The top seniors in college basketball

The Wildcats are far from the dominant squad they were while winning two of the last three national titles, but they're no pushover either. Booth (16.9 points per game) is the team's leading scorer and steadiest defensive presence. He also provides the kind of leadership that likely will make a difference come NCAA Tournament time.

There is plenty of talent to choose from on the Tigers roster, but Brown is the motor that makes it all run. He's the team's leading scorer, and last month he became Auburn's all-time leader in made three-pointers when he hit No. 263 during a win over Arizona at the Maui Invitational.

He is one of three — maybe four — individual reasons why Nevada is undefeated and ranked sixth in the country. Caroline (18.8 ppg) shares the Wolf Pack's scoring lead and is the team's top rebounder (10.1 rebounds per game). Caroline's exceptional athletic ability should not be a surprise, as he is the son of former NFL star Simeon Rice and grandson of college football Hall of Famer J.C. Caroline.

Clemons might be the best player college basketball fans don't know about. The 5-foot-9 Raleigh product from a small school in the tiny North Carolina town of Buies Creek entered the week leading the nation in scoring (31.0 ppg). He's shooting 51.5 percent and also averaging 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Clemons went 9-of-19 from three-point range and finished with 45 points in a loss at Georgetown last month.

Even the casual college hoops fan should be aware of Daum's game. He's been ranked among the national scoring leaders since his sophomore season and entered this week's action averaging 21.8 points on 50.2 percent during his four seasons at South Dakota State. Daum has already topped 40 points twice this season but was humbled while going 1-of-10 from the floor and finishing with five points in a 72-68 loss to then-No. 7 Nevada over the weekend.

Govan is learning from one of the greatest big men ever in Patrick Ewing, so it's not a surprise he's on this list. He's gotten better every season at Georgetown and is currently averaging a career-high 19.5 points entering the week. Mock drafts have Govan going in the mid to late second round in 2019.

Happ is the perfect example of how staying in school can develop a player into a potential NBA standout. The 6-foot-10 Happ has improved his offensive game each season in Madison and should challenge Purdue's Carsen Edwards in the race for Big Ten Player of the Year. The All-American is currently averaging career highs of 19.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists for the 9-2 Badgers.

In 2017-18, Johnson enjoyed a solid first season at Carolina after transferring from Pittsburgh. Now he's leading the Tar Heels at 16.6 points per game and shooting a sizzling 49.1 percent from three-point range heading into this weekend's matchup with Kentucky. He went 6-of-8 from beyond the arc and finished with 25 in last weekend's win over Gonzaga. 

One half of Nevada's twin powers, Martin is tied for the team lead at 18.8 points per contest. He also enters the week averaging 5.2 boards and a career-high 2.8 assists. Martin might be the Wolf Pack's most complete — and unselfish — player, who also is capable of taking on more of a leadership role.

He's the final piece to Nevada's standout trio with brother Caleb and Jordan Caroline. This Martin might not be as flashy with the ball as his twin brother or Caroline, but he does the little things to get the job done. Cody Martin averages a respectable 10.4 points plus 4.2 rebounds and at 6-foot-7, a team-leading 5.9 assists. Every team needs a grinder.

The Mid-American Conference's top player was somewhat of a known commodity on the college basketball scene entering this season, but he enhanced his name by dropping 43 and pulling down 14 rebounds in Buffalo's impressive 99-94 overtime victory at then-No. 13 West Virginia earlier this season. Massinburg went 9-of-15 from beyond the arc in that contest and entered the week shooting 42.9 percent from long distance.

Matthews is that guy who seems to shine when the lights are brightest. He was a big reason Michigan reached the National Championship Game last season and has come through often during its 11-0 start to this campaign. Matthews scored 19 in the title-game rematch rout of Villanova and 21 in a victory over North Carolina. He can play some defense too.  

The progression of Cameron Johnson has taken some of the offensive pressure off Maye in the early going. However, he's still the heart and soul of these Tar Heels. Maye is once again averaging a double-double and put forth a big effort with 20 points and 16 boards against Gonzaga at home last week.

Tucked away in the Horizon League, McDonald doesn't get a lot of fanfare outside of the greater Cincinnati area. That's too bad because he's a big reason the Norse have won at least 22 games in each of the last two seasons and appear to be headed for a third straight. McDonald entered the week averaging a career-high 18.6 points on 49 percent shooting and 9.3 rebounds.

Freshman Romeo Langford is the guy Hoosier fans can't get enough of, but Morgan is etching a name for himself within the annals of Indiana basketball. He's been a strong presence for the Hoosiers, starting as a sophomore when he got his first taste of starting. He's averaging a career-best 17.3 points and scored a career-high 35 vs. Butler over the weekend.

Palmer's game has flourished since transferring from Miami (FL), particularly in the scoring department. Though his shooting is down from last season's 44.4 percent clip, Palmer is averaging a career-best 19.6 points for a Cornhuskers team that currently resides in the Top 25.

Along with Phil Booth, Paschall offers experience and leadership that should prove valuable for the Wildcats as the season continues. Also like Booth, he's a high-energy kind of guy who can spark a team with his attitude on and off the court.  

If it seems Perkins has been playing at Gonzaga forever, that wouldn't be a stretch. After breaking his jaw five games into his freshman season of 2014-15, Perkins has been a staple in the Zags lineup. He's again running the show this season, and his 8.4 assist average entering play this week ranks third in the nation.

One of the big reasons Furman is undefeated, and this season's early surprise, is Rafferty (17.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 4.6 apg). The 6-foot-8 suburban Chicago product is the Paladins' most physical post performer. It doesn't matter the opponent, Rafferty won't back down as shown while scoring 15 points, grabbing a career-high 17 rebounds and blocking four shots during Furman's stunning 76-68 overtime victory at reigning national champion Villanova last month.

Robinson has been a valuable presence in Blacksburg pretty much since the first time he stepped on campus as a freshman. He's improved each season and also blossomed into a true leader. Sophomore Nickeil Alexander-Walker is in the midst of a breakout season, but Robinson is the team's most complete player. 

Place Schofield and junior teammate Grant Williams among the best one-two punches in the nation (see RJ Barrett-Zion Williamson at Duke and Johnson-Maye at North Carolina). He's averaging 19.1 points on the season, and in the last two games against Gonzaga and Memphis Schofield totaled 59 points and went 10-of-18 from beyond the arc.

There was plenty of hype surrounding Travis' move to Kentucky as a graduate transfer, and early on he's been a solid contributor. There's no doubt Travis has the ability to be a team's No. 1 scoring option — like at Stanford for the past two seasons — but he does not have that pressure with the Wildcats. Through 10 games, Travis has put solid averages of 14.6 points and 6.4 boards. He's also shooting a career-high 59.7 percent.

Sometimes a player needs a little reality check to keep focus. That happened to Vick. After an up-and-down start to the season, he as forced to come off the bench for two games earlier this month. Vick, the Jayhawks' second-leading scorer and emotional frontman, was back in the lineup for Saturday's win over Villanova and responded with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting.

Teammate Aric Holman might be considered the better senior NBA prospect, but Weatherspoon continues to be a mainstay for Ben Howland's program. He's averaging over 16 points and shooting almost 50 percent from the field. Weatherspoon has also blossomed into a team leader for one of the SEC's top teams.

Like Campbell's Chris Clemons, Wright-Foreman might not be a household name to the average college basketball fan, but he entered the week fourth in the country, averaging 25.7 points while rarely leaving the floor (37.8 minutes per game). He's shooting 49.0 percent from the field this season and 37.2 percent from three-point range since his sophomore year. Don't be surprised if Wright-Foreman finds his way onto an NBA roster.