One of the things that makes college basketball great is watching the development of certain players as their respective careers progress. For a player that stays in school all four years, it is always interesting to see how he improved from when he came into college as a shy freshman to when he left as a senior leader. The most noticeable improvement for most players comes between their freshman and sophomore seasons - first-year jitters are gone and players are ready to take on a bigger role as a sophomore. Here is a look at some of the most improved sophomores in the Big East and ACC (the players not included are because they were too good last season).
ACC (not including Al-Farouq Aminu and Sylven Landesberg)
Reggie Jackson, G, Boston College Eagles
Jackson had several impressive performances last season, but he was inconsistent and was difficult to own because he came off the bench. This year, he has more than doubled his production in every category, going from 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists to 14.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Furthermore, since moving to the bench with Rakim Sanders' return, Jackson has continued his solid numbers. In the past five games, Sanders is averaging 15.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
Sean Mosley, G, Maryland Terrapins
With the decline in Greivis Vasquez's offensive output, the Terrapins have needed others to step up and score. Mosley has filled that role. He has scored in double-figures in every game but one (and that was a nine-point performance). Mosley is shooting better than 58% from three-point range and 63% from the field. Overall, he has improved from 5.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists to 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Mosley went for 26 against Villanova.
Ed Davis, F, North Carolina Tar Heels
Everyone saw this coming - Davis was projected to be a top-five or 10 pick in the NBA Draft if he left after his freshman season despite averaging just 6.7 points and 6.6 rebounds last season. However, he decided to stay and was immediately thrust into the starting lineup and anointed an All-America in waiting. Davis has not disappointing, boosting his averages to 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks this season.
Larry Drew II, G, North Carolina Tar Heels
Another replacement for a first-round pick, Drew has kept the North Carolina fast-break offense flowing - although not as efficiently as Ty Lawson did. However, he is putting up solid numbers and has been better at taking care of the ball recently. Last year, he averaged just 1.4 points and 1.9 assists, but now he is averaging 9.0 points and 6.8 assists. In his four games, Drew is averaging 12.0 points and nearly eight assists.
Others to Watch: Miles Plumlee, F, Duke Blue Devils; Chris Singleton, F, Florida State Seminoles; Solomon Alabi, C, Florida State Seminoles; Tanner Smith, G, Clemson Tigers; Tyler Zeller, F, North Carolina Tar Heels; Malcolm Grant, G, Miami (Fl.); Sammy Zeglinski, G, Virginia Cavaliers; Victor Davila, F, Virginia Tech Hokies
Big East (Not including Mike Rosario, Devin Ebanks, Yancy Gates, Greg Monroe and Samardo Samuels)
Jason Clark, G, Georgetown Hoyas
Clark's impressive start has been one of the keys to Georgetown's impressive 8-0 start that includes wins over Temple, Washington and Butler. He has scored at least 12 points on five occasions, and is also contributing in rebounds, assists and steals. Last season, he went for 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds, but has improved to 12.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals. Clark is knocking down 50% of his field-goal attempts and 40% of his three-pointers, and is coincidentally hitting exactly 83.3% from the charity stripe again this year.
Ashton Gibbs, G, Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh might have one of the worst offenses in the Big East, but none of that is Gibbs' fault. The 6-foot-2 New Jersey native has already hit 23 three-pointers this season, and has attempted at least 10 threes in three separate games. Gibbs is averaging 16.3 points and 2.3 assists per game this season, as compared to the 4.3 points and 0.9 assists he contributed last season. He just needs to be more efficient with his shot.
Jamine Peterson, F, Providence Friars
We've touched on Peterson's fantastic start a couple of times on CFHI this season, but it is worth looking at again. "Greedy" has been one of the most productive players in the Big East, racking up five double-doubles en route to averages of 17.2 points and 10.7 rebounds this season. In the last four games, Peterson is putting up 18.3 points and 11.5 rebounds. He redshirted last season, but during his freshman campaign, he averaged just 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds.
Kemba Walker, G, Connecticut Huskies
Like the aforementioned Ed Davis, Walker's increase in productivity is not a surprise to anyone that follows college basketball even remotely closely. He was a sparkplug off the bench last season for the Huskies, averaging 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists while backing up A.J. Price. However, this season, he has developed into one of the best point guards in the country, averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals.
Augustus Gilchrist, F/C, South Florida Bulls
Another player that we have mentioned this season already, Gilchrist has been a dominant performer for South Florida. He scored at least 14 points in every game prior to his last one, and is also rebounding the ball very well. Last year, he was solid, averaging 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds. This season, though, the 6-10 Gilchrist is averaging 18.8 points and 7.4 rebounds, while blocking 1.4 shots per game and shooting nearly 73% from three-point range. However, Gilchrist will miss the next six weeks with a sprained ankle.
Kevin Jones, F, West Virginia Mountaineers
Jones started the season as Devin Ebanks' replacement, averaging nearly 13 points and eight rebounds in the first three games of the year. However, many figured Jones to head back to the bench once Ebanks returned from suspension/personal leave. Wrong. Since then, Jones has seen an increase in minutes, and is averaging 16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in the last four games. Overall, he has improved from 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds last year to 14.4 points and 7.9 boards this season.
Others to Watch: Eric Wallace, G/F, DePaul Blue Demons; Taylor King, F, Villanova Wildcats; Kris Joseph, F, Syracuse Orange