Five Players With Something To Prove Next Season

Mason and Miles Plumlee, Duke

Almost all of the players from last season's championship team are back and ready to make another run for the title. With one of the top players in the recruiting class in Kyrie Irving coming in to play with transfer Seth Curry, it looks as if the Blue Devils will be in the Final Four again next season.

However, if they plan to do so, the Plumlee brothers have to step up to fill in for the loss of Brian Zoubek who was a key contributor down low for last year's champions.

So, if the Devils plan to repeat, they're going to need stellar performances from Mason and Miles Plumlee.

Shelvin Mack, Butler

Everyone knows what happened last season with Butler in the NCAA Tournament. What many fail to realize is that Shelvin Mack also averaged 14 points a game last season and shot almost 40 percent from behind the three point line.

Still, after last season's historical run, a lot of people expect Butler to fall off the national spotlight due to the loss of Gordon Hayward.

That leaves the Bulldogs with a lot to prove going into March. Sure, they can win 25 games in the regular season. But none of that matters unless they can make another run to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8.

Shelvin Mack will be the leader of this team and he will have to prove that Butler is here to stay.

Brandon Knight, Kentucky

After Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, and John Wall, it's Brandon Knight's turn to take the stage for John Calipari's system.

To continue the success in Kentucky, a lot of the pressure will fall to the incoming freshmen to step up their game. After all, five players left for this year's NBA draft.

Calipari's philosophy is to reload with "one and dones" every single year, but it still hasn't won him a championship. So, in that aspect, it has failed so far.

Brandon Knight is the key next season to change that trend.

Robbie Hummel, Purdue

Last season's expectation was to appear in the Final Four in their home state. However, after Hummel went down with an injury at the end of the season, the Boilermakers seemed all but out.

They return with everyone from a team who was in the top 10 all last season except for defensive leader Chris Kramer.

With a big three in Jajuan Johnson, E'twuan Moore, and Hummel, it looks to be another great season in the Big Ten for Purdue.

However, Hummel will be the straw that stirs it all. He has to prove that after last season's injury he can lead his team to the Final Four and beyond.

All Of North Carolina's Roster

It goes without saying that last season was a disappointing one at Chapel Hill. However, there's no time to sit around and commiserate with these fans who expect a championship every two or three seasons.

The Tar Heels had loads of talent last year, but it didn't work out and now they have to come play with a chip on their shoulder, ready to be at the top of the ACC again.

If they plan to do this, every single one of their top recruits, top players, and leaders need to step up on this team. 

Otherwise it could be another long year in North Carolina.

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