Best seniors in college basketball

Seniors stars are seemingly a rarity in this day and age of college basketball. If you think you are good enough to go pro after your first three seasons, you usually do so. Reaching your senior year can make people believe you just haven't been good enough as a college player.

These 12 players buck that line of thinking. Some are players who got limited minutes in their first couple of seasons but developed into pivotal players. Others have moved into situations that better suited their college careers. All have utilized their college experience to become leaders on and off the court.

Here are 12 of the best seniors in the nation.

Jordan Caroline, Nevada

Much of the publicity around the Wolf Pack centers on the Martin twins, Caleb and Cody, as well as their coach, Eric Musselman. But Caroline continues to be a dominant presence in the paint. He's averaging more than 18 points and nine rebounds for Nevada and is on national Player of the Year watch lists. The son of former NFL star Simeon Rice, Caroline has been so steady over the last three seasons as one of the top rebounders in the Mountain West while adding a better three-point shot to his game. The trio of Caroline and the Martin twins are hoping to get Nevada to its first Final Four.

Chris Clemons, Campbell

Every year we get that mid-major player who is putting up wild scoring numbers, and this year that player is the Camels' Chris Clemons. He's averaging nearly 29 points per game this season while grabbing nearly six boards and dishing off three assists this season. He is the classic do-everything guard at the mid-major level who is the team's primary ball-handler as well as, obviously, its go-to scorer. He is just 5-foot-9 yet fills up an arena with nifty moves, acrobatic shots and the showmanship of a guy who likes to have the crowd engaged. Campbell doesn't get on national television much, but if you are trying to find an entertaining game to watch, try to catch Clemons and the Camels.

Mike Daum, South Dakota State

This is how good Daum has been: He's been an underrated star for about four seasons now. He's averaging nearly 25 points and more than 11 rebounds for the third straight season and is on pace to win his third straight Summit League Player of the Year Award. He's had more struggles than usual this season (he put up just five points against Nevada and four at South Dakota), as opponents have focused on stopping him and letting his teammates beat them. He is the Summit League's all-time leading scorer and has led the Jackrabbits to three NCAA Tournaments.

Robert Franks, Washington State

The Cougars have fallen on hard times, but Franks keeps on lighting it up. Despite missing four games with a hip contusion, he leads the team in scoring and rebounding with a 21.1 points per game average and has carried a heavy load for the offense (only teammate CJ Elleby averages at least eight points per game). Washington State hasn't done much in Franks' four years in Pullman, but he has developed from averaging two points per game to one of the Pac-12's top scorers.

Caleb Martin, Nevada

Nevada is set to do amazing things this season. Senior Caleb Martin, alongside twin brother Cody and fellow senior Jordan Caroline, lead a Wolf Pack team that has its sights on a national championship run. His numbers have taken a small dip this season, but he's still one of the best players in the nation, demonstrated with his game-winning three late to win at Boise State. He can get his shot whenever he wants and is the prototypical talent who can lead his team to a Final Four.

Luke Maye, North Carolina

He may not be reaching those lofty expectations many put on him prior to the season, but Maye is still doing his thing for the Tar Heels. The double-double machine is averaging nearly 14 points and 10 rebounds per game and continues to be the consummate teammate. He's a fan favorite who started as a preferred walk-on and went on to hit one of the big shots in school history and become one of the nation's best players. He may not be an NBA-caliber player, but not many have had the kind of college career arc that Maye has enjoyed.

Ethan Happ, Wisconsin

Last year was a horrible season in Madison, so Happ went back to school to end his Badgers career on the right note. He's averaging around 19 points and 10 rebounds per game and has Wisconsin playing much better this season...though it's struggled in Big Ten play. He has been a fantastic four-year player and is seemingly ending his career at Wisconsin with much individual success that simply isn't translating to team success.

CJ Massinburg, Buffalo

The Bulls are a legit team. One year after pulling off a stunning upset of Arizona in the NCAA Tournament, Massinburg and the Bulls are ranked and could pull off a top-four seed in this year's dance. The senior is averaging 18 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from deep. He poured 43 points in a win over West Virginia and 25 points in a win over Syracuse. He is good, and this Buffalo team is good.

James Palmer Jr., Nebraska

The Miami transfer has found a new life since arriving in Lincoln last season. After averaging just 3.5 points in two years with the Hurricanes, Palmer put up 17 points a night as a junior and is now averaging 19 for the Cornhuskers. As Big Ten play has gotten into full swing, his game has stepped up; he's improving his scoring, rebounding and assist numbers. He's a volume shooter but has become the go-to guy for a Nebraska program that is looking to get to its second NCAA Tournament bid in the last 20 years.

Eric Paschall, Villanova

This hasn't been the kind of season the Wildcats have enjoyed in recent years, but Villanova is still a dangerous team due to guys like Paschall. After being a rotation player for a championship team, he has embraced a bigger role and is second (to fellow senior Phil Booth) in scoring, and he is Nova's top rebounder. He's also been a versatile defender.

Admiral Schofield, Tennessee

On most teams in the nation, Schofield would be that school's best player and enjoy the spoils of the limelight. But Schofield, who is averaging a shade 17 points and 6.7 boards this season, plays alongside another Player of the Year candidate in Grant Williams. While Williams is the steady presence, Schofield comes up large in the key moments, like his game-winning shot in a 30-point effort to beat Gonzaga. He has improved his numbers across the board, and while he may stay in Williams' shadow, together they could get Tennessee to its first Final Four.

Reid Travis, Kentucky

Travis hasn't exactly stepped right into Lexington and had the same success he had at Stanford, but he's a leader on a team filled with underclassmen. His scoring (he averaged 19.5 points last season and just 12.3 this year) and minutes have dipped quite a bit this season, but he's also playing on a team that has a lot more talent and for which he isn't the focus of the offense. However, one of Kentucky's problems in March has been the need for a steadying influence to guide the team through some tough stretches. Travis certainly is able to be that guy.