Andrew Wiggins is one of the most-hyped prospects to play college basketball since the NBA ordered high school-ers to spend at least one more season in school. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in early Oct. under the headline: From Wilt to Manning to Wiggins."

His almost certain position at the top of the 2014 NBA Draft may have inspired more than a few NBA teams to willingly set themselves up for failure this season in a "Riggin for Wiggins" campaign, as Bill Simmons of Grantland has termed it.

According to a report from Sports Illustrated, Wiggins is projected by some to command a $180 million dollar shoe deal when he turns pro -- $90 million dollars more than LeBron James' first sneaker contract.

If Wiggins has embraced the hype ("I just think of it as a blessing," he told the Associated Press), his future college opponents have used it as motivation.

"If he's the best player like people say, if that's the case, in order for me to be the best, I have to beat the best, right?" said sophomore G Marcus Smart, who passed up the NBA lottery to help lead Oklahoma state to a national championship. "If he's the best player, fans will get their money's worth when we play Kansas."

Smart will not only compete with Wiggins in the Big 12; he'll compete with the Canadian phenom for the Naismath award and position in next year's draft. Smart is projected to go third and Wiggins No. 1, according to NBA Draft.net.

"A lot of people are saying he's the best player now in college basketball," Smart told reporters. "All I'm saying is how can you be the best player in something you haven't even played yet?"

The 6-foot-4 guard knows the 6-foot-8 Wiggins through AAU ball and various national competitions, according to the AP. The two nearly became teammates, until Wiggins announced his decision to attend OSU's Big 12 rival Kansas.

"I'm not saying he can't be the best player," Smart said. "I know if it was me, don't just give it to me. At least make me earn it. All the hype, good for him.

"Congratulations to him, don't get me wrong. I'm not taking anything away from Andrew Wiggins, anything like that. He's a good player. I hope he does well," he said.

Kansas is ranked No. 6 and Oklahoma State No. 11 in ESPN's preseason polls. Belive the hype? Check out Wiggins' higlight video, which went viral a long time ago. At the 1:09 mark his lips clear the rim.