10 players not named Cooper Flagg defining men's college basketball

Mark Sears | Alabama

Sears recently eclipsed the 2,500 career points mark, becoming one of only 82 players in men's Division-I college basketball history to reach the milestone. More importantly, he's led Alabama to a No. 2 national ranking. Grab the popcorn for Saturday's clash between the Tide and archrival No. 1 Auburn.

Hunter Dickinson | Kansas

Yes, the fifth-year big man is still around, and yes, he's still a dominant force. On a Kansas team with plenty of weapons, Dickinson has seen a dip in his numbers, but he's still the most impactful player for the Jayhawks. He's starting to play his best ball of the season too. He's shooting his highest percentage from the field (.574), while averaging more points (18.5) than any of the three previous months.

Kasparas Jakucionis | Illinois

Remember the name (and learn how to pronounce it, too: Yah-koo-CHOH-nis). The Illinois freshman out of Lithuania is averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists and earned a spot on the Wooden Award Top 20.

Ryan Kalkbrenner | Creighton

Game-changers have the ability to rule March Madness, and Kalkbrenner is a game-changer inside. The 7-footer is approaching 400 career blocks (373) and is averaging career-highs in points (19) and rebounds (8.5). Until a Feb. 11 loss against UConn, Kalkbrenner had led Creighton to a nine-game winning streak. 

"(Ryan) Kalkbrenner is awesome," said Marquette head coach Shaka Smart. "I'll be sending him a graduation present when he finally leaves."

Kadary Richmond | St. John's

Richmond and the Johnnies have taken college basketball by storm this season, no pun intended. Under Rick Pitino's leadership, St. John's has reached a top-10 national ranking for the first time since 2000, and Richmond is a large reason why. He's been a bulldog defensively, ranking third in the Big East in steals (49) and leading the conference in defensive win shares.

Alex Karaban and Liam McNeeley | UConn

Don't sleep on the Huskies. November's disappointing trip to Maui was overshadowed by poor play and Dan Hurley's sideline antics. However, UConn is 17-7 overall and still a threat. The duo of Karaban and McNeeley has kept UConn in the national conversation. Karaban provides the steady presence, while McNeeley is capable of takeover moments like his 38 points in a Feb. 11 win over Creighton.

Kam Jones | Marquette

After a January statistical dip, Jones is back to scoring in bunches. Jones recently became Marquette's third all-time leading scorer, and earlier in the season in a win over Purdue, he posted the school's first triple-double since Dwyane Wade's in 2003. As March approaches, it's worth noting that in five games this season against Power 5 competition outside the Big East, Jones is averaging 20.2 points per game. He's a problem for every defense in America.