East Region
This season's East bracket is probably only second to the South bracket in talent. By my count, we have four lottery picks and another three potential first-rounders.
ESPN.com has talked to multiple NBA scouts and GMs over the course of the season to give you a look at the top NBA prospects they'll be watching in each NCAA region.
1. Indiana Hoosiers
Lottery picks: Victor Oladipo, SG, Jr.; Cody Zeller, F/C, So.
Potential second-rounders: Christian Watford, F, Sr.
Wait 'til next year: Kevin Ferrell, PG, Fr.; Hanner Mosquera-Perea, PF, Fr.
At the start of the season, this team was clearly Zeller's. It still may be, but Oladipo's play this season has been a revelation and has moved his stock from a utilitarian second-round pick all the way into the top 10. Few players have Oladipo's combination of explosive athletic ability and motor. Zeller has been good as well. He may not have lived up to the hype, but he's still one of the two or three most skilled big men in the game, hustles up and down the floor and has proved to be very tough. He struggles playing against length, which is a concern for scouts, but the rest of Zeller's game is just fine.
Watford sure looks the part of a first-rounder, but his lack of consistency has regulated him to the second right now. If Indiana and NC State both advance, there could be a whopping 10 draft prospects going at each other in the round of 32.
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2. Miami Hurricanes
Potential second-rounders: Kenny Kadji, C, Sr.; Durand Scott, G, Sr.; Reggie Johnson, C, Sr.
Wait 'til next year: Shane Larkin, PG, So.
Kadji, Scott and Johnson are all solid, but they're really old. It's really been the stellar play of Larkin that has propelled Miami to a No. 2 seed and pushed Larkin into first-round consideration for the NBA draft. Other than Trey Burke, Larkin has been the steadiest, most poised point guard in the country, with a perfect balance of scoring and passing. If he were just a few inches taller, he'd be a lottery pick. Larkin has said he's returning for his junior season, but if he has a huge tournament, will he declare for the draft?
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3. Marquette Golden Eagles
Potential second-rounders: Vander Blue, G/F, Jr.; Davante Gardner, PF, Jr.
Blue is quietly having a terrific junior season. He's got great size, is a very good athlete and can defend multiple positions. If only he could get that 3-point jumper to start falling. Gardner comes off the bench, but he's been one of the most efficient players in the country when he's on the floor.
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4. Syracuse Orange
Lottery picks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, So.
Potential second-rounders: C.J. Fair, F, Jr.; James Southerland, F, Sr.
Wait 'til next year: DaJuan Coleman, F/C, Fr.; Rakeem Christmas, F, So.; Baye Keita, F/C, Jr.
Carter-Williams was all the rage in November and December, but his stock has cooled considerably since then. He clearly has the size that NBA scouts love in a point guard and has an excellent handle. But his struggles with his jump shot and turnovers in Big East play have given scouts pause. He's really going to have his hands full against Will Cherry, an elite defender, in the first round. Fair and Southerland are both big-time athletes who have shot the ball really well this season. Long, athletic shooters will always have a place in the NBA.
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5. UNLV Rebels
Lottery picks: Anthony Bennett, F, Fr.
Potential second-rounders: Mike Moser, PF, Jr.; Anthony Marshall, PG, Sr.
Wait 'til next year: Katin Reinhardt, SG, Fr.; Khem Birch, PF, So.
Bennett has been a revelation this season for Rebels fans and NBA scouts. He's got the body of an NBA veteran, is an extraordinary athlete and can score from anywhere on the floor. He's a bit undersized for his position, but given his length and explosiveness, he can probably make up for it. Bennett should be a top-5 pick in the draft.
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6. Butler Bulldogs
Potential second-rounders: Rotnei Clarke, PG, Sr.
Wait 'til next year: Kellen Dunham, SG, Fr.
Butler has had some elite NBA talent in the past. But this isn't one of those seasons. Clarke is clearly a gifted shooter and scorer, but given his age, lack of size and athletic ability, it's unlikely he'll be drafted. Dunham can really shoot the basketball, too, but he needs another season or two to mature.
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7. Illinois Fighting Illini
Potential second-rounders: Brandon Paul, SG, Sr.
In Maui, it looked like Paul had improved to the point that he'd be a serious candidate for the first round. He has elite athletic abilities and was both getting to the rack and shooting well in the early going. Alas, he started cooling off, and so did his team, and we're back to scratching our heads and wondering whether he's ever going to be good enough to succeed in the NBA.
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8. NC State Wolfpack
First-rounders: C.J. Leslie, F, Jr.
Potential second-rounders: Lorenzo Brown, PG, Jr., Richard Howell, PF, Sr.
Wait 'til next year: Rodney Purvis, G, Fr.; T.J. Warren, F, Fr.
No one understands how this Wolfpack team can struggle the way they've struggled with all of the talent they have on the floor. Clearly, chemistry was a huge issue for them. Leslie has had another good season, and it's probably time for him to go to the NBA. He never cracked the discussion for the lottery, but given his size, athleticism and production, he'll probably sneak into the first round.
A number of NBA scouts love Brown, but his inconsistent play and jump shot, combined with the fact that his stats have dipped across the board this season, have given them pause. Howell is a beast on the boards, but doesn't offer a lot in the way of offense. Purvis and Warren may be the two best prospects they have, but neither is ready to make the leap to the NBA this season.
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9. Temple Owls
Potential second-rounders: Khalif Wyatt, SG, Sr.
Wyatt is having a terrific senior season and is very tough. But I'm not sure scouts are stampeding to get undersized 2s who can't shoot. That's the dilemma right now for Wyatt. Do they prioritize toughness and leadership over skills?
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10. Colorado Buffaloes
Potential second-rounders: Andre Roberson, F, Jr.
Wait 'til next year: Josh Scott, F/C, Fr.; Spencer Dinwiddie, G, So.
Roberson has long been a poster child for the advanced stats guys, but his inability to generate any offense this season has hurt his case somewhat. He's a great rebounder, but is he anything more than that? Smith and Dinwiddie are both coming off great seasons and should be in the mix in our 2014 top 100.
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11. Bucknell Bison
Potential second-rounders: Mike Muscala, C, Sr.
Muscala is one of the most polished big men in the game. He can score and rebound against anyone and sports one of the best offensive ratings in the country. What he needs is more quality games against athletic big men. I'm not sure the opening round against Butler, nor a potential round-of-32 matchup with Marquette, really helps with that, however.
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12. California Golden Bears
First-rounders: Allen Crabbe, SG, Jr.
When Crabbe gets going, he's one of the most dangerous scorers and shooters in the country. He's got crazy range on his jumper. However, his shot selection and athletic abilities are both in question, which probably leaves him stuck on the first-round bubble. A big first-round matchup against UNLV looms. If he plays engaged basketball on both ends of the floor, he could move up.
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13. Montana Grizzlies
Potential second-rounders: Will Cherry, G, Sr.
Cherry is best known for playing lockdown defense on Damian Lillard last season in Big Sky play. He's an elite athlete who can really get to the line. His so-so jumper and his lack of size (if you project him as a 2) work against him. Still, he's one of the toughest players on this list and someone I think you have to take a closer look at come draft time. He'll get his chance right away against Michael Carter-Williams in the first round. If he shuts him down, the buzz factor will heat up.
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14. Davidson Wildcats
Potential second-rounders: De'Mon Brooks, SF, Jr.
Brooks is a versatile forward who can score inside and out. He's a good athlete and can play multiple positions. Unfortunately, he lacks great size if he's a 4 and his jump shot has struggled to find a groove this season.
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15. Pacific Tigers
None
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16. LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds
None
I have trouble believing that either of them would actually get drafted this year. Hopefully Blue (I don't think Gardner would) knows that he still needs another year in him.
See Jamil Wilson over the last 5 to 7 games. If he is finally "figuring it out" you can add his name to the list.
I just would like to remind people of my bold prediction +2 years ago of Davante getting drafted in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Hopefully PTM reminded you already.
Davante needs to gain some lean muscle mass. This way he can maintain his weight advantage, but increase his speed and stamina.
DG has a few lbs to go. When he can play hard at both ends for extended periods, he will have a chance at the league. When he can catch a pass, go up and dunk in traffic, he will have a chance at the league. When he shows he can guard athletic 4's and 5's, he will have a chance at the league. When he can be guarded by an athletic 7 ft'er, not get frustrated calling for the ball, catch a pass, get his shot off and make it the first time rather than tipping in his own miss, he will have a shot at the league. He is an undersized 5 who uses his bulk to power to the rack. He has shown that he can be stopped by athletic, taller players. I am glad he is at MU and it sure is fun when he gets it going, but right now he is a hot and cold backup 5 at the college level.
Quote from: BagpipingBoxer on March 20, 2013, 11:54:53 PM
I have trouble believing that either of them would actually get drafted this year. Hopefully Blue (I don't think Gardner would) knows that he still needs another year in him.
If we make a deep run it becomes more likely, especially if Blue has some big games.