A Starting 5 of College Hoopsters Nobody Knows

Everybody knows guys like D.J. Augustin, Drew Neitzel, Tyler Hansbrough and Kevin Love. But there are a bunch of guys that don’t get the recognition that play one mean game of basketball… Here’s a starting 5 that could play some serious ball…

Eric Maynor — G — VCU — 6′2″ 165
17.1 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.7 spg, 42% 3 pt
Maynor’s probably the most notable of the starting 5 because of his strong play against Duke to kick off March Madness last year. Alas, he does play at Virginia Commonwealth — he doesn’t get much pub. But he can distribute the rock, and put it in the hole. And every once in a while he’ll steal some off the glass, too. In a tough loss at Miami Maynor went for 27 points on 10 of 20 shooting and 6 assists. At Maryland, he put up 25 and 8 with 5 assists.

George Hill — G — IUPUI — 6′2″ 180
19.9 ppg, 7 rpg, 4.6 apg, 57% fg, 87% ft, 48 % 3 pt

IUPUI has started strong behind Hill’s great play. Honestly, how many guys that are 6′2″ pull down 7 boards a game? He shoots at a high percentage, he steals the ball about two times a game, and he plays more than 35 minutes a game. The guy’s like the Energizer bunny. He went for 19 points on 6 of 9 shooting with 4 assists and 4 steals in a close loss at Marquette and 30 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists against UMass. He’s talented. I’d want him at the 2 for my team.

Gary Forbes — GF — UMass — 6′7″ 220
21.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.8 apg

UMass still longs for the days of Marcus Camby and John Calipari, but they’ve been steadily improving in recent years. They’re off to a strong start behind Forbes, who can do it all. He has scored in double figures all 10 games this season and he’s hit at least 1 three in those games as well. He put up 22 and 7 with 5 dimes in Chestnut Hill against Boston College. With Xavier, UMass, Dayton and Rhode Island all having good seasons thus far, look for the Atlantic 10 to be competitive this year.

Leon Williams — FC — Ohio — 6′8″ 255
15.9 ppg, 10.1, rpg, 2 apg, 1.4 spg, 59% fg, 75% ft

Williams hits the offensive glass like a mad man. A lot of guys don’t even get 4.7 total boards a game — he gets that on the offensive end. Combine his offensive rebounding ability with a 75 % free throw stroke and you’ve got a big man that’ll keep you in a lot of ball games. He put up 15 and 15 at Maryland and 9 and 11 against Kansas — proving he can pull down boards against the big guys.

Trent Plaisted — FC — BYU — 6′11″ 245
18.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 60.5% fg

He’s got some national attention this year because of his outstanding play against top 10 teams. He put up 24 and 17 against UNC, 19 and 8 against Michigan State, and 21 and 12 against Louisville. He’s struggled to step up in the middle the past two years. He’s now taking care of business. His presence opens up the perimeter for BYU’s shooters to do some serious damage.