College Basketball High Risers: Most Improved Players for the 2011-12 Season

The 2011-12 college basketball season is under way and, with no end to the NBA labor strife in sight, it looks as though NCAA hoops will be the only way basketball junkies will be able to get their fix this winter.

Not that that's a bad thing.

Thanks to pervasive rumors last year that there would be no NBA this year, many of college basketball's best underclassmen decided to stay in school rather be subject to the wayward league's labor struggles. The competition this season promises to be superb and, with no other option, fans are sure to be watching closely from beginning to end.

Much of the early season buzz in college hoops, as it does every season, focuses on incoming blue-chip freshmen. Often, however, the biggest difference makers throughout the college season are those who have some experience in the college game and have had the chance to make the adjustment to the higher level of play. They may not have made the impact that many expected in previous seasons, but this season, they stand ready to make a big splash.

Here are 10 players who will prove to be the most improved in all of college basketball this season.

Fab Melo, Soph., Syracuse

Entering the 2010-11 season, Fab Melo was touted to be the next big thing at Syracuse. Many expected the incoming freshman to dominate the middle for the Orange, but it was soon obvious that he was not ready for the college game.

He averaged only 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds a game in limited action for Syracuse, seeing very little playing time once the Orange embarked on their Big East schedule.

Melo worked hard this offseason to get into better shape and improve his footwork, and many around the Orange program are saying that he will be a difference maker this season. He is a huge presence in the middle at 7'0" and 244 lbs, and he'll be needed against other Big East big men like UConn's Andre Drummond.

Mouphtaou Yarou, Jr, Villanova

When Mouphtaou Yarou committed to Villanova, many expected the big man to step right into Jay Wright's lineup and contribute right away. Wright's Villanova squads have always had electrifying guards, but Yarou was prized because he was expected to be the first difference-making big man to play for the Wildcats.

Yarou's career, however, was set off-track before it even got started. As a freshman, he was diagnosed with hepatitis B and, while trying to get healthy, missed much of his freshman year. As a sophomore, he showed flashes of being the dominant presence that many had expected him to be, but was a step behind the competition, often caught thinking on the court rather than reacting.

This season, expect Yarou to finally put it all together. In two games thus far in 2011, he has averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds. While that kind of production is unlikely to sustain itself, it can be expected that he will improve mightily on his 8.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game averages of a year ago.

Many in 'Nova Nation are looking to Maalik Wayns to lead the team this year, but they will not get far without production from Yarou.

Perry Jones III, Soph., Baylor

It seems odd to include a player who would have been a surefire lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft had he entered in a list of college basketball's most improved players, but Perry Jones III merits mentioning in this list.

As a heralded freshman, he averaged 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, but you got the sense watching him that he could have done better. Obviously, Jones III felt similarly and chose to return to Baylor for a second season, despite projections that had him being drafted within the first five picks.

This season, Jones III will sit out the first five games of the season to serve an NCAA suspension, but once he returns, teams will wish the suspension had been longer. With a full year to fully adjust himself to the speed of the college game, the 6'11", 235-pound Jones III will dominate this season and is a preseason candidate for Player of the Year awards.

Expect Jones III to average at least 19 points and 9 boards a game and lead Baylor to contend for the Big 12 crown.

J'Covan Brown, Jr., Texas

J'Covan Brown will be, even though just a junior, an elder statesman on an extremely young Texas squad this year. Brown, who was a prolific scorer in high school, took some time to adjust to the college game, averaging just 10 points per game in his first two seasons in Austin.

However, now being looked to as a leader for Rick Barnes' squad, look for Brown to set it off in 2011-12. Texas, while young, is extremely talented, with speed and skill at every position. Brown, one of the most talented guards in college basketball, will be expected to run the show and, in two games thus far this season, he has done just that.

In wins over Rhode Island and Boston University, Brown has averaged 31.5 points. Texas' offense has always been up-tempo, but with Brown at the helm, they will be blazing fast and very high-scoring. Look for Brown to lead the Big 12 in scoring, and show a young Longhorns squad how to make their way deep into March.

Aaron Craft, Soph., Ohio State

Aaron Craft played a major role in Ohio State's success last season, but he spent the year playing as more of a facilitator for the OSU offense rather than a star.

This season however, with Jon Diebler gone, Craft will be expected to stretch the floor to prevent teams from simply collapsing on star Jared Sullinger, and he certainly has the range to do it. A deadly outside shooter who also has the moves to burn by defenders who close out too quickly, Craft will play a major role in Ohio State's success this season.

Expect Craft to expertly spread the ball between Sullinger and William Buford, who has a chance to break the school scoring record this season, and lead the Buckeyes back toward the top of the polls by season's end.

Terrence Jones, Soph., Kentucky

Many, including himself, expected Terrence Jones to be a one-and-done at Kentucky. His freshman season got off to a rocky start however. It took him some time to get adjusted to sharing the starring role in Kentucky's stacked lineup, and things looked bleak for Jones after a nationally televised tongue-lashing from coach John Calipari.

As the season wore on, however, Jones grew into his role and by season's end, he was one of the team's go-to crunch time players. This season, as one of the few stars of Kentucky's Final Four team who stayed in school, he will be looked to as a leader all season long.

Given that the Wildcats roster is so loaded with talent, his stats may not make the jump that can be expected of others on this list, but his value to his team has grown exponentially as he embraces his role in Lexington.

Nasir Robinson, Sr., Pittsburgh

To this point, Nasir Robinson is best known for his mental breakdown in last year's NCAA Tournament that cost the Panthers their season. This season, his last in Pittsburgh, he will look to shake that legacy.

Along with fellow senior Ashton Gibbs, Robinson will serve as the Panthers' leader both on the floor and in the locker room. An average scorer throughout his career (has never averaged more than 9 points a game in a season), Robinson will be counted on to carry more of the offensive load this season.

To wit, through three games this season, he has averaged almost 17 points a game, well above his career average. Built in the mold of Charles Barkley, Robinson plays larger than his size. In 2011-12, look for Robinson to erase the past by leading the Panthers back to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Jeremy Lamb, Soph., Connecticut

Kemba Walker was the unquestioned leader of UConn's title run last season. Now that Walker has left Storrs, there is a major void offensively that must be filled. During their special run through the NCAA Tournament last season, Jeremy Lamb made his case to be the one to fill that void.

Lamb is an athletic guard/forward, with tons of speed and the ability to leap out of the gym. If that weren't enough, he has deft shooting touch as well. With freshman center Andre Drummond commanding attention in the middle, Lamb will have the opportunity to exploit teams on the perimeter.

Look for Lamb, who through two games this season has averaged 25 points, to slip into the role of dependable scorer for Jim Calhoun's Huskies. He will be one of the country's most electrifying scorer's this season.

Thomas Robinson, Jr., Kansas

In 2011-12, the Kansas Jayhawks are Thomas Robinson's team. Robinson, at 6'9," 237 lbs, is a large presence in the middle for the Jayhawks, who look to replace the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff, in the middle.

Robinson has shown flashes of potential in the past, but the Jayhawks offense ran through the Morris twins, so he was never able to fully flex his game. Now, the team is all his and you can expect Robinson to come through in a big way.

Look for Thomas Robinson to lead Kansas back to the top of the Big 12, and average a double-double along the way.

Will Barton, Soph., Memphis

Most people assumed the Memphis Tigers would fall apart when John Calipari bolted for Kentucky, however head coach Josh Pastner has continued to bring talented players to Memphis, and Will Barton is one of them.

Barton averaged over 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists a game as a freshman. He is a slasher who attacks the rim and gets to the free throw line seemingly at will.

Barton leads a young team that starts the season ranked in the top 10. With many other young stars on his team, Barton's biggest challenge will be to keep his teammates involved. Look for Barton to lead the Tigers back to a level of play not seen in Memphis since Calipari left.