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Top 10 players to watch in college hoops in 2020-21: 5-1

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College basketball's back.

We're counting down the players to watch this season, and one day after presenting 10-6 on the list, here are the top 5:

5. Ayo Dosunmu, F, Illinois

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Ayo Dosunmu tested the NBA draft waters in the offseason, but decided to return to the Big Ten and was immediately named a first-team AP All-American. The Illinois junior put up 16.6 points per game last year while also adding 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Dosunmu's already a great scorer, but if he improves his 3-point shot, he'll be downright unguardable. The Chicago native made only 29.6% of his triples last year after hitting on 35.2% as a freshman. Getting back to that clip will have the NBA calling his name after this season.

4. Cade Cunningham, G/F, Oklahoma State

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The first of three straight Big 12 players on this list is prized freshman Cade Cunningham. If the 2021 NBA Draft was held today, it's a safe bet he'd be the first pick.

The 6-foot-7 star from Montverde Academy surprised many with his decision to head to Oklahoma State despite the Cowboys likely facing a 2021 postseason ban. He may not be in Stillwater for long, but his versatile game could make his stint a very successful one. Mike Boynton's offense should be a perfect fit for Cunningham's all-world passing ability, and if he can show improvement on his 3-point shot, he's almost guaranteed to be the top pick in next year's draft.

3. Jared Butler, G, Baylor

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It seemed Jared Butler was destined for the NBA draft after an impressive sophomore season, but the Louisiana native opted to return to school, and Baylor couldn't be happier about it. Butler was a revelation in his second season with the program, pouring in 16 points per game while canning 38% of his shots from beyond the arc. He's not only an offensive threat, as Butler averaged almost two steals per contest, helping Baylor establish itself among the nation's elite.

With the Bears bringing back a number of last year's key contributors, expect a deep March run from Scott Drew's program. Butler will be leading the charge.

2. Marcus Garrett, G, Kansas

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It can't be fun to play basketball against Marcus Garrett. The reigning national defensive player of the year is back at Kansas for another season of ruining the opposition's offensive game plans.

While Garrett makes his name on the defensive end, he's shown offensive improvement throughout his career, averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds last season. He also made 32.7% of his triples, a significant improvement from 24.5% the year before. Those numbers are only going to go up after the Jayhawks lost their top scorers, Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, to the NBA. With Garrett shouldering more of the load offensively, expect a jump in production - and national recognition - for this standout senior.

1. Luka Garza, C, Iowa

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In a world in which very little can be agreed upon, Luka Garza opening the season as the best player in the country seems as close to a unanimous opinion as we're going to get. The Iowa standout is the only consensus 2019-20 first-team All-American who returned to college, and you can expect more accolades this season.

Garza's essentially unguardable in the post, and is one of the more efficient players in the country, pouring in 23.9 points per game on 54.2% shooting last season. He's also shown the ability to step out beyond the arc, canning 36% of his 109 3-point attempts in 2019-20.

Iowa's set for a run at the NCAA title this year, and with Garza back in the fold, that appears all but guaranteed.

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