Early-Season College Basketball Games That Will Shape 2016 NBA Draft
The 2015-16 college basketball season appears loaded with terrific scouting opportunities for NBA evaluators.
Throughout the year, we should see top-10 talents face off, and even No. 1 overall candidates go head-to-head.
Sometimes, all it takes is one eye-opening performance in front of the right scout for a prospect to rise up the draft board.
I went through the schedule and pegged the games that are expected to draw the most attention from scouts and general managers. In these matchups, prospects will have major opportunities to make impressions and move the draft-stock needle.
The games are listed in date order, starting with Kentucky vs. Duke on November 17.
Kentucky vs. Duke
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Game Date: November 17 at United Center
Kentucky's NBA Prospects to Watch: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, freshman; Jamal Murray, PG/SG, freshman; Marcus Lee, PF, junior; Isaiah Briscoe, PG, freshman
Duke's NBA Prospects to Watch: Brandon Ingram, SF/PF, freshman; Derryck Thornton, PG, freshman; Grayson Allen, SG, sophomore
Key Matchup: Labissiere vs. Ingram
Every NBA evaluator with a pulse will tune into Duke vs. Kentucky on November 17. It represents the first major scouting event of the season and features two of the top prospects in the game.
Labissiere and Ingram will both enter the year as No. 1 overall candidates.
A skilled 7-footer with shooting range, post moves and plenty of defensive potential, Labissiere offers similar strengths as last year's top pick, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Ingram projects as a 6'9" mismatch on the wing, where he likes to face up, separate into jumpers or slash to the rack off the dribble.
Murray and Briscoe versus Thornton and Allen should also be an exciting backcourt battle.
Expect a ridiculous amount of credentials to be issued to scouts for this one. Chances are at least one representative from each NBA team will be present.
LSU vs. Marquette
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Game Date: November 23 at Barclays Center
LSU's NBA Prospects: Ben Simmons, SF/PF, freshman; Tim Quarterman, PG/SG, junior; Antonio Blakeney, SG, freshman
Marquette's NBA Prospects: Henry Ellenson, PF, freshman
Key Matchup: Simmons vs. Ellenson
Hopefully, we'll get a chance to see Simmons, arguably the top prospect in the country, match up one-on-one with Ellenson. They could be the most versatile prospects in the class, when you consider Simmons' floor game and Ellenson's inside-out scoring repertoire.
There isn't much NBA talent on Marquette's schedule, so this will be a big opportunity for Ellenson and ultimately a chance for him to move the needle in the draft conversation.
He's exceptionally skilled at 6'10", with the ability to face up and create, take defense rebounds coast to coast and spread the floor as a shooter.
Scouts will certainly want to see Ellenson defend athletic, quicker bigs like Simmons away from the basket.
Either way, as one of the first big games of the season, expect this matchup to draw plenty of NBA attention.
Maryland vs. North Carolina
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Game Date: December 1 at North Carolina
Maryland's NBA Prospects to Watch: Diamond Stone, C, freshman; Jake Layman, SF/PF, senior; Melo Trimble, PG, sophomore
North Carolina's NBA Prospects to Watch: Justin Jackson, SF, sophomore; Kennedy Meeks, PF/C, junior; Brice Johnson, PF, senior; Marcus Paige, SG, senior; Theo Pinson, SG/SF, sophomore
Key Matchup: Stone vs. Meeks
The Maryland-North Carolina tape could take a while for scouts to review, given all the prospects to track between the teams.
Stone versus Meeks should draw the most attention. They are two bigs over 250 pounds who both use their bodies to bang for buckets and rebounds down low, where they take up space and score with basic moves. The pressure will ultimately be on Meeks, who's two years older, but a strong showing from either prospect could move the draft-stock needle in the right direction.
This game also has the potential to act as a launching pad for North Carolina's Justin Jackson, a breakout candidate after he started figuring things out last February and March. He has 6'8" size for a wing, along with a fluid jumper and the ability to make floaters and runners on the move. Look for Maryland's Jake Layman, another first-round candidate, to have his hands full with Jackson at the defensive end.
This is a big game for Marcus Paige and Melo Trimble, two point guards who each have something to prove. Though they are prolific college scorers, scouts will want to see both players improve their floor games in 2016.
Duke vs. Indiana
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Game Date: December 2 at Duke
Duke's NBA Prospects to Watch: Brandon Ingram, SF/PF, freshman; Derryck Thornton, PG, freshman; Grayson Allen, SG, sophomore
Indiana's NBA Prospects to Watch: Thomas Bryant, C, freshman; Troy Williams, SF, junior; Yogi Ferrell, PG, senior; James Blackmon, SG, sophomore
Key Matchup: Ingram vs. Troy Williams
Duke vs. Indiana features NBA prospects of all different ages and levels. Lottery teams will focus on Duke's Brandon Ingram, who'll likely be matched up with Indiana's Troy Williams, one of the top athletes in the county.
Yogi Ferrell (a highly skilled veteran) versus Derryck Thornton (a poised freshman point guard) will be a battle worth scouting as well.
December 2 could also be the first big test for Hoosier freshman Thomas Bryant, a prized recruit with obvious potential stemming from 6'10" size, a 7'5 ½" wingspan and touch.
Throw in the high-flying Grayson Allen and microwave-scoring James Blackmon, and scouts should have plenty to keep an eye on during this high-profile nonconference matchup.
Marquette vs. Wisconsin
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Game Date: December 12 at Wisconsin
Wisconsin's NBA Prospects: Nigel Hayes, SF/PF, junior
Marquette's NBA Prospects: Henry Ellenson, PF, freshman
Key Matchup: Hayes vs. Ellenson
Wisconsin vs. Marquette features two first-round talents who are must-watch prospects for different reasons.
Though No. 3 in the pecking order last year behind Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, Nigel Hayes found the NBA radar while showcasing a more complete inside-out game. He knocked down 40 threes in 2014-15 after not taking any his freshman year. And he'll now enter the 2015-16 season as a breakout candidate with a much bigger role.
Henry Ellenson, a major recruiting get for Marquette, broke his hand last March and missed all of the showcase events in spring and summer. But he didn't miss his team's August trip to Italy, where he averaged 21.3 points through four games against international competition.
At 6'10" with face-up ball skills and three-point shooting range, Ellenson's polish and versatility are bound to translate to top-10 chatter. Showing up Hayes and Wisconsin in December could sure help give Ellenson's stock an early boost.
Duke vs. Utah
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Game Date: December 19 at Madison Square Garden
Duke's NBA Prospects to Watch: Brandon Ingram, SF/PF, freshman; Derryck Thornton, PG, freshman; Grayson Allen, SG, sophomore
Utah's NBA Prospects to Watch: Jakob Poeltl, C, sophomore
Key Matchup: Ingram vs. Poeltl
One month should be enough for Brandon Ingram to solidify himself as a high-priority prospect. It won't take long for his athleticism and versatility to generate major NBA buzz. Highly skilled for a 6'9" wing, Ingram can create his own shot using pull-ups, step-backs and drives.
On December 19, he'll go up against one of college hoops' premier rim protectors in Jakob Poeltl, who'll have the chance to be the first pure center off the board in June. Mobile and athletic for a 7-footer, Poeltl's selling point is his ability to anchor the middle and finish at a high rate off pick-and-rolls, dump passes and offensive rebounds.
He played his best ball down the stretch of last season, which ended against Duke in the NCAA tournament. Poeltl held 2015 No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor to just six points and eight boards.
Scouts will also monitor Derryck Thornton, Duke's poised, freshman point guard, and Grayson Allen, who went for 16 points in last year's national title game.
California vs. Virginia
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Game Date: December 22 at Virginia
California's NBA Prospects to Watch: Jaylen Brown, SF, freshman; Ivan Rabb, PF, freshman; Tyrone Wallace, PG, senior; Jabari Bird, SG, junior
Virginia's NBA Prospects to Watch: Mike Tobey, C, senior; Malcolm Brogdon, PG, senior
Key Matchup: Rabb vs. Tobey
All eyes will be on California's young guns against Virginia, which finished No. 1 in the country in defensive efficiency last year and No. 5 in 2014, per Kenpom.com.
Scouts will want to see how well Jaylen Brown handles coach Tony Bennett's pack-line defense that makes it difficult to get to the rack. Brown is ultimately at his best in transition and when attacking the rim. Showing off a perimeter game consisting of pull-ups and floaters could help strengthen his case as a potential top-five pick.
Tyrone Wallace should have his hands full with Malcolm Brogdon, who spent time with Team U.S.A. this summer at the Pan American Games. Scouts will focus on Wallace's floor game and shooting consistency. Improving both could lead to first-round consideration in 2016.
But the spotlight matchup focuses on the younger, more athletic Ivan Rabb versus the bigger, more skilled Mike Tobey. Unlike Tobey, who's yet to make the leap, Rabb is loaded with upside fueled by terrific physical tools, bounce, soft hands and interior instincts.
Kentucky vs. Louisville
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Game Date: December 26 at Louisville
Kentucky's NBA Prospects to Watch: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, freshman; Jamal Murray, PG/SG, freshman; Marcus Lee, PF, junior; Isaiah Briscoe, PG, freshman
Louisville Prospects to Watch: Chinanu Onuaku, C, sophomore
Key Matchup: Labissiere vs. Onuaku
Though college fans will be more amped up over the rivalry, NBA scouts will focus on the matchup in the middle, with potential No. 1 overall pick Skal Labissiere expected to face off against the rising Chinanu Onuaku.
Onuaku will be one of Labissiere's toughest matchups during his projected quest to the top of NBA draft boards. At 6'10" with a 7'2 ½" wingspan, Onuaku generated some light buzz last year, which carried over to the summer at the FIBA Americas Championship, where he blocked 4.3 shots per 40 minutes.
His lone matchup with Labissiere should be an enormous opportunity to make a statement.
Scouts will also focus on how well Labissiere performs against a longer defender. Once conference play starts in the SEC, he isn't likely to face many bigs who can match his physical tools.
California vs. Utah
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Game Date: January 3 (at California) and January 27 (at Utah)
California's NBA Prospects to Watch: Jaylen Brown, SF, freshman; Ivan Rabb, PF, freshman; Tyrone Wallace, PG, senior; Jabari Bird, SG, junior
Utah's NBA Prospects to Watch: Jakob Poeltl, C, sophomore
Key Matchup: Poeltl vs. Rabb
California vs. Utah could potentially feature three lottery picks in Jaylen Brown, Ivan Rabb and Jakob Poeltl.
The bar is ultimately set highest for Brown, whose game resembles that of pros such as Jimmy Butler and rookie Stanley Johnson. At 6'7", 222 pounds, he's an above-the-rim athlete who can drive, slash or score in the mid-range.
For freshman big Ivan Rabb, the two matchups with Utah will represent quality opportunities to turn some heads. He'll go up against center Jakob Poeltl, one of last year's breakout freshmen and a target for NBA general managers who are looking to add rim protection.
Shutting down a California offense loaded with weapons would be a good look for Poeltl. On the other hand, for Rabb, showing he can score and outwork Utah's anchor for easy buckets and rebounds could ease concerns over his raw offensive game.
Kentucky vs. LSU
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Game Dates: January 5 (at LSU) and March 5 (at Kentucky)
Kentucky's NBA Prospects to Watch: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, freshman; Jamal Murray, PG/SG, freshman; Marcus Lee, PF, junior; Isaiah Briscoe, PG, freshman
LSU's NBA Prospects: Ben Simmons, SF/PF, freshman; Tim Quarterman, PG/SG, junior; Antonio Blakeney, SG, freshman
Key Matchup: Murray vs. Quarterman
Kentucky vs. LSU, which we'll get to see twice, could potentially feature the first two picks in the 2016 NBA draft. There is a good chance Simmons and Labissiere round out the top of most boards.
These Kentucky-LSU games may actually be even more important for Simmons than Labissiere, given the Tigers' inferior nonconference schedule. Except for the LSU-Marquette game, January 5 and March 5 represent the only other opportunities for scouts to see Simmons face NBA-caliber talent (Kentucky plays Duke, Kansas and Louisville).
Scouts should also get to see an interesting guard matchup between Kentucky's Jamal Murray and LSU's Tim Quarterman. Murray appears poised for a monster freshman year, both in terms of production and NBA draft stock. Meanwhile, Quarterman, who was terrific late last season after taking over at the point, has emerged as a breakout first-round prospect.
General managers across the league, from those on contenders to the projected lottery participants, will ultimately have some NBA prospects to monitor in this one.
Kentucky vs. Mississippi State
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Game Date: January 12 at Kentucky
Kentucky's NBA Prospects to Watch: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, freshman; Jamal Murray, PG/SG, freshman; Marcus Lee, PF, junior; Isaiah Briscoe, PG, freshman
Mississippi State's NBA Prospects to Watch: Malik Newman, SG, freshman
Key Matchup: Murray vs. Newman
It's an event for NBA scouts whenever Kentucky takes the floor. But Jamal Murray vs. Malik Newman represents a special matchup between freshman guards who are loaded with offensive firepower.
Quick, strong and athletic, Newman burns defenses in the open floor and off the dribble as a pull-up shooter. Murray has built a reputation for taking over games with clever playmaking and timely shot-making.
Lighting up Kentucky would certainly go down as a good look for Newman, who won't face many NBA-caliber guards during nonconference or SEC play.
Of course, scouts will also have No. 1 overall candidate Skal Labissiere and combo guard Isaiah Briscoe—who could see time against Newman as well—to monitor during Kentucky vs. Mississippi State.
Maryland vs. Michigan
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Game Dates: January 12 (at Michigan) and February 21 (at Maryland)
Maryland's NBA Prospects to Watch: Diamond Stone, C, freshman; Jake Layman, SF/PF, senior; Melo Trimble, PG, sophomore
Michigan's NBA Prospects to Watch: Caris LeVert, SG, senior; Zak Irvin, SG, junior
Key Matchup: LeVert vs. Rasheed Sulaimon
Caris LeVert will be under the microscope after missing much of last season with a foot injury. And he'll have a good chance to make an impression on January 12, when Michigan takes on a Maryland team likely to be ranked near the top five.
Versatility sets LeVert apart and ultimately drives his NBA potential. At 6'7", he's a playmaker and passer with three-point range and smooth athleticism. At this stage, durability may be the biggest concern.
He'll probably see plenty of Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon during Michigan's lone matchup against the Terps. Of course, scouts will also have their eyes on Diamond Stone, Jake Layman and Melo Trimble, each of whom will be looking to make first-round cases in 2016.
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt
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Game Dates: January 23 (at Kentucky) and February 27 (at Vanderbilt)
Kentucky's NBA Prospects to Watch: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, freshman; Jamal Murray, PG/SG, freshman; Marcus Lee, PF, junior; Isaiah Briscoe, PG, freshman
Vanderbilt's NBA Prospects to Watch: Damian Jones, C, junior
Key Matchup: Labissiere vs. Jones
Teams that are scouting Damian Jones will have January 23 and February 27 highlighted on their calendars. Expectations are high this year for Jones, who measured 7'0" this summer after a productive sophomore year.
Though raw, he is a monster athlete who's flashed touch, low-post moves and power inside. A few explosive performances against Skal Labissiere—a No. 1 overall candidate—could launch him up draft boards across the league.
Jones had a quiet 11 points against Kentucky last season. He'll have two opportunities in 2016 to sell scouts against NBA-quality competition.
Providence vs. Villanova
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Game Dates: January 23 (at Villanova) and February 6 (at Providence)
Providence's NBA Prospects to Watch: Kris Dunn, PG, junior
Villanova's NBA Prospects to Watch: Jalen Brunson, PG, freshman; Josh Hart, SG, junior; Daniel Ochefu, C, senior
Key Matchup: Dunn vs. Brunson
Despite the possibility of drawing lottery looks in 2015, Kris Dunn chose to return as a junior. And he'll now look to sell himself as the top point guard prospect in the country.
At 6'4", 205 pounds, Dunn already has the look of a pro playmaker. On January 23 and February 6, he'll go up against this summer's MVP of the FIBA World Championships: freshman Jalen Brunson.
Brunson has a sound floor game consisting of a strong balance between scoring and facilitating. Scouts should be able to get a good feel for how Brunson stacks up when he faces Dunn during Big East play.
Villanova's Josh Hart and Daniel Ochefu should be considered second-round talents who are hoping to find the NBA radar in 2016.
California vs. Arizona
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Game Dates: January 23 (at California) and March 3 (at Arizona)
California's NBA Prospects to Watch: Jaylen Brown, SF, freshman; Ivan Rabb, PF, freshman; Tyrone Wallace, PG, senior; Jabari Bird, SG, junior
Arizona's NBA Prospects: Allonzo Trier, SG, freshman; Kaleb Tarczewski, C, senior; Ray Smith, SF, freshman; Dusan Ristic, C, sophomore
Key Matchup: Brown vs. Smith/Trier
California will be a routine watch for NBA scouting departments in 2015-16. The Bears dress two of the top incoming freshmen and an impact senior with pro potential.
Jaylen Brown, an athletic, two-way scoring wing, should start the year in the top-five conversation, while Ivan Rabb's athleticism and physical tools are bound to stir up first-round buzz as well.
Arizona's incoming freshmen aren't as highly touted, but Allonzo Trier and Ray Smith will be worth monitoring for scouts. Trier can put the ball in the basket, and Smith, who tore his ACL in high school, packs 6'8" size and eye-opening bounce for a wing.
Scouts will also monitor how well Tyrone Wallace manages California's offense. He'll have a chance to crack June's top 30 if he ends up pressing the right buttons at the point.
Kentucky vs. Kansas
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Game Date: January 30 at Kansas
Kentucky's NBA Prospects to Watch: Skal Labissiere, PF/C, freshman; Jamal Murray, PG/SG, freshman; Marcus Lee, PF, junior; Isaiah Briscoe, PG, freshman
Kansas' NBA Prospects to Watch: Cheick Diallo, PF, freshman; Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG, sophomore; Wayne Selden, SG, junior
Key Matchup: Labissiere vs. Diallo
Hopefully, Kansas' Cheick Diallo will be ruled eligible by January 30. After seeing him play alongside Labissiere at the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic, scouts would get a chance to watch Diallo play against him in 2016.
Diallo, 6'9", blends mobility, athleticism and nonstop energy. He impacts games as a rim runner and rebounder. Meanwhile, Labissiere has generated No. 1 overall buzz by wowing with perimeter ball skills, touch and defensive potential. His physical tools, jumper, post moves and rim protection fuel a towering long-term ceiling.
Scouts will also get an opportunity to see how well Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk stacks up against Kentucky's NBA-caliber guards. The sophomore Mykhailiuk, who just turned 18 years old, is younger than most freshmen but built up a strong resume during international play as a junior player overseas.
Duke vs. North Carolina
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Game Dates: February 17 (at North Carolina) and March 5 (at Duke)
Duke's NBA Prospects to Watch: Brandon Ingram, SF/PF, freshman; Derryck Thornton, PG, freshman; Grayson Allen, SG, sophomore
North Carolina's NBA Prospects to Watch: Justin Jackson, SF, sophomore; Kennedy Meeks, PF/C, junior; Brice Johnson, PF, senior; Marcus Paige, SG, senior; Theo Pinson, SG/SF, sophomore
Key Matchup: Ingram vs. Jackson
Naturally, Duke vs. North Carolina is going to draw attention. And plenty will come from NBA scouting departments interested in Brandon Ingram against North Carolina's bigs (Meeks and Johnson) and athletic forwards (Pinson and Jackson).
Ingram, a 6'9" wing with above-the-rim bounce, projects as a mismatch at every level. He has the quickness and ball skills to blow by and create, as well as the size and stroke to score over his man out on the perimeter.
Scouts will also monitor North Carolina's Justin Jackson, who many expect to break out following last year's late-season surge. He is a shot-maker who can attack in drives and finish in the open floor.
Duke point guard Derryck Thornton could also make a statement against one of college basketball's more potent offensive weapons. He has a mean handle and a threatening pull-up game, along with the defensive tools to pester senior Marcus Paige.
Maryland vs. Indiana
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Game Date: March 5 at Indiana
Maryland's NBA Prospects to Watch: Diamond Stone, C, freshman; Jake Layman, SF/PF, senior; Melo Trimble, PG, sophomore
Indiana's NBA Prospects to Watch: Thomas Bryant, C, freshman; Troy Williams, SF junior; Yogi Ferrell, PG, senior; James Blackmon, SG, sophomore
Key Matchup: Stone vs. Bryant
Indiana vs. Maryland features a handful of potential first-round prospects, as well as three intriguing individual matchups. The most appetizing one should be between two freshman bigs in the middle.
Diamond Stone measures 6'11", 255 pounds with a 7'3 ½" wingspan. He's a back-to-the-basket scorer who cleans up around the rim and overpowers opponents. Listed at 6'10", 245 pounds with a 7'5 ½" wingspan, Thomas Bryant isn't as polished, but his physical tools and touch fuel obvious pro potential.
Melo Trimble and Yogi Ferrell are likely to trade plenty of punches in the backcourt. Both are quick, breakdown guards with shooting range and the ability to create shots at will.
Jake Layman, a stretch forward, and Troy Williams, a wing oozing with athleticism, should also see plenty of each other in a battle between fringe first-rounders.
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