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God, Bouldin's miss last night was eerily similar to Blake Stepp's miss against Arizona in the 2003 tournament.
The College Basketball Post
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by allen3xis,
- Start date
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'06 UConn vs NovaOriginally Posted by SCuse7
SNY showing Big East classics.
Mich St vs SU
The 03 team was great. I miss guys like Edelin and Pace.
both teams were *#@@!*$ loaded with players ..
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Man I know...some of my favorite teams.
Ray,Foye,Nardi,Lowry. Damn shame that Sumpter could never get healthy
Gay,Williams,Anderson,Brown,Boone,Armstrong
Ray,Foye,Nardi,Lowry. Damn shame that Sumpter could never get healthy
Gay,Williams,Anderson,Brown,Boone,Armstrong
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My dude Jason Fraser - Amityville Long Island!!
Can't believe he was ranked top 10 in high school and what his career turned into ..
Can't believe he was ranked top 10 in high school and what his career turned into ..
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Lowry
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Originally Posted by HalfwayCROOK
Lowry
Lowry>Conley. Dude is a monster defensivly. Not many guards in the league seeing his man to man D.
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Bump.
This should never be on page 3. Damn shame.
Saturday's slate of games?
This should never be on page 3. Damn shame.
Saturday's slate of games?
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Cuse is on ESPN tonight at 8:30 ..
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Friday, January 2
[th=""]
Game
[/th] [th=""]
Network
[/th] [th=""]
Coverage Notes
[/th] [th=""]
PPV?
[/th] [th=""]
Time
[/th]
| USC at Oregon | 
| 
| 4pm | |
| S. Carolina at Baylor | 
| 
| 5:30pm | |
| Mount St. Mary's at Lafayette | 
| 7:30pm | ||
| St. Peter's at Marist | TW-Poughkeepsie | 7:30pm | ||
| UMKC at W. Illinois | WIU-TV3 | 8pm | ||
| Centenary at Oral Roberts | 
| 
|
| 8pm |
| Syracuse at USF | 
| 8:30pm | ||
| Arizona at California | 
| 
| 8:30pm | |
| Appalachian St. at Texas | 
| 9pm | ||
| Marshall at San Diego | 
| 10pm | ||
| UCLA at Oregon St. | 
| FSN List | 10:30pm |
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Downey vs. that Baylor backcourt should be interesting.
Cuse will be tied for first place in the BE after this weekend. Not saying much since it's only 2 games in but it's still a good look for them.
Cuse will be tied for first place in the BE after this weekend. Not saying much since it's only 2 games in but it's still a good look for them.
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Originally Posted by Ricardo Malta
Bump.
This should never be on page 3. Damn shame.
Saturday's slate of games?
Church.
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We got lucky with easy games to start
We could drop 100 again on South Florida
We could drop 100 again on South Florida
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^ Ne word if Harris is playing tonight?
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'Zona-Cal will be an interesting game. No sure lock for 'Zona.
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Cal could pull the upset, especially since it's at Cal but the way 'Zona's been playing I dont think they lose.
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He said he "saw bone"
The team is always tight on injury info. They don't give much out. I haven't heard and update but I don't think that he would play if its that bad.
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Chad Ford is the biggest hack. How does he get his job? Can't think for himself. Concerns of work ehtic and drive? @!%$!! serious? Same kid who singlehandily put his team on his back for 2 state titles...
say you only watch All Star games and keep it movin. @*!*.
FSN can show ASU/Stanford but elects for UCLA/OSU...great
With the new year upon us and a third of the college basketball season behind us, it's time to do an assessment of which NBA draft prospects helped orhurt their draft stock in 2008.
While there have been some adjustments to our 2009 NBA Draft Big Board since it debuted in late June, the adjustments have been subtle.
Here's how the Top 10 looked the day after the 2008 NBA Draft:
1. Blake Griffin
2. Ricky Rubio
3. DeMar DeRozan
4. Brandon Jennings
5. Austin Daye
6. B.J. Mullens
7. Hasheem Thabeet
8. James Harden
9. Jrue Holiday
10. Earl Clark
As of Jan. 1, seven of those players are still ranked in our Top 10. And nine of the original Top 10 are still ranked as lottery prospects. OnlyGonzaga's Austin Daye has fallen out of the Top 14. Here's a look at our new Top 10:
1. Blake Griffin
2. Ricky Rubio
3. James Harden
4. Greg Monroe
5. Jordan Hill
6. Hasheem Thabeet
7. Jrue Holiday
8. DeMar DeRozan
9. Stephen Curry
10. Brandon Jennings
Of the group, Curry has risen the furthest. He was ranked as the 22nd prospect in our original rankings. Monroe was ranked as the 17th best prospect andHill was ranked as the 13th best prospect coming into the season.
To ring in the new year, here's a prospect-by-prospect look at who has helped and who has hurt their stock this season. I spoke with a plethora of NBAscouts and several NBA GMs in the past week to get a feel for their draft boards at the moment. With college basketball now turning to conference play,there's still plenty of wiggle room in the rankings, so stay tuned for our weekly stock watches and Top 100 updates.
Also, play our Lottery + Mock Draft with over 2,000 scenarios.
[h2]2008 was a great year[/h2]
Blake Griffin, PF, So., Oklahoma
Griffin shocked many when he opted out of the 2008 NBA Draft, despite being projected as a Top 5 pick. But his decision to return to school looks good so far.Griffin has been dominant on both ends of the floor and is the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft right now.
[+] Enlarge
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Ricky Rubio turned heads with his play in the Beijing Olympics.
Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
Rubio's performance in the Olympics convinced NBA scouts (and Team USA) that the Pistol Pete look-alike from Spain was for real. A wrist injury sidelinedhim early this season, but in the past few weeks, he has gotten back into form and looks like a lock for a Top 3 pick.
However, there are questions about whether or not Rubio will be able to afford a buyout from his team this year, which puts into question whether he'llenter this year's draft. One source close to the situation insists that the concerns are overblown and Rubio is in, but the situation is worthwatching.
James Harden, SG, So., Arizona State
Harden was under the radar for much of 2008, but his play has been stellar this season. He does virtually everything well and reminds many scouts of BrandonRoy. Harden looks like one of those players who will be able to contribute immediately in the NBA and projects as a surefire Top 5 pick. Many scouts andexecutives have him as high as No. 2 on their draft boards.
Greg Monroe, F/C, Fr., Georgetown
Monroe has so many tools for a big man that the Chris Webber comparisons were inevitable. He can shoot, handle the ball, pass and get up and down the floor.While there were questions about his work ethic and drive in high school, his strong play for Georgetown has quieted those concerns.
His stellar game against UConn and lottery prospect Hasheem Thabeet Dec. 29 pushed him into the Top 5. A few scouts have him as high as No. 3. And one NBAexec has him as the No. 2 player on the board. If he continues to improve as the season goes on, he's the one guy on this list that could challenge Griffinfor the No. 1 pick.
Jordan Hill, PF, Jr., Arizona
Hill has always been highly regarded by scouts and we had him as a potential lottery pick in June. But his dominant play for Arizona this season has bridgedthe gap between potential and production -- and he still hasn't reached his ceiling. As he gets stronger and figures things out on the offensive end, Hillhas impressed. Right now he's No. 5 on our board.
Stephen Curry, PG, Jr., Davidson
Curry's stock took a big jump in the NCAA tournament and took another big leap with two 44-point outings against Oklahoma and North Carolina State early inthe season. Now that he's playing point guard and racking up the assists as well as the points, more scouts are comfortable with his role in the NBA.
However, some scouts were turned off by poor showings against Purdue and West Virginia, where Curry struggled against big, athletic defenders. Some scoutsfeel he'll be more of a role player in the NBA like his father Dell Curry.
But at the end of the day, virtually all of the NBA scouts and execs I spoke with had Curry as a Top 10 pick. That's a big leap for him given where hisstock started in January of 2008.
Cole Aldrich, C, So., Kansas
Aldrich was a role player in KU's 2008 title run, but this season he's the man in the middle for the Jayhawks. His combination of size, skill and solidathleticism have a lot of scouts keeping a close eye on him. This is a weak draft for big men and, while Aldrich could surely use another year at Kansas, moreand more scouts and execs are talking about him as a potential lottery pick in 2009 if he declares.
Willie Warren, G, Fr., Oklahoma
Warren ranked in the Top 25 in June, but lately he's shown he may belong in the lottery alongside more touted freshmen. No freshman in the country has beenmore productive. Warren dropped 31 points on Rice and 35 points on Arkansas in December while shooting a red-hot 11-for-21 from the 3-point line in those twogames combined. While some scouts remain concerned that Warren is more of a 2-guard than a point guard, his strong play may make his position irrelevant.
Jarvis Varnado, PF, Jr., MississippiState
The best shot-blocker in the country, Varnado's combination of length, explosive leaping ability and hustle on the defensive end has a lot of scoutsinterested. Think Tyrus Thomas without the attitude concerns.
He'd be ranked higher if scouts were convinced he could produce on the offensive end; he's still raw in the paint, but he's improving. WhileVarnado is currently ranked in the 20s, a strong performance in SEC play could push him into the lottery conversation.
Evan Turner, G/F, So., Ohio State
Turner really flew under the radar for much of 2008, but this season he's stepped up as the leader of the Buckeyes. Turner is blessed with athleticism andis a presence on both ends of the floor -- he can play three positions at either end. He could have a Brandon Rush type of rise if he continues to produce inthe second half of the season.
[h2]2008 wasn't so kind[/h2]
[+] Enlarge
Liam Foley/Icon SMI
Austin Daye has fallen out of our Top 10 after a slow start.
Austin Daye, F, So., Gonzaga
Daye has all the tools of a Top 5 pick, but none of the production. Yes, he plays on a stacked Gonzaga team, but the Zags' disappointing start, combinedwith Daye's lackluster play, have damaged his stock. He's a better shooter than his poor shooting percentages show, but he's got to start takingover games and packing on the pounds before NBA scouts seriously consider him as a Top 10 pick again.
B.J. Mullens, C, Fr., Ohio State
A number of scouts said over the summer that Mullens had a legit shot to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. With the exception of a 19-point, eight-reboundperformance against UNC-Asheville, we haven't seen it. He's blessed with great size and athleticism and, at times, you see his potential shine through.But more often than not he's delivering the four-point, 0-rebound performances we saw against Iowa on Wednesday.
Obviously, if he blows up in the second half of the season, he'll soar up the board. But as of now, he looks so far away from being a legit NBA centerthat he may be forced to return to school for his sophomore year. That's a huge downgrade in his stock over the course of the past six months.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Sr., NorthCarolina
The guy is the best player in college basketball. He plays with great heart and toughness. And as Larry Brown would say, he plays the right way. Plus, hestayed for four years of college. Despite all of that, you still can't find an NBA scout or GM who's sold on Hansbrough's NBA potential. Most ofthem see him as a potential rotation player in the league, and almost no one sees him as a starter. To quote one executive, "Look at how Kevin Love isstruggling. Love is bigger, more skilled and more athletic and it's been hard on him. What's going to happen to Hansbrough?"
We have him ranked in the 20s, which is basically where he's been for the last three years. Go figure.
Chase Budinger, G/F, Jr., Arizona
Budinger was once considered a Top 10 prospect, but when he declared for the draft last summer, he couldn't get a first-round guarantee and returned toArizona. He got off to a scintillating start this season, but has since come back down to Earth. His averages are roughly the same as last season, although heis shooting better. If he doesn't dominate in Pac-10 play, his chances of ever returning to the lottery conversation seem slim.
Darren Collison, PG, Sr., UCLA
Collison was overshadowed by younger, more athletic teammates in 2008. Last season, Russell Westbrook moved from unknown to the No. 4 pick in the 2008 draft.And this season, freshman Jrue Holiday is widely considered a lottery prospect while Collison is still trying to stay in the first round. While Collison'splay has been more than solid, it's hard to stay interested when you watch guys like Westbrook or Holiday playing next to him.
Tyreke Evans, G, Fr., Memphis
Evans came on to the college scene with a lot of hype. He had a mature game and was expected to be one of the few one-and-dones among this season'sfreshmen crop. He was even featured as one of ESPN the Magazine's NEXT athletes. The problem is, despite a solid scoring average, scouts haven't beenimpressed.
Evans' shot selection and high turnover rate, combined with Memphis' slow start, have many scouts and even more GMs wondering if he's a teamplayer. He has slipped from a late lottery prospect to a guy who would probably get drafted in the 20s if he declared for the draft right now.
Nick Calathes, G, So., Florida
Calathes has a lot of talent, but scouts struggle to place him in a position in the pros. He's a point guard at heart, but on the defensive end, who doeshe guard? He might need individual NBA workouts to clarify what he can be in the pros. As it stands now, he's probably on the first-round bubble.
Gerald Henderson, SG, Jr., Duke
Henderson came to Duke with a great reputation and was projected by many to be a late lottery pick at best, or a first rounder at worst. So far, scouts haveyet to see him live up to his potential. Time is running out for Henderson and, at this point, it's highly unlikely that he ends up as a first-round pickunless he really starts turning it on.
Jeremy Pargo, PG, Sr., Gonzaga
Pargo has been an intriguing player for many NBA scouts and this was supposed to be his breakout year. So far, his performance has been underwhelming. He'scut down his turnovers, but in key moments he seems to lack the makeup to be a lead guard in the NBA. Given his poor shooting numbers, not sure what else hecan do in the league.
John Riek, C
No one fell farther than Riek did in 2008. At one point, many scouts saw him as a potential lottery pick given his size, athleticism and toughness on thedefensive end, which was on display at a LeBron James camp in the summer of 2007. But he bombed in prep school, got injured and ended up pulling out of thedraft after being unable to really work out. He committed to Cincinnati in the summer but hasn't played a game yet. Mention his name to scouts now and youget a familiar response: "Who?"
[h2]The jury is still out[/h2]
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Fred Beckham
Hasheem Thabeet's shot-blocking skills remind many of Mutombo.
Hasheem Thabeet, C, Jr., UConn
Thabeet continues to draw Dikembe Mutombo comparisons, and as a shot-blocker, he fits the bill. As a rebounder, he has the potential. On the offensive end,however, it's still a big question whether Thabeet can put up the numbers that Mutombo did in the pros. Combine that with his tendency to disappear in biggames and you wonder just how high Thabeet will go. Scouts continue to insist he's a Top 5 pick, but I'm skeptical he's worth that high of apick.
Jrue Holiday, G, Fr., UCLA
Holiday's numbers won't wow you, but scouts love him just as much as they loved Westbrook last season. His defensive presence is fantastic, as is hisversatility. Holiday needs to work on his jump shot and prove to scouts he can handle the point. If he can overcome those questions the way Westbrook did,Holiday could be a Top 5 pick too.
DeMar DeRozan, Fr., USC
DeRozan is a freakish athlete. He has an NBA body and can finish when he's out in the open floor. But his shooting woes, combined with a lack of a killerinstinct, have muted expectations. In the last few weeks, he's started to produce, but given the early expectations as a potential No. 1 overall pick,he's been a disappointment. Still, in a weak draft, he's still projected as a Top 10 pick.
Brandon Jennings, Italy
When scouts watch video of him in high school, or watch him in practice in Italy, Jennings looks like a Top 5 pick. He's blessed with great athleticism andvirtually every skill you want in a point guard. But he's been a disappointment when he's on the floor in Europe. Chalk a lot of that up to a difficulttransition from high school to Euro ball. But some of that uncertainty is starting to weigh on his stock. Jennings still looks like a Top 10 pick at themoment, but there isn't a consensus like there was in June.
Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Fr., WakeForest
I could have easily put Aminu in the good category. He was projected as the 11th best prospect in the country in June and he's still in that slot. Hisproduction for Wake Forest has been solid and lately he's been stellar. He's got all the physical tools to be a dominant player. His jump shot coulduse a little work, but he's likely a Top 10 pick if he declares for the draft.
Earl Clark, F, Jr., Louisville
Clark drives scouts nuts. One night he looks like a Top 5 pick. The next night ... ugh. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Julian Wright, a player without aclear position who dominates when he finds the right matchups but looks lost other times. He's still considered a lottery prospect, but he's notplaying up to his talent level right now.
Gani Lawal, PF, So., Georgia Tech
Lawal shot up draft boards early in early December with a series of dominating performances. He's come back down to Earth after struggling at USC andPepperdine. He has the potential to be a late lottery pick given his athleticism and rebounding ability, but as an offensive player, the jury is still out.
Ty Lawson, PG, Jr., North Carolina
Lawson has always been a divisive name. Some scouts love him and see him as a lottery pick. Others aren't sold, saying he benefits largely from RoyWilliams' system. Lawson has been great early on. If he helps lead UNC to a NCAA title, he's got a chance to go in the late lottery. If he struggles,he's probably going somewhere in the 20s.
Jerome Jordan, C, Jr., Tulsa
On potential, Jordan is a lottery pick. But as far as actual production goes, he's been a mixed bag. His rebounding and scoring numbers are up a bit, buthis shot-blocking is down. He's coming off, perhaps, his best game of the year versus BYU, where he had 13 points and 14 rebounds. If he can build on thatin the second half of the season, Jordan still has a chance to rise into the lottery. Remember, scouts are hungry for big men and there just aren't manyquality ones in this year's draft.
Damion James, F, Jr., Texas
Scouts love James' toughness and motor, but he still is a player without a position. He's a natural power forward, but he lacks the size to play thatposition in the pros. So he's projected as more of a James Posey-type player. He hasn't dominated the way many scouts thought he might as a junior, buthe has been solid. A big second half in the Big 12 would move him up the board.
Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.
[font=Arial, Helvetica] [/font]
say you only watch All Star games and keep it movin. @*!*.
FSN can show ASU/Stanford but elects for UCLA/OSU...great
With the new year upon us and a third of the college basketball season behind us, it's time to do an assessment of which NBA draft prospects helped orhurt their draft stock in 2008.
While there have been some adjustments to our 2009 NBA Draft Big Board since it debuted in late June, the adjustments have been subtle.
Here's how the Top 10 looked the day after the 2008 NBA Draft:
| Top 10 Sleepers |
|
2. Ricky Rubio
3. DeMar DeRozan
4. Brandon Jennings
5. Austin Daye
6. B.J. Mullens
7. Hasheem Thabeet
8. James Harden
9. Jrue Holiday
10. Earl Clark
As of Jan. 1, seven of those players are still ranked in our Top 10. And nine of the original Top 10 are still ranked as lottery prospects. OnlyGonzaga's Austin Daye has fallen out of the Top 14. Here's a look at our new Top 10:
1. Blake Griffin
2. Ricky Rubio
3. James Harden
4. Greg Monroe
5. Jordan Hill
6. Hasheem Thabeet
7. Jrue Holiday
8. DeMar DeRozan
9. Stephen Curry
10. Brandon Jennings
Of the group, Curry has risen the furthest. He was ranked as the 22nd prospect in our original rankings. Monroe was ranked as the 17th best prospect andHill was ranked as the 13th best prospect coming into the season.
To ring in the new year, here's a prospect-by-prospect look at who has helped and who has hurt their stock this season. I spoke with a plethora of NBAscouts and several NBA GMs in the past week to get a feel for their draft boards at the moment. With college basketball now turning to conference play,there's still plenty of wiggle room in the rankings, so stay tuned for our weekly stock watches and Top 100 updates.
Also, play our Lottery + Mock Draft with over 2,000 scenarios.
[h2]2008 was a great year[/h2]
Blake Griffin, PF, So., Oklahoma
Griffin shocked many when he opted out of the 2008 NBA Draft, despite being projected as a Top 5 pick. But his decision to return to school looks good so far.Griffin has been dominant on both ends of the floor and is the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft right now.
[+] Enlarge
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Ricky Rubio turned heads with his play in the Beijing Olympics.
Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
Rubio's performance in the Olympics convinced NBA scouts (and Team USA) that the Pistol Pete look-alike from Spain was for real. A wrist injury sidelinedhim early this season, but in the past few weeks, he has gotten back into form and looks like a lock for a Top 3 pick.
However, there are questions about whether or not Rubio will be able to afford a buyout from his team this year, which puts into question whether he'llenter this year's draft. One source close to the situation insists that the concerns are overblown and Rubio is in, but the situation is worthwatching.
James Harden, SG, So., Arizona State
Harden was under the radar for much of 2008, but his play has been stellar this season. He does virtually everything well and reminds many scouts of BrandonRoy. Harden looks like one of those players who will be able to contribute immediately in the NBA and projects as a surefire Top 5 pick. Many scouts andexecutives have him as high as No. 2 on their draft boards.
Greg Monroe, F/C, Fr., Georgetown
Monroe has so many tools for a big man that the Chris Webber comparisons were inevitable. He can shoot, handle the ball, pass and get up and down the floor.While there were questions about his work ethic and drive in high school, his strong play for Georgetown has quieted those concerns.
His stellar game against UConn and lottery prospect Hasheem Thabeet Dec. 29 pushed him into the Top 5. A few scouts have him as high as No. 3. And one NBAexec has him as the No. 2 player on the board. If he continues to improve as the season goes on, he's the one guy on this list that could challenge Griffinfor the No. 1 pick.
Jordan Hill, PF, Jr., Arizona
Hill has always been highly regarded by scouts and we had him as a potential lottery pick in June. But his dominant play for Arizona this season has bridgedthe gap between potential and production -- and he still hasn't reached his ceiling. As he gets stronger and figures things out on the offensive end, Hillhas impressed. Right now he's No. 5 on our board.
Stephen Curry, PG, Jr., Davidson
Curry's stock took a big jump in the NCAA tournament and took another big leap with two 44-point outings against Oklahoma and North Carolina State early inthe season. Now that he's playing point guard and racking up the assists as well as the points, more scouts are comfortable with his role in the NBA.
However, some scouts were turned off by poor showings against Purdue and West Virginia, where Curry struggled against big, athletic defenders. Some scoutsfeel he'll be more of a role player in the NBA like his father Dell Curry.
But at the end of the day, virtually all of the NBA scouts and execs I spoke with had Curry as a Top 10 pick. That's a big leap for him given where hisstock started in January of 2008.
Cole Aldrich, C, So., Kansas
Aldrich was a role player in KU's 2008 title run, but this season he's the man in the middle for the Jayhawks. His combination of size, skill and solidathleticism have a lot of scouts keeping a close eye on him. This is a weak draft for big men and, while Aldrich could surely use another year at Kansas, moreand more scouts and execs are talking about him as a potential lottery pick in 2009 if he declares.
Willie Warren, G, Fr., Oklahoma
Warren ranked in the Top 25 in June, but lately he's shown he may belong in the lottery alongside more touted freshmen. No freshman in the country has beenmore productive. Warren dropped 31 points on Rice and 35 points on Arkansas in December while shooting a red-hot 11-for-21 from the 3-point line in those twogames combined. While some scouts remain concerned that Warren is more of a 2-guard than a point guard, his strong play may make his position irrelevant.
Jarvis Varnado, PF, Jr., MississippiState
The best shot-blocker in the country, Varnado's combination of length, explosive leaping ability and hustle on the defensive end has a lot of scoutsinterested. Think Tyrus Thomas without the attitude concerns.
He'd be ranked higher if scouts were convinced he could produce on the offensive end; he's still raw in the paint, but he's improving. WhileVarnado is currently ranked in the 20s, a strong performance in SEC play could push him into the lottery conversation.
Evan Turner, G/F, So., Ohio State
Turner really flew under the radar for much of 2008, but this season he's stepped up as the leader of the Buckeyes. Turner is blessed with athleticism andis a presence on both ends of the floor -- he can play three positions at either end. He could have a Brandon Rush type of rise if he continues to produce inthe second half of the season.
[h2]2008 wasn't so kind[/h2]
[+] Enlarge
Liam Foley/Icon SMI
Austin Daye has fallen out of our Top 10 after a slow start.
Austin Daye, F, So., Gonzaga
Daye has all the tools of a Top 5 pick, but none of the production. Yes, he plays on a stacked Gonzaga team, but the Zags' disappointing start, combinedwith Daye's lackluster play, have damaged his stock. He's a better shooter than his poor shooting percentages show, but he's got to start takingover games and packing on the pounds before NBA scouts seriously consider him as a Top 10 pick again.
B.J. Mullens, C, Fr., Ohio State
A number of scouts said over the summer that Mullens had a legit shot to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. With the exception of a 19-point, eight-reboundperformance against UNC-Asheville, we haven't seen it. He's blessed with great size and athleticism and, at times, you see his potential shine through.But more often than not he's delivering the four-point, 0-rebound performances we saw against Iowa on Wednesday.
Obviously, if he blows up in the second half of the season, he'll soar up the board. But as of now, he looks so far away from being a legit NBA centerthat he may be forced to return to school for his sophomore year. That's a huge downgrade in his stock over the course of the past six months.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Sr., NorthCarolina
The guy is the best player in college basketball. He plays with great heart and toughness. And as Larry Brown would say, he plays the right way. Plus, hestayed for four years of college. Despite all of that, you still can't find an NBA scout or GM who's sold on Hansbrough's NBA potential. Most ofthem see him as a potential rotation player in the league, and almost no one sees him as a starter. To quote one executive, "Look at how Kevin Love isstruggling. Love is bigger, more skilled and more athletic and it's been hard on him. What's going to happen to Hansbrough?"
We have him ranked in the 20s, which is basically where he's been for the last three years. Go figure.
Chase Budinger, G/F, Jr., Arizona
Budinger was once considered a Top 10 prospect, but when he declared for the draft last summer, he couldn't get a first-round guarantee and returned toArizona. He got off to a scintillating start this season, but has since come back down to Earth. His averages are roughly the same as last season, although heis shooting better. If he doesn't dominate in Pac-10 play, his chances of ever returning to the lottery conversation seem slim.
Darren Collison, PG, Sr., UCLA
Collison was overshadowed by younger, more athletic teammates in 2008. Last season, Russell Westbrook moved from unknown to the No. 4 pick in the 2008 draft.And this season, freshman Jrue Holiday is widely considered a lottery prospect while Collison is still trying to stay in the first round. While Collison'splay has been more than solid, it's hard to stay interested when you watch guys like Westbrook or Holiday playing next to him.
Tyreke Evans, G, Fr., Memphis
Evans came on to the college scene with a lot of hype. He had a mature game and was expected to be one of the few one-and-dones among this season'sfreshmen crop. He was even featured as one of ESPN the Magazine's NEXT athletes. The problem is, despite a solid scoring average, scouts haven't beenimpressed.
Evans' shot selection and high turnover rate, combined with Memphis' slow start, have many scouts and even more GMs wondering if he's a teamplayer. He has slipped from a late lottery prospect to a guy who would probably get drafted in the 20s if he declared for the draft right now.
Nick Calathes, G, So., Florida
Calathes has a lot of talent, but scouts struggle to place him in a position in the pros. He's a point guard at heart, but on the defensive end, who doeshe guard? He might need individual NBA workouts to clarify what he can be in the pros. As it stands now, he's probably on the first-round bubble.
Gerald Henderson, SG, Jr., Duke
Henderson came to Duke with a great reputation and was projected by many to be a late lottery pick at best, or a first rounder at worst. So far, scouts haveyet to see him live up to his potential. Time is running out for Henderson and, at this point, it's highly unlikely that he ends up as a first-round pickunless he really starts turning it on.
Jeremy Pargo, PG, Sr., Gonzaga
Pargo has been an intriguing player for many NBA scouts and this was supposed to be his breakout year. So far, his performance has been underwhelming. He'scut down his turnovers, but in key moments he seems to lack the makeup to be a lead guard in the NBA. Given his poor shooting numbers, not sure what else hecan do in the league.
John Riek, C
No one fell farther than Riek did in 2008. At one point, many scouts saw him as a potential lottery pick given his size, athleticism and toughness on thedefensive end, which was on display at a LeBron James camp in the summer of 2007. But he bombed in prep school, got injured and ended up pulling out of thedraft after being unable to really work out. He committed to Cincinnati in the summer but hasn't played a game yet. Mention his name to scouts now and youget a familiar response: "Who?"
[h2]The jury is still out[/h2]
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Fred Beckham
Hasheem Thabeet's shot-blocking skills remind many of Mutombo.
Hasheem Thabeet, C, Jr., UConn
Thabeet continues to draw Dikembe Mutombo comparisons, and as a shot-blocker, he fits the bill. As a rebounder, he has the potential. On the offensive end,however, it's still a big question whether Thabeet can put up the numbers that Mutombo did in the pros. Combine that with his tendency to disappear in biggames and you wonder just how high Thabeet will go. Scouts continue to insist he's a Top 5 pick, but I'm skeptical he's worth that high of apick.
Jrue Holiday, G, Fr., UCLA
Holiday's numbers won't wow you, but scouts love him just as much as they loved Westbrook last season. His defensive presence is fantastic, as is hisversatility. Holiday needs to work on his jump shot and prove to scouts he can handle the point. If he can overcome those questions the way Westbrook did,Holiday could be a Top 5 pick too.
DeMar DeRozan, Fr., USC
DeRozan is a freakish athlete. He has an NBA body and can finish when he's out in the open floor. But his shooting woes, combined with a lack of a killerinstinct, have muted expectations. In the last few weeks, he's started to produce, but given the early expectations as a potential No. 1 overall pick,he's been a disappointment. Still, in a weak draft, he's still projected as a Top 10 pick.
Brandon Jennings, Italy
When scouts watch video of him in high school, or watch him in practice in Italy, Jennings looks like a Top 5 pick. He's blessed with great athleticism andvirtually every skill you want in a point guard. But he's been a disappointment when he's on the floor in Europe. Chalk a lot of that up to a difficulttransition from high school to Euro ball. But some of that uncertainty is starting to weigh on his stock. Jennings still looks like a Top 10 pick at themoment, but there isn't a consensus like there was in June.
Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Fr., WakeForest
I could have easily put Aminu in the good category. He was projected as the 11th best prospect in the country in June and he's still in that slot. Hisproduction for Wake Forest has been solid and lately he's been stellar. He's got all the physical tools to be a dominant player. His jump shot coulduse a little work, but he's likely a Top 10 pick if he declares for the draft.
Earl Clark, F, Jr., Louisville
Clark drives scouts nuts. One night he looks like a Top 5 pick. The next night ... ugh. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Julian Wright, a player without aclear position who dominates when he finds the right matchups but looks lost other times. He's still considered a lottery prospect, but he's notplaying up to his talent level right now.
Gani Lawal, PF, So., Georgia Tech
Lawal shot up draft boards early in early December with a series of dominating performances. He's come back down to Earth after struggling at USC andPepperdine. He has the potential to be a late lottery pick given his athleticism and rebounding ability, but as an offensive player, the jury is still out.
Ty Lawson, PG, Jr., North Carolina
Lawson has always been a divisive name. Some scouts love him and see him as a lottery pick. Others aren't sold, saying he benefits largely from RoyWilliams' system. Lawson has been great early on. If he helps lead UNC to a NCAA title, he's got a chance to go in the late lottery. If he struggles,he's probably going somewhere in the 20s.
Jerome Jordan, C, Jr., Tulsa
On potential, Jordan is a lottery pick. But as far as actual production goes, he's been a mixed bag. His rebounding and scoring numbers are up a bit, buthis shot-blocking is down. He's coming off, perhaps, his best game of the year versus BYU, where he had 13 points and 14 rebounds. If he can build on thatin the second half of the season, Jordan still has a chance to rise into the lottery. Remember, scouts are hungry for big men and there just aren't manyquality ones in this year's draft.
Damion James, F, Jr., Texas
Scouts love James' toughness and motor, but he still is a player without a position. He's a natural power forward, but he lacks the size to play thatposition in the pros. So he's projected as more of a James Posey-type player. He hasn't dominated the way many scouts thought he might as a junior, buthe has been solid. A big second half in the Big 12 would move him up the board.
Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.
[font=Arial, Helvetica] [/font]
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Parrish
[font=Arial, Helvetica]I was sitting next to a guy at the Arkansas-Oklahoma game the other night, and though I'm not sure who he was or what he doeshe happened to say something out loud (but to himself) that has stuck with me ever since.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]It was a simple yet interesting observation.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]This is what he said: Arkansas has a playmaker playing point guard.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Like I mentioned, simple. But after I heard him say it I looked out at the court, and what I realized is that notonly does Arkansas have a penetrating playmaker (Courtney Fortson) playing point guard, but it also has a deadly shooter (Rotnei Clarke) playing shooting guardand a legitimate post presence (Michael Washington) playing center, which might be why the Hogs are winning despite their inexperience, because John Pelphreyisn't asking anybody to do anything unfamiliar.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Fortson is asked to dribble into the paint and find an open man; he's been doing that his whole life. Clarke isasked to sink open jumpers from beyond the arc; he's been doing that his whole life. Washington is asked to catch the ball on the block, score and rebound;he's been doing that his whole life. So in an era where many programs recruit the best athletes they can get and worry about positions later -- which hasled to Texas trying to play with no point guards, Memphis trying to play with no shooters and Marquette trying to play with no big men -- the Hogs are actuallyusing a lineup featuring guys with very specific skill-sets for their respective positions, and it really is fun to watch.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Will it result in an SEC title?[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Who knows?[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]But I'm certain it's been a factor in their surprising start.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]And now let's do the Friday Look Ahead.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Game worth flying to see in person: I wrote a column earlier this week about Cincinnati and how its schedule is impossible, at which timean astute reader pointed out that though it's just as tough as I described it's actually one of the easier Big East schedules. That's a fair point,and for proof consider that No. 11 Georgetown opened league play with a win at No. 2 Connecticut, and now the Hoyas will spend Saturdayhosting No. 3 Pittsburgh. Then on Monday, they're at No. 7 Notre Dame, which means Georgetown could lose its next two games and still be alegitimate top 10 team. And that, my friends, is life in the Big East this season.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Game worth driving to see in person: Bruce Pearl had some time off between games this week, so heheaded to a high school tournament in Bristol, Tenn., to watch prospects and listen to advice from caring Tennessee fans. "I appreciatethe response; I appreciate seeing all the orange in these fans," Pearl told the Bristol Herald Courier at the event. "We've worked hard.They follow us on TV. You know you're making it when I have a couple young guys give me some advice -- that I should keep Wayne Chism closer to thebasket." My advice: Keep Wayne Chism right side up, regardless of his location. And if you're wondering, yes, Chism is perfectly fine after Monday's scary fall, and he will be in uniform Saturday when the 14th-ranked Vols visitKansas.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Game worth watching on TV: Billy Gillispie's Kentucky Wildcats lost theiropener to VMI and yet somehow went on to avoid the label of biggest disappointment in the state, which clearly belongs to their rivalLouisville. The Cards were ranked third in the preseason AP poll but have started 8-3 with three losses to unranked teams, and because I'mnot sure the average fan knows this it should be mentioned that the New Year's Eve loss at home to UNLV came despite UNLV missing its best player (WinkAdams). Now the Cards, ranked 18th in the most recent AP poll, are hosting Kentucky on Sunday, and that means one fan base will go to sleep that night inpossession of a four-loss team. Should make for some good message board material, either way.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Some non-BCS love: What could amount to the Game of the Year in the Missouri ValleyConference will be played Saturday when Illinois State puts its undefeated (yet unimpressive) 13-0 record on the line against league favoriteCreighton, which is 12-2. Regardless of how you feel about ISU, these are pretty clearly the two best teams in the MVC, and both are threatsto make the NCAA tournament even if both are likely to be short on quality wins on Selection Sunday, particularly Illinois State.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]An obvious prediction: That Connecticut will beat Rutgers onSaturday probably isn't as obvious as it might've been before the second-ranked Huskies provided a lackluster effort against Georgetown, but it'sstill obvious and worthy of being the "obvious" prediction. As for Fred Hill, well, I imagine he just wants to get it over with and move on becausewhen the final horn sounds the Scarlett Knights will have played the teams ranked first, second and third in the latest AP poll in a span of seven days, andthat's just no fun for anybody ... except for the teams ranked first, second and third.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]A crazy prediction (but it might happen anyway): As you know -- because I won't stop telling you -- I've nailed this "crazy" prediction three of thepast four weekends, and I really am starting to wonder if I'm genius. I don't pay attention to point spreads or odds or anything like that; I merelylook at all the games featuring unranked teams against ranked teams, and then I take some unranked team straaaaaaaaaaight up. I'm right more oftenthan not, which is why anybody looking for a showdown of unbeatens between Wake Forest and North Carolina next weekend should probably makeother plans, because I'm taking unranked BYU over sixth-ranked Wake Forest this Saturday, straaaaaaaaaaight up. So place yourbets now, and don't bother thanking me because I consider this my way of giving back to my readers. I'm happy to do it free of charge, fornow.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Player trying to keep rolling: The promise here is that if Illinois wins Sundayafternoon at Michigan then Bruce Weber's team will crack the Top 25 (and one) on Sunday night, and they'll be better than the"and one." For that to happen, it might require another nice performance from Mike Tisdale, the 7-1 sophomore who is averaging 19 points per gamesince scoring zero against Hawaii last month. He had 18 points and six rebounds in Tuesday night's win at Purdue before fouling out in 30 minutes, whichisn't bad for a guy who only averaged 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds last season.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Player trying to get rolling: Mike Williams is not a big-time scorer, but it sure helpsCincinnati when he at least scores a little, which is something he's not doing against quality opposition. Consider: the three best teamsthe Bearcats have played are UNLV, Xavier and Memphis, and Williams has scored a total of nine points in 62 combined minutes on the court in those games.That's a dreadful statistic and something that must change if the Bearcats are to pull an upset at Marquette on Sunday.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Three things you should know before you go[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]1. Former Indiana standout and brief UAB student Armon Bassett has enrolled atOhio, where he could either be the star first-year coach John Groce needs or a complete headache in every way. The odds are 70-30 in favor ofheadache given Bassett's history. But it's probably worth the risk, because a player with Bassett's talent is the type of player who could takeOhio to a Mid-American Conference title.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]2. According to KenPom.com, Georgetown is the only team with an offense and defensethat ranks in the top 10 in terms of efficiency. That's why the Hoyas are 10-1 and one of the season's early surprises.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]3. Of the six undefeated teams, only two remain unranked. They are Illinois State andStanford, the latter of which is a surprising 10-0 heading into Friday night's game against 17th-ranked Arizona State. Awin there, and the Cardinal will get strong consideration for the Top 25 (and one) .[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Final thought: Tic Price will be on the visitor's bench Saturday at FedExForum as aLamar assistant, which will be strange considering he was the head coach at Memphis from March 1997 until he was forced intoresignation in November 1999 because of an inappropriate relationship with a female student. The incident -- and the timing of it -- forced assistant JohnnyJones (now the head coach at North Texas) to coach the Tigers on an interim basis in the 1999-2000 season, but more importantly it allowed athletic directorR.C. Johnson months to pursue an NBA assistant named John Calipari, who accepted the Memphis job in March 2000.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Long story not so long, it's reasonable to assume that Price would not have been fired that season if not for theaffair, which means the Memphis job would not have opened, which means Calipari would not have become the Memphis coach. So in a warped sense, every greatthing that has happened at Memphis the past three years -- three consecutive Elite Eights, a No. 1 ranking, a trip to the national title game, Derrick Rosebecoming the top pick in the NBA Draft, etc., -- is a direct result of Price's affair, because without it the Calipari era would've never existed. Andthat's why Memphis fans would be wise to pay their proper respects this weekend and give Price a standing ovation, because if he hadn't screwed up sobadly they wouldn't have the program they have today.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]I was sitting next to a guy at the Arkansas-Oklahoma game the other night, and though I'm not sure who he was or what he doeshe happened to say something out loud (but to himself) that has stuck with me ever since.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]It was a simple yet interesting observation.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]This is what he said: Arkansas has a playmaker playing point guard.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Like I mentioned, simple. But after I heard him say it I looked out at the court, and what I realized is that notonly does Arkansas have a penetrating playmaker (Courtney Fortson) playing point guard, but it also has a deadly shooter (Rotnei Clarke) playing shooting guardand a legitimate post presence (Michael Washington) playing center, which might be why the Hogs are winning despite their inexperience, because John Pelphreyisn't asking anybody to do anything unfamiliar.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Fortson is asked to dribble into the paint and find an open man; he's been doing that his whole life. Clarke isasked to sink open jumpers from beyond the arc; he's been doing that his whole life. Washington is asked to catch the ball on the block, score and rebound;he's been doing that his whole life. So in an era where many programs recruit the best athletes they can get and worry about positions later -- which hasled to Texas trying to play with no point guards, Memphis trying to play with no shooters and Marquette trying to play with no big men -- the Hogs are actuallyusing a lineup featuring guys with very specific skill-sets for their respective positions, and it really is fun to watch.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Will it result in an SEC title?[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Who knows?[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]But I'm certain it's been a factor in their surprising start.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]And now let's do the Friday Look Ahead.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Game worth flying to see in person: I wrote a column earlier this week about Cincinnati and how its schedule is impossible, at which timean astute reader pointed out that though it's just as tough as I described it's actually one of the easier Big East schedules. That's a fair point,and for proof consider that No. 11 Georgetown opened league play with a win at No. 2 Connecticut, and now the Hoyas will spend Saturdayhosting No. 3 Pittsburgh. Then on Monday, they're at No. 7 Notre Dame, which means Georgetown could lose its next two games and still be alegitimate top 10 team. And that, my friends, is life in the Big East this season.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Game worth driving to see in person: Bruce Pearl had some time off between games this week, so heheaded to a high school tournament in Bristol, Tenn., to watch prospects and listen to advice from caring Tennessee fans. "I appreciatethe response; I appreciate seeing all the orange in these fans," Pearl told the Bristol Herald Courier at the event. "We've worked hard.They follow us on TV. You know you're making it when I have a couple young guys give me some advice -- that I should keep Wayne Chism closer to thebasket." My advice: Keep Wayne Chism right side up, regardless of his location. And if you're wondering, yes, Chism is perfectly fine after Monday's scary fall, and he will be in uniform Saturday when the 14th-ranked Vols visitKansas.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Game worth watching on TV: Billy Gillispie's Kentucky Wildcats lost theiropener to VMI and yet somehow went on to avoid the label of biggest disappointment in the state, which clearly belongs to their rivalLouisville. The Cards were ranked third in the preseason AP poll but have started 8-3 with three losses to unranked teams, and because I'mnot sure the average fan knows this it should be mentioned that the New Year's Eve loss at home to UNLV came despite UNLV missing its best player (WinkAdams). Now the Cards, ranked 18th in the most recent AP poll, are hosting Kentucky on Sunday, and that means one fan base will go to sleep that night inpossession of a four-loss team. Should make for some good message board material, either way.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Some non-BCS love: What could amount to the Game of the Year in the Missouri ValleyConference will be played Saturday when Illinois State puts its undefeated (yet unimpressive) 13-0 record on the line against league favoriteCreighton, which is 12-2. Regardless of how you feel about ISU, these are pretty clearly the two best teams in the MVC, and both are threatsto make the NCAA tournament even if both are likely to be short on quality wins on Selection Sunday, particularly Illinois State.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]An obvious prediction: That Connecticut will beat Rutgers onSaturday probably isn't as obvious as it might've been before the second-ranked Huskies provided a lackluster effort against Georgetown, but it'sstill obvious and worthy of being the "obvious" prediction. As for Fred Hill, well, I imagine he just wants to get it over with and move on becausewhen the final horn sounds the Scarlett Knights will have played the teams ranked first, second and third in the latest AP poll in a span of seven days, andthat's just no fun for anybody ... except for the teams ranked first, second and third.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]A crazy prediction (but it might happen anyway): As you know -- because I won't stop telling you -- I've nailed this "crazy" prediction three of thepast four weekends, and I really am starting to wonder if I'm genius. I don't pay attention to point spreads or odds or anything like that; I merelylook at all the games featuring unranked teams against ranked teams, and then I take some unranked team straaaaaaaaaaight up. I'm right more oftenthan not, which is why anybody looking for a showdown of unbeatens between Wake Forest and North Carolina next weekend should probably makeother plans, because I'm taking unranked BYU over sixth-ranked Wake Forest this Saturday, straaaaaaaaaaight up. So place yourbets now, and don't bother thanking me because I consider this my way of giving back to my readers. I'm happy to do it free of charge, fornow.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Player trying to keep rolling: The promise here is that if Illinois wins Sundayafternoon at Michigan then Bruce Weber's team will crack the Top 25 (and one) on Sunday night, and they'll be better than the"and one." For that to happen, it might require another nice performance from Mike Tisdale, the 7-1 sophomore who is averaging 19 points per gamesince scoring zero against Hawaii last month. He had 18 points and six rebounds in Tuesday night's win at Purdue before fouling out in 30 minutes, whichisn't bad for a guy who only averaged 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds last season.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Player trying to get rolling: Mike Williams is not a big-time scorer, but it sure helpsCincinnati when he at least scores a little, which is something he's not doing against quality opposition. Consider: the three best teamsthe Bearcats have played are UNLV, Xavier and Memphis, and Williams has scored a total of nine points in 62 combined minutes on the court in those games.That's a dreadful statistic and something that must change if the Bearcats are to pull an upset at Marquette on Sunday.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Three things you should know before you go[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]1. Former Indiana standout and brief UAB student Armon Bassett has enrolled atOhio, where he could either be the star first-year coach John Groce needs or a complete headache in every way. The odds are 70-30 in favor ofheadache given Bassett's history. But it's probably worth the risk, because a player with Bassett's talent is the type of player who could takeOhio to a Mid-American Conference title.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]2. According to KenPom.com, Georgetown is the only team with an offense and defensethat ranks in the top 10 in terms of efficiency. That's why the Hoyas are 10-1 and one of the season's early surprises.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]3. Of the six undefeated teams, only two remain unranked. They are Illinois State andStanford, the latter of which is a surprising 10-0 heading into Friday night's game against 17th-ranked Arizona State. Awin there, and the Cardinal will get strong consideration for the Top 25 (and one) .[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Final thought: Tic Price will be on the visitor's bench Saturday at FedExForum as aLamar assistant, which will be strange considering he was the head coach at Memphis from March 1997 until he was forced intoresignation in November 1999 because of an inappropriate relationship with a female student. The incident -- and the timing of it -- forced assistant JohnnyJones (now the head coach at North Texas) to coach the Tigers on an interim basis in the 1999-2000 season, but more importantly it allowed athletic directorR.C. Johnson months to pursue an NBA assistant named John Calipari, who accepted the Memphis job in March 2000.[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica]Long story not so long, it's reasonable to assume that Price would not have been fired that season if not for theaffair, which means the Memphis job would not have opened, which means Calipari would not have become the Memphis coach. So in a warped sense, every greatthing that has happened at Memphis the past three years -- three consecutive Elite Eights, a No. 1 ranking, a trip to the national title game, Derrick Rosebecoming the top pick in the NBA Draft, etc., -- is a direct result of Price's affair, because without it the Calipari era would've never existed. Andthat's why Memphis fans would be wise to pay their proper respects this weekend and give Price a standing ovation, because if he hadn't screwed up sobadly they wouldn't have the program they have today.[/font]
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Hoyas rough week highlights five to watch [h1]Hoyas rough week highlights five to watch[/h1]
Mike Huguenin
Rivals.com College Basketball Editor
There's nothing like playing Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame back-to-back-to back, which is what Georgetown is finishing up this week.
The Hoyas won at UConn in the Big East opener for both on Monday. Saturday, they play host to Pitt, then travel to play the Fighting Irish on Monday tofinish off their week from hell.
While the Hoyas' games are the cream of the crop this weekend, there are some other good ones, as well. We do this every Friday;every Tuesday, we give you an early peek at the best games during the coming week.
Here's a look at this weekend's best:
This weekend's five to watch
Pittsburgh at Georgetown, Saturday, noon, ESPN: Georgetown (10-1, 1-0 Big East) had no problems with Connecticut's bigand talented frontcourt. Now, the Hoyas get to take on Pitt (13-0, 1-0) and its big men Sam Young and DeJuan Blair. The Hoyas have received big contributions from sophomore point guardChris Wright and freshman C/F Greg Monroe. Monroe has looked comfortable in the low blocks on both ends of the floorand he is a good passer out of the high post, making him a great fit for the Hoyas.
OhioState at Minnesota, Saturday, noon, Big Ten Network: Minnesota (12-1) opened Big Ten play with a home loss to Michigan State,while the Buckeyes (10-1) beat Iowa. For the Golden Gophers to be taken seriously as a Big Ten contender, they need to win this one. This should be agrind-it-out affair. And watch the rebounding battle: Michigan State hammered Minnesota on the glass.
WakeForest at BYU,Saturday, 8 p.m., The Mtn.: Wake is undefeated, but this is the start of a tough four-game stretch for the Demon Deacons. Three of the next four areon the road, and the home game is against North Carolina. BYU (11-1) has a nice duo in Lee Cummard and Jonathan Tavernari, but do the Cougars have enough up front to deal with the DemonDeacons' big men? Wake (12-0) is hammering opponents on the boards, has four starters averaging in double figures in scoring and is shooting 51.3 percentfrom the field.
Kentucky at Louisville, Sunday, 4:30 p.m., CBS: This is one of the nastiest rivalries in the country; it's too bad theseteams don't meet twice each season. The Cardinals (8-3) haven't been as good as expected, and their backcourt is proving troublesome. The big guys,though, are supremely talented. Louisville's Earl Clark and Samardo Samuels going against UK's Patrick Patterson makes this worth watching. Kentucky G Jodie Meeks has been a revelation with his production. And, as expected, the Wildcats(11-3) are playing good defense.
Georgetown at Notre Dame, Monday, 7 p.m., ESPN: This will be the first Big East home game for the Irish, who opened conferenceplay with road games against DePaul and St. John's. Luke Harangody andsharpshooter Kyle McAlarney are a potent duo for the Irish. There should be someintriguing matchups on the perimeter, and it also will be interesting to see how Monroe fares in his first matchup with Harangody. These teams met once lastseason, with the Hoyas winning by 19 at home. If Georgetown somehow manages to open 3-0 in the Big East …
Others to keep an eye on
Tennessee at Kansas, Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN: This is the first of back-to-back toughies for the Vols (9-2), who play host to Gonzagaon Jan. 7. UT will push the pace; can KU (9-3) keep up?
Xavier atVirginia,Saturday, 2 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Fox Sports Net Ohio: Xavier (10-2) has struggled a bit of late. Though Virginia (6-4) isn't anACC contender, it still will be tough to win in Charlottesville. Cavs guard SylvenLandesberg is one of the nation's top freshmen.
Penn State atWisconsin,Saturday, 2 p.m., Big Ten Network: The Badgers (10-3) won at Michigan in their Big Ten opener and now look to have an excellent shot at starting 3-0in league play. Penn State is 12-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten, but the Nittany Lions have beaten no one of note. Are they for real?
N.C.State at Florida, Saturday, 4 p.m., CBS: Both teams have solid records - NC State is 9-2, Florida is 11-2 - but neither hasreally beaten anyone. This is just the second true road game of the season for the Wolfpack.
Creighton at Illinois State, Saturday, 8 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Midwest: These might be the two best teams in theMissouri Valley. Illinois State is 13-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference, and Creighton is 12-2, 2-0.
Illinois at Michigan, Sunday, noon, Big Ten Network: The Illini (13-1) opened Big Ten play with a surprise overtime win atPurdue. And after this game at Michigan, the Illini play four of their next five at home. The Wolverines (10-3) opened league play by losing at home toWisconsin, and starting 0-2 in conference action - with both losses at home - isn't something that legit title contenders usually do.
Boston College at North Carolina, Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net: This is the ACC opener for the TarHeels (13-0). Can they get through the ACC unscathed? And can Boston College guard Tyrese Rice light up the Heels again?
Arizona State at California, Sunday, 8 p.m., Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports Net Arizona: The second of two tough Pac-10 games toopen conference play for each team. At least Cal is at home.
Arizonaat Stanford,Sunday, 10 p.m., Fox Sports Net: The second of two tough Pac-10 games to open conference play for each team. At least Stanford is at home.
Mike Huguenin
Rivals.com College Basketball Editor
There's nothing like playing Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame back-to-back-to back, which is what Georgetown is finishing up this week.
The Hoyas won at UConn in the Big East opener for both on Monday. Saturday, they play host to Pitt, then travel to play the Fighting Irish on Monday tofinish off their week from hell.
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| Greg Monroe is fitting right in at Georgetown. |
Here's a look at this weekend's best:
This weekend's five to watch
Pittsburgh at Georgetown, Saturday, noon, ESPN: Georgetown (10-1, 1-0 Big East) had no problems with Connecticut's bigand talented frontcourt. Now, the Hoyas get to take on Pitt (13-0, 1-0) and its big men Sam Young and DeJuan Blair. The Hoyas have received big contributions from sophomore point guardChris Wright and freshman C/F Greg Monroe. Monroe has looked comfortable in the low blocks on both ends of the floorand he is a good passer out of the high post, making him a great fit for the Hoyas.
OhioState at Minnesota, Saturday, noon, Big Ten Network: Minnesota (12-1) opened Big Ten play with a home loss to Michigan State,while the Buckeyes (10-1) beat Iowa. For the Golden Gophers to be taken seriously as a Big Ten contender, they need to win this one. This should be agrind-it-out affair. And watch the rebounding battle: Michigan State hammered Minnesota on the glass.
WakeForest at BYU,Saturday, 8 p.m., The Mtn.: Wake is undefeated, but this is the start of a tough four-game stretch for the Demon Deacons. Three of the next four areon the road, and the home game is against North Carolina. BYU (11-1) has a nice duo in Lee Cummard and Jonathan Tavernari, but do the Cougars have enough up front to deal with the DemonDeacons' big men? Wake (12-0) is hammering opponents on the boards, has four starters averaging in double figures in scoring and is shooting 51.3 percentfrom the field.
Kentucky at Louisville, Sunday, 4:30 p.m., CBS: This is one of the nastiest rivalries in the country; it's too bad theseteams don't meet twice each season. The Cardinals (8-3) haven't been as good as expected, and their backcourt is proving troublesome. The big guys,though, are supremely talented. Louisville's Earl Clark and Samardo Samuels going against UK's Patrick Patterson makes this worth watching. Kentucky G Jodie Meeks has been a revelation with his production. And, as expected, the Wildcats(11-3) are playing good defense.
Georgetown at Notre Dame, Monday, 7 p.m., ESPN: This will be the first Big East home game for the Irish, who opened conferenceplay with road games against DePaul and St. John's. Luke Harangody andsharpshooter Kyle McAlarney are a potent duo for the Irish. There should be someintriguing matchups on the perimeter, and it also will be interesting to see how Monroe fares in his first matchup with Harangody. These teams met once lastseason, with the Hoyas winning by 19 at home. If Georgetown somehow manages to open 3-0 in the Big East …
Others to keep an eye on
Tennessee at Kansas, Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN: This is the first of back-to-back toughies for the Vols (9-2), who play host to Gonzagaon Jan. 7. UT will push the pace; can KU (9-3) keep up?
Xavier atVirginia,Saturday, 2 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Fox Sports Net Ohio: Xavier (10-2) has struggled a bit of late. Though Virginia (6-4) isn't anACC contender, it still will be tough to win in Charlottesville. Cavs guard SylvenLandesberg is one of the nation's top freshmen.
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| We'll start to find out if Ed DeChellis' Penn State team is for real this weekend. |
N.C.State at Florida, Saturday, 4 p.m., CBS: Both teams have solid records - NC State is 9-2, Florida is 11-2 - but neither hasreally beaten anyone. This is just the second true road game of the season for the Wolfpack.
Creighton at Illinois State, Saturday, 8 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Midwest: These might be the two best teams in theMissouri Valley. Illinois State is 13-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference, and Creighton is 12-2, 2-0.
Illinois at Michigan, Sunday, noon, Big Ten Network: The Illini (13-1) opened Big Ten play with a surprise overtime win atPurdue. And after this game at Michigan, the Illini play four of their next five at home. The Wolverines (10-3) opened league play by losing at home toWisconsin, and starting 0-2 in conference action - with both losses at home - isn't something that legit title contenders usually do.
Boston College at North Carolina, Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net: This is the ACC opener for the TarHeels (13-0). Can they get through the ACC unscathed? And can Boston College guard Tyrese Rice light up the Heels again?
Arizona State at California, Sunday, 8 p.m., Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports Net Arizona: The second of two tough Pac-10 games toopen conference play for each team. At least Cal is at home.
Arizonaat Stanford,Sunday, 10 p.m., Fox Sports Net: The second of two tough Pac-10 games to open conference play for each team. At least Stanford is at home.
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We'll start to find out if Ed DeChellis' Penn State team is for real this weekend.
pretty sure i know the answer already. hope i'm wrong.
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I really like Battle though. I wish dude was at a better program because he is just the type of dude you want on your squad.
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ASU is only -1 against Stanford?
+!#% gona make me start gambling again.
Talor still needs to get bigger/quicker...but that'll come. I've been very impressed at how much his jumper has come along.
+!#% gona make me start gambling again.
Talor still needs to get bigger/quicker...but that'll come. I've been very impressed at how much his jumper has come along.
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USC smacked Oregon.
Demar is coming around it seems..but still hasn't made a 3......the whole year
Downey quiet and SC still in it.
Demar is coming around it seems..but still hasn't made a 3......the whole year
Downey quiet and SC still in it.
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Iggy 2.0???Originally Posted by allen3xis
USC smacked Oregon.
Demar is coming around it seems..but still hasn't made a 3......the whole year
Downey quiet and SC still in it.
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