Jordan Hamilton, Alec Burks and the Top 10 Big 12 Basketball Players of 2010-11

The Big 12 basketball season has been extremely exciting so far this season.

This conference is loaded with talented players playing for talented teams.

In the AP Poll, Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M and Missouri are ranked.

In the USA Today Coaches Poll, Kansas State is also ranked.

Colorado, the biggest surprise of the conference, is lurking just outside of both polls after a 3-1 start to conference play.

Nearly every team has a big time star who is talented enough to move on to the NBA, from Alec Burks of Colorado to Jordan Hamilton of Texas to the Morris twins of Kansas.

This conference is stacked. So, who are the best of the best?

Here are the top 10 players in the Big 12 so far in this 2010-11 college basketball season.

10. Khris Middleton, F, Texas A&M

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 21: Khris Middleton #22 of the Texas A&M Aggies drives the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Washington. Purdue

Middleton has been the biggest reason the Aggies have started the Big 12 season with a 3-1 record, including a win over Missouri.

He does everything well on the court, averaging 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and nearly three assists per game.

As the sophomore continues to mature as a basketball player, the Aggies should become more and more dangerous.

9. Jacob Pullen, G, Kansas State

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - JANUARY 17: Jacob Pullen #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts after committing a foul during the game against the Missouri Tigers on January 17, 2011 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

As recently as last year, Pullen would have been much closer to No. 1 on this list.

But this year, his Wildcats have staggered to a 1-3 start in Big 12 play.

Pullen has also been suspended for improper benefits and has caused some controversy by saying he "won't play basketball in the NIT."

But, he's still averaging 17.8 points per game, so he's got enough talent to carry his team to the NCAA tourney.

He really misses Denis Clemente, his former backcourt mate.

8. Marcus Denmon, G, Missouri

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - JANUARY 17: Marcus Denmon #12 of the Missouri Tigers talks with Phil Pressey #1 during a timeout in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on January 17, 2011 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Tigers have a system in which it doesn't matter how an individual player plays. It's all about the team for Coach Mike Anderson and his squad.

But, Marcus Denmon still deserves recognition for his skills.

He's averaging 17.5 points as the leader of the Tigers.

When the team needs someone to step up and make a big play, Denmon is there more often than not.

7. Marshall Moses, F, Oklahoma State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 19: Marshall Moses #33 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys moves the ball against Glen Rice Jr. #41 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first half during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Bradley Center

Moses is the senior leader of the Cowboys.

He's led his team to a 2-2 start in conference play by averaging 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

He's the biggest reason why Oklahoma State is still a dangerous team and hasn't fallen to the back of the Big 12.

6. Diante Garrett, G, Iowa State

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Diante Garrett #10 of the Iowa State Cyclones moves the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the first round game of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 10, 2010 in Kansas C

Though Iowa State is one of the bottom feeders of the Big 12, it's not because of Diante Garrett.

He's doing whatever he can to bring the Cyclones to relevancy.

His struggles will probably be fruitless, but he's still fun to watch, as he's averaging 17.6 points and 6.1 assists per game.

The senior from Milwaukee has all the skills necessary to succeed at the next level.

Hopefully his NBA team is more successful than his college team. He deserves that much.

5. Markieff Morris, F, Kansas

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 15: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the game on January 15, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Morris twins are dominating the Big 12 as members of the Jayhawks.

Markieff is averaging 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, as well as a little over one block per game.

Markieff is the brother who is better at rebounding and defense, while Marcus carries more of the offensive load.

4. LaceDarius Dunn, G, Baylor

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

HOUSTON - MARCH 28: LaceDarius Dunn #24 of the Baylor Bears puts up a shot over Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils during the south regional final of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium on March 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Duk

Dunn missed the first three games of the 2010-11 season with some legal issues, but he's come back in a big way.

He leads the Big 12 with a 21.6 points per game average.

As long as he's shooting the ball well, Baylor can beat anyone in the Big 12.

But if he struggles, the rest of the Bears will have trouble covering for him.

3. Marcus Morris, F, Kansas

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 18: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks in action during the game against the USC Trojans on December 18, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Marcus is averaging 17.2 points per game, four more than his brother Markieff.

He's also averaging 6.9 rebounds per game.

That means, between the Morris twins, the Jayhawks are getting 30 points and 16 rebounds per game.

No wonder they are undefeated and the No. 2 team in the country.

2. Alec Burks, G, Colorado

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Alec Burks #10 of the Colorado Buffaloes moves the ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the first round game of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March

Burks is helping Colorado make its last season in the Big 12 a memorable one.

The Buffaloes have jumped out to a 3-1 start in conference play, with wins over Mizzou, Kansas State and Oklahoma State.

They are 14-5 overall and could enter the top 25 polls soon if they stay hot.

Burks will play a large part in that.

The sophomore is averaging 19.8 points per game for the 10th highest scoring team in all of college basketball.

1. Jordan Hamilton, G-F, Texas

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Jordan Hamilton #3 of the Texas Longhorns drives to the basket against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Championship game of the 2k Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 19, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Ch

Hamilton has been the most dynamic player in the Big 12 this season.

He and Tristan Thompson are big reasons why the Longhorns pose the biggest threat to Kansas in the Big 12.

They'll get their chance to take control of the conference this Saturday, when they'll travel to Lawrence to take on the Jayhawks, who haven't lost a home game since approximately 1902.

If Hamilton can score more than his 19.2 point average and grab his average of seven rebounds, the Longhorns have a chance to do the unthinkable.