College Basketball's All Redeem Team

Some players come to college basketball with a lot of hype but sadly they do not live up to those expectations in their first season.

It is an adjustment playing with guys their size, unlike high school basketball. Games are twice as intense and are on a national stage.

Then there are outside, non basketball, forces that can derail a season.

Here are five guys seeking redemption next season.

Fabricio Melo, Syracuse Orange

Syracuse expected big things from Brazilian import, Fabricio Melo but that never materialised. His best game the entire season was an 8 point 7 rebounds game against Cornell.

He was a starter at the beginning of the season but by season's end he was barely seeing the floor. Not what was expected from a seven feet tall 278 pound athletic center.

After the season the center was expected to be of working out for NBA executives. Instead Melo courted further controversy after being held on a misdemeanor charge of fourth degree criminal mischief. 

Hopefully this won't get in the way of his play next season as without Rick Jackson, Syracuse needs someone to control the boards.

Honorable mention: C J Leslie, North Carolina State.

Perry Jones , Power Forward Baylor Bears

By all accounts, 14 points and 7 rebounds is a good start for a freshman other than Perry Jones. If you happen to catch Baylor towards the end of the season, Jones seems to fade into the background. At times you can hardly tell he was on the court.

Hardly demanded the ball even though he was the most talented player on a team that was struggling.

He could have been an NBA lottery pick but he is back at Baylor for a reason. You have to figure he wants to redeem himself.

Honorably mention: Patric Young, Florida Gators.

Terrene Jones, Forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Just like Perry Jones (no relation) of Baylor, Terrence Jones had a very good season statistically for a freshman.

He averaged 15 points 8.8 rebounds a game.

If the Terrence Jones that played at the start of the season had entered the NBA draft he would would have been a top 3 pick. Actually he still would have been a top three pick if he had entered.

At least given Derrick Williams some competition for the second draft pick.

However unlike Williams who started the season as a relatively unknown then finished the season on a high, Jones went the other way and faded at the end of the season.

The NBA lockout may have been the main reason he is back in college basketball but as one of the older players on Kentucky (as a sophomore) he will be looked upon for leadership.

Honorable mention: Patric Young, Florida Gators.

Will Barton Memphis Tigers

Will Barton is long and athletic, but as a freshman he seemed a little out of control at times. Still 12 points, 2 assists and 1.5 steals was not a bad effort.

If he wants to leave early for the NBA then he has to turn in a more consistent, disciplined effort.

Slam Magazine caught up with him at the Chris Paul camp and this is what he said regarding his outlook on the next season.

"I have to lead. I have to be the best player on the team and in the conference."

He has the potential just needs to execute better.

Honorable mention: Vander Blue, Marquette.

Seth Curry Duke Blue Devils

Seth curry was a role player last season, an effective one to boot, but he was never expected to be a role player. Not after averaging 20 points as a freshman at Liberty.

Can Curry be a go to guy and an effective scorer for a big time program? Now that Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving has left, it looks like Seth Curry is it. Also someone is pretty high on him.

“Seth’s good,” The News Observer reports coach Mike Krzyzewski said during a recent press conference . “He’s just really good. I think he’ll be one of the better point guards in the country, especially if he learns to be the leader and not just a scorer. And I think he can do that.”

Honorable mention. Joe Jackson, Memphis Tigers.