Poll: Who is the season's most impressive player so far?
The college basketball season is approaching the final stretch, and a number of players have set themselves apart from the vast majority of the league.
Whether they're finding the bottom of the basket, dominating the boards, locating the open teammate, or all of the above, these five players have established themselves as part of the upper echelon of talent in 2017.
1. Malik Monk - Kentucky
Kentucky has become notorious for possessing some of the best freshman talent in the country, and Wildcats standout Malik Monk is at the top of that group.
The No. 9 recruit in the 2016 class has proven himself to be a lethal weapon when it comes to finding the basket, as demonstrated when he scorched North Carolina for 47 points in what could go down as a game-of-the-year candidate. Add another 10 games of 20 or more points, and Monk could very well be in the discussion for the John R. Wooden Award recognizing the player of the year.
2. Frank Mason III - Kansas
Frank Mason III has already had a solid career with Kansas, but the senior guard's taking things to a whole other level for his final season.
Always an effective passer, Mason has upped his scoring significantly this season, averaging a career-best 20.1 points and 5.4 assists through 19 games. He's also been absolutely unconscious from beyond the arc, draining 53.7 percent of his 3-pointers. The point man for the Jayhawks is one of the main reasons they sit No. 2 in the country.
3. Josh Hart - Villanova
The top team in the nation always features one young man at the head of the charge. For Villanova, Josh Hart is that man.
The senior guard's been as consistently dominant as they come for the Wildcats, averaging 19.2 points while clocking under 30 minutes of court time just twice this season. Hart's been remarkable all around: He's topped 30 points twice while registering double digits in rebounds on four occasions, including a triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against Saint Joseph's.
Villanova needs Hart to continue this production if it hopes to remain at the top of the mountain, but if the senior maintains this level of performance, the Wildcats could prove to be unstoppable.
4. Josh Jackson - Kansas
While Frank Mason III may be the quarterback of the Kansas offense, freshman guard Josh Jackson is about as dynamic a backcourt partner as can be.
Jackson's exploded onto the scene for the Jayhawks, averaging 15.1 points per game while recording double-digit rebounds on four separate occasions. The former No. 2 overall player in the country has provided numerous highlight-reel plays at both ends, and he's projected by many as a potential lottery pick in this year's NBA draft should he choose to declare.
5. Caleb Swanigan - Purdue
One could argue that No. 20 Purdue has the most dominant big man in all of college basketball.
Caleb Swanigan has been an absolute monster on the court for the Boilermakers, averaging 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. In 20 games played thus far, the sophomore recorded 17 double-doubles. If that's not impressive enough, four of those included more than 20 points and 20 rebounds.