for Noel, but his size, quickness and versatility will thrust him into the spotlight right away.

Telling by these high school highlights, Noel will be among some of the most dangerous scorers this season.

Peyton Siva

2012 Big East Tournament MVP Peyton Siva is back for a senior season at Louisville and is capable of going off offensively this year.

Siva can be prone to turnovers and questionable decisions, but look for him to be an aggressive scorer as his draft stock hangs in the balance.

This is Siva's last chance to show why he's one of the elite guards available for next year's draft, so you can't count him out the running to be one of the top scorers in 2012-13.

Trey Burke

The last guy to round out the top-10 hopefuls for elite scorers in the upcoming season is Michigan's Trey Burke.

A lot of people were probably shocked to have heard that Burke wasn't one-and-done after last year, but he's back and on a mission.

He led the Wolverines in assists, steals, blocks and of course scoring last season.

Burke will be intent on building on that 14.8 points per game from last year; he's a guy that you have to put in the conversation of potential elite scorers in 2012-13.