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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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College Hoops Preview 2008/09: Here We Go Again By Ron Jumper I kicked off the NBA preview Sunday, so it only makes sense to begin examining the college basketball landscape. And, as with the NBA, this is just a warm up to get things started. More specific team previews are still to come. I wanted to discuss what teams are overrated and underrated. Discuss the top mid-majors and some potential sleepers. Also, as always, breaking down the top NBA draft prospects for next season. Also, because I value your time, I won’t be blabbing on and on about UNC either. So much to discuss, lets get started. Overrated: UConn: I like them to be solid this season and compete in the Big East, however, projecting them to make a Final Four run seems a little silly. They still have the same problems on offense, especially outside shooting, and, while Thabeet is a heck of a pro prospect (more on that later), asking him to score consistently inside right now is a tall order. Thabeet will get you 12, but this is a team that can’t score in the half-court because they simply don’t have enough shooting and skilled offensive players. Can they defend? Of course. Are they fast and athletic? As much as anyone in the country. However, I see them getting knocked out of the dance early again because someone will catch fire on offense and they simply won’t be able to keep up. Texas: While people are looking at the returning starters, I don’t think people understand just how much they will miss D.J. Augustin. He was the heart and soul of that team last season. A.J. Abrams won’t get near as many clean looks from downtown and Damion James will have to create his own shot more, exposing his lack of quickness and ball handling. They will compete in a decent Big 12, but they have no place in the top 10. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish have simply maxed out, they finished the season ranked 19 and that is where they should be this season as well. Harangody is a nice player, but he isn’t going to take them deep in March. Who are we kidding here? They lack the toughness and playmakers to make it through the Big East without at least 6-8 losses. Mark it down. Underrated: Marquette: The Golden Eagles are quite possibly a candidate to win the Big East. There, I said it. I was not a Tom Crean fan, and this veteran group of guards can coach themselves anyway. I don’t know about you, but when a team that finished the year ranked 21 returns their top 4 scorers, they will probably be pretty good. They have, without question, the best guard trio in the country with Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Mathews. Expect new coach Buzz Williams to have this fighting for a Big East title. Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are locked and loaded. After UNC and Duke, the ACC isn’t tough like it used to be. This talented Wake Forest team is prime for a return to the top of the ACC. They have unmatched quality size with Chas McFarland (7’0”), James Johnson (6’8”), Al-Farouq Aminu (6’9”), Ty Walker (7’0”), and Tony Woods (6’11”). These aren’t just unskilled plodders, head coach Dino Gaudio has some tough decisions when deciding how to set the rotation. That is one of those good problems for coaches to have, but I see it causing way bigger problems for the rest of the ACC on a nightly basis. Alabama: The Crimson Tide are going to take the country by storm to kick off this season. They get Oregon in the first round of the Maui Invitational and, when they win, they will get a shot at UNC. I’m not going to go so far as to say they will win that game too, but they will make the country take notice that they are back. Ronald Steele, Brandon Hollinger, Alonzo Gee, JaMychal Green, Tony Mitchell, Demetrius Jemison, and Yamene Coleman form one of the most talented and athletic squads in the country. Top Mid-Majors: Creighton: Dana Altman has a very solid team lined up for this season with most of the top players back. However, they do have one major problem. They don’t face a very tough non-conference schedule. The Bluejays face Nebraska, St. Joseph’s, and Dayton before MVC play kicks off. Not exactly must-see basketball. If they win all their non-conference games, it is no big deal. However, if they drop a couple of games, it could really hurt their chances in March. Saint Mary’s: For the record, I don’t consider Gonzaga a mid-major anymore and don’t feel the need to babble about them either. Staying in the WCC, the Gaels are a nice up-and-coming basketball team. As long as they have Patty Mills, this squad is in great hands. Mills made a name for himself this summer during the Olympics playing for Australia, as he looked liked he belonged out on the floor and then some against the likes of Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul. Mills isn’t the only Australian for head coach Randy Bennett, as they sport 5 Aussies on the roster. This has helped make up for not being able to land big time American players. Expect this team to battle Gonzaga to the bitter end in the WCC. Sienna: Return virtually everyone from an NCAA tournament team that upset Vandy convincingly. Kent State: The class of the MAC and hoping to do more than make the tournament this season. VCU: They have some guy named Eric Maynor… Mid-Major Sleepers: Northern Iowa: This could this season’s MVC club to break out on the scene. They have seven of their top ten scorers back, including one of the most underrated inside tandems of Jordan Eglseder (7’1” 270) and Adam Koch (6’8” 220). More importantly, Ben Jacobson has developed this bunch into an exceptional defensive unit. The numbers don’t lie, as they held opponents to only .395 field goal shooting and only 60.3 points a ballgame. Expect this team to be better than the experts think. Cleveland State: The Vikings just might be the class of the Horizon League. Cedric Jackson, after transferring from St. John’s, has emerged as big time player for CSU. J’Nathan Bullock is an undersized beast inside that manages to hold his own regardless. This team is deep, athletic, and talented. Be sure to keep an eye on them throughout the season. Northeastern: This team has been 9-9 in CAA play the last 2 seasons, but this is their time to shine. They return all 5 starters and virtually the entire bench, led by shooting guard Matt Janning. Surprisingly, this team has enough quality size too with Manny Adako (6’8”) and Nkem Ojougboh (6’9”). With the rest of the conference not as tough as in year’s past, this is the opportunity the Huskies have been waiting for. Top 2009 NBA Draft Prospects: 1. PF Greg Monroe, Georgetown This 6’10” freshman will be able to bang and compete in the Big East from the get-go. 2. C B.J. Mullens, Ohio State Great size and athleticism, plus all-around skill, make this kid unstoppable. 3. SG Demar Derozan, USC Silky smooth game and athleticism should lead to big success for Trojans. 4. C Hasheem Thabeet, UConn Developing at high rate, much to NBA scout’s liking. 5. PF Samardo Samuels, Louisville This guy could end up being special. October 21, 2008 |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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