The "Must Watch" Players of College Basketball

It's easy to feel the need to watch the players who will be top picks in the NBA draft in June (Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith, Lonzo Ball, Josh Jackson), and while these guys are great and their potential is off the charts, there are a number of players at the collegiate level who are awesome to watch, now.

Marcus Keene, PG, Central Michigan

This one is for all the people who missed out on watching Kay Felder last year. Oh, and those who want to see the first 30 ppg scorer since the 1997 season. 

Listed at 5'9", Keene leads the NCAA in scoring at 30.3 ppg (6.4 more than the next highest scorer), and that number is only trending upwards. In just the last week, Keene has netted games of 50 and 41 points, leading the Chippewas to three straight wins. 

Granted, Keene is not playing against elite competition, but his numbers are pretty efficient, and his team is 14-7 (4-4 in conference). He's shooting 47% from the field, 39% from three (where half of his attempts come from), and dishes out 5.2 assists per game.

For some perspective, in his National Player of the Year season, Jimmer Fredette averaged 28.9 ppg, on 45%, 39%, and 4.3 apg.

If you need more reasons to watch Keene, his team ranks 3rd in the nation in three pointers made and attempted, and 4th in points per game, so you'll see a lot of points from Keene, and the Chippewas (and probably the other team, too). Or, if you prefer NBA comparisons, he's the MAC's version of Isaiah Thomas.

Tacko Fall, C, Central Florida

While Keene lacks a bit of height, Fall is quite the opposite. In fact, Fall is nearly two whole feet taller than Keene, standing at 7'6".

First reason to watch, how often do you get to see a 7'6" person? Let alone on a basketball court, and as one of the most efficient players in the country.

Fall is shooting 76% from the field (yes, you read that right), and averaging a double-double with 12.6 points and 10.1 rebounds in just 26.6 minutes per game. Earlier this year, Fall recorded a 17 and 17 game, on a perfect 8-8 from the field.

Of course, shooting a high percentage is expected when you can dunk without jumping. But, he can dunk without jumping!!! That should be enough reason to watch Fall play. Comparison wise, there hasn't been a 7'6" NBA player since Yao Ming, and I'm not ready to draw that line yet.

Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona

Markkanene is kind of a hybrid between Keene and Fall. Now I know that sounds ridiculous, especially because he's from Finland (yes, Finland), but hear me out.

Being seven feet tall helps in becoming the first NBA prospect ever from your home country, but Markkanen is far from just another big man. As a true freshman this year at Arizona, Markkanen is averaging 16.8 ppg, to go along with 7.6 rebounds per game. Now here's the best part, he's shooting 50%, from three. 

*Insert stereotypical "he's a european guy who only shoots threes" comment*

While about half of his field goal attempts come from beyond the arc (like Keene), Markkanen has proven that he thrives against tough competition. Since the beginning of conference play, his averages have increased to 17.7 ppg, and 8 rpg, on a scorching 60% from three point range.

Markkanen has been climbing the draft boards recently, and is the highest rated prospect on this list, but he is still far from a household name, and on one of the hottest teams in the country. In NBA terms, he's college's Kristaps Porzingis, but more efficient.

Caleb Swanigan, PF, Purdue

The B1G has been in a bit of a slump as a whole this year, but the conference still has a handful of players worth watching. From strictly highlights, many would think that freshman sensation Miles Bridges is the best player in the B1G, but that would be overlooking the potential National Player of the Year.

Swanigan had a solid freshman season a year ago, averaging a shade over 10 ppg, and just over 8 rpg, but opted to return to school for his sophomore campaign. Not only did he come back for year two, he did so with a purpose. Halfway through B1G play, Swanigan has nearly doubled his ppg (18.5), and leads the nation in rebounding (12.7 rpg).

Most of Swanigan's freshman season production was in the paint as a back to the back post player opposite fellow Purdue big man Isaac Haas, but Swanigan has added a reliable perimeter jumper that has made him a nightmare to defend for opponents. While he is far from a volume three point shooter (like Keene or Markkanen), Swanigan shoots the deep ball at a 50% clip, and is averaging more than a make per game in conference play.

Whether or not his Boilermakers can win the B1G will likely play a major role in whether or not Swanigan receives POTY recognition, but his numbers are certainly worthy of the recognition.

There aren't many bruising bigs left in the NBA, but the best comparison I can think of for Swanigan is Zach Randolph with three point range.

Luke Kennard, SG, Duke

Lost among the ups and downs of what has been Duke basketball's 2016-17 season has been the outstanding play of Luke Kennard. 

The sophomore shooting guard is probably the 4th most talked about player on the Blue Devils roster, due to draft hype (or tripping...), but is having by far the best season of any Duke player. After showing promise as a freshman (11.8 ppg), Kennard has nearly doubled that to 20.4 ppg this season. Most impressively he has increased his percentages at the same time, going from 42% to 54% from the field, and even more impressively, 32% to 47% from beyond the arc.

Kennard has been even more efficient since the start of ACC play, against the best conference competition in the country. His already impressive three point shooting has skyrocketed to 55%, to go along with 59% from the field. Just this past weekend, Kennard lit up Wake Forest for 34 points on just 14 shot attempts (including 6-6 from deep), in the Blue Devils comeback win.

Despite all this, Kennard is barely cracking the top 20 in most NBA Mock Drafts, but he play-style and ability reminiscent of a left-handed Klay Thompson.