Kemba Walker and the 20 Best Juniors in College Basketball

As we creep closer to the Madness that is March, basketball enthusiasts are focusing more and more on which teams will make the NCAA tournament.

In the midst of all this "bracketology" and bubble talk, let's pause for a minute and review the top performers in the country that are Juniors this season.

Some of them may come back next season for another go, while others will leave for the Association.

While fabulous freshman come and go, and consistent seniors are few and far between in today's one-and-done college basketball, some of these guys have the potential to come back and be season defining stars for their schools.

On the other hand, some of them should leave for the NBA rather than risk injury or a step back in their level of play.

Here is a less than comprehensive list of the top 20 Juniors in the NCAA.

20. Draymond Green: Michigan State Spartans

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Head Coach Tom Izzo speaks with Draymond Green #23, both of the Michigan State Spartans, during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Sham

Michigan State has not had very many bright spots at all this season.

Draymond Green has been one of the few in a bleak season.

Green is averaging more than 12 points a game and eight rebounds while playing 30 minutes a game.

19. Kevin Jones: West Virginia Mountaineers

Kevin Jones is a versatile guy.

Jones grabs seven rebounds per game and knows his way around the paint.

But he can also step outside and hit the trey when the opportunity presents itself.

18. William Buford: Ohio State Buckeyes

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: William Buford reacts after a play during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Buford has been a key part of the Buckeyes' success this season.

Even though Jared Sullinger steals all of the headlines, Buford carries his share of the load.

Averaging 14 points, four rebounds and three assists per game, Buford is deadly from behind the arc, hitting 45 percent of his shots.

17. Travis Leslie: Georgia Bulldogs

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Travis Leslie #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs attempts a dunk (which he missed) against Jeffery Taylor #44 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the quarterfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March

Leslie may be the most athletic guy in the country.

Even though he averages 14 points per game, Leslie struggles with his jump shot.

That being said, Leslie can get to the basket no matter who guards him, and he hauls in seven rebounds per contest.

16. Shelvin Mack: Butler Bulldogs

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 16: Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center on November 16, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Ah, how the mighty have fallen!

Shelvin Mack and the Bulldogs have gone from playing in the NCAA championship game to being on the bubble.

Mack, however, is playing a very high level of basketball.

He averages 15 points a games and has 27 steals on the season.

15. Kris Joseph: Syracuse Orange

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Kris Joseph #32 of Syracuse Orange lays the ball up against the Michigan State Spartans during their game at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Big East is definitely the best conference in America.

And Syracuse's Kris Joseph is one of the best forwards in the conference.

He has the ability to score inside and out, and his quick hands and solid footwork contribute to the quality of his defense.

14. Trey Thompkins: Georgia Bulldogs

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Trey Thompkins #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs brings the ball up against the Arkanasas Razorbacks during the first round of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (P

Trey Thompkins is another super athletic player from Georgia.

Averaging 16 points and seven rebounds per game, Thompkins is a big part of the Georgia offense.

At 6'10", Thompkins combines height with athleticism to form the near perfect low-post presence.

13. Scoop Jardine: Syracuse Orange

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 17: Scoop Jardine #11 of the Syracuse Orange drives to the basket as Gilbert Brown #5 of the Pittsburgh Panthers defends at Petersen Events Center on January 17, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty

Scoop is the best basketball name in the country at this point.

While Jardine has flourished in Jim Boeheim's system, he has been a solid piece of the puzzle for the Orange.

Jardine averages 12.4 points a game with 5.9 assists.

12. Tyler Zeller: North Carolina Tarheels

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GREENSBORO, NC - DECEMBER 18: Tyler Zeller #44 of the North Carolina Tar Heels battles for a rebound against Alexis Wangmene #20 of the Texas Longhorns at Greensboro Coliseum on December 18, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

Zeller is a seven-footer who has helped UNC to second in the ACC this season.

He contributes on both ends of the floor, averaging over 14 points per contest and posting 30 blocks so far.

11. Erving Walker: Florida Gators

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Guard Erving Walker #11 of the Florida Gators plays against the Ohio State Buckeyes November 16, 2010 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Walker is a big part of the Gators' resurgence.

He averages more than a steal per game, and has a 1.29 assist-to-turnover ratio to go with almost 15 points a game.

He will be one of the top guards in the country next season, barring injury.

10. Isaiah Thomas: Washington Huskies

This diminutive guard stands only 599, but has a big game.

Thomas averages nearly seventeen points a game, while dishing out six assists.

9. Jeffery Taylor: Vanderbilt Commodores

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Jeffery Taylor #44 of the Vanderbilt Commodores blocks a three-point shot by Terrence Jones #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Memorial Gym on February 12, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt won 81-77. (Photo by Grant Hal

Taylor is a 6'7" forward with the ability to step back and make the open jumper.

While he averages over 14 points per game, Jeffery is also a solid passer with 2.5 helpers per game.

8. Markieff Morris: Kansas Jayhawks

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LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 12: Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 12, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas was flying high before their recent flop against K-State, and the two guys up next have been a big part of that.

Markieff and his twin, Marcus, have been two of the catalysts behind the Jayhawks' tremendous season.

Markieff, at 6'10" 245 pounds, is a load on the blocks and scores and rebounds efficiently, shooting .600 from the floor this season.

7. Marcus Morris: Kansas Jayhawks

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LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 22: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns smiles after drawing a foul from Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game on January 22, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jami

As good as brother Markieff is, Marcus is even better.

He averages 17 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting .603 from the field.

6. Marcus Denmon: Missouri Tigers

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COLUMBIA, MO - FEBRUARY 15: Marcus Denmon #12 of the Missouri Tigers leaps over Texas Tech Red Raiders defenders on his way toward scoring during the game on February 15, 2011 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Big 12 is quietly deep this season.

Missouri's Marcus Denmon has the Tigers ranked in the Top 25.

Denmon averages nearly 17 points and four rebounds per contest and is the leader of the No. 20 Tigers.

5. Scotty Hopson: Tennessee Volunteers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Scotty Hopson #32 of the Tennessee Volunteers drives to the hoop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational at Consol Energy Center on December 11, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justi

Flat tops are back in, just ask Hopson.

While sporting his throwback look, "Scotty Fresh" averages over 17 points per game.

Hopson still needs some work on the defensive side of the ball and only averages 1.4 assists per game.

4. Ashton Gibbs: Pittsburgh Panthers

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WASHINGTON, DC- JANUARY 12: Ashton Gibbs #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers dribbles around Vee Sanford #11 of the Georgetown Hoyas during a college basketball game on January 12, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. The Panthers won 72-57. (Photo

Gibbs is shooting nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc.

He scores 16.7 per contest while playing solid defense for Jamie Dixon's Panthers.

3. Klay Thompson: Washington State Cougars

Thompson is the best player in the Pac-10.

Unfortunately his teammates are not as great.

Thompson scores 21 points a contest, while having four helpers and 1.8 steals per game.

He may be the most overlooked player in the country...

2. Jordan Taylor: Wisconsin Badgers

...Unless it's Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor.

It's not the 17.8 points or 5 assists per game that set Taylor apart, it's his assist-to-turnover ratio.

Taylor's A/TO sits at 4.1—best in the country.

1. Kemba Walker: Connecticut Huskies

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HARTFORD, CT - FEBRUARY 13: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies drives toward the basket against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the XL Center on February 13, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Even with UCONN coming back to earth with six losses in the season, Walker is the best Junior in the country, and possibly the best player.

Walker averages over 22 points per game and has no problem sharing the rock, dishing out 4.6 assists per contest in the Uber-competitive Big East.