Top 5 College Basketball Players to Start the Year

The College Basketball season is off and running and many players have had great starts so far. Today, I’m going to focus on the Top 5 players in the nation who have been flat out phenomenal thus far.

5. UNLV Forward Anthony Bennett

Courtesy Bigstory.ap.org

The highly touted freshman that spurned Calipari and Co. to join the Rebels of UNLV has been superb thus far. Bennett has averaged a tremendous 18.7 PPG and 7.6 RPG. The 6-8 big man has led UNLV to a 5-1 start and has easily been the most impressive freshman in the country.  The scary thing for opponents about Bennett is that he has a sensational frontcourt mate in Mike Moser. It's almost a pick your poison situation, and so far, opponents have been choosing the wrong poison, allowing Bennett to explode onto the college basketball scene.

4. Indiana Forward Cody Zeller

Courtesy: ESPN.com

Can Zeller take home National
Player of the Year?

Coming into the season, sophomore Cody Zeller was regarded as the frontrunner to take home Naismith Award. Thus far, Zeller has not disappointed, but has somewhat underachieved from the hype that has surrounded him. Zeller is still averaging 15.0 PPG and 7.6 RPG, however. Expect Zeller to improve his numbers come Big Ten time, as big time players show up in games that matter. Zeller is still arguably the best player in the country, and sleeping on him to win National Player of the Year, is a mistake.

3. Michigan Guard Trey Burke

Courtesy: Collegefootball.ap.org

Michigan sophomore guard Trey Burke has been the best point guard in the country this season. Burke, who returned to the Wolverines after a stellar freshman year, has averaged 17.0 PPG and 7.1 APG during the first 8 games of the season. The impressive thing about Burke is that he plays the majority of the game and is only averaging 2 turnovers per game. If Burke can be the floor general he has been to the start the year, look for the Wolverines to make noise come March.

2. Creighton Forward Doug McDermott

Courtesy: Draftexpress.com

6-8 junior forward Doug McDermott has led the Blue Jays to an 8-1 record. The biggest thing that stands out about McDermott is his versatility. He can kill opponents from the outside or inside, which is hard to come across in the college game. McDermott’s versatility has allowed him to average 21. 9 PPG and 6.8 RPG for a team coached by his father. McDermott will be in the National Player of the Year discussion the whole year and will have all Mid-Majors across the country rooting for him to the win award.

1.Duke Forward Mason Plumlee

Courtesy: indyprosports.com

Will Mason Plumlee's hot start continue?

Senior Forward Mason Plumlee has anchored the Blue Devils past the likes of Louisville, Ohio State and Kentucky to start the season. Plumlee has been an absolute beast this year, averaging 19.6 PPG and 11.0 RPG. Note to ACC teams: Mason Plumlee is the real deal. He dominates the boards and has been a constant on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The fact of the matter is if Mason Plumlee plays like this throughout the whole season, he will not only win National Player of the Year, but Duke may be cutting the nets down in Atlanta.