2011 NCAA Basketball Tournament: 2011 NBA Draft Prospects in Friday Action

Day 1 of the "real" NCAA tournament started yesterday and if you were watching I'm sure I don't have to tell you how exciting it was. The day was filled with upsets, game winners and buzzer beaters. 

The NCAA tournament is a scouts dream. It is this time of year where they get to see players they haven't gotten a look at all season and it is also this time of year that they get to see which players perform well in big games.

Nineteen potential picks of this year's NBA draft will be on the court today and I will go game-by-game to tell you all of them. 

*If you don't see a game it's because I felt there were no players that were going to be drafted in this year's draft. Also some players might not be on here because I think they're going to stay in college. 

Oakland Vs. Texas

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LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 22: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Texas Longhorns dunks against the Kansas Jayhawks during the game on January 22, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Potential NBA Players: Tristan Thompson (Texas) and Keith Benson (Oakland)

Not only is it exciting that there will be two future NBA players on the court in Friday's first game, but they are both big men. It is likely that we will get to see them guarding each other at some point in the game. 

Thompson averaged 13.3 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game in his freshman year for Texas and it is likely it'll be his last. Thompson already is projecting as a mid-first round pick and if Texas can win a few more rounds with some contributions from Tristan, I'm sure he'll move his way into the lottery. 

Benson on the other hand is a senior for Oakland. This year Benson dominated averaging 18 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game and 3.6 blocks per game. Benson is one of the "true" centers in college basketball and will finally get some recognition on Friday when fans get to see him possibly for the first time. 

Tennessee Vs. Michigan

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 11: Tobias Harris #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after scoring a three pointer against the Florida Gators during the quarterfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 11, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgi

Potential NBA Players: Tobias Harris

Tennessee had a very odd year this year that was filled with many distractions. These distractions may have even caused you to miss out on watching super freshman, Tobias Harris. 

The Long Island-kid averaged 15.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game. Harris has an NBA ready body at 6'8'' and 226 pounds, and he will probably be picked late in the first round of this years draft if he comes out. 

Villanova Vs. George Mason

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DENVER - MARCH 20: Cam Long #20 of the George Mason Patriots lays up a shot against Zach Hillesland #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first round of the East Regional as part of the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Pepsi Center on M

Potential NBA Players: Cam Long

It's weird that in a Villanova and George Mason meeting, George Mason is the team that has the NBA prospect in the upcoming draft. 

Cam Long is a senior for George Mason and he has had a phenomenal year. Long is a guy who doesn't do anything particularly great (except shoot the three ball, where he shot 43 percent on the year), but he is capable of filling up the stat sheet. 

Long averaged 15.3 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per game on the season. He also managed to steal the ball 1.4 times per game. At 6'4'' Long is probably a little undersized to play shooting guard at the next level, but we've seen shorter guys play the position and do it well. 

Memphis Vs. Arizona

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts in the second half while taking on the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 12,

Potential NBA Players: Derrick Williams

Not only does this game have a potential pick in the NBA draft, but as of right now it has the guy projected to be the number one pick in that draft. 

Derrick Williams is an absolute beast and has had a terrific year for Arizona. Williams averaged 19.1 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game on the year. At 6'8'' and 241 pounds it's a concern about what position he will play in the NBA, but now that a guy like Beasley has found his position in the pros, it's a good sign for Williams. 

Hampton Vs. Duke

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Malcolm Delaney #23 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is blocked by Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils as teammate Nolan Smith #2 drives the ball during the second half in the semifinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournam

Potential NBA Players: Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler

Oddly enough there are three potential draft picks in this year's NBA draft and they are all on Duke. Well...not too odd. 

Kyrie Irving didn't get to play much this season, but he is said to be making a return from his injury in today's game against Hampton. Irving was talked about as a potential number one pick all season even when he wasn't on the floor. Irving reminds some of Chris Paul the way he gets up the floor and can pass the ball in transition. For some, like myself, this will be the first time they have seen Irving ever or in a very long time. 

Nolan Smith had yet another great season for Duke this season averaging 21.3 points per game, 5.2 assists per game and 4.6 rebounds per game, earning him ACC Player of the Year honors. Smith took on most of the duties of a point guard when Irving went down and that helped show scouts just how versatile he is. With guys like Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker around this season, Nolan Smith's great year went completely under appreciated. 

Kyle Singler disappointed a lot of people this season at Duke. After being projected as a late lottery last year, Singler decided to stay in college and probably played his way down a few spots in the draft. Singler shot the ball poorly despite averaging 17.1 points per game. Singler can benefit greatly by shooting the ball better throughout the NCAA tournament. 

Florida State Vs. Texas A&M

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ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Old Spice Classic at Disney's Milk House on November 27, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Imag

Potential NBA Players: Chris Singleton

This game has a player that has been flying under the radar throughout the year. Florida State's Chris Singleton has had a great season and nobody has seemed to give him his respect. Well, I will now. 

Singleton averaged 13.8 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. He also averaged 1.6 blocks per game and 2.1 steals per game. Singleton was one of the best defenders in college basketball and at 6'9'' and 225 pounds he could be a shutdown defender at the small forward position in the NBA. Singleton's offensive game is relatively inconsistent, but that will improve when he starts to work with NBA coaches and trainers. 

UT-San Antonio Vs. Ohio State

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 13: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks up court against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the championship game of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 13, 2011 in Indiana

Potential NBA Players: Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger is another player of the year candidate and he will be in action on Friday as well. 

This season Sullinger led the number one team in the nation even as a freshman. Sullinger averaged a double double this season for Ohio State with 17.2 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. 

Jared is a little short for a power forward, but he has one of the more polished post games I've seen in the last five years of college basketball. He makes moves with his back to the basket that almost look easy and his mid range jumper is very consistent. Sullinger is going to find a way to get it done at the next level and that is the reason some project him as a top five pick. 

Boston U. Vs. Kansas

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LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 12: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks hugs his brother Markieff Morris #21 during the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on February 12, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Potential NBA Players: Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris. 

The Morris twins have taken college basketball by storm this season and are the leaders of a Kansas team that many people picked to be the NCAA champions. 

Both Morris brothers are fantastic inside and out with the ability to either beat you in the post or step out and hit jump shots. Occasionally you will see them knock down three-pointers which leads me to believe that they are both capable of playing either forward position in the NBA. 

Markieff averaged 13.6 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game this season. Marcus averaged 17.3 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game. Marcus Morris is projected to go a few picks above Markieff, but both are going to be picked mid-first round in this year's draft. 

Long Island Vs. North Carolina

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots against Mason Plumlee #5 and Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the championship game of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the

Potential NBA Players: Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes has had an incredible season for North Carolina, even after his disappointing start to the year. 

Barnes came into the season as the projected number one pick and eventually played his way out of the first round. Scouts thought he would have to stay in college to get his draft stock up for next years drat. How did Barnes respond?

Barnes averaged 15 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game while leading North Carolina to a two seed in the NCAA tournament. Barnes had some ridiculous games in the ACC tournament as well, even pouring in 40 points against Clemson (another tournament team). Barnes showed just how mature he was this season and his smooth game should have him drafted in the top ten of this year's draft. 

St. Peter's Vs. Purdue

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 15: (L-R) E'Twaun Moore #33 and JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers sit next to the scorer's table as they wait to enter the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the final of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament a

Potential NBA Players: JaJuan Johnson and E'twaun Moore. 

Purdue has now been a good basketball team for the last couple of years and two of their players have gotten a lot of recognition this season. 

JaJuan Johnson is a national player of the year candidate this season and is projected as a late-first round pick. Johnson is 6'10'' and weights 225 pounds. He plays the power forward position and this season he averaged 20.5 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 2.3 blocks per game. He's a very polished offensive player both inside and outside and he is a fantastic shot blocker on the defensive end. Johnson is going to be a good NBA player some day and it's a mystery to me why he's not projected in the top ten this year. 

Moore on the other hand is a speedy guard with great touch on his outside jumper. Moore averaged 18.2 points per game this season while shooting 41 percent from three point land. He's a decent rebounder for his size and a solid passer although he's more of a shooting guard in a point guards body. 

Illinois Vs. UNLV

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: Demetri McCamey #32 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the offense against the Michigan Wolverines during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2011 in Indianap

Potential NBA Players: Demitri McCamey

McCamey has killed my Wisconsin Badgers the last few years in his stay in Illinois. McCamey is a big point guard who can light you up on any given night. 

McCamey is 6'3'' and weights 200 pounds, making him rather strong for his position. His big body makes him tough to get by on defense and makes him stronger on the offensive end. McCamey averaged 14.8 points per game and 6.1 assists per game this season. McCamey's ability to knock down deep threes late in games is going to make him a tough guy to pass up on late in the first round or early in the second round of this year's draft. 

Georgia Vs. Washington

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 10: Earnest Ross #33 of the Auburn Tigers shoots against Trey Thompkins #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the the first round of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Georgia Dome on March 10, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo b

Potential NBA Players: Trey Thompkins

Thompkins is a very big body for the college level and has the potential to be a great NBA player with a few more years of experience. 

Thompkins is 6'10'' and weights 245 pounds, very big for the power forward position. Trey averaged 16.1 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 1.7 blocks per game and 1.1 steals per game. He's extremely versatile on defense with the ability to block shots and steal the ball. On the offensive end, he's a banger in the post and sometimes will surprise you by stepping out and knocking down a three. 

Thompkins is likely to be picked mid-first round in this years NBA draft and it is with good reason. 

VCU Vs. Georgetown

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 5: Austin Freeman #15 of the Georgetown Hoyas takes a jump shot during a college basketball game against the Providence Friars on February 5, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. The Hoyas won 83-81. (Photo by Mitchel

Potential NBA Players: Austin Freeman

Austin Freeman is a guy who I've liked the last couple of years. Freeman is a very tough kid who seems to always come up big in clutch situations. 

This season Freeman averaged 17.9 points per game for Georgetown. His play was great considering he lost his wing man in Chris Wright for the end of the year and still kept Georgetown above water for the second half of the season. Freeman's big shot ability will be extremely coveted by teams in the second round as being a winner is something you have inside you that not a lot of other players have. 

Indiana St. Vs. Syracuse

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Rick Jackson #0 of the Syracuse Orange makes a jam during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas on February 26, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC The Orange 58-51. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Gett

Potential NBA Players: Rick Jackson 

Rick Jackson had a great year for Syracuse as he lead them to yet another great season even when they lost a lot of their guys from last year. 

Jackson is a true big man who averaged 13 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game and 2.5 blocks per game this season for the Orange____. I was tempted to say Orangemen, but we all know they changed that for no reason whatsoever. 

Jackson is a good player who plays hard every second he's on the court and he should be picked early in the second round of this years NBA draft.