NBA Draft 2011: Jared Sullinger and 10 Players To Watch During March Madness
Winter has come and gone and spring is upon us. Well I guess that really depends on where you live, because the northeast continues to get hit with snow. Aside from the weather is warming up, spring training has begun, and the madness is about to overtake us all.
Some consider March the best month of sports because of the consistent excitement it always brings. (Are you listening college football? A playoff would be great!) March Madness continues to steal the show every year, and this year they've added a few teams. For the first time ever we'll have some meaningful play in games.
This March there are certain guys you need to know, if you don't already. Which players will dominate and carry their team from round to round? Here are 10 players to keep an eye on during the 2011 Tournament.
10. Trey Thompkins, Georgia Bulldogs
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The Bulldogs' best player is considered to be a mid to late first-round pick for the upcoming NBA Draft. Georgia is currently on the bubble right now, but a couple of wins in the SEC Tournament should put them in the big dance.
Thompkins is a great power forward with NBA range. He can post up with the best of them, as well as drain the three. He reminds me a lot of Rasheed Wallace. Here's a guy that has a great chance to jump into the lottery discussion with a great tournament performance.
Keep a watch out for the 6'9", 247 pound junior. He is a very skilled player that can take over a game on offense as well as defense.
9. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels
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Barnes is averaging 17 points over his last 10 games. He is a huge reason the Tar Heels turned their season around and won the ACC regular season title. The freshman should be very fun to watch this tournament.
Barnes is 6'7", 212 pounds, and is projected to go in the top three of the draft. He's a very athletic player that can score from anywhere on the floor. Barnes posses great fundamentals and basketball IQ. He needs to add some weight to be successful in the NBA, but he'll be just fine this tournament.
8. Derrick Williams, Arizona Wildcats
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Arizona will go as far as Williams takes them. The best team in the Pac-10 had quite a scare at the end of February, losing back-to-back games against USC and UCLA. They picked things up and won their final two games of the season.
Williams is a 6'7", 210 pound sophomore that is projected to be a top 10 pick in the draft. He leads his team in points and rebounds, averaging 18 points and eight boards per game.
He's a great athlete that will carry his team in the tournament.
7. The Morris Twins, Kansas Jayhawks
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Marcus and Markieff Morris have been spectacular for the Jayhawks this year. The two lead the team in points and rebounds. Markieff averages 13 points and eight rebounds per game, while Marcus averages 17 points and seven boards per game.
These two team together and dominate down low throughout the whole game. When they're on, all opposing teams are in big trouble. Both guys are projected to be mid to late first round draft picks.
Keep an eye on these twins during all the madness. They'll be the two taking over games and winning.
6. Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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The 6'3", 203 pound guard is making a name for himself now instead of living in his brother's shadow. Hansbrough leads the Irish with 18 points and four assists per game.
Over his last 10 games, Hansbrough is averaging 22 points a game as well as three to four three-pointers. A huge part of the madness comes from clutch shots and amazing three-pointers. Hansbrough is certainly the guy that can provide that.
He may not be projected as a first rounder for the draft, but during this tournament he has the chance to improve his draft status. Hansbrough can take over a game with his three-point shot, and will make sure the Irish have a fighting chance in the big dance. A dominant performance in the tournament could propel Hansbrough into the first round.
5. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats
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John Calipari has done it again. He's put together a group of players that will no doubt be one and done in college basketball. Jones is one of those stellar freshman players, and is considered to be a late lottery to mid first- round pick. He'll go to a team that needs his presence off the bench while he molds into an everyday starter.
The 6'8", 226 pound forward needs to be watched this tournament, as he is the main focus for the Wildcats. If Jones can play well, the Wildcats will go far, but if he struggles in just one game, it will be the end for Kentucky.
Jones is a versatile player with a large 7'2 1/2" wingspan. He can score from anywhere on the court. Jones averages 17 points and nine rebounds per game.
4. Josh Selby, Kansas Jayhawks
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Selby is a game changer. He has the ability to score at will and has proved he can hit the big shot. The guard has been limited in his past few games as he continues to heal from a foot injury.
Head coach Bill Self knows he needs his star freshman for the tournament much more than he does during the final games of the season. Selby is going to be a big factor for the Jayhawks this March.
Selby is projected as a top 10 pick, and with a good showing in the tournament, his stock could rise in what is considered a weaker draft class than in years past.
3. Jimmer Fredette, BYU Cougars
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Other than No. 2 on this list, no other player has been more fun to watch than Jimmer Fredette. He takes over games like nobody's business, and we're about to see a lot more of it come tournament time. When the Cougars kicked Brandon Davies off the team it paved way for the Jimmer show. Oh, you don't know what that is? Allow me to teach you.
The Jimmer show will be on display this March for all the world to see. Without Davies on the team, BYU's only hope of making a deep run in the tournament relies on Jimmer. Fredette leads the nation in scoring, averaging 27 points a game. During the big dance, Jimmer is going to have to average over 30 in order for the Cougars to get past the second round, something they haven't done in quite some time.
We will all be amazed by the Jimmer show this March and hope that it keeps going for a while. It will certainly be interesting to watch how far Jimmer takes BYU.
He's projected to be a mid first-round draft pick, and one has to wonder how well his game really translates to the NBA? He's a tough point guard with a great basketball IQ. Not to mention Jimmer can really shoot.
2. Kemba Walker, Connecticut Huskies
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Kemba Walker has lost some of his spotlight to the Jimmer, but this March I believe Kemba will have the last laugh. His team is better, and when you need a clutch shot, you call on Walker. The tournament is all about the big shots and game winners. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a few game winners from Walker.
He averages 23 points, four assists, and five rebounds per game. The Huskies will go as far as Walker takes them, just like they have all season long. If his teammates pick up their play during March, then together they could make a deep run in the tournament.
Walker is projected as a mid to late first-round draft pick. However, Walker's draft stock will greatly rise over the next couple weeks as he blows scouts away with his explosive game and ability to score at will.
1. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes
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Sullinger is what you call a freshman sensation. Without him the Buckeyes would be struggling after the loss of Evan Turner. Sullinger has made them say, "Turner who?" Many believe that the Buckeyes are the favorites to win it all this year and Sullinger will lead the way, a la Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse in 2003.
At 6'9", 261 pounds, Sullinger is a strong physical player who is very hard to stop. He averages just over 17 points and just under 10 rebounds per game. He is currently expected to be a top 10 pick in the draft, and some consider him the best prospect in the 2011 draft class.
All eyes will be on Sullinger this March, as many believe he will lead the Buckeyes to the final four and eventually to cutting down the nets. Does he have what it takes? Or will he collapse under the pressure?
