Gardner #96

[radome]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24088271/cbssportscom-top-100-players

96. Davante Gardner (Marquette)

Vitals: 6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: My favorite thing about Davante Gardner is how he continued to kick Big East butt last year despite nasty, inappropriate chants and heckles from opposing fans about his weight. -- MN

I didn't know about the heckling; not surprised though, there is a lot of that.

[brewcity77]

I find it hard to believe there are 95 better College basketball players then Gardner. I'm also not a believer that there are 100 players better than Jamil Wilson. And while Wiggins is definitely the top pro prospect, the idea of him being the number one player on his team, much less in the entire country, is definitely up for debate.

[nyg]

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball

Speaking of Wiggins.  Sick...

[Silkk the Shaka]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24088271/cbssportscom-top-100-players

96. Davante Gardner (Marquette)

Vitals: 6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: My favorite thing about Davante Gardner is how he continued to kick Big East butt last year despite nasty, inappropriate chants and heckles from opposing fans about his weight. -- MN

I didn't know about the heckling; not surprised though, there is a lot of that.

definitely happened every time he went to the line down the stretch @Cincy last year. Was audible on the telecast. NBD, Mr. Automatic calmly drained his FTs per usual.

[Silkk the Shaka]

I find it hard to believe there are 95 better College basketball players then Gardner. I'm also not a believer that there are 100 players better than Jamil Wilson. And while Wiggins is definitely the top pro prospect, the idea of him being the number one player on his team, much less in the entire country, is definitely up for debate.

Gardner and Wilson are going to be amazing this year, I've no doubt about that.

[Dr. Blackheart]

definitely happened every time he went to the line down the stretch @Cincy last year. Was audible on the telecast. NBD, Mr. Automatic calmly drained his FTs per usual.

Was at that UC game...the heckling was out of control, and the officials didn't help matters.  In the end, it was a show of respect because the only way to stop him was to mug him.  The refs called about 50% of the fouls on him.  One of the worst officiated games I have seen in person in my life, which only added to the crowd frenzy and the chippiness.

[Wade for President]

I didn't know about the heckling; not surprised though, there is a lot of that.

If you were in attendance at the Cincy game last year, this comment wouldn't surprise you.  After that game, I talked with Davante's mom about the way the fans (mostly students) treated her son.  She was naturally disgusted and angered with the "You are fat!" cheers.

[BubbaWilliams]

"You are fat!" cheers.

Just more of him to foul

[LloydMooresLegs]

While I can see his mom being upset, if the heckling was "you are fat," then NBD is right.  DG shut them up the way he should have--by knocking them down.  And if the hecklers don't then shut up, they just look foolish.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I didn't know about the heckling; not surprised though, there is a lot of that.

It was bad at some of the games. One of my best friends went to Syracuse (I try not to hold it against him). We watched the regular season game together and he kept getting pissed because "bitch tits" was destroying the zone.

[humanlung]

Picking on Ox about something like his weight?  How original... 

[MU82]

I find it hard to believe there are 95 better College basketball players then Gardner. I'm also not a believer that there are 100 players better than Jamil Wilson. And while Wiggins is definitely the top pro prospect, the idea of him being the number one player on his team, much less in the entire country, is definitely up for debate.

I agree that seems a little low for both DG and JW. Hopefully, it only adds more fuel to their fire.

As for a freshman like Wiggins being ranked the top pro prospect ... I'm guessing Derrick Rose and, especially, Carmelo Anthony were held in similarly high esteem. It happens every few years, and for good reason.

[Lennys Tap]

I agree that seems a little low for both DG and JW. Hopefully, it only adds more fuel to their fire.

As for a freshman like Wiggins being ranked the top pro prospect ... I'm guessing Derrick Rose and, especially, Carmelo Anthony were held in similarly high esteem. It happens every few years, and for good reason.

Anthony Davis just two years ago.

[Lennys Tap]

I find it hard to believe there are 95 better College basketball players then Gardner. I'm also not a believer that there are 100 players better than Jamil Wilson. And while Wiggins is definitely the top pro prospect, the idea of him being the number one player on his team, much less in the entire country, is definitely up for debate.

I suspect Buzz will never let either player forget these rankings - a little extra motivation.

[HoosierDaddy145]

Jamil Wilson not mentioned...  Gardner is

CBS TOP 100

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

NVM, mods fixed it

[brewcity77]

As for a freshman like Wiggins being ranked the top pro prospect ... I'm guessing Derrick Rose and, especially, Carmelo Anthony were held in similarly high esteem. It happens every few years, and for good reason.

He's definitely the top pro prospect in my mind. But that doesn't make him the best college player in the country. Plenty of good and great pros aren't as good at the college level, while some dominant college players never pan out at the next level. Wiggins will be good, but I think Perry Ellis and maybe even Joel Embiid will have more to do with KU's success this year than Wiggins will.

[MU82]

He's definitely the top pro prospect in my mind. But that doesn't make him the best college player in the country. Plenty of good and great pros aren't as good at the college level, while some dominant college players never pan out at the next level. Wiggins will be good, but I think Perry Ellis and maybe even Joel Embiid will have more to do with KU's success this year than Wiggins will.

I haven't seen any of them play one second of one game, so I'll defer to your knowledge here, brew.

[Sunbelt15]

He's definitely the top pro prospect in my mind. But that doesn't make him the best college player in the country. Plenty of good and great pros aren't as good at the college level, while some dominant college players never pan out at the next level. Wiggins will be good, but I think Perry Ellis and maybe even Joel Embiid will have more to do with KU's success this year than Wiggins will.

But the offense will go through Wiggins. And if he average 15ppg, he will be lottery pick next year. 20ppg will make him #1 pick in draft.

[Marquette Fan in WI]

In a few years we will rather have our Burton than #71.

[brewcity77]

But the offense will may go through Wiggins. And if he average 15ppg, he will be lottery pick next year. 20ppg will make him #1 pick in draft.

I could easily see Ellis leading them in scoring, especially if Wiggins gets off to a slow start. Regardless, if Ender puts up 15 or 20 ppg, does that make him the #1 player in college basketball? McDermott should put up 20+ without trying.

[WarriorFan]

I'd have DG in the top 25 on that list, and Wilson in the top 50.

Too many guys are ranked on PPG, not enough ranked on their complete ability to contribute to a win.

[MU82]

I'd have DG in the top 25 on that list, and Wilson in the top 50.

Too many guys are ranked on PPG, not enough ranked on their complete ability to contribute to a win.

You might or might not be right, but do remember that you are seeing things through blue-and-gold glasses. There are fans in other parts of the country who have only vaguely (or never) heard of DG and JW and they wouldn't place them in their top 100. Everything's local!

[Hards Alumni]

Wiggins is easily the best prospect.  He will go #1 in the draft next year unless he has a massive fall off.

[Sunbelt15]

I'd have DG in the top 25 on that list, and Wilson in the top 50.

Too many guys are ranked on PPG, not enough ranked on their complete ability to contribute to a win.

Because for most people, that is hard to determine or remember. They don't pay attention to the pick that got the shooter wide open or the trap that forced a steal on defense. Most are watching the ball, who has it, and what they do with it. A simple pass means nothing, but an assist goes in the record books.