Kansas St

Swiss Cheese Squads: Teams With Holes to Fill

Jason Brubaker — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:43:44 -0700

With the dust from the draft now settled, it's time to look at how some teams will be filling in the considerable holes left by draftees. Here's a look at some teams who need both returning players and incoming freshmen to step up in a big way.

UCLA
Early entries: Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Seniors: Lorenzo Mata-Real

For the Bruins to make a fourth consecutive Final Four appearance, they'll need some inspired play from returning veterans Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya. To fill Westbrook's shoes, they'll likely look first to incoming freshmen Jrue Holiday, who has a well-rounded game and can play a variety of positions depending on matchups. Fellow freshmen Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson will provide quality depth, as the Bruins could go with a more guard-oriented attack this year. Up front, the unenviable task of replacing Love will fall to Aboya and freshmen Drew Gordon and J'Mison Morgan. Love not only put up great numbers, he brought an edge and toughness that won't be easy to replace. But getting Morgan, a late de-commit from LSU, is a huge find for Ben Howland.

Overall, the talent is still in place for the Bruins to make some noise this year - it all depends on how quickly the freshmen adjust. Getting Collison and Shipp back after both flirted with the draft is a huge help, as they will provide plenty of leadership. When it's all said and done, look for the Bruins to be one of the top teams in the country again.

Memphis
Early entries: Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts
Seniors: Joey Dorsey

While Coach John Calipari said he was thrilled to see three of his players drafted this year, he also knows he lost his team's motor (Rose), it's heart (Dorsey) and soul (CDR). Replacing them won't be easy, but Calipari will start with super-recruit Tyreke Evans, who can fill it up with the best of them. Returning seniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier could shine in their expanded roles this year, and they'll provide enough leadership to get the Tigers through C-USA. A short rotation last year limited the Tigers' depth, but Willie Kemp and Shawn Taggert are both quality players who can put up numbers, and sophomore guard Jeff Robinson could surprise some people. Freshman swingman Wesley Witherspoon, although rail-thin, could also be an impact player. He's a terrific athlete and the kind of long, rangy player that fits perfectly in Calipari's system.

They'll still cruise through C-USA, but it's hard to envision another run to the title game. Down the stretch, CDR and Rose carried the Tigers last year, and when his head was in the game, Dorsey was a beast down low. Look for another 26-28 win season, but I don't see Memphis advancing beyond the Sweet 16.

Kansas
Early entries: Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur
Seniors: Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson

Bill Self, welcome to the world of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately. The defending national champs will look completely different this year, returning only two rotation players in Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. Luckily, those two are at the most important positions in point guard and center, so Self can slide some of the highly-touted freshmen in around them. On the perimeter, freshmen Travis Releford, Tyshawn Taylor and Tyrone Appleton should see plenty of minutes, as will forwards Marcus and Markeiff Morris and Qunitrell Thomas.
Returning players Matt Kleinmann and Tyrel Reed will also be counted on to help bring the freshmen along.

While another national championship isn't a realistic possibility, the Jayhawks still have the potential to be very, very good. Collins and Aldrich are all Big-12 talents who should thrive this year. It's impossible not to taker a step back after all of the talent they lost, but if the incoming freshmen are as good as advertised, they'll still be in the hunt for the Big 12 title.

Texas
Early entry: DJ Augustin

Once again, the Longhorns only have to replace one player, but once again, it's a big one. However, they did just fine without Kevin Durant, so maybe the same will hold true for Augustin. The Horns do return plenty of talent, starting with AJ Abrams and Justin Mason in the backcourt, and Damion James, Gary Johnson and Conner Atchley up front. Abrams should be able to slide in at the point, with Dogus Balbay and freshman J'Covan Brown providing some depth. The trouble will be replacing Augustin's floor presence. A natural leader, he always was poised and in control, especially in crucial moments. Abrams will have to show that he can not only be a playmaker for others, but that he can provide the same leadership Augustin did.

The Horns are loaded with talent, and they should be the favorites in the Big 12. Even without Augustin, they have enough talent to win 24-25 games. The only thing that remains to be seen is who steps into the leadership role.

USC
Early entry: OJ Mayo, Davon Jefferson

The Trojans knew they were only renting Mayo for one year, so they expected this. But they may not have planned on losing Jefferson, who went undrafted. On the bright side, they do return Daniel Hackett, Taj Gibson and Dwight Lewis, who should provide plenty of experience. Replacing Mayo will fall on the shoulders of stud freshman Demar DeRozan, who is a highlight waiting to happen. If Derozan can provide some firepower from the wings, the Trojans may not miss Mayo quite as much as they think. And although Jefferson was a fantastic athlete, he could play a little out of control and didn't seem to grasp the concept of team ball. With Hackett, Lewis, DeRozan and Angelo Johnson in the backcourt, they may not miss him much,

The Trojans won with defense last year, and this year will be no different. Hackett is an underrated guard who can do a little of everything, and another year of experience should help Johnson and Lewis in the backcourt. Gibson is a force down low when he chooses to be, and he should get more touches this year with Mayo out. If DeRozan can live up to his hype, another trip to the tournament is likely.

Stanford:
Early entries: Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez
Seniors: Fred Washington, Taj Finger

It goes without saying the Cardinal will have a different look next year, with the Lopez twins off to the NBA. New coach Johnny Dawkins will likely have to transition to a guard-oriented attack, led by veterans Mitch Johnson and Anthony Goods, as well as back-up Kenny Brown. Up front, the Cardinal will lean heavily on Lawrence Hill, who was inconsistent last year but has all Pac-10 potential. Landry Fields will also have to step up, as Stanford will be severely undersized next year.

They have a talented backcourt, but the Cardinal will probably struggle up front. There's still enough here to make a bid for the NCAA Tourney, but they'll need a superhuman effort from Lawrence Hill to do any more than that.

Kansas State
Early entries: Michael Beasley, Bill Walker
Seniors: Clent Stewart, Blake Young, David Hoskins

Unfortunately, life should return to normal in Manhattan this year, as the Wildcats look poised to take a big step back after winning their first NCAA Tournament game in 20 years last season. With Beasley and Walker off to the NBA as expected, the Wildcats will struggle to replace their 42 points and 18 rebounds per game. The burden will likely fall to Jacob Pullen, Andre Gilbert and Dominique Sutton to pick up the scoring load. Ron Anderson, Darren Kent and incoming freshman Abdul Herrera will try to replace Beasley up front, but even combined, it’s doubtful they can match his firepower.

With a solid 2009 recruiting class locked up, it may be too soon to dismiss the Wildcats as one-year wonders. However, it’s hard to see them repeating last year’s successes without Beasley and Walker, who brought a swagger to Manhattan that had been missing. This year’s version probably just doesn’t have enough firepower to challenge the upper-echelon teams in the Big 12. Look for a 16-18 win team.

NBA Finals: Monday is Underclassmen Deadline

Jeff Borzello — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:18:46 -0700

Despite the fact today at 5:00 p.m. EST is the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw their names from the NBA Draft, there were still 20 players who had yet to make a final decision heading into yesterday afternoon. While some players are expected to withdraw and others are almost guaranteed to stay in, there are also several prospects who are completely up in the air. What is the latest word on each of the 20 remaining underclassmen without an agent? Let's take a look.

A.J. Abrams, Texas: Has not decided yet, but will make his final choice today. (Austin American-Statesman)

Josh Akognon, Cal State Fullerton: No word from him, but signs point to him staying in the Draft.

Joe Alexander, West Virginia: Has signed with agent Doug Neustadt; will not return to school. (FOXSports.com)

Ryan Anderson, California: Entirely up in the air; said last Tuesday he was nowhere near a decision. (ESPN.com)

Chase Budinger, Arizona: Said he has received "good enough" feedback to justify staying in Draft. (Arizona Daily Star)

Mario Chalmers, Kansas: Informed coaching staff he was staying in the draft. (Kansas City Star)

Lee Cummard, BYU: Coach Dave Rose said Cummard has decided to return to school. (ESPN.com)

Robert Dozier, Memphis: Coach John Calipari expects Dozier to come back to school. (Memphis Commercial Appeal)

Wayne Ellington, North Carolina: Will make decision today; no indication of where he is currently leaning. (Raleigh News & Observer)

Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State: As good as gone. For weeks, he and his people have been saying that he is likely staying in the Draft.

Danny Green, North Carolina: Was supposed to talk to coach Roy Williams Sunday, but meeting has been postponed until today. Said he will make his decision after talking to Williams. His father announced that he would be staying in school, and Danny also said he was likely returning.(Raleigh News & Observer, Fayetteville Observer, FOXSports.com).

Richard Hendrix, Alabama: Has not announced his decision, and was still working out with teams this weekend. (The Huntsville Times)

J.J. Hickson, North Carolina State: Officially announced on Sunday that he was staying in the Draft. (Scout.com)

Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin: Met with his coaches this weekend to make a final decision; said if he was projected to be drafted in the first 35 picks, he would leave. (Jackson Sun)

Ty Lawson, North Carolina: Has not made a decision yet, and will announce final choice today. Originally looked like he would stay in the Draft, but developments over the last couple of weeks have clouded the picture. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA: Has not reached a decision yet. It seems like he wants to stay in the Draft, but might not get feedback he needs to justify that decision.

Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga: No indication as to which way he is leaning; coach Mark Few does not know what Pargo will do.

Ronald Steele, Alabama: After the back-and-forth announcements that occurred a couple of weeks ago, there has not been much talk about him. He was still working out for teams this weekend, and will announce his decision today. (The Huntsville Times)

Robert Vaden, UAB: Coach Mike Davis said Vaden is 50/50 on staying in the Draft. He has a final workout today with Detroit, and will likely make a decision after that. (ESPN.com)

Bill Walker, Kansas State: Might be the most interesting case of them all. It looked like he was going to stay in the Draft; coach Frank Martin said he was not expecting Walker to return to school. However, Walker injured his right knee this weekend and will need an MRI. Will not make a decision until just before the deadline today. (FOXSports.com, ESPN.com)

- By Jeff Borzello, March Madness All Season

Siegel's Take: 2008 Power Forward Analysis

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:25:57 -0700

This is the fourth of five Siegel's Take articles analyzing the 2008 NBA Draft prospects. Today's focus is the risky group of power forwards.

As I say every year in every article, its important to note that I'm not as kind as most Draft analysts out there. The reality of the NBA Draft is that only a few guys will be stars, a handful more will be starters, a dozen guys will be career reserves, and the rest will all fizzle into nothingness within a couple of seasons.

On with the fun. Players are ranked by their NBA potential:

1) Michael Beasley - Kansas State - While Derrick Rose is the media darling, I'm fully on board Beasley's bandwagon. At some level, numbers simply don't lie.. and 26 ppg and 12 rpg in just 31 mpg is all you need to know. While Rose is a lock to be a solid NBA point guard, Beasley is a basketball freak who has a chance to be an elite All-NBA type player. The perception that he lacks focus and desire rightly deserves attention, but here the potential reward greatly surpasses the risk.

2) JaVale McGee - Nevada - McGee is the type of risk/reward prospect that can make a GM look like a genius or a fool. In fact, on this list I wavered forever trying to slot him into the ranking. Basically, he's the anti-Ryan Anderson, a physical freak with tremendous upside that doesn't really know how to play basketball. Also, despite being an unknown to most observers, he's only 12 months younger than a veteran like Roy Hibbert. Some see McGee as a late-bloomer ready to explode, others see him as a bust along the lines of Patrick O'Bryant.

3) Alexis Ajinca - HTV - This 20 year old has the height of a center (7'1"), but the body and makeup of a power forward. Scouting Europeans isn't my thing, but from listening to and reading others opinions in recent weeks, I get the sense there's some good momentum building here.

4) JJ Hickson - NC State - After starting his freshman season with a couple big time games, Hickson finished with solid averages of 15 and 9 per game. When you consider Arthur below, who averaged only 12 and 9 in his sophomore season and is 13 months older, you have to wonder why Arthur is the more highly rated talent. The main reason is that Hickson is one of the rawer talents out there, with a small skill set that mostly involves dunking and small post shots. Still, I prefer Hickson because he's thicker, stronger and more explosive in the paint.

5) Darrell Arthur - Kansas - I'm not a big Arthur fan, and he falls into this slot mostly by default. Arthur would show scattered 20 minute stretches of dominance, but follow it up with a two week disappearing act. To me, this inconsistency wasn't due to a lack of effort or passion, but simply gaping holes in his skill set. Despite a decent post game, Arthur is a surprisingly weak finisher and he doesn't project to be a plus jump-shooter. He only got to the FT line once or twice a game last year, unacceptable for a 6'9" kid. There's potential here, but he'll most likely go higher in the Draft than he should.

6) Serge Ibaka - PF - Lhospitalet - Not going to say much here, because like most other prospects, Ibaka looks great on YouTube highlights. Still, I suggest digging up some clips on this guy because his length and athleticism are pretty darn impressive. Basically a big X factor.

7) Ryan Anderson - California - Some of the other writers on CHN are much higher on Anderson than I am. Though the numbers he put up in two season are unparalleled (outside of Beasley), he doesn't pass the "eye test". My real worry here is on defense, where he's not athletic enough to guard wings and not strong or long enough to guard bigs in the post. Also, though he's a great collegiate outside shooter, I'm not certain this will equate to the NBA three-point line. Still, Anderson definitely has value as a pro reserve.

8) Richard Hendrix - PF - Alabama - Back in the day, Hendrix was once thought to be a straight H.S. to NBA prospect. But three years later and Hendrix is trying to prove his worth at the Pre-Draft camp. He's somewhat underrated in my opinion, barely any worse than potential lottery picks like Arthur and Hickson. A lack of "wow" athleticism really holds him back, especially when you consider he has virtually no perimeter game. But Hendrix has always been a consistently solid performer who grabs boards, understands the game, and tends to be a team player.

9) Jason Thompson - Rider - Some sites, mainly NBADraft.net, have Thompson as a first round pick, though I'm not buying that. Its usually easier to gauge the skill of mid-major guards as opposed to mid-major bigs, because someone like Thompson had no physical equal in the MAAC. At 6'11", 250 lbs or so, he dominated on the offensive end, though defensively he wasn't nearly as dominant. The real issue for Thompson though is that his size is no longer a plus against NBA centers, so power forward is his more likely position. But against pro fours, Thompson will have a serious disadvantage on the defensive end. Its hard to imagine him being anything but a bit player in the big leagues.

10) DJ White - Indiana- After a weak junior season, I though White had no chance at a pro career. But he made huge strides last year, especially on the offensive end where he became the Hoosiers go-to player (and a consistent 20 & 10 threat) once Eric Gordon slumped. Even though it seems like White's been around forever, he's only 13 months older than Darrell Arthur, so you have to really consider him to be a junior. Similar to Hendrix above, White just doesn't have that extra boost of athleticism. Still, though it seems like he doesn't have much of an upside, I thought the same thing last year and he proved me wrong.

Summary: While Beasley has All-NBA potential, the rest of this list doesn't excite me. In fact, its conceivable that no one else even pans out as a full-time starter. McGee and Ajinka come in 2 and 3 because of upside.. but both have serious flop potential. Anderson and Hendrix are less risky.. but if you're afraid of taking a chance you shouldn't be an NBA GM. At the end of the list, Thompson and White will just be hoping to avoid the D-League.

Last Year's Siegel's Take - PF Ranking
1) Brandan Wright
2) Al Horford
3) Yi Jianlian
4) Joakim Noah
5) Josh McRoberts
6) Glen Davis
7) Nick Fazekas
8) Jason Smith
9) Herbert Hill
10) Jermareo Davidson

Bill Walker: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:13:36 -0700

Bill Walker

College: Kansas State

Class: Freshman

Position: SG/SF

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 220lbs

Accolades: Third Team Freshman All-American – CHN (08), Third Team All-Big 12 (08), Big 12 All-Rookie Team (08), Second Team All-American – Parade – high school (06), First Team USA Today All-USA High School Boys’ Basketball All-Junior Team (06), Three-Time MVP Reebok ABCD Camp – high school.

Scouting Report: A jumping jack able to play inside or out.

Strengths: Crazy leaper – can jump out of the gym. Brings a toughness/aggressiveness to the court. Can play wing or post. Good, strong body. Great slasher – can break down his man off the dribble. Three-point range on his jumper. Good rebounder for a wing player. Capable of explosive scoring games – topped 30-points three times this season.

Weaknesses: Off-the-court questions. Needs to improve his ball handling to play the wing in the NBA. Injury concerns – torn ACL twice. Foul prone. Turns the ball over too much. Very inconsistent. Shoots the three for a poor percentage. Poor shot selection. Settles for three-pointers too often. Always been just a complementary player (played with O.J. Mayo in high school, Michael Beasley in college).

Projected 2008 Draft Range: Early to mid second round pick.

Consensus: Bill Walker’s star has taken an even bigger dive than his buddy, O.J. Mayo’s. Since he currently isn’t considered a first round prospect, Walker should go back to Manhattan in the fall and prove that he has what it takes to be the lead man for the Wildcats.

Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=34658

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential

= Potential NBA All-Star

= Consistent NBA Starter

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter

= Career Reserve

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues

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NBA Draft: To Go or Not To Go

Jason Brubaker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:18:16 -0700

The 2008 freshmen class may go down in history as one of the most talented classes of all-time. They breathed life into dormant programs (Kansas State), filled holes for dominant teams (UCLA, Memphis), and filled highlight reels (USC). In many case, they lived up to their extraordinary hype, and benefited not only their schools, but themselves, in their time on campus.

But with the season over, and the NBA lottery picks becoming clearer by the day, many of them are facing a tough decision right now: stay or go? The money is hard to turn down, but more than a few of these kids could use at least another year of college seasoning before they bound off to the pros. Here’s a list of who should be in and should be out of this year’s draft…although I doubt any of them will ask be asking my advice.

Definitely should

- Michael Beasley, F Kansas State: This one is a no-brainer. Beasley’s combination of size, athleticism and ball-skills have all but assured him of being the #1 pick in June. Beasley dominated the paint for the Wildcats, leading them to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1988. He finished third in the country in scoring at 26.5 points per game and first in rebounding with 12.5 boards per game. Better yet, paired next a to a solid big man in the NBA, Beasley will be able to showcase even more of his highlight-reel athleticism, as he won’t be confined to the paint as much. He hasn’t declared his intentions yet, but everyone knows he’s as good as gone. With his talent, Beasley has the chance to be a very special NBA player for a very long time. Latest Word: Going

- Derrick Rose, G Memphis: Again, practically a no-brainer. Rose has terrific size and athletic ability for a point guard, and his understanding of how to run a team has improved throughout the season. On an explosive team, Rose has learned when to look for teammates and when to look for his own shot, not as easy when it sounds when that team is also eyeing a national title. Rose has been at his best in the NCAA Tournament, being named the South Region’s MVP, while averaging just over 20 points and 6 assists per game. He is likely to declare, and shouldn’t fall out of the top three, possible even challenging Beasley for the top spot overall depending on the draft order. Latest Word: Going

- Kevin Love, F/C, UCLA: Love is slightly different than Beasley and Rose in that his stock is all over the board right now. While everyone loves his basketball IQ and toughness, others still say his lack of athleticism will hurt in the NBA. However, he’s shown tremendous leadership in the NCAA Tournament, putting the Bruins on his back and doing whatever is needed for the win. Another year in college isn’t going to give him a 40-inch vertical, and the risk of injury is always a concern. Love provides great intangibles, and with his post-season play fresh in scouts’ minds, he could become a high lottery pick, despite the doubts. Latest Word: Going

Hard to blame them

- Jerryd Bayless, G, Arizona: Bayless is an undersized shooting guard in the mold of Monta Ellis or Ben Gordon, so he’s definitely skilled enough to play in the league next season. However, as with all undersized shooting guards, scouts questions his play-making ability and willingness to set up his teammates for shots. With Coach Lute Olson scheduled to return next year, meaning the return to an up-tempo game, Bayless should get more of an opportunity to showcase some point guard skills, even with talented freshman Brandon Jennings coming in. However, if Bayless does declare, he shouldn’t fall out of the lottery, and could go top-10, due his lethal scoring ability. Latest Word: Going

- OJ Mayo, G USC: Mayo’s game has been picked apart more than anyone’s in this class, probably because he has been a national name since he was a 7^th-grader averaging 24 points a game for the varsity team at Rose Hill Christian in Ashland, Ky. At his best, Mayo is a terrific athlete capable of carrying a team on his back with his scoring ability. However, he still struggles with shot selection and decision-making, although these improved throughout the season. A bit undersized for the “2” in the NBA, Mayo likely needs to show some improved decision-making with the ball before jumping into the draft, but he’ll still be a high pick should he declare. His game could use another year of seasoning in college, but it’s hard to fault him if he does leave. On the right team with some veteran teammates, Mayo has the potential to develop into a great NBA player. Latest Word: Going

- Eric Gordon, G Indiana : For much of the year, Gordon showcased the explosiveness and scoring ability that made him one of the most highly-sought after recruits in the country. However, his play noticeably tailed off late in the year, as he struggled with shot selection and defense. The Hoosiers’ play mirrored Gordon’s, as a promising season ended with a whimper in a first round loss to Arkansas in the tournament, no doubt some of due to the Kelvin Sampson fiasco in February. Like Bayless, Gordon likely needs to show more point-guard skills, but he’ll still be a high lottery pick, so it’s hard to tell him to stay. Considering the uncertainty regarding the sanctions at IU, Gordon might be better served to make the leap and spend a couple years developing with an NBA team instead of on a depleted Indiana roster. Latest Word: Going

Need to come back

- DeAndre Jordan, C Texas A&M: Let’s see…7.9 points per game, 6 rebounds per game. Does that sound like a lottery pick to you? Me neither. Jordan undoubtedly has the potential to be a very good pro, given his size and athleticism. But no one can argue that has plenty of work to do before he gets to that point. Projected to go somewhere in the 6-12 range, Jordan is likely to leave, but I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t be better served spending another year in College Station honing his game and his work ethic than spending two or three years on the bench in Seattle or Memphis. Jordan will need plenty of coaching at the next level, and there’s no guarantee he’ll ever develop to his full potential if he leaves early. Jordan has virtually no offensive moves, and relies solely on his athletic ability to score points. With the right coach, he could follow the Andrew Bynum path to success in the league. However, he’s just as likely to become another Stromile Swift if he leaves now – a talented athlete who bounces around teams because his skills never developed. Latest Word: Going

- Bill Walker, G/F, Kansas State: Walker’s biggest problem to date seems to be between his ears. A ridiculous athlete, Walker could play right now in the NBA based on his hops and speed. However, a quick temper has hurt him this season, as he grows visibly frustrated when things don’t go his way, and he takes himself out of the game mentally when that happens. When focused, Walker has a developing perimeter shot and lethal slashing ability, evidenced by his 22 points against Kansas, 31 against Xavier, and 30 against California. However, he also took himself out of games by losing his temper, notably with one point against Texas and nine in a rematch with Kansas. One more year would certainly help Walker mature a little, and he could raise his stock to become a guaranteed first-round and possible lottery pick. Latest Word: Probably

- Anthony Randolph, F LSU: Randolph has the skill level to compete right now, but he is painfully thin and needs to add strength before trying to bang down low. Randolph, who is listed at 6’11” and 220 pounds, has solid post moves and the quickness to beat defenders off the dribble. He also has a solid jumper, and plays with a high intensity level. He’s an intriguing prospect right now, and some mock drafts have him going as high as the top seven. There’s no guarantee another year on campus will dramatically improve his size either, but like with Jordan, I’d like to see him spend another year on campus improving and playing than hunkered down at the end of an NBA bench. Randolph would be wise to look at the minutes Brandan Wright has received this year for Golden State instead of vying for a championship ring with UNC before he makes his decision. Latest Word: Going

- Blake Griffin, F Okalahoma: Griffin has a solid game right now, and there’s no question he’ll eventually be a good pro. But with some nagging injuries this year, as well as some erratic play at times, another year of school could help Griffin improve his consistency. Griffin is a tremendous athlete who has his motor running at all times, but his game could use a little polish before he heads off to the pros. Some have compared Griffin to Carlos Boozer for his physical style of play, not a bad comparison, but still a little premature. One more year to fine-tune his game, and Griffin could find himself as a top-5 pick in the 2009 draft. Latest Word: Staying

2008 CollegeHoops.net All-Freshman Team

CHN — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:11:58 -0700

CollegeHoops.net Freshman of the Year: Michael Beasley (Kansas State)

CollegeHoops.net First Team All-Freshman
G: OJ Mayo (USC)
G: Derrick Rose (Memphis)
G: Jerryd Bayless (Arizona)
F: Kevin Love (UCLA)
F: Michael Beasley (Kansas State)

CollegeHoops.net Second Team All-Freshman
G: Eric Gordon (Indiana)
G: Nick Calathes (Florida)
G: James Harden (Arizona State)
F: Patrick Patterson (Kentucky)
F: Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

CollegeHoops.net Third Team All-Freshman
G: Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)
F: Bill Walker (Kansas State)
F: Kyle Singler (Duke)
F: Robbie Hummel (Purdue)
C: AJ Ogilvy (Vanderbilt)

CollegeHoops.net Honorable Mention All-Freshman
James Anderson (Oklahoma State), DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh), LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor), Donte Greene (Syracuse), JJ Hickson (NC State), Davon Jefferson (USC), James Johnson (Wake Forest), Dominique Jones (South Florida), Patrick Mills (Saint Mary’s), Anthony Randolph (LSU), Chris Warren (Ole Miss)

The CollegeHoops.net All-American teams are voted on by staff writers. Up tomorrow are our High & Mid-Major All-Freshman teams.

CHN 2007-08 Postseason Awards

All-Americans, All-Rookie, Top Coaches & more!

Poll: Who Deserves National Player of the Year?

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:06:41 -0700

2008 CollegeHoops.net All-American Team

CHN — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:23:06 -0700

CollegeHoops.net Player of the Year: Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)

CollegeHoops.net First-Team All-American
G: D.J. Augustin (Texas)
G: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis)
F: Michael Beasley (Kansas State)
F: Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina)
C: Kevin Love (UCLA)

CollegeHoops.net Second-Team All-American
G: Derrick Rose (Memphis)
G: Shan Foster (Vanderbilt)
F: D.J. White (Indiana)
F: Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)
C: Brook Lopez (Stanford)

CollegeHoops.net Third-Team All-American
G: Darren Collison (UCLA)
G: Eric Gordon (Indiana)
G: OJ Mayo (USC)
G: Brandon Rush (Kansas)
F: Ryan Anderson (California)

CollegeHoops.net Fourth-Team All-American
G: Jerryd Bayless (Arizona)
G: AJ Price (UCONN)
G: Stephen Curry (Davidson)
F: Gary Forbes (UMASS)
C: Roy Hibbert (Georgetown)

Honorable Mention:
Jamont Gordon (Mississippi State), Mike Green (Butler), James Harden (Arizona State), Ty Lawson (UNC), Chris Lofton (Tennessee), Drew Neitzel (Michigan State), DeMarcus Nelson (Duke), Tyrese Rice (Boston College), Sean Singletary (Virginia), Tyler Smith (Tennessee), Kyle Weaver (Washington State)

The CollegeHoops.net All-American teams are voted on by staff writers. Up next are our High-Major & High-Major All-American teams.

CHN 2007-08 Postseason Awards

All-Americans, All-Rookie, Top Coaches & more!

Poll: Can Kansas State (11) Upset Wisconsin (3)?

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:20:56 -0700

Quick Evening Recap: Belmont Comes Close, Mayo Fizzles Out

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:55:02 -0700

A quick review of the evening action on Day One of the NCAA Tournament: (2) Duke 71 - (15) Belmont 70 One last basket away from being one of the biggest (if not the biggest) upset in NCAA Tournament history. The Blue Devils were outplayed and Coach K was outcoached the entire game. With the exception of Belmont's unfortunately horrible in-bounds play with 5 seconds left, the Bruins never looked out of place physically or mentally. Duke was saved by Gerald Henderson, who finished with 21 points, 8 boards, and the game-winning layup with 2 seconds left. Henderson was the only Blue Devil who seemed to have the mindset that he was better than his opponent. What's especially troubling if you're a Duke fan is not just the score.. but that Belmont didn't play above their heads to hang in there. They didn't shoot exceptionally well from the floor or from three, but just played their usual game. (11) Kansas State 80 - (6) USC 67 This was supposed to be the epic matchup of the evening session, but Kansas State only trailed for 26 seconds after the first basket. With Michael Beasley in foul trouble early, Bill Walker and sub Ron Anderson carried the scoring load in the first half. With USC down at half, OJ Mayo finally showed some big-time spark, leading the Trojans on a 21-10 run to take the lead. A big three by Clent Stewart opened up the game once again with 10:06 left and K-State never looked back. It was a somewhat blah ending for Mayo's brief college career. The heralded freshmen was supposed to carry USC to glory, but though his team had an okay year, they rarely showed signs of even approaching very good status. (9) Texas A&M 67 - (8) BYU 62 Give BYU credit for coming back from an 11-0 deficit.. but that poor start proved too be to much to overcome. The teams played to a standstill for the final 35 minutes, and A&M was able to hold off the comeback effort thanks to Josh Carter's career game. Carter came into the game having hit only 4 of 20 threes, but he blew threw his season high by hitting 6 threes and scoring 26 points. Carter had barely been hitting double-digits in the last month, so his 26 point outburst was perhaps more shocking than Belmont's good play. (4) Washington State 71 - (13) Winthrop 40 A neck and neck first half in which neither team led by more than 3 points gave way to an absolute beatdown in the second stanza. Locked at 29 after 20 minutes, there was little reason to think either team would win by more than 10 points. But the Cougars came out on a ridiculous 25-4 run and held Winthrop to 11 second half points.. one of the worst totals in Tournament history. Overall: After terribly mundane morning and afternoon sessions, at least the night got off to a good a start. Kansas State was the first real "upset" of the tournament, though its nothing that will generate much pub in the media. Belmont gave it a good run.. but the real underdog wake up call is yet to come.