Ranking the best big men in college basketball

College basketball has transformed into a guard’s game, but the best teams can’t be the best without steady play in the post. These bigs have shown early in the season they are the cream of the crop.

5. Omer Yurtseven

The Turkish sensation escaped NC State purgatory to learn from Patrick Ewing at Georgetown. So far it has worked swimmingly. The 7-footer is averaging just shy of a double-double, with 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

He’s making more than half of his field goal attempts and blocking a couple shots a game. Ewing will need to ask even more from Yurtseven as the Hoyas approach conference play, because a couple significant contributors, James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc, entered the transfer portal.

4. Steven Enoch

The only thing keeping the experienced Louisville big man from being higher on this list are his guards. Enoch averages 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Texas Tech showed the world that ball pressure is the way to beat Louisville by forcing turnovers and limiting entries into the post.

3. Isaiah Stewart

He probably does not get as much attention on the West Coast, but he’s far and away the best freshman big in the class. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound star entered college with an NBA-ready body and he is putting it to good use.

He's scored in double figures in every game this season and is averaging 17 points per game on 57.7% shooting from the field. He saved his best performance for when the Huskies needed it most, with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort against Gonzaga. It might not have been a loss if he attempted more than seven field goals.

2. Kaleb Wesson

Wesson is a big reason why Ohio State looks like the best team in the country. He had his top offensive performance of the season December 7, when he scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a win over Penn State, but he gives you even more on the other end. Wesson’s ability to hold down the fort inside is one reason why Ohio State is ranked second in KenPom’s defensive rankings.

1. Udoka Azubuike

We all knew Azubuike as the big body that you could not get out of the paint. This year the seven-foot senior added new tools to his arsenal that make him even more dominant inside.

Opponents used to just send him to the free-throw line. He's still not great at the line, but when Dayton tried "hack Udoka," he knocked down five of his eight attempts to help the Jayhawks in overtime of the Maui Invitational final. He has also dramatically improved his conditioning. Azubuike averages just shy of 30 minutes a contest, running the floor and making plays. To beat Kansas you have to go through Azubuike. Few teams are equipped to handle that mighty task.

---

BetAmerica has you covered for all your college basketball wagering needs!