College Basketball 2011-12: The 10 Best Sixth Men

Just because a player comes off the bench doesn't mean that they play a minor role in their team's success.

A good example of the value of a "sixth man" is Marvin Williams from North Carolina's 2005 NCAA Championship team.

As a freshman, Williams provided serious production off of Roy Williams' bench, scoring 11.3 points and grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game in 22.2 minutes.

Williams, as a non-starter, was not only chosen as the United States Basketball Writer's Association Freshman of the Year, but he was the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Here are the 10 best sixth men in college basketball. At this early point of the 2011-12 season, some of these players are leading their team in scoring even though they are not in the starting five.

It's possible that things will change and they will become starters some time later in the season.

It is also possible that they will continue in this valuable position and make a huge contribution to their respective teams.

10. James Michael McAdoo: North Carolina Tar Heels

James Michael McAdoo is as productive (on a per-minute basis) as anyone on this year's Tar Heel team.

In 14 minutes per game, McAdoo is averaging 6.7 points and four rebounds per game.

He plays a valuable role in backing up Tyler Zeller and John Henson.

There is virtually no drop-off when McAdoo checks in and goes to work.

9. Miles Plumlee: Duke Blue Devils

Miles Plumlee is a quality post player who doesn't hesitate to bang the boards and run the court for Coach K.

MP21 is the Blue Devils' No. 2 rebounder (6.2 rpg) while only playing 17.6 minutes per game.

He is also scoring 6.6 ppg, as well as playing tough interior defense.

Plumlee already has registered a double-double this season, a 13-point, 11 rebound outing against Presbyterian.

Especially when Duke plays teams that have a strong inside game (such as North Carolina), Plumlee will be counted on to clog the middle.

8. Jared Swopshire: Louisville Cardinals

Jared Swopshire was a starter as a sophomore and was looking forward to an excellent junior year in 2010-11 before he sustained a serious groin injury that required surgery and knocked him out for the entire season.

Swopshire returns at full strength and he is crashing the boards and assaulting the basket with abandon.

In the Cardinals' first three games, he is scoring 9.7 points and grabbing 6.3 rebounds in 21 minutes of play.

If he can stay healthy, Swop will be a main factor in Louisville's Big East efforts.

7. Cory Jefferson: Baylor Bears

Even though Baylor has crazy frontcourt depth, Cory Jefferson is establishing himself as an indispensable part of the Bears' early success.

Playing only 19.7 minutes per game, the 6'9", 200-pound forward is Scott Drew's leading rebounder (8 rpg) and shot-blocker (2.3 bpg).

Jefferson is also dropping in 8.3 points per game. 

Perry Jones III is due back (following a five-game suspension) soon, but if Jefferson keeps up what he is doing, he won't have to worry about playing time. Drew won't be able to keep him off the court. 

6. Ben Brust: Wisconsin Badgers

Ben Brust is a sharp-shooting backup guard who is, after three games, leading the Badgers in scoring (13.3 ppg).

The 6'1" sophomore is also averaging 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Brust has already had two games in which he has connected on four shots from beyond the arc.

The Badgers, who already have one of the best point guards in college hoops in Jordan Taylor, will count on Brust to be their zone-buster.

5. Andre Drummond: UConn Huskies

It's hard to say how long Andre Drummond will be coming off of Jim Calhoun's bench.

There are not too many teams that don't automatically insert the top freshmen center into their starting lineup.

Drummond's numbers aren't sexy yet, but the 6'11", 275-pound man-child is leading UConn in blocks with two per game.

He is averaging 5.8 points and 6.3 rebounds while playing 17.3 minutes per game.

Check back later in the season and see how AD is progressing. He will be an intimidating force in the middle by Big East Tourney time.   

4. Mike Rosario: Florida Gators

Mike Rosario would be the leading scorer and go-to player on most teams.

But on this year's edition of the Florida Gators, Rosario is No. 3 in points scored (behind Kenny Boynton and Brad Beal) among Billy Donovan's backcourt.

Playing 20 minutes per game, Rosario is scoring 12.5 points, grabbing 3.5 rebounds and handing out 1.8 assists per game.

The Gators are a good three-point shooting team (43.5 percent); Rosario is the best, shooting 63.2 percent from beyond the arc (12-for-19).

3. James Southerland: Syracuse Orange

James Southerland doesn't just come off the bench to provide a spark; he comes in to set fire to the joint.

Southerland, after four games, is the Orange's leading scorer, putting in 13.8 points in 20.8 minutes per game.

The 6'8" junior forward is shooting 66.7 percent from the field (22-of-33) and from beyond the arc (8-for-12).  

With all of the controversy swirling around the Syracuse program, Southerland's emergence is a welcome report.

2. Tony Wroten: Washington Huskies

Tony Wroten, one of the top freshman guards in the nation, is off to an excellent start for Lorenzo Romar and the Washington Huskies.

Wroten (6'5", 205 lbs) is averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals while playing 23.5 minutes per game.

One of the great facets of Wroten's game is that he can produce in whatever position you place him.

He can run the point, but he can also fill either of the two wing positions.

1. Darius Miller: Kentucky Wildcats

Darius Miller is the best sixth man in 2011-12 college basketball.

While others on this list are creating better early season stats, Miller is a versatile player who can effect a game just as much on the defensive end as he can on the offensive side of the court.

He may be one of the best on-ball perimeter defenders in the country.

Miller's length and size (6'7", 235 lbs) cause matchup nightmares.

Because of his elite-level athleticism, he can guard anyone from point guards to power forwards.

Miller's work ethic and senior leadership are a valuable dimension to this year's youthful Kentucky Wildcats' team that could make a serious run at the 2012 NCAA Championship.