NCAA Hoops: Rating the Centers

Over the last month we taken a look at the point guards, shooting guards, and power forwards.

Time to show a little love for the big men inside.

Call ‘em monsters of the middle, backstops, or landlords. These are the guys who control the middle.

Bring on the centers.

Roy Hibbert

Senior/Georgetown 13.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.4 blocks.

Hibbert brings a sense of calm to the Hoya attack. Beside his numbers did anyone catch the Georgetown-Marquette game last week? Late in the game Hibbert caught the ball at the top of the key, upfaked, one-dribbled, and used a finger roll to score.

I had visions of George Gervin.

Kevin Love

Freshman/UCLA 17.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.1 blocks.

Has anyone else noticed that the Pac-10 transformation to a defensive-minded conference? What with the likes of Tony Bennett at Washington St. and Tim Floyd at USC points are hard to come by in the Pac-10—except for Love. The frosh has recorded nineteen double-doubles this year, including thirteen in conference play.

Joey Dorsey

Senior/Memphis 6.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.1 blocks.

Numbers don’t tell the story. Dorsey plays a key role in the Tigers’ scheme. He is needed to pick up the pieces when others don’t come through. That means he always has to be ready, and Dorsey is up to the task.

David Padgett

Senior/Louisville 11.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.4 blocks.

The Cardinals have won nine in a row, and Padgett is a big reason for the streak. After missing ten games earlier this year due to injury Padgett has played himself back into shape. Padgett had twenty-six points and six rebounds as Louisville topped Notre Dame. He was valuable when he was running the floor and keeping the ball moving in transition.

Kenny George

Junior/North Carolina-Asheville 12.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.5 blocks.

At 7'7, George always has the attention of the opposition. The Bulldogs have lost three of the five games George has missed because of injury. He had a triple-double earlier this year against Campbell.