Pick Six

College Basketball: Top Freshmen

Joey Whelan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:45:42 -0800

Ah the new kids on the block. This year’s freshman class will have some big shoes to fill after last year’s epic group. While they probably won’t be on the same level, the class of 2013 has more than enough talented players to have a serious impact at this level before shipping off to the NBA. This group has a little bit of everything: freakish athletes, bruising post players, talented wings and speedy guards. While some of them will be expected to lead from day one, and others will fill in nicely as role players, all of them will have a major impact from the moment they step on the court.

Pick Six: Top Freshmen

CHN's Pick Six series highlights the Top 6 players by position, league, and class.

1. B.J. Mullens – Ohio State

There isn’t a better combination of size and athleticism in this class, or maybe in the country. Mullens is a legitimate 7-footer with the ability to run in the open floor, shoot from the perimeter and explode to the basket. He has soft hands and is able to score with either his right or his left; throw in his nicely developing footwork and Mullens could have a post game capable of putting up big numbers in the Big Ten this season. More often than not, Mullens will probably rely on his athleticism in the early going, but should be plenty to allow him to dominate the opposition.

2. Jrue Holiday – UCLA

UCLA is absolutely spoiled with backcourt talent and Jrue Holiday is a big reason why. He already possesses a pretty solid all-around offensive game at this point in his development; owning a strong perimeter shot with range out to the NBA line. Holiday showed last season that when defenders play him tight on the outside he is more than capable of taking them to the basket with a solid first step and excellent handles, or pulling up to drain a mid-range jumper. Holiday is such a valuable commodity because he can beat teams either as a point where he shows great passing instincts, or he can put up nice scoring numbers off the ball. This combo-guard will be a headache in Pac-10 play this season.

3. Al-Farouq Aminu – Wake Forest

This inside/outside threat is going to be a major part of the Demon Deacon resurrection this season. Aminu is an explosive athlete, able to take almost any defender to the basket and elevate with them for points around the rim. He’s long enough that he’ll be able to score in the paint on a regular basis, but also shows a nicely developing mid-range game at this point. His perimeter shooting needs to improve, but as he works on his range, these numbers will get better. Aminu is built in the same kind of mold that Marvin Williams is, but unlike Williams who spent his one season in college coming off the bench, Aminu will be a go-to player for Wake this season.

4. Demar DeRozan – USC

Yes, my love affair with the high flyer from out west continues. DeRozan has off the charts athleticism, capable of elevating with and over anyone in the country. While he is really only known at this point for his gravity defying dunks and impressive range on his jumper, the USC coaching staff has been raving about his ability to score points within the flow of the offense while not dominating the basketball. Is the freshman going to put up the kinds of numbers that OJ Mayo did last season? Probably not, but the Trojans don’t need him to. The real key for DeRozan won’t be how many points he gets, but how he gets them.

5. Tyreke Evans – Memphis

Being the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game certainly comes with its share of expectations; don’t be shocked when Evans lives up to them. The freshman already has an NBA body and the offensive ability to boot. He can beat teams from the outside with his shooting range, or cut his way to the basket with ease. Evans’ ability to hang in the air and adjust in traffic around the basket is very impressive for a player at his stage. He will excel in the up tempo style that the Tigers play, he just needs to avoid becoming too trigger happy as was sometimes the case in high school.

6. Samardo Samuels – Louisville

This beast out of New Jersey is going to feel right at home in the rough and tumble Big East and Cardinals fans should be excited. His frame alone will make him tough to stop on the block, standing an imposing 6’8” 240 pounds of solid muscle, but Samuels also has a very polished post game already. Once in a while he will choose to face up when he receives the ball inside and surprises with a pretty good first step for a player of his size. His jumper isn’t great at this point and he often winds up fading away when turning to shoot. Despite that, he more than has enough bulk and polish to do some damage in the post this season.

Next in Line: Scotty Hopson, Tennessee; Greg Monroe, Georgetown; Devin Ebanks, West Virginia; Chris Singleton, Florida State; JaMycal Green, Alabama

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College Basketball: Top Sophomores

Joey Whelan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:57:46 -0800

Last season’s freshman class was absolutely loaded with talent, as shown by the seven players from that group taken in the NBA Draft lottery back in June. The star power doesn’t end with that group though, as this year’s sophomore group can lay claim to being the strongest class in the country; certainly at the top. This list includes a nice mix of guards and big men, with a couple of inside/outside studs as well. Keep an eye out as many of these individuals will likely end up on All-American lists at the end of the year.

Pick Six: Top Sophomores

CHN's Pick Six series highlights the Top 6 players by position, league, and class.

1. Blake Griffin - Oklahoma

There really wasn’t much debate with making this pick. Not only is Griffin the best returning player from his class, but he may be the best pro prospect in college basketball right now. The big, bruising, athletic specimen’s return to Norman completely changed the landscape of the Big 12 Conference this season. Rather than being a middle of the pack team, the Sooners find themselves ranked 12^th in the pre season AP Poll. With his strength, finesse, soft touch and a devastating developing post game, Griffin is the best big man this side of Tyler Hansbrough, and certainly shows more upside in the long term. He just missed out on a double-double average last season, don’t expect that to be the case this year.

2. James Harden – Arizona State

There are plenty of reasons to love this old-school shooting guard. Harden has a very fundamental game, which is highly polished for a player at his stage of development. There are also few players in his class that can match his basketball IQ right now. Harden proved to be a go-to scorer in his first year with the Sun Devils and was an extremely efficient scorer, posting a 63% true-shooting percentage, good for third in last year’s freshman class. Team’s will be keying in on the budding star even more this season, but with his ability to read defenders and make decisions on the fly, there is no reason to think Harden wont post comparable or better numbers than he did last year.

3. Patrick Patterson – Kentucky

This beast in the middle will be the top big man in the SEC this season. Patterson’s game is still very much a work in progress but he shows tremendous flashes of ability with a soft hook shot and the decisions he makes cutting without the basketball. The scary thing is, at this point, he is so physically dominant; he almost doesn’t need a very refined post game to be a force. Few if any players in the conference can match Patterson’s strength, athleticism and explosiveness on the block. While he isn’t the biggest frontcourt player, listed at 6’8” 223, Patterson does a tremendous job of establishing position inside and pushing would be defenders around while he goes to work. He averaged just under 36 minutes per game last season, don’t expect that number to drop this year.

4. Patrick Mills – Saint Mary’s

The WCC managed to recruit some of the top talent in last year’s freshman class. Mills is an electrifying player who enters this season riding high from an impressive summer stint with the Australian national team, where he averaged 14 points in just 24 minutes of action. Mills’ game is built on speed. Whether it be in the open floor or the half court set, few players can match the point guard, particularly his devastating first step. He shows pretty good court vision and distributes the ball well, but clearly he is a shoot first guard. If he cuts down on the number of three-pointers he chucks up this season (nearly six per game last year) Mills should see an increase in his already solid offensive production.

5. Austin Daye – Gonzaga

This player has already gotten plenty of hype from me, so I won’t delve in much more. Daye poses the most tantalizing combination of size, athleticism and skill in the country this season. At 6’10” and possessing the ability to put the ball on the floor comfortably, attack the basket or shoot from the perimeter, there are few players who can boast this same combination. If the small forward can put it all together this season, not only are we looking at a potential All-American caliber player, but a lottery pick as well.

6. Andrew Ogilvy – Vanderbilt

What is there to not like about a 7-footer who dumps in 17 and 7 a night? Very little. Ogilvy was likely the biggest surprise out of last season’s freshman class, emerging as one of the top underclassmen big men in the country. The Aussie shows good mobility and excellent hands for a true center. His back to the basket game is clearly well developed and he shows outstanding touch with both hands, a rarity at the college level. While inconsistent, he showed that he can knock down the mid-range jumper when he chooses to face up on defenders. While Ogilvy could stand to benefit from getting stronger and a little quicker, there is no denying he is one of the most talented players in his class.

Next in Line: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse; Kyle Singler, Duke; Nick Calathes, Florida; James Anderson, Oklahoma State; DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh

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College Basketball: Top Juniors

Joey Whelan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:42:04 -0800

In this day and age of one and done phenoms, it is rare to see a large group of talented upperclassmen. While this years crop of juniors is very strong at the top, the talent quickly dwindles once you get below the top 20-25 players; at least when comparing this class to the freshman or sophomores. Luckily this list will only be dealing with the best of the best from the juniors. While some of these players were stars before they even suited up for their first college game, some have built their reputation over the years and have climbed to the top of their class.

Pick Six: Top Seniors

CHN's Pick Six series highlights the Top 6 players by position, league, and class.

1. Stephen Curry - Davidson

When it’s all said and done, he won’t be the best pro player on this list, he wont even be the highest drafted; but for now Curry is king. The Wildcats’ sharp shooter captivated the nation last year with one of the greatest individual performances in NCAA Tournament history and will likely continue to post gaudy numbers this year (if his 41 points in Davidson’s first exhibition game are any indication). Few players can match his shooting prowess at this level and his non stop movement off the ball makes him a nightmare for defenders. Even with teams focusing almost all of their attention on Curry this season, he’ll still likely manage to torch many of his opponents.

2. Hasheem Thabeet – Connecticut

While Thabeet has already proven to be a game changing force, this selection is mainly a potential pick. The 7’3” shot blocking machine showed tremendous flashes last season and if he has gotten stronger in the off season and improved his post game, Big East opponents better watch out. The Husky big man has more than enough potential to emerge as the top defensive player in the country this year, and with his frame and length, if he puts it together offensively, could be a go to force inside.

3. Luke Harangody – Notre Dame

His game may not be pretty, in fact more often than not it isn’t, but you simply have to respect a 20 and 10 season in the Big East. Harangody is a bruising force inside, with an almost immovable frame, great hands and a soft touch. He almost always seems to know where he is in relation to the basket and just finds a way to get his points night in and night out. More than anything though, you have to love the effort that the big man gives each and every time out on the floor despite the physical beating he takes. It’s been said before, but he is the next closest thing to Tyler Hansbrough.

4. Chase Budinger – Arizona

This high-flyer could have left for the NBA after each of the last two seasons, but opted to return. This year will likely be his last, but could also be his best. There isn’t a player in the Pac-10 with a better combination of athleticism and a perimeter skill set than Budinger. His ability to connect from the perimeter or mid-range has definitely improved since his freshman season and now is a consistent threat to beat teams from the outside. Of course, if team’s play him to shoot he can burn them with a solid first step and do serious damage in the lane with his 40-inch vertical leap. In all, Budinger is a devastating perimeter player who will see his name on All-American lists at the end of the season.

5. Tyler Smith – Tennessee

The SEC has plenty of young talent this season, but it’ll be the upperclassmen Smith who stands above them all as the conference’s top player. The junior does a little bit of everything, rebounding well from his position, and proving to be a solid passer. His shooting numbers improved dramatically from his freshman to sophomore seasons, and with his quickness is a constant threat to attack the basket. Defense is Smith’s bread and butter, showing the ability to guard multiple positions. He has very good lateral quickness, great length and a high basketball IQ on this end of the floor. While the Vol’s have plenty of talent this season, Smith will be the key to how far they go come March.

6. Earl Clark – Louisville

Statistically, Clark will never completely jump off the page due to the number of weapons Louisville trots out each night; that doesn’t mean the junior isn’t a big time inside/outside presence. Clark brings a great physical package to the floor, with good length, quickness and athleticism. Much of his game centers on his dribble drive game; he has a nice first step and solid handles, able to attack with either hand. Clark’s jump shot has improved during his career but certainly still needs some work before it is a consistent weapon. Clark has also shown some nice flashes of ability when he catches the ball on the block. He may not even be the best player on his team this season, but Clark will certainly be one of the top juniors in the country.

Next in Line: Wayne Ellington, North Carolina; Gerald Henderson, Duke; Damion James, Texas; Ty Lawson, North Carolina; Greivis Vasquez, Maryland; Derrick Brown, Xavier

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College Basketball: Best Seniors

Joey Whelan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:19:21 -0800

The talented senior; it’s become an endangered species in college basketball with the top underclassmen leaving each year for NBA riches. This year’s group however is loaded with future NBA players in the frontcourt and the backcourt. These players will be expected to lead their teams deep into March and will be ready to make an immediate impact on the pro level next fall.

Pick Six: Top Seniors

CHN's Pick Six series highlights the Top 6 players by position, league, and class.

1. Tyler Hansbrough – North Carolina

The best senior in the country, the best player in the country; period. When his time in Chapel Hill is done, Hansbrough will likely have put together one of the most impressive 4-year runs at the college level of the last 25 years. He’s in position to become the ACC’s all-time leading scorer and if his production stays consistent is almost a shoe in for his third appearance on the AP All-American team. The only thing that had eluded this kid is a national championship, and Carolina has never looked this strong in Hansbrough’s time with the program.

2. Darren Collison – UCLA

The country’s best point guard is looking for another trip to the Final Four. Collison is one of the quickest players around and while he doesn’t have much trouble getting past defenders into the lane, he is ever more dangerous when given room to shoot on the perimeter. The floor general is the top returning on ball defender in the Pac-10 and will be looked at to lead a team of young talent through a solid conference schedule.

3. AJ Price – Connecticut

Price finely was able to put together a full season for the Huskies and proved to be a big time player. At points last year (particularly UConn’s 10-game win streak) the point guard was the second best player in a loaded Big East. Equally adept at putting up big scoring numbers or setting up teammates with open looks, Price will once again be one of the top performers in his conference this year, and a potential All-American at season’s end.

4. Tyrese Rice – Boston College

No player may do more for his team than Rice. Last season he was expected not only to run the show as a point guard, but was relied on to post big scoring numbers on a nightly basis. Rice was up to the challenge, and with a weak support system surrounding him, don’t expect much to change this year. One of the most versatile scoring guards around, Rice can light it up from the outside, or break down defenders off the dribble. He shows a nice repertoire of shots inside the lane which he can get off against larger defenders. With another big year, Rice will bring his game to the NBA next year.

5. Sam Young – Pittsburgh

Few players saw as big of an improvement from their sophomore to junior seasons as Young. A physical specimen, Young overpowers defenders and can explode over most players for thunderous dunks. He made great strides offensively last year, showing a pretty quick first step and improving his mid-range jumper. His perimeter shooting proved to be better last year as well; now he needs to work on his handles in order to be a more complete offensive weapon.

6. Robert Vaden – UAB

This mid-major scoring machine is one of the top shooters in the country, hitting 40% of his nearly 11 three-point attempts per game. This is a guy who just knows how to get himself scoring opportunities. More than simply a player who camps out on the perimeter, Vaden does an excellent job of moving off the ball and reading defenses. He has a strong upper body which allows him to handle contact when going to the basket, but he lacks much creativity when taking defenders off the dribble.

Next in Line: Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga; Jon Brockman, Washington; Jack McClinton, Miami; Eric Maynor, VCU; Jerel McNeal, Marquette

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear who you think belongs on this list!

College Basketball: Top Centers

Joey Whelan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:39:20 -0800

The true center in college basketball is a rarity these days. The game that used to be dominated by giants of the paint is now all about up tempo play, the fast break, and hybrid players that can start at multiple positions. That isn’t to say that the great post players of the game are no longer in existence, it’s just that many of these big men have started to add more versatility to their game or are simply just more athletic than their predecessors. Here is a look at the best of the bigs in college hoops this season.

Pick Six: Top Centers

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players at each position. Tomorrow we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at shooting guard.

1. B.J. Mullens – Ohio State

That’s right, the first newcomer to top one of the positions lists. Not only is Mullens arguably the top freshman in the country this season, he could wind up being the top pick in the NBA Draft come June. Standing a legitimate 7-feet and possessing a freakishly explosive vertical jump, Mullens has the physical attributes that could allow him to dominate the Big Ten right away. His hands are excellent and he has a nicely developing post game, though much of it still relies on his athleticism around the rim. Perhaps most intriguing at this point about the youngster is his ability to step away from the basket and still be an effective scorer. Mullens exhibits a very smooth jumper that almost no one in college basketball will be able to contest on a regular basis. His game is still very much a work in progress as he is still learning how to completely utilize his physical gifts. Mullens will have to show more enthusiasm on defense than he did at the high school level in order to be an impact player on the other end of the floor as well.

Stats: DNP Freshman

2. Hasheem Thabeet - Connecticut

The tremendous improvement that Thabeet showed from his freshman to sophomore seasons was almost enough to put him atop this list. Another monster of the middle, the junior stands 7’3” with an enormous wingspan, and packs 260 pounds onto his frame. He runs the floor surprisingly well for a player of his size and shows great explosiveness around the rim; it’s a given he will dunk if given the space. His post game is very far from being finished, as he still attempts less than six shots per game. His footwork is raw and he lacks any real pivot moves, though he does have the ability to finish with contact inside, a major plus. Defense is where Thabeet really makes his mark. His man-to-man coverage isn’t great, due to his lack of upper body strength, but his shot blocking abilities make him a game changer on this end of the floor.

Stats: 10.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.4 apg

3. Andrew Ogilvy – Vanderbilt

What a freshman season for the Aussie. Ogilvy burst onto the scene in the SEC as probably the most fundamentally sound center in the country. His footwork is phenomenal, and he has the ability to light it up with a jump hook that he can consistently hit with either hand. His overall offensive repertoire in the post is very impressive and his quick feet make him a difficult match up for most big men. What hinders Ogilvy though is a lack of great athleticism. He isn’t very explosive, so in many situations where he would be better suited elevating over defenders for an easy score, he looks to draw contact or finish with a finesse move off the glass instead. He doesn’t have a face up game with the ball at this point, but look for that to continue to develop in the upcoming seasons. The biggest key for Ogilvy this season will be staying on the floor; he struggled with foul problems last season.

Stats: 17.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.2 apg

4. Jordan Hill – Arizona

Despite being a real impact player for the Wildcats last season, Hill managed to go largely unnoticed by most of the country. The junior posted averages of 13 point and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes of work while shooting an outstanding 62% from the field, the 13^th best mark in the country. Hill’s back to the basket game is still a work in progress, as it is for many big men at this level, but he shows some nice promise with a right-handed jump hook, and has proven to be a fairly effective passer out of the post. He needs to work on reading when double teams are coming and how to avoid them. Hill showed great improvement in his range from last season, showing the ability to step away from the basket more often. While his handles aren’t great at this point, he exhibits an outstanding first step for a frontcourt player, able to beat most big men on a regular basis to the basket where he shows a soft touch.

Stats: 13.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.8 apg

5. Jeff Pendergraph – Arizona State

Another player having flown under the radar for the last couple of seasons as a result of other talented big men in the Pac-10, the senior could finally emerge this season as one of the top centers out west. Pendergraph has great physical attributes: a solid 6’9” 230-pound frame and well above average athleticism. He has a nicely developing post game, highlighted by a right-handed jump hook that he hits regularly thanks to his soft touch. Pendergraph as a whole is a very efficient low post scorer, connecting on nearly 60% of his shot attempts last season. The biggest wrinkle he has added to his game over the years is the ability to catch and shoot from mid-range, able to knock down the open 15-footer on a fairly regular basis now. Pendergraph is a tough defender inside, but ASU primarily goes with a zone look, so he isn’t in too many one-on-one situations. A slight bump in his rebounding numbers this season would be a big boost to the Sun Devils.

Stats: 12.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 0.9 apg

6. Jerome Jordan – Tulsa

Jordan is a mid-major big man just waiting to be noticed by a larger audience. A 7-footer who moves well, the junior had an inconsistent year for the most part, but turned things on down the stretch, posting three double-doubles in his last six games, and had an impressive 17-point, 9-rebound, 4-block performance against Memphis in his last game. Jordan shows flashes of some nice post moves, particularly a strong drop step and a developing hook shot that could prove to be nearly impossible to stop if perfected. His game is still very raw though and will need a lot more polish. Defensively Jordan was a shot blocking machine last year, finishing 5^th in the country at 3.7 per contest. He has great mobility as already mentioned and shows a real knack for timing his jumps to contest shots.

Stats: 10.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.8 apg

Next in Line: Luke Nevill, Utah; Josh Heytvelt, Gonzaga; Taj Gibson, USC; Cole Aldrich, Kansas; Aron Baynes, Washington State.

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College Basketball: Top Power Forwards

Joey Whelan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:34:38 -0800

For all intents and purposes, the majority of front court players in the college game today are power forwards, there are just too few true centers out there. Like the point guard, having a solid big man is extremely important to a team’s success. All four Final Four teams from last season featured at least one NBA caliber big man (Kevin Love, Joey Dorsey, Darrell Arthur, Tyler Hansbrough). Is it any wonder then that each of the players featured on this list will be suiting up for a team primed to make an extended run into March? Probably not.

Pick Six: Top Power Forwards

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players at each position. Tomorrow we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at shooting guard.

1. Tyler Hansbrough – North Carolina

From an individual standpoint Hansbrough has nothing left to prove as a college player. If not for his love of being a student and the desire to win a national championship, Hansbrough would already be in the NBA. There isn’t a harder working player in the country, period. Hansbrough has a highly developed post game, though often he gets his points on sheer hustle and smarts. He gets to the free throw line at an incredible rate thanks to his patience, use of fakes and ability to keep his pivot. Over the years he has gradually extended his range to the point where he is now a threat to knock down an open 18-footer if the defense will give it to him. Even if Hansbrough isn’t hoisting a championship trophy in March, chances are he will surpass J.J. Redick as the ACC’s all-time leading scorer.

Stats: 22.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 0.9 apg

2. Blake Griffin - Oklahoma

The top returning player from last season’s freshman class, Griffin is an absolute physical specimen. At 6’10” 240 pounds, not only does he have a body capable of dolling out punishment in the paint on a nightly basis, he also possesses well above average athleticism for his position. Griffin’s post game is very advanced for a player at his stage of development. He owns an extensive repertoire of back to the basket moves and has a very soft touch around the rim. His combination of strength and explosiveness make it nearly impossible for most defenders to handle him one-on-one when he has the ball on the block. The next step in Griffin’s development is being able to step away from the basket somewhat. At this point he rarely if ever will shoot the ball from the mid-range, but if his 59% free throw shooting is any indication, he has some work to do. Defensively Griffin has the skills to be a major impact player, he just needs to show more effort at this end of the floor.

Stats: 14.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 apg

3. Luke Harangody – Notre Dame

The reigning Player of the Year in the Big East is back for more and defenses will have their hands full. Harangody is built like a tight end and he plays like it to. Over 40% of his shots come in the post where he uses his tremendous strength to overpower defenders, finishing baskets with a very soft touch. So much of his game reminds of Tyler Hansbrough, the hustle, the hard nosed style, and the frequent trips to the free throw line. He shows some ability to put the ball on the floor, but generally this is only in a straight line and against equally slow big men. Harangody is one of the elite returning rebounders in the country, averaging a whopping 14.7 boards per 40 minutes last season. While it may be asking a lot for the junior to improve on his 20 and 10 numbers last season, expect Harangody to be a double-double machine once again for the Irish.

Stats: 20.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.7 apg

4. Patrick Patterson – Kentucky

Few freshman last season were relied on as heavily by their teams as Patterson. The Wildcats’ big man was a force last season, finishing 4^th amongst all SEC frontcourt players in scoring. Patterson showed some real nice ability around the basket, mixing in a baby hook and turnaround jump shot on the block. In addition he showed some flashes of a mid-range jumper that could make him an ever more dangerous offensive weapon this season. Patterson relied a little too heavily on his physical abilities last season, so seeing him add a little polish to his offensive skills would go a long way to making him an even better player. Defensively he is able to guard player much bigger than he is thanks to a 7’2” wingspan and an excellent motor.

Stats: 16.4 ppg, 7.7 rp, 1.7 apg

5. Earl Clark - Louisville

The Cardinal’s junior may be the most intriguing player on this list, possessing a great physically make up and a nicely developing all-around game. At a solid 6’9”, Clark has great athletic ability and has become more versatile in each of his last two seasons, reminding somewhat of current NBA player Marvin Williams. He shows nice ability to take defenders to the basket off the dribble with either hand and has a good first step for a player of his size. Both his perimeter and post up games are continual works in progress, but he has shown some real nice flashes, particularly with his mid-range jump shot. Becoming more consistent with this aspect of his game will make him a real inside-outside threat. Defense is where Clark has made his biggest impact at the college level so far. He is a tremendous rebounder, pulling in 11.4 boards per 40 minutes last season thanks to his quickness of the floor and lengthy wingspan. His aggressiveness and lateral quickness allow him to effectively cover both perimeter and post players, averaging one steal and nearly two blocks per game last season.

Stats: 11.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 apg

6. Damion James – Texas

When you’re strong and athletic enough to average a double-double in the Big 12, all while knocking down over 40% of your three-point attempts as a sophomore, it’s a safe bet you’re going to do some real damage as a junior. James has one of the better basketball IQ’s on this list, showing a great ability to read defenses and move without the basketball. He is also a workhorse on the offensive glass, pulling down better than boards per game last season. James has shown flashes of ability shooting off the dribble, but at this point his handles aren’t polished enough to be a consistent threat away from the immediate vicinity of the basket. He shows some real potential on the defensive end, albeit he needs to cut down on how often he bites on fakes. His length and athleticism make him a versatile defender like many of the guys already listed; he’s even able to slide over and pick up quicker guards on occasion if he has to. With D.J. Augustin having departed, James should finally start to get the recognition he deserves this season.

Stats: 13.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.3 apg

Next in Line: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh; Jon Brockman, Washington; Greg Monroe, Georgetown; Kyle Singler, Duke; James Johnson, Wake Forest

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Pick Six Archive -- The Big List: CHN's Preview Index

College Basketball: Top Small Forwards

Joey Whelan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:34:16 -0700

Probably the toughest position to define in the college game is small forward. Many of these players act as a third guard, or on a team loaded with backcourt players, move down to the power forward spot. With that in mind, some of the players on this list are hybrids, capable of starting at a variety of spots, but most often fall under the heading of small forward. The top six is loaded with talent, including four players who will contend for Player of the Year honors in their respective BCS conferences, and a couple of mid-major gems. In all, ever player on this list will be a star in his own right and be a major factor in the success of his respective team this season.

Pick Six: Top Small Forwards

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players at each position. Tomorrow we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at shooting guard.

1. Tyler Smith - Tennessee

The Vol’s will be in good shape to contend for another regular season SEC crown with the return of Smith, arguably the conference’s top player this season. The junior had little trouble transferring over from the Big Ten, where he was with Iowa, improving on most of his numbers. Smith possesses excellent athleticism and a great first step. These physical attributes have allowed him to be a very effective slasher, getting into the lane for easy buckets and earning plenty of trips to the foul line (his 6.3 attempts per 40 minutes was third amongst SEC small forwards last season). Smith really stands out as a defender, showing good lateral quickness and his length allows him to hold his own against bigger players. He seems to have a real good grasp of how to play on this end of the floor. Already a major threat overall, if Smith improves his perimeter shooting, watch out.

Stats: 13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg

2. Sam Young – Pittsburgh

Talk about a player exploding onto the scene. Young nearly doubled up in every major statistical category during his junior campaign, becoming one of the elite players not only in the Big East, but in the country. The senior is a physical specimen, packing a defined 210 pounds onto a long 6’6” frame. Equally impressive is Young’s explosiveness and his quick first step for a stronger player. He is an extremely efficient player, connecting on 50% of his shot attempts last year, many of which were mid-range jumpers. Young shows nice ability as a catch and shoot perimeter player, but needs to improve somewhat on his ability to connect from long range off the dribble. He is strong enough to post smaller players and score at a high clip on the block, while proving to be a dangerous transition scorer. As a defender, Young excels in one-on-one situations thanks to his toughness, and is an excellent rebounder for his size. If Pitt is going to make a run deep into March, Young will have to have another big year.

Stats: 18.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg

3. Chase Budinger – Arizona

The junior high flyer may be the best player in the Pac-10 this season. Budinger is a match up nightmare for most teams due to his 6’7” frame and tremendous athletic ability. What was most encouraging to see from him as a sophomore though was a maturing of his offensive game. Budinger became a better perimeter shooter, improving his stroke, while continuing to be a threat in the lane thanks to his great body control around the hoop. Becoming a more consistent ball handler would go a long way to solidifying his scoring ability. Defensively there are still qualms about his ability as Budinger has proven to be somewhat heavy footed when forced to move laterally. Either way, that won’t stop him from once again being one of the best out west.

Stats: 17.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg

4. Robbie Hummel – Purdue

In Hummel the Boilermakers have themselves a potential Big Ten Player of the Year. The sophomore, like Budinger, is a major match up issue for opposing teams, standing 6’8” and capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers consistently. Hummel also does well attacking the basket; though he lacks a great first step, he has a nice collection of dribble drive moves that allow him to break down defenders. He could probably stand to post up smaller defenders more often, but does a nice job on the offensive glass, playing very aggressively. Perhaps the biggest surprise about Hummel’s game last season was his efficiency distributing the basketball. The freshman ranked 22^nd in the nation in assist to turnover ratio and was tops among all small forwards in this category. Defensively he is a liability somewhat at this point, but with his outstanding play already on offense and his further development, Purdue will be happy to take the good with the bad.

Stats: 11.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.5 apg

5. Austin Daye – Gonzaga

You may scoff, you may hoot, you may holler, but Daye is deserving of a spot on the list. This is a player with seemingly endless amounts of potential and with a year of college ball under his belt, we could see Daye explode in the WCC this season. At 6’10”, the sophomore can shoot from the outside and handle the ball like a player four or five inches shorter. While the release point on his shot is somewhat inconsistent, he connected on over 41% of his three-point attempts last season and also showed the ability to shoot off the dribble. Daye looks very comfortable handling the ball and can attack the basket with either hand. Defensively he has some work to do, but his length and athleticism make him a constant shot blocking threat. If you still aren’t convinced, his adjusted freshman numbers had him at 22.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per 40 minutes; not bad.

Stats: 10.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.0 apg

6. Lee Cummard – BYU

This was a very tough final pick to make, but ultimately the solid and consistent senior won out over the rest of the field. Cummard is a very good all-around player who largely goes overlooked playing in the Mountain West Conference. A lights out shooter from anywhere on the floor (56.9% FG, 47.2% 3P FG), Cummard doesn’t need a ton of room to get his shot off. At 6’7” he has good size for his position and rebounds very well, hauling down better than six rebounds per game last season. Perhaps one of the interesting things to examine with Cummard is how he stacked up with other small forwards who entered their name in the draft last season. The sharp shooter finished was top ten in scoring and rebounding, while finishing tops in assists and assist to turnover ratio. Even more encouraging was that Cummard was the only small forward to have a positive Pure Point Rating, which determines how well a player distributes the ball. With a strong BYU team returning, Cummard should get more attention this season.

Stats: 15.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg

Next in Line: DaJuan Summers, Georgetown; Paul Harris, Syracuse; Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest; Alonzo Gee, Alabama; James Anderson, Oklahoma State. Tomorrow: PF's

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College Basketball: Top Shooting Guards

Joey Whelan — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:56:23 -0700

It can be tough to draw a distinction sometimes between the shooting guard and small forward positions at the collegiate level. So often these two spots are interchangeable, labeled simply as the two perimeter players not running the point position. With that in mind, some of the players listed here may be considered as small forwards by some, while the small forward list may contain players that are often used as shooting guards. One thing isn’t in question about this list though; all of these players are or will be big time scorers and playmakers.

Pick Six: Top SG's

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players at each position. Tomorrow we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at shooting guard.

1. Stephen Curry – Davidson

Curry isn’t the best pro prospect on this list; heck he might not crack the top three depending on team needs. There is no question though; the pint sized scoring assassin from the SoCon is one of the best returning players in the country, and certainly the most electrifying. Curry is a lights out shooter and a threat to fire seemingly as soon as he crosses half court. He shot a ridiculous 43.9% from beyond the arc on 10.3 three-point attempts per game last season, the third highest percentage of anyone who attempted at least 7 shots per game from this range. He is equally dangerous inside the arc, able to knock down tough shots off the dribble regardless of how tight defenders play him. Curry reminds a lot of Reggie Miller and Richard Hamilton in that he is constantly moving on the offensive end making him a nightmare for whichever defender draws him as an assignment. In a weak Southern Conference expect Curry to have big scoring numbers again this season, especially with little offensive support.

Stats: 25.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg

2. James Harden – Arizona State

Fans in Tempe have plenty of reason to be excited this season; they return the best player from last year’s loaded freshman class not named Blake Griffin. Harden is an old school guard in an up-tempo conference. Not blessed with tremendous athleticism (though he has improved his conditioning coming into this year) the sophomore relies on his craftiness and excellent instincts. He does very well when attacking the basket, able to read the defense and take what it gives him. His numbers don’t drop off as he moves further out either, connecting on 41% of his three-point attempts last season. The biggest area that Harden needs to improve in is shooting off the dribble; he has yet to make this a fluid part of his game. In addition, Harden shows flashes of being an above average passer for a player relied on so heavily to score points.

Stats: 17.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.2 apg

3. Demar DeRozan – USC

It may seem somewhat audacious to rank an unproven freshman as the third best shooting guard in the country, but it isn’t often a player of DeRozan’s physical ability comes along to the college game. Possessing a 6’6” frame that is capable of flying through the air, DeRozan has a plethora of highlight videos on YouTube that fully display the aerial assaults he mounted against high school defenders. Chances are this scoring machine will continue to torture defenders in the Pac-10 with his combination of freakish athleticism and excellent perimeter shooting. Still not sold on DeRozan as a big time college player? Ask his teammates about the 29 points he dropped on them just a few days ago in USC’s first open scrimmage.

Stats: DNP Freshman

4. Wayne Ellington – North Carolina

Ellington may be a surprise pick to some people because he doesn’t immediately come to mind when thinking of the elite shooting guards in the country. When you look at the numbers and the tape though, the junior becomes a no-brainer for this list. Ellington made great strides in his development last season, adding all kinds of wrinkles to his offensive arsenal. He improved in every single statistical category last year as he took on a greater role for the Tar Heels, getting touches on nearly 20% of Carolina’s possessions last year. While he doesn’t do anything extraordinarily well, Ellington does a lot of things very solidly. He is a good perimeter shooter, slashes to the basket well and has continued to improve his mid-range game, adding a pretty pull up jumper as last season progressed. In all, he has one of the most well developed offensive games in the ACC regardless of position.

Stats: 16.6 rpg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg

5. Lester Hudson – Tennessee-Martin

Hudson was one of the most interesting stories in college basketball last season; his game was one of the most impressive. This is a guy who absolutely fills up every square inch of a box score; the quintessential stat sheet stuffer. In addition to finishing 5^th in the country with 25.7 points per night, Hudson chipped in 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.8 steals. While he isn’t very tall for an off-guard at 6’3” (although some reports have him a couple of inches shorter) Hudson has a huge wingspan which allows him to play much bigger than he actually is. Offensively he has all kinds of weapons at his disposal. Showing a fantastic ability to create for himself off the dribble, Hudson is equally dangerous from the perimeter and mid-range. While he can attack the rim as well, he is more of a perimeter player at this point. He may not project well as a pro prospect, but he has the physical capabilities to dominate at the college level as he has shown.

Stats: 25.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.5 apg

6. Dionte Christmas – Temple

Often overshadowed by other Atlantic-10 stars like Pat Calathes and Gary Forbes, Christmas put together a fantastic junior season. The 6’5” guard has a very perimeter oriented game, with eight of his fourteen shot attempts coming from beyond the arc last season. Christmas shows a quick release and the ability to get his shot off from essentially anywhere on the floor, although his shot selection isn’t always the greatest. His great length allowed him to pull down nearly six rebounds per game, a great number for a player who spends so much time away from the hoop. While his statistics may not show it, Christmas is also a solid passer, possessing good court vision and instincts. With teammate Mark Tyndale having graduated, expect to see even more looks this year for Christmas, and likely some additional attention from defenders.

Stats: 19.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 apg

Next in line: Tyreke Evans, Memphis; Gerald Henderson, Duke; Robert Vaden, UAB; Patrick Christopher, California.

Tomorrow: Small Forwards

Archive: Pick Six (including Top 6 per league/position) -- The Big List: CHN's Preview Index

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College Basketball: Top Point Guards

Joey Whelan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:54:41 -0700

Ah, the old floor general; the point guard. He is the player responsible for standing at the helm of his team and guiding them as an offensive catalyst, while also serving as the first line of defense on the other end of the floor. Is it any wonder then that seven of the last nine national champions have seen their point guard drafted in June? Probably not.

Last season, the first to see all four top seeds advance to the Final Four, also saw four point guards (Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, Mario Chalmers and Derrick Rose) who were either drafted this past June, or are safe bets to be wearing an NBA uniform come the 2009-10 season.

With that known emphasis on the importance of a steady hand at the wheel, here’s a look at the top six point guards that will appear on the court this season.

Pick Six: Top PG's

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players at each position. Tomorrow we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at shooting guard.

1. Darren Collison - UCLA

The Bruins senior leader gets the nod over Ty Lawson because he has a more diverse offensive skill set and is a better defender. Collison has managed to guide UCLA to three straight Final Four appearances, proving his worth as a winner at the collegiate level. Likely the fastest player in the Pac-10, Collison is a nightmare to guard due to his excellent first step, ball handling skills and court vision. The problem here, is when defenders play off him to avoid getting beat off the dribble, there is the matter of 52.5% shooting clip from beyond the arc. Throw in the fact that Collison is one of the better backcourt defenders in the country despite his small stature, and you have yourself the top point guard in college basketball.

Stats: 14.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg

2. Ty Lawson – North Carolina

If not for a couple of off the court issues and an injury this past spring, Lawson wouldn’t even be on this list, he’d be on an NBA roster. With that said, the Tar Heels are thrilled with the return of their one-man fast break. Lawson’s game is built on speed so it is only natural that he is at his best in transition. His ability to change direction when in a full sprint with the ball is unmatched by any other player, but perhaps most important is that Lawson has learned how to control that speed. He slows down somewhat in the half court set, but shows good body control when attacking the rim. Lawson’s 7.2 assists per 40 minutes was 4^th in the country last season and he had an excellent 2.3 assist to turnover ratio. With Carolina bringing even more offensive firepower into their program this season, don’t expect his scoring numbers to increase a ton, but certainly a boost in the assist numbers is likely.

Stats: 12.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.2 apg

3. Tyrese Rice – Boston College

Rice has yet to show the full extent of his point guard abilities for the Eagles and don’t expect that to change this season. With a roster devoid of much scoring ability, Rice has had to run the offense as well as be the offense for BC, scoring 30% of the team’s points last season. Still, there may not be a better scoring point guard in the country than the 6’0” senior. Rice possesses an excellent shot, don’t be fooled by the 35.8% three-point shooting percentage, if he is given space on the perimeter, he will do a lot of damage. He is fantastic dribble-drive player, able to break down most defenders at the college level thanks to great handles and an excellent first step. Somehow, he managed to dish out five assists per game as well last year. While it is likely he will have another season where he has to take an abundance of shots (15.4 per game last season), if he continues to put together performances like the 46 points he dropped on UNC, fans in Chestnut Hill likely won’t be complaining.

Stats: 21.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.0 apg

4. A.J. Price – Connecticut

After missing two seasons for the Huskies, Price was finally able to show what he can do last year, putting on a phenomenal display during his junior campaign. Another one of the scoring point guard types, Price has good quickness, a solid mid-range game and excellent instincts. While he isn’t a huge threat to consistently beat teams from the outside, he will hurt you if left alone. Price really turns heads with his passing ability, able to thread the needle from the perimeter and showing increasing improvement to drive and dish. He was tops in the Big East last season in every conceivable passing statistic, dishing out 5.8 assists per game and posting an outstanding 2.46 assist to turnover ratio, good for 6^th in the country. What makes Price all the more appealing as far as his pro potential is concerned, is that he is still developing after missing so much of the early part of his career.

Stats: 14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.8 apg

5. Jonny Flynn – Syracuse

While his teammate Donte Greene may have gotten more attention last year, Jonny Flynn may ultimately be remembered as a better player in upstate New York. While there is no question the sophomore was streaky in his first season with the Orange, he did prove to be a major offensive weapon, posting seven 20-point games against Big East opponents. He is another player who thrives in the open court, using his speed, great ball handling skills and ability to change direction to disrupt defenses on a regular basis. Flynn shows good court vision and instincts for a young player, but he made plenty of questionable decisions last year. Having a full season of college basketball under his belt should help limit the number of mistakes he makes this year, but learning to not always be in a hurry with the ball will go a long way to making him even more of a big time player.

Stats: 15.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.3 apg

6. Jeremy Pargo – Gonzaga

Physically, Pargo may have the best overall make up of any player on this list. He has good size for the point guard spot at 6’2”, is very strong and super explosive. Pargo has an advanced arsenal of dribble drive moves that allow him to penetrate to the basket or create space for himself on the perimeter. These skills nicely complement a mid-range game that has continued to develop in his time at Gonzaga and has made him the WCC’s top player. As a defender, Pargo shows a lot of aggressiveness and hustle, something coaches and scouts love to see, and allowed him to average better than a steal per game last season. The decision to return to school for his senior season was a good one for Pargo and it will likely pay dividends not only for Gonzaga, but for him as well.

Stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.0 apg

Next in line: Patrick Mills; Saint Mary’s; Jrue Holiday, UCLA; Levance Fields, Pitt; Nick Calathes, Florida; Eric Maynor, VCU

-- Tomorrow: SG's

Pick Six Archive (including Top 6 per league) -- The Big List: CHN's Preview Index

Top Six Non-BCS Players

Jeff Fox — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:40:51 -0700

It’s not just the under-the-radar high school prospects that end up playing their college ball at non-BCS schools nowadays. 15 out of Rivals.com’s top 150 prospects for 2008 committed to non-BCS schools. Add to that the 18 players from the year before and you’ve got a serious influx of talent for the Davids to help fight off the Goliaths.

Pick Six: Non-BCS

Throughout the week, check back for articles highlighting the Top 6 players in each BCS league. Tomorrow we’ll be rolling out the Top 6 at each position.

1. Stephen Curry – Davidson – Junior

The biggest no-brainer of all-time was putting Stephen Curry atop this list. Not only is he heads-and-shoulders above the rest of the non-BCS talent, he will give Tyler Hansbrough a strong run for national player of the year honors.

Stats: 25.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg

2. Jeremy Pargo – Gonzaga – Senior

After flirting with following his brother into the NBA, Jeremy Pargo wisely decided to return to Spokane. Extremely quick but also very big for a point guard (6’2” 219lbs) he’ll be looking to lead perhaps the best team ever at Gonzaga deep into the NCAA tournament.

Stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.0 apg

3. Eric Maynor – Virginia Commonwealth – Senior

Eric Maynor isn’t quite as hot a commodity as he was after his sophomore season, when he led the Rams over Duke in the NCAA tournament. While he might not be the trendy player to talk about like he was then, he is still a dangerous player. A terrific scorer, rebounder and assist man, he’ll have plenty of NBA scouts venturing down to Richmond this season.

Stats: 17.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.5 apg

4. Dionte Christmas – Temple – Senior

Temple’s Dionte Christmas fills up the hoop like Santa fills stockings. After leading the Atlantic 10 in scoring the past two seasons, he’ll try to go for an unprecedented third scoring title this year. Even if he doesn’t accomplish the feat, he will no doubt still be lighting up the league’s scoreboards like a Christmas tree.

Stats: 19.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 apg

5. Robert Vaden – Alabama-Birmingham - Senior

What Tom Crean would give to have Robert Vaden still in Bloomington. After two seasons with the Hoosiers, Vaden followed coach Mike Davis to UAB where he exploded last year for 21.1ppg and 142 three-pointers made. His total points scored and threes made were both school records.

Stats: 21.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.6 apg

6. Tyreke Evans – Memphis – Freshman

Tyreke Evans had a similar high school career as O.J. Mayo. Both hyped since they were youngsters, Evans spent a good portion of his life considered the top player in his class before falling out of favor and dropping in the rankings his senior year. Still, he is a dangerous player and brings an explosive scorer to the Tigers backcourt.

Stats: DNP Freshman

Next in line: Lester Hudson – Tennessee-Martin; Lee Cummard, BYU; Patrick Mills, Saint Mary’s; Marqus Blakely, Vermont.

Tomorrow: Top 6 PG's

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