Andre Drummond: How NCAA Tournament Will Determine NBA Draft Stock

The NCAA Tournament is usually the time for NBA prospects to raise their draft stock, but it might do the opposite for Connecticut's Andre Drummond.

According to NBAdraft.net, Drummond is currently slotted as the No. 2 overall pick behind Kentucky's Anthony Davis in the latest mock draft.

The freshman has had a solid first collegiate season, scoring 10.2 points per game and averaging 7.7 rebounds per game. Scouts love his defensive abilities and athleticism which helped him block 2.7 shots per game.

Unfortunately, if you watch a game you would see that Drummond is getting by on size and athleticism, but is not yet ready to compete at the next level.

His points generally come from put-backs and alley-oops, very rarely coming from the center creating something on his own. The rebounds and blocks usually come against smaller opponents that he will face less of in the NBA.

This week, Connecticut will face Iowa State and one of the most versatile big man in the nation in Royce White. If the Huskies win, it will most likely set up the dream matchup between Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Drummond.

Scouts will keep a close eye on these two games as they try to judge whether Drummond would be worth a high pick. It is very possible that the freshman steps him game up and leads his team on a surprise run into the Sweet 16, solidifying the young player's standing in the draft.

More likely, if UConn faces Kentucky it will be a wake-up call that the center cannot handle a front court of future NBA players, including Davis, Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Drummond would still be a lottery pick, but teams would think twice before selecting him too high.