Why Jared Sullinger is the Best Player in College Basketball

There is no shortage of quality college basketball players in the 2011-2012 season, but Ohio State's Jared Sullinger appears to clearly be the cream of the crop.

Sullinger, 19, is coming off an excellent freshman season where he averaged 17.2 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, and shot 54.1 percent from the field.

Here's what scary about the Buckeyes' star: this season he's better.

Sullinger is now trimmer and more mobile than he was last season. The 6'9 power forward weighed 294 pounds at one point following high school, but thanks to eating at Subway over the summer, Sullinger dropped to 264. Like Subway pitchman Jared Fogle, Sullinger's pounds dropped off and it shows.

This season, Sullinger has been on a tear for the second-ranked Buckeyes. The sophomore is putting up improved numbers on a well-balanced squad. He's averaging 19.1 points per game, 10.3 rebounds, and is shooting an outstanding 62.2 percent from the field.

On Tuesday, Sullinger scored 21 points, on eight-of-14 shooting in a romp of the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils. Sullinger was on his game, but Ohio State put together a strong team effort to beat Duke.

This basketball team is special, Sullinger said.

The Buckeyes have a 7-0 record, and seem likely to fly through the Big Ten, with Wisconsin and Michigan as the toughest competition. Thad Matta's squad look particularly sharp this season, and they're led by their star big man. Sullinger serves as an imposing presence on defense, and is also a go-to guy.

ESPN's Dick Vitale raved that Ohio State were scintillating in every phase of the game against Duke.

Sullinger does have some work to do. The 2010-2011 Freshman of the Year is not effective facing the basket and could improve on his footwork.

However, he is still an efficient in the low-post, which is a great asset. He also has a better stroke this season.

Sullinger would have been an NBA lottery pick if he decided to leave early. He will surely be one of the top-five picks in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, Anthony Davis, and Terrence Jones will challenge Sullinger for the Naismith Award, but Sullinger looks like the best player in the nation at the moment.