College Basketball Preview: Each Top 25 Team's Go-to Scorer

When the game is on the line, it's great to have a single player in which you have total confidence to put the ball in his hands.

Here is a quick look at the go-to scorers from each of the Top 25 teams.

Throughout the upcoming season, these players will be called on to make things happen when their teams need a big bucket.

As the season begins, there's little doubt that these players will consistently deliver!

No. 25 Missouri: Marcus Denmon

Marcus Denmon was already going to be the Tigers' go-to guy in the 2011-12 season.

But the challenge of that responsibility grew more difficult when Missouri's best front-court player, Laurence Bowers, went down to a season-ending injury before the upcoming season even had a chance to begin.

Denmon was Mizzou's leading scorer last year (16.9 ppg) and an All-Big 12 First Team selection.

The 6'3" guard led the Tigers in three-point shots made (82) and scored in double figures in 30 of 34 games.

No. 24 California: Allen Crabbe

Allen Crabbe was the 2011 PAC-10 Freshman of the Year as he set the California freshman record for three-pointers made with 62.

While Crabbe was the Bears No. 3 scorer (13.4 points per game) for the season, he was their leading scorer in conference games (16.4 ppg).

Crabbe, a 6'6" forward, hit 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

Though he shoots 80 percent from the line, Crabbe only went to the line on an average of three times per game.

No. 23 Gonzaga: Elias Harris

For the second year in a row, Elias Harris is on the John Wooden Award preseason watch list, among 50 players who will be considered for the prestigious national player of the year award.

Harris, who averaged 12.4 points per game last year on 51.7 percent shooting, is primed for a great junior season.

While he doesn't take many shots from beyond the arc, Harris has hit 40 percent of his three-pointers in his first two years at Gonzaga.

No. 22 Cincinnati: Yancy Gates

Yancy Gates is one of the most powerful power forwards in the Big East.

At 6'9" and 260 pounds, Gates can post up just about anyone on Cincinnati's schedule.

Gates averaged 11.9 points per game last year, shooting 51.1 percent from the field.

One of the only shortcomings in Gates' game is his free-throw shooting.

He shot a three-year low 57.9 percent in 2010-11.

No. 21 Marquette: Darius Johnson-Odom

Darius Johnson-Odom was Marquette's leading scorer last year (15.8 points per game).

With the departure of Jimmy Butler to the NBA, J-O will see an expanded role in the Golden Eagles' offense and will be looked to deliver even more so in 2011-12.

Two seasons ago, Johnson-Odom proved that he can nail the three. He shot a blistering 47.4 percent from beyond the arc.

He is still a threat to score any time down court.

No. 20 UCLA: Reeves Nelson

Reeves Nelson's game may be old school, but he definitely gets things done for the UCLA Bruins.

Nelson was the Bruins leading scorer last year (13.9 points per game, ranked 11th in the PAC-10) and in rebounding (9.1 rebounds per game, 3rd in the league).

Nelson was named to the 2011-12 Naismith Trophy preseason watch list.

No. 19 Texas A&M: Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton is a big reason why the Texas A&M Aggies will challenge for the Big 12 Championship this season.

Last year, as a sophomore, Middleton was a consensus All-Big 12 selection.

The 6' 7" forward led the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game and was A&M's leading scorer in 16 of their games.

Middleton, who led the Aggies in free-throw percentage, shooting 78.4 percent, was 28-for-36 from the line inside two minutes to play in close games.

No. 18 Michigan: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Tim Hardaway, Jr's game is one of the reasons why Michigan is getting back into the conversation in the Big 10 and the national college hoops' scene.

Hardaway, an All-Big Ten Freshman Team unanimous selection, averaged 13.9 points per game last year.

He scored in double figures 27 times and led the Wolverines in scoring 10 times.

With Darius Morris gone, Hardaway will move into Big Blue's primary scoring role.

No. 17 Alabama: JaMychal Green

JaMychal Green is ready to have a monster year for Alabama.

Green (6' 8" 230 pounds), an explosive power forward, led the Crimson Tide last year in scoring (15.5 points per game) and was a First Team All-SEC selection.

He is the current SEC leader in double-doubles with 19.

Green was the second leading scorer for Team USA this summer at the World University Games in China.

No. 16 Arizona: Jesse Perry

Jesse Perry played a vital role, alongside Derrick Williams, in Arizona's deep run in last year's NCAA Tournament.

Perry, a Junior College All-American at John Logan Community College before coming to Tucson, is a versatile scorer, able to go inside or outside.

Perry (6' 7" 217 lbs) started this new season by scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Wildcats' opening night victory against Valparaiso.

No. 15 Xavier: Tu Holloway

Tu Holloway is one of the most versatile point guards in the country, averaging 19.7 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game. and 5.4 assists per game.

Holloway was selected by ESPN.com as a 2011-12 pre-season First Team All-American. Dana O'Neil, an ESPN.com writer selected him as the national preseason Player of the Year.

Holloway is fantastic from the free throw line (87 percent), second best in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

As Holloway goes, so go the Musketeers.

No. 14 Wisconsin: Jordan Taylor

Jordan Taylor is one of the best point guards in the country.

Last year as a junior, Taylor, a Second Team AP All-American, led the nation in assists-to-turnover ratio (3.83), and averaged 18.1 points per game, including 20.1 points per game in Big Ten play.

Taylor has been selected as a preseason All-American by the Associated Press, Blue Ribbon Yearbook and Athlon Magazine as well as named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top-50.

No. 13 Kansas: Thomas Robinson

Before the Morris twins and Josh Selby's departure to the NBA, Thomas Robinson would've been a major player in the Jayhawks 2011-12 game plan.

Now, he IS Kansas' game plan.

Last year, the 6' 10" 237 pound forward averaged 7.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while only playing 14.6 minutes per game.

Robinson was selected by Fran Fraschilla and Jason King as a preseason Second Team All-American.

No. 12 Baylor: Perry Jones III

Perry Jones III is one of the most multi-talented front court players in college basketball.

Last year, Jones was selected as a collegeinsider.com Freshman All-American, averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

He has already been selected as the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year and ESPN.com preseason Second Team All-American.

With LaceDarius Dunn gone, Jones will step forward as the Bears' numero uno!

11. Pittsburgh: Ashton Gibbs

Ashton Gibbs is one of the best combo guards in the nation.

Last year, Gibbs led the Panthers in scoring (16.8 points per game) and three-point shooting (49 percent).

In fact, Gibbs has led Pittsbugh in scoring in each of the last two seasons. He has put up at least 20 points 23 times in his career and reached double figures in 54 of his last 65 games played.

Gibbs has been selected as an ESPN.com Second Team All-American and the Big East preseason Player of the Year.

10. Florida: Erving Walker

Erving Walker is one of the most explosive penetrators in college basketball.

Last year,  the 5' 8" Walker led the Gators in scoring 14.6 points per game, as well as pulling down 2.9 rebounds per game and handing out 3.4 assists per game.

He has been a Second Team All-SEC selection the last two years.

Even though the Gators, with Walker, Kenny Boynton, transfer Mike Rosario and freshman Brad Beal, have as much back court talent as any team in the country, Walker will still be setting the pace for Florida this season.

9. Memphis: Will Barton

Will Barton was one of the top freshman wing men in the country.

Barton led the Tigers, who played a rotation of 8-10 players, in scoring with 12.3 points per game.

Memphis may be one of the most talented teams in the country, and most of their players are freshmen and sophomores.

Barton was selected for the 2011-12 John Wooden Award preseason watch list.

8. Louisville: Kyle Kuric

Kyle Kuric may be the least known player on this list, but may be one of the sharpest shooters.

The 6' 4" wing man averaged 10.8 points per game, highest among returning Cardinal players.

Kuric put in a team-high 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the last 13 games, hitting 34-of-74 three-pointers (.459) and 53.8 percent from the field.

7. Vanderbilt: John Jenkins

John Jenkins is the lead player and scorer on what could be the best team in Vanderbilt school history.

Last year as a sophomore, Jenkins led the SEC in scoring (19.5 points per game) and in three-point field goals made per game (3.1)

He also finished second in the conference in free throw percentage (.894).

If Jenkins has a comparable year or better, watch for the Commodores to make a run at Kentucky and Florida for the SEC Championship, not to mention a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

6. Duke: Seth Curry

Seth Curry has paid his dues at Duke and is all set to take on the primary scoring role for this year's Blue Devils.

Curry knows what it is like to be the go-to guy at the college level. He started off his collegiate career at Liberty, scoring 20.2 points per game as a freshman.

Curry is the highest scoring returning player for Duke (9.0 points per game), as well as being the best three-point shooter (43.5 percent).

While, as usual, Coach K has lots of weapons, Curry will lead the way for the Blue Devils when it gets to crunch time.

5. Syracuse: Kris Joseph

Kris Joseph was the leading scorer last season (14.3 points per game) on a loaded Syracuse Orange roster.

Joseph, an exceptional athlete with great hops, is one of the top small forwards in the country, and he still has plenty of upside.

Joseph can pull up and shoot or take it to the rim with equal skill.

The Orange will count on the 6' 7" forward to take over games on both ends of the court.

4. Connecticut: Jeremy Lamb

Jeremy Lamb had a fantastic freshman year, but really turned it on during the Big East and NCAA Tournaments.

Not taking anything away from Kemba Walker's outstanding performance, Lamb was an essential part to the Huskies run to both titles.

He averaged 16.2 points per game while shooting 58 percent from the field during March Madness.

Lamb was named to the Big East All-Rookie team, the Big East All-Tournament team, and the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team.

Lamb is the highest returning scorers for Connecticut (11.1 points per game) and looks to have an outstanding sophomore season.

He has been named to virtually every national awards watch list and preseason All-American teams.

3. Ohio State: Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger has not only been selected to every watch list and pre-season All-American team, the 6' 9" sophomore is most people's national Player of the Year prediction.

Sullinger shocked most of the college basketball world when he decided to return to Ohio State for another year of collegiate hoops.

He was the national Freshman Player of the Year as he led OSU by putting up a double-double in scoring (17.2 points per game) and rebounding (10.2 rebounds per game).

While head coach Thad Matta has no shortage of options, he will not hesitate to dump the ball down low to Sullinger and let him operate.

2. Kentucky: Terrence Jones

Terrence Jones is one of the premiere front court players in the country. Heck, he's just one of the best players, period.

Jones has been mentioned in every known watch list and preseason All-American team.

As a freshman, Jones averaged 15.7 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game. He had 11 points and 15 rebounds and four steals in the Final Four against Connecticut.

While Cats head coach John Calipari could go in many different directions when a game is on the line, chances are he will look to put the ball in Jones' capable hands.

1. North Carolina: Harrison Barnes

After an average beginning to his college career at North Carolina, Harrison Barnes finished his freshman year on a high note.

Barnes, the 2011 ACC Rookie of the Year, averaged 21.5 points over the last 10 games of last season.

For 2010-11, Barnes was UNC's second leading scorer with one point less than Tar Heels' center Tyler Zeller (15.7 points per game).

Barnes is on just about every 2011-12 preseason watch list and All-American First Team.

Barnes has found his shooting rhythm and is ready to help the Heels get to the Final Four and make a serious run at the 2012 NCAA title.