crazybuckfan40
Head Coach
I hate to say, but with the talent we have right now alot of these guys aren't going to be sticking around as long as we might like.
Oden could of went #1 last year without the new rule and it looks like Cook is setting himself up nicely.
I also think Lewis's huge game against UNC is setting him up to get drafted...
Here is an article on the guys with stock rising, both Lewis and Oden are mentioned...
Also there is a mock draft up there that has Oden going #1, Cook going #10, and Lewis going # 35...
Link
Also suprised that in the 08 mock there isnt a mention of Butler, I thought they would at least put him on there. I think that with his defense and shooting ability he will get a look in the second round, and I wouldnt be suprised to see Kosta or Conley get a look in teh 08 draft as well.
Oden could of went #1 last year without the new rule and it looks like Cook is setting himself up nicely.
I also think Lewis's huge game against UNC is setting him up to get drafted...
Here is an article on the guys with stock rising, both Lewis and Oden are mentioned...
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Stock Watch[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].input1{font-size:12px;font-face:arial;width:280px} .select1{font-size:12px;font-face:arial;width:280px} .subm1{font-size:13px;font-face:arial;width:80px} [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By Aran Smith[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]12/6/06[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rising[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Al Thornton 6-8 220 SF/PF Florida St. Sr.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Al Thornton [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: Andy Manis[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thornton was the high riser of the week moving from a projected late first round pick all the way into the late lottery area.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In what is fast becoming a cross-state rivalry against last year's National Champs, Thornton outperformed the juggernaut front court tandem of Joakim Noah and Al Horford leading the Seminoles to a 70-66 defeat of the Gators.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thornton was dominant on both ends of the floor finishing with 28 points and 9 rebounds and holding Noah and Horford to a combined 15 points and 10 boards. Horford particularly struggled ending with just 4 points on 2 FG attempts, and fouling out of the game after just 26 minutes.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]At 6-8, Thornton lacks size for the power forward position, however his tremendous athleticism and length allow him to play bigger, and he's got the speed and versatility to also play at the small forward position. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Having built a 10 point lead heading down the stretch, it was Al Thornton time, as he scored 10 of the Noles final 12 points helping stave off a valiant comeback in which the Corey Brewer-less Gators were a 3 point shot, with 8 seconds left, from taking the lead. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The three point attempt was blocked, and Thornton grabbed the rebound and was fouled hitting both free throws with 4 seconds left to ice the game.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thornton is once again proving what he did last year, that he steps up his level of play in the biggest games. On the season, he's averaging 16.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, and shooting 58.7% FG and 43% from 3. His outstanding early play this season has vaulted his draft status into the late lottery area for the 2007 draft.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Kevin Durant 6-10 220 SF Texas Fr.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Kevin Durant [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: [/FONT]Paul Connors[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Durant has made the jump to college ball appear effortless taking over offensively for a young Texas squad, and in the process establishing himself as one of the dominant players in the college game. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After his first 7 college games, he is averaging an eye popping 23.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.4 bpg and shooting 47.3 fg% and 45.2% from 3. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After working hard this off-season on adding weight, Durant put on 20 plus pounds. Based on his first 7 games, the added strength has done nothing but improve his mobility and conditioning.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He has not only been the top freshman in the country but one of the most dominant individual players overall in the nation. And if their wasn't a bias against freshmen, he would surely be a First Team All American and have a shot to win the John Wooden Award.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Texas suffered their second defeat of the season on Saturday to a tough Gonzaga team, but Durant was sensational pouring in 29 points and 9 boards, in seemingly effortless fashion.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The game comes so easily for him, his biggest hurdle is developing a killer instinct. He must learn to step up the intensity of his play in pressure situations, and not settle for being a star, and become a superstar who takes over at the end of games.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Outside of Greg Oden, there isn't anyone on the college level with close to the potential that Durant possesses. A wing prospect with his potential is a rarity. Barring any major type of meltdown, look for Durant to be the second name called on draft night.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aaron Gray 7-1 280 C Pittsburgh Sr.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aaron Gray [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: [/FONT]Rob Carr[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With freshman phenom Greg Oden out with a wrist injury, Gray has been the most effective big man in the country over the first three weeks of the season averaging 16.8 ppg, and 10.6 rpg, with great efficiency shooting 67.1% from the field and 71.4% from the line. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gray declared for the 2006 draft but fearing that he might fall out of the first round, Gray made the decision to pull out of the draft despite being a likely top 20 pick. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He spent the off-season working hard on his conditioning and offensive skills, and has come out this season like gangbusters helping Pittsburgh to a perfect 8-0 record and a number 2 ranking in the country.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gray's game is not sexy, as he doesn't blow you away with great explosiveness or quickness. But he sticks to what he does best and he's extremely effective rebounding the ball, and has become very consistent knocking down mid-range jump shots.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The pro game has changed in the past 10-15 years and there's less emphasis on 7 footers for the sake of being 7-footers. In 1990, Gray likely would have been a top 5-10 pick, but with the switch to more wide open offenses, the emphasis on size has shifted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But with Gray's passion for the game, and eagerness to improve, he has become a hot commodity among NBA scouts, and a potential late lottery pick for the 2007 draft.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Greg Oden [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: Terry Gilliam[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Greg Oden 7-0 250 C Ohio St. Fr.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On Saturday the college hoops world received a pleasant surprise as Greg Oden made his first appearance in a Buckeye uniform. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In his first ever college game, and with a hard cast still covering his right (shooting) hand, Oden scored 14 points, amazingly hitting 8-15, shooting left handedly from the free throw line.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His 53.3% from the line is nearly 10% better than Shaq's 44.4 FT% on his injury shortened year. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Oden looked great swatting shots, and disrupting Valparaiso's offensive cohesiveness. He showed that he's every bit as good as advertised playing effectively on both ends of the floor despite the wrist injury.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ohio State coach Thad Matta has done an unbelievable job in building Ohio State into a national powerhouse. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Oden is considered a virtual lock to leave after one year and become the top overall pick. But the Buckeyes are in great shape with the top two center prospects in the following two respective high school classes (Kosta Koufos) next year as well as (BJ Mullens) the following year.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Oden remains the clear cut top overall pick and nothing short of one of his hands falling off is likely to change things.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nick Fazekas 6-11 240 PF Nevada Sr.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nick Fazekas [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: [/FONT]Tony Avelar[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fazekas was listed on many of the preseason First Team All-American lists, and has not failed to live up to expectations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Nevada is off to a 7-0 start behind the stellar play of their star forward who has established himself as the top bigman on the West Coast and one of the top seniors in the nation.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With an excellent inside/outside game, Fazekas is averaging a career high 22.6 ppg, and 13.7 rpg. His FG% is also at an all time high at 60.8%.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The biggest concern scouts have about Fazekas is his ability to run the court. He lacks the fluidity and speed in transition. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But with added strength, (he more than held his own banging with Cal's musclebound DeVon Hardin) he has become a much more formidable rebounder and inside player and is extremely effective in the half court. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His praying mantis-like arms help him snatch rebounds and get shots off against taller players as well as block shots (1.4 bpg on the season). [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His offensive repertoire is vast as he can post players up using excellent footwork and inside touch as well as float out on the perimeter and hit 3 pointers. He's always been a solid outside shooter, but his 3 point percentage has not reflected it in past seasons. This year he's hitting (8-15) 53.3%. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fazekas's lack of speed limits him to an extent, but his NBA ready game and skill level will be intriguing to teams drafting in the mid to late first round.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ron Lewis [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: Gerry Broome[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ron Lewis 6-4 195 SG Ohio St. Sr.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Without receiving much national acclaim, Lewis has steadily improved each year and has been Ohio State's most productive player during Greg Oden's early season absence.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Oden's return likely signals reduced productivity accross the board, however Lewis has shown that he's a capable scorer with a well rounded offensive game. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lewis has the ability to shoot from outside (21-44 on 3 pointers this season) and the ability to drive and finish at the rim with excellent strength and athletic ability.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]After a strong sophomore season at Bowling Green in which he averaged 17 points per game, Lewis sat out the 2004-05 season in a transfer year.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As a junior, Lewis was solid but failed to standout averaging 11.2 ppg on 44% shooting. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This year he seems to have put it all together. Through 8 games, Lewis leads the Buckeyes in scoring at 17.8 ppg on 57.3 fg%, and 47.7 3p%. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Lewis's breakout performance came in Saturday's nationally televised game against North Carolina as he posted 30 points on 11-16 shooting plus 3 assists. He kept OSU close, but in the end UNC had too much talent for a team missing their star center.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Despite being a little undersized at the shooting guard position, Lewis's offensive skills and athleticism make him a potential early second round draft pick for the 2007 NBA draft.Warren Carter 6-9 220 SF/PF Illinois Sr.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Warren Carter [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: [/FONT]Paul Connors[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Carter could be this year's Hilton Armstrong. Similar to Armstrong, Carter is a late bloomer who had a mostly uneventful first three years of his college career, but has broken through as a senior. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's highly unlikely Carter will end up a lottery pick as Armstrong did, but he could rise as high as the early second round if his his early season play carries throughout the season.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Carter's ability to consistently knock down the 12-15 foot jump shot, combined with his great length and fluidity has scouts intrigued. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He excels in the open floor game using his speed and run/jump ability to beat opponents.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]With James Augustine no longer in front of him, Carter's point and rebounding numbers have more than doubled from his junior year (from 4.8p & 2.8r to 13.0p & 6.9r).[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Against Arizona on Saturday, Carter put up a career high 24 points on 11-17 shooting, adding 10 boards and 4 assists.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His athleticism could potentially allow him to play some small forward, but his skill set is more suited to play the 4. He still needs to add a good 20 pounds to his frame, which may not be easy, but with a great start to his senior year, Carter's outlook is bright. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Falling[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Terrence Roberts 6-9 228 PF Syracuse Sr.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Terrence Roberts [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Photo: SUAthletics.com[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Roberts has long been an interesting prospect due to his freakish athleticism. He is truly a cut above athletically with tremendous explosiveness attacking the rim. Unfortunately he hasn't been able to turn his potential into productivity.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His skill level has not shown much improvement in four years, and outside of a few jaw dropping ally oops and breakaway dunks, he struggles to score.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His free throw shooting has not improved in his four college seasons, and remains below where it was as a freshman at 45.2%. His mid-range jumpshot also lacks consistency.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Roberts lacks great bulk to play inside, and doesn't have great perimeter skills, therefore he's a tweener.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His feel for the game is well below where it should be considering his experience. At times he appears lost, making questionable decisions with the ball. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On the positive side, Roberts is averaging a career high 9 boards and 1.9 blocks per game.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]But unless he turns up his level of intensity and consistency, and performs well in the predraft camps, there's a real chance he will go undrafted.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Brandon Rush 6-6 210 SG/SF Kansas So.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sammy Mejia chirping at Brandon Rush [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]AP Photo: Jeff Roberson[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rush has struggled in the early part of the season. All of his shooting numbers are down from a year ago. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]His last three games have been rough, as he has averaged 8.3 ppg, 20.7 FG% (7-29), and a total of 7 turnovers to 5 assists. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The loss to Depaul on Saturday was especially tough as he shot 1-7 from the field finishing with 3 points. In the final 7 minutes of the game, he missed 2 FGs plus a crucial one-and-one with the score tied with 2 minutes left. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To make matters worse he repeatedly got beat guarding DePaul's Sammy Mejia who took over in the final 4 minutes knocking down a pair of 3 pointers and another mid-range shot to win the game.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rush remains an intriguing prospect due to his standout athleticism, great length and excellent outside shooting ability. He has shown flashes, but he needs to add consistency, improve upon his decision making, and step up in the clutch in key ball games. [/FONT]
Also there is a mock draft up there that has Oden going #1, Cook going #10, and Lewis going # 35...
Link
Also suprised that in the 08 mock there isnt a mention of Butler, I thought they would at least put him on there. I think that with his defense and shooting ability he will get a look in the second round, and I wouldnt be suprised to see Kosta or Conley get a look in teh 08 draft as well.
