College Hoops Rankings: Top 25 Players West of the Mississippi
Contrary to popular East Coast belief, the West has plenty of talented teams and players. But the best players don't always play for the best team nor do the best teams necessarily have the best players.
For instance, teams like Saint Mary's or Texas A&M do not have players on this list. Neither does Minnesota.
Eight of the players make their home outside of the Big Six conferences.
In any case, here are the top 25 players west of the Mississippi River.
Will Clyburn, G/F, Utah
1 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 19.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG, .483 FG, .889 FT, .375 3PT
The Utes are usually one of the top teams in the Mountain West but haven't played up to par as of yet. They have losses at Utah State and at home to Oral Roberts.
Despite the teams' struggles, Will Clyburn is carrying the load. In the loss to Oral Roberts, Clyburn recorded his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
He is second in scoring and is third in steals in the Mountain West.
Perry Jones, F/C, Baylor
2 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 12.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 BPG, 1.3 SPG, .478 FG, .385 FT
Perry Jones was one of the best recruits in the nation coming into this season. To this point, he has not disappointed.
His length and size have created defensive nightmares for opponents. Jones' 8.5 rebounds, two blocks and 1.3 steals make him one of the bets defenders in the Big 12.
His offensive game still needs work but should develop by the start of the regular season.
Tristan Thompson, F, Texas
3 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 12.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG, .543 FG, .489 FT
Defense is key in college basketball and preventing someone's shot from going in is as important as putting it in yourself. Tristan Thompson has been a defensive nightmare for opponents.
The 6'8" Thompson is averaging 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals to go along with 12.2 points and 6.8 rebounds. His block total places him first in the Big 12 and his 6.5 rebounds is good for 13th in the conference.
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Tai Wesley, F, Utah State
4 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 17 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 BPG, .673 FG, .586 FT
Tai Wesley has been a staple for Utah State for the past three seasons but this season, he has taken his role to a new level. He is now a focal point to the Aggie offense and he is being incredibly efficient about it.
He is shooting .673 from the field, 11th in the nation and first in the WAC.
Not only this but Wesley is proving his worth against his best competition. He had his best night in Provo against BYU with 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting and eight rebounds.
Markieff Morris, F, Kansas
5 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 12.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, .543 FG, .677 FT, .375 3PT
This is not the only Kansas player in the list. Markieff Morris has been an everyman for the Jayhawks.
Despite averaging only 12.3 point per game, his main role has not been to score. But when he needs to score, he has been efficient about it. He is shooting 54 percent from the field and 37 percent from three.
He leads Kansas in rebounding and is a constant defensive presence.
Along with his brother Marcus, Markieff has Kansas right where they need to be this season.
Randy Culpepper, G, UTEP
6 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.3 SPG, .456 FG, .800 FT, .395 3PT
Scoring is what Randy Culpepper does and scoring is what Culpepper will do.
Culpepper has scored fewer than 20 points three times in the Miners' seven games but never any fewer than 13. His ability to rise above the rim makes him one of the more athletic point guards in the nation.
He has his UTEP Miners at 5-2 early on with his best game coming in the form of a 32 point night against New Mexico State.
Isaiah Thomas, G, Washington
7 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 14 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, .434 FG, .577 FT, .450 3PT
The Washington Huskies are the pre-season pick to win the final regular season of the Pac-10 with good reason. One of the big reasons is Isaiah Thomas.
The diminutive guard led the Huskies to a Sweet 16 berth last season and is once again leading them in two major categories (points and assists). He has struggled from the free throw line this season but that should only improve for a guy that shot 73 percent last season.
He was named to the preseason Wooden Award watch list and proving his worth.
Omari Johnson, F, Oregon State
8 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 15.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.8 SPG, .537 FG, .625 FT, .364 3PT
Oregon State is still building their program but one of the centerpieces has been the senior Omari Johnson.
The 6'9" Johnson has been incredibly consistent. He has scored 13 or more in each game this season and has recorded two double-doubles. He is sixth in the Pac-10 in field goal percentage.
His quick hands have also proved useful. He has had two or more steals in all but one of the Beavers' games.
Jacob Pullen, G, Kansas State
9 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 SPG, .388 FG, .688 FT, .343 3PT
Named to the Wooden Award Preseason Watch List, Jacob Pullen has not disappointed. The guard has his Kansas State team ranked fifth in the nation and their only loss to No. 1 Duke.
He leads the Wildcats in points, steals and assists. His best performance was a 26 point, five assist game against Empira State on Monday night.
His worst, though, came at the hands of Duke where he scored four points on 1-for-12 shooting.
Chace Stanback, G/F, UNLV
10 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, .629 FG, .824 FT, .440 3PT
Chace Stanback's production from a season ago has nearly doubled, helping UNLV not miss a beat in the 2010-2011 season.
Stanback averaged just over 10 points while shooting 43 percent in 26 minutes. This season, he is averaging 17 points on 62 percent shooting while playing only 28 minutes per contest.
That 62 percent clip places him 24th in the nation. He is one of only two guards who shoot that well.
Nikola Vucevic, F, USC
11 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 16 PPG, 11 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 BPG, .448 FG, .707 FT, .313 3PT
Nikola Vucevic has been a machine. The junior forward has five double-doubles in the team's eight games while playing just over 36 minutes a contest.
He leads the Pac-10 in rebounding and 16th in the nation. He is carrying his weight on the offensive side as well. He ranks seventh in the conference with 16 per game.
His best game was a 22 point, 15 rebound, five assist performance in a one-point loss to Bradley.
Faisal Aden, G, Washington State
12 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 23.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.5 SPG, .522 FG, .875 FT, .412 3PT
The Washington State Cougars have a two-headed monster in Aden and Klay Thompson. This backcourt leads the nation in scoring and field goal percentage.
Aden, who has not played the past two seasons, burst onto the scene in a supposed down year for the Pac-10 and become a dominant force. He is third in the Pac-10 in scoring, third among guards in field goal percentage and sixth overall in three-point percentage.
His best game when he scored 28 points with six three-pointers against Fresno State.
Joevan Catron, F, Oregon
13 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, .569 FG, .667 FT, .143 3PT
New coach, new attitude, rejuvenated Joevan Catron. After missing most of last season due to injury, Catron has returned for the Ducks in a big way.
Despite being only 6'6", this forward has played big in the paint. His best performance came against No. 1 Duke when he scored 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.
He is fourth in the Pac-10 in scoring and has more than doubled his last full season average in 2008-2009.
Trent Lockett, G, Arizona State
14 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, .655 FG, .576 FT, .400 3PT
How does a guard shoot better from the field than from the free throw line? Not sure but Trent Lockett has figured it out.
He is fourth in the Pac-10 in scoring, first in field goal percentage and second in rebounds among guards. The sophomore averaged just under seven points last season before breaking out with 18.6 this season.
Most glaring was his field goal percentage. Last season, he shot 48 percent. This season he is at 65 percent.
Lockett's best game to this point was a 22 point, eight rebound night against New Mexico.
Adrian Oliver, G, San Jose State
15 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 27.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, .470 FG, .844 FT, .304 3PT
Adrian Oliver is one of the best kept secrets in college basketball. After transferring from Washington three seasons ago, Oliver has lit up the WAC and helped San Jose State rebuilt their program.
Oliver is the third leading scorer in the nation and is able to hurt a team in many ways. He plays bigger than his 6'4" frame suggests. His near six rebounds a game makes him one of the better rebounding guards in the nation.
He attacks the basket and this allows him to get to the free throw line, where he is an 84 percent shooter. Oliver is 33rd in the nation in free throws attempted.
Steven Gray, G, Gonzaga
16 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 22.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.6 APG, 3.0 SPG, .500 FG, .778 FT, .395 3PT
Steven Gray has been one of the more versatile players in the nation early on. After Matt Bouldin graduated, many believed the Bulldog team belonged to forward Elias Harris.
The senior Gray had other plans.
He has carried the Bulldogs, who have struggled to find an offensive identity outside of the highly talented guard. Gray has become the leader of Mark Few's team. His best game was a 35 point, five assist performance against Mountain West favorite San Diego State.
Marcus Morris, F, Kansas
17 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 19 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, .677 FG, .667 FT, .615 3PT
The Kansas Jayhawks have been the class of the Big 12 since Bill Self arrived. Marcus Morris has been a big reason for their continued success.
The 6'8" forward is able to put up 19 points per game in only 25 minutes per game. He is averaging seven more points while shooting over .100 points better. His .615 three-point percentage is most impressive of all.
He shot 38 percent from three in his first two seasons at Kansas.
Morris' continued development is key to a Kansas run in March.
Quincy Acy, F, Baylor
18 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, .605 FG, .864 FT
Quincy Acy is one of the more versatile players in the Big 12 and picked up the slack for guard LaceDarius Dunn during his suspension. The 6'7" forward is averaging a double-double and his best game was a 25 point, 11 rebound performance against La Salle.
Acy has been incredibly efficient, shooting over 60 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free throw line.
He is 89th in the nation in scoring and 19th in rebounding per game.
Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State
19 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 18 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, .488 FG, .733 FT, .375 3PT
San Diego State returns the entire team that made the NCAA Tournament last year and the leader of that team is Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard has a double-double in all but one of the Mountain West favorite Aztecs' games and had his best game at Gonzaga. His 18-point, 12-rebound performance gave San Diego State the win at the Kennel.
Six of the 12 rebounds were offensive rebounds.
Leonard leads the Mountain West in rebounds and is 23rd in the nation. He is a crucial piece to teh Aztecs making another run at the NCAA Tournament.
Jordan Hamilton, G/F, Texas
20 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 22.7 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, .495 FG, .750 FT, .472 3PT
Jordan Hamilton has been a savior for the Longhorns. Texas lost much to graduation last season and needed to fill big holes.
Hamilton has fit the bill quite well. The sophomore leads the Big 12 in scoring with 22.7 per game. His 7.2 rebounds places him ninth overall and second among guards in the Big 12.
His 28 points and eight rebounds against Pittsburgh was his best game of the season.
Texas is off to another fast start and Hamilton is one of the biggest reasons why.
LaceDarius Dunn, G, Baylor
21 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 22 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, .577 FG, .800 FT, .526 3PT
LaceDarius Dunn is about as dominant a force in college basketball as there is. After leading Baylor to the Elite Eight last season, he looked to get them even farther this season.
Despite being suspending for the first three games, he came back and looked as he never missed a play. He scored 24 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists.
He has not played much but should be a contender for Big 12 Player of the Year.
Reeves Nelson, F, UCLA
22 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, .621 FG, .636 FT, .333 3PT
Saying UCLA had a down year last year is an understatement. The Bruins had to rebuild and part of Ben Howland's project is Reeves Nelson.
Nelson burst onto the scene this season after averaging 11 points and five rebounds last season. The sophomore is now one of only two Pac-10 players to be averaging a double-double.
His 62 percent shooting percentage is third in the Pac-10 and this spells good news for UCLA heading into the regular season in about a month.
Klay Thompson, G, Washington State
23 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, .567 FG, .826 FT, .333 3PT
Washington State is relevant for two reasons. One was discussed already. The other is Klay Thompson.
Thompson has been one of the best players in the nation to this point. His versatility is seen in his stats. He leads the Pac-10 in scoring and assist average and is fifth among guards in rebounds per game.
His 35-point, six rebound game against Portland was his best of the season. He went 13-for-16 that night.
Because of Thompson, Washington State will challenge Washington for the Pac-10 title.
Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
24 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 21 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, .645 FG, .780 FT, .778 3PT
Derrick Williams may very well be the Pac-10 Player of the Year come March but for now, he'll have to settle for third in the Pac-10 in scoring and 27th in the nation. Not bad for a sophomore in one of the Big Six conferences.
He is also fourth in the Pac-10 in rebounding.
Arizona is on the rebound and Williams is one of the biggest reasons. In their loss to Kansas, Williams scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU
25 of 25
2010-2011 Stats: 24.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, .495 FG, .862 FT, .391 3PT
Let's face it. The man can shoot.
Jimmer Fredette has been as good as advertised all season. He is seventh in the nation in scoring and does while shooting 49 percent from the field, 86 percent from the line and 39 percent from three.
By the way, his team has not lost a game yet.
Even though he draws so much attention, he is still able to find the open man. He is third in the Mountain West in assists per game.
He is no slouch on defense either. His 2.3 steals per game are proof of that. One of the best players in the nation.
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