Draft 365

NCAA Championship Live Blog

CHN — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:37:51 -0400

by Jeff Fox
It’s finally time to put an end to the Madness, in a ridiculously cold and snowy Detroit. I know what you are thinking - “You’re Canadian - you should be used to this weather”. But it’s April - enough already.
As I mentioned in Saturday’s semi-final blog, most of the Michigan State faithful fled Ford Field before the end of the UNC-Villanova tilt, so by the time I hit the streets later that night the party was in full swing. With all the drunken, swaying green-clad fans in the streets it felt like being in a forest hit by a wind storm. I don’t expect the party to be as rowdy tonight for two reasons - I expect Carolina to win and it’s too damn cold.
There are two main storylines heading into tonight’s game. The first is that Carolina put a 35-point whipping on State in early December in this very same building. The second is that State is lifting the spirits of this depressed city and state. While I feel this second statement is being exagerated a bit, travelling around this city and seing how excited people are - plus reading in Sports Illustrated that the area is expected to earn $45 million from the Final Four - perhaps I’m wrong.
Just leaving for Ford Field now to grab some food (hopefully someone with the NCAA read my Saturday blog and have improved the vegetarian selections) and attend a press conference with a couple of guys named Magic and Bird. I think they used to be players or coaches or something.
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Michigan State

Final Four Live Blog

CHN — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:15:46 -0400

by Jeff Fox

With the Final Four tipping off a mere three hours from my igloo in the Great White North, I graciously volunteered to cover it for SLAM (I know, my generosity is astounding). So I made sure our pet polar bear had enough food, loaded up the sled dogs and mushed off to the land of opportunity - the U.S. of A. For good measure I brought along my wife and son to drop some greenbacks and ensure the success of Obama’s economic stimulus plan.
Not surprisingly the city is a sea of green. A swarm of Michigan State jerseys, t-shirts, license plates and hats have swarmed the city. The only place they haven’t invaded seems to be my hotel out in the ‘burbs, which seems to be exclusive Villanova territory. Unfortunately I expect the green-clad fans to go home dissapointed today as I expect UConn to win this game. But, then again, I tend to be wrong on the rare occasion.
Just heading out to the court now - back in a bit.

No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 1 Connecticut

Draft Stock Report

CHN — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:15 -0400

by Jeff Fox
Like it or not, there are more important things at stake during the NCAA tournament than how your entry in the office pool is doing. Even for the actual participants in the games, there is more at stake than whether or not their team wins or loses (but they won’t admit it). Coaches are auditioning either for a job at a bigger school or a big contract extension from their current employer. And, of course, players are auditioning for the numerous NBA and overseas pro scouts watching the games.
But how much of a factor should a prospect’s play in the tournament have on his draft stock? The Portland Trailblazers’ GM Kevin Pritchard was posed a similar question on NBA TV recently, and he said that while it is important to see a top prospect go up against other top competitors (which is what March Madness offers), their performance in the tournament should only be viewed as another item to add to a player’s extensive scouting report. After all, Sean May, Mateen Cleaves and Jeff Sheppard are among the names to have won the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award over the past decade or so.
So, while taking this all with a grain of salt, here are the players who have boosted, or hurt, their draft stock with their play in this year’s edition of the Madness thus far.
Stock Up
Blake Griffin — Oklahoma
Considering he already was projected as the number one pick in the draft, Blake Griffin technically hasn’t boosted his stock with his play in the tournament. However, his gritty, athletic play has further solidified the opinion that he is head-and-shoulders above all other prospects in this year’s draft. Think Tyler Hansbrough, but with off-the-charts athleticism.
Demar DeRozan — USC
Double-D just got better and better as the season progressed, to the point that if he does enter this year’s draft he’ll be leaving college on a high note. Averaging 18 points and seven boards while shooting 50 percent in the tournament (against two very good teams) does wonders for his stock. However, considering he is a wing player, only knocking down six three-pointers during the season is a bit of a concern.
Cole Aldrich — Kansas
Haters will say that he didn’t do it against any real tough post players, but Cole Aldrich’s play during Kansas’ first two tournament games was still amazing. A double-double his first game and an almost unheard of triple-double in his second is eye-opening stuff. While he is still not expected to enter this year’s draft, look for Coleplay to be a top-10 pick in 2010.
Others worth noting: Terrence Williams, Louisville; Sam Young, Pittsburgh.
Stock Down
James Harden — Arizona State
Heading into the NCAA tournament, the Sun Devils’ James Harden was being given serious consideration as the second-best prospect in this year’s draft. While that may still be the case today, his play in the tournament did nothing to justify this. Despite being the most talented player on the court in both of Arizona State’s tourney games, Harden shot 3-18 combined and almost had as many turnovers than assists. Not exactly the take-charge performance his team—and the scouts—were looking for.
Austin Daye — Gonzaga
While his play hasn’t been poor—he’s shooting 50 percent for the tournament—with his skill level and length, more is expected out of Austin Daye. Just like Harden, he is the most talented guy on the floor more often than not, yet when he isn’t sulking about a foul call that has gone against him he is showing that he is not physically strong enough to finish as many plays as you’d hope from a top prospect.
Jeff Teague — Wake Forest
This has pretty much been a tournament devoid of upsets—other than Cleveland State’s spanking of Wake Forest. Jeff Teague did nothing to help his team’s plight—or his draft stock—in the loss. At 6-2, Teague is going to have to prove he can run the point in the NBA, so his seven turnovers against five assists in the Cleveland State game doesn’t help his cause. And for a shoot-first point guard, shooting 18-43 for the month of March is abysmal.
Jeff Fox also writes about college hoops and the NBA draft at College Hoops Net.