NBA Draft Prospects: Damion James, Texas

Click here to find all of our 2010 NBA Draft prospect breakdowns.

Stats: 18.0 ppg, 10.3 (3.1 off) rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 bpg, 50.1% FG, 38.3% 3PT

Size:

• Listed: 6'7", 225 lb, 22 yrs old
• Combine: 6'7 1/4" (with shoes), 227 lb, 7'0 3/4" (wingspan)

About Him: James declared for the NBA Draft after his junior season, electing to return to school after he failed to receive a guarantee that he would be picked in the first round. During his senior season, the Longhorns had an up-and-down year, starting 17-0 and climbing to a No. 1 national ranking before seeing their season collapse and end with a first round NCAA Tournament exit.

Individually, however, James' senior season was quite successful. James has always been known as a hard-worker, a junkyard dog, so to speak. He always hit the glass, he always ran the floor hard, he always dove on the floor for loose balls. Playing hard, playing the way that James does, is a skill, and there are few in this draft better than James.

The knock on James, however, has always been his ball skills, but as a senior James showed a lot of improvement in this area. While he is still a long way from being Ray Allen, James has become at the very least a capable jump shooter. He is at his best when he has the chance to spot up and be a catch-and-shoot player, but he also showed the ability to hit a pull-up jumper this season.

His handle was also much improved this season. He's not going to be running the point, and he's not going to be on the and-one mixtape anytime soon, but James is capable of squaring up his defender and getting to the rim. For the most part, this comes on straight lines drives as he tends to get himself into trouble when he is forced to change directions or crossover, but his length, strength, and athleticism allows him to finish through contact. Creating space for himself around the rim is not a requirement for James to score.

The problem? While James is greatly improved in both of these aspects of his game, he's still a long way from what you would consider at threat at the NBA level. In fact, his only NBA-ready skill is his ability to rebound. He goes after misses as hard as anyone in this draft class, has the strength to carve out some space in the paint, and seems to have an excellent feel for where a rebound is going to come off.

Defense is another question mark for James. While he has a solid frame, length, and size, he's still a bit undersized as a four in the NBA and he doesn't quite have the lateral quickness to guard a three on the perimeter. While he strength and toughness will help in these areas, James doesn't seem to project as a great defender at the next level.

Comparison:

• Best Case Scenario: If James can successfully develop the quickness to be able to defend an NBA three, I can see James becoming a rich man's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. He is stronger, a better rebounder, and a better shooter.
  
• Worst Case Scenario: A guy that comes in and plays 8-12 mpg, providing defense, toughness, and versatility, maybe a Stephen Graham.
  

Outlook: James looks like he could be taken somewhere in the mid-to-late first round, although I am having a difficult time seeing how he will ever be a significant contributer for an NBA team. He plays hard, tough, and physical basketball, but that only gets you so far. If you can't really contribute on either end of the floor, why is an NBA team going to have you on the floor? Can James be a significant contributor anywhere other than on the glass?

Highlights:





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Who is really leading the Big XII Player of the Year race?

At the end of the Longhorn's win over Arkansas on Tuesday, right after Damion James scored a couple big buckets down the stretch to ice the game, ESPN.com writer (and BIAH favorite) Dana O'Neil tweeted this:

Damion James has to be the Big XII player of the year right now in a runaway

This was quite a statement, considering that Damion James wasn't really thought to be a contender for the award when the season started.

So I got to thinking: does he? Is James really the Big XII Player of the Year right now? Is it really a "runaway"?

Let's take a quick peek into the Big XII's POY race:

The Preseason Favorites: For my money, there were really only four guys that I thought had a chance to win the Big XII POY before the season started.

• Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Kansas: Both Collins and Aldrich were preseason all-americans picks. That's what happens when you were arguably the best center and the best point guard in the country the year before. But neither Collins nor Aldrich has been spectacular this season. Collins is averaging just 15.1 ppg and 4.1 apg while Aldrich is post 11.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, and 3.7 bpg, a far cry from what they averaged last season, and even farther from what most expected them to do this season.
  
  The problem with just looking at numbers is that they don't take into consideration the rest of the talent on the team. As you know, the Jayhawks are loaded this season. All the youth on last year's roster are now the "experienced" sophomores schooling another group of talented freshman. Collins and Aldrich simply have not needed to carry the load offensively. Collins has orchestrated the offense and Aldrich has own the paint defensively while the two have allowed others, like Xavier Henry and the Morris twins, to get their buckets. But if last night's dogfight with Cornell is any indication, don't write these two off yet. Collins had a career-high 33 points, and Aldrich hit a number of big baskets and made some key defensive plays down the stretch.


• Willie Warren, Oklahoma: Warren is another guy whose numbers will deceive you. After coming back to Oklahoma (despite being considered a lottery pick), Warren has posted much better numbers this season, averaging 18.5 ppg and 4.5 apg. But Oklahoma has struggled as a team, sitting at just 9-5, while Warren struggles with the burden of being a leader. It got to the point that he was suspended for a game during the Great Alaska Shootout by head coach Jeff Capel. Unless Warren can turn around his, and the Sooners', season, he likely won't even be first team all-conference.


• Craig Brackins, Iowa State: It was a bit of a shock that Brackins headed back to Ames this season. He was a first round lock, and the Cyclones were terrible last season. And while ISU is still a long way away from making the tournament, they are a much improved team as the play of Marquis Gilstrap and Diante Garrett makes this team appear, at least on paper, capable of competing in the league. But unless Brackins becomes more aggressive and makes ISU relevant in the conference, I have a tough time seeing him win the award, especially when his numbers are down to 17.0 ppg and 7.9 rpg.

The Freshman

• Xavier Henry, Kansas: All the talk this season about freshman (well, about anyone really) has centered around a young man down in Lexington. But the one that got away from Coach Cal (if you remember, Henry was going to Memphis before Cal left, and almost ended up at Kentucky when Cal arrived) is putting up pretty impressive numbers this year as well. At 16.1 ppg, Henry is the Jayhawk's leading scorer while also posting 4.7 rpg and hitting 47% of his threes. While he has posted some impressive numbers, Henry has feasted on some of KU's lesser competition, struggling in games against Michigan, Memphis, and Cornell. The biggest reason he won't win the award? He may not even be the Jayhawk's best candidate when its all said and done.

The Sleeper

• Ekpe Udoh, Baylor: There's no other way to put it: Udoh has been a monster for the Bears. Ask Morgan State, they learned the hard way. Udoh tore them up to the tune of 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 blocks. In actuality, you can ask pretty much ask anyone that has played Baylor, as Udoh has been more than just a flash in the pan. The Michigan transfer has flourished under Scott Drew, averaging 14.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg, and 4.5 bpg. Baylor is currently sitting at 12-1 this season, and Udoh's play in the paint has been one of the biggest reasons why. If Baylor continues to play this well in conference, Udoh has an actual shot to win.

The Favorites

• Jacob Pullen, Kansas State, and Damion James, Texas: For my money, I can't pick between these two right now. Let's talk Pullen first. He has been nothing short of sensational this season. He's averaging 20.1 ppg (in just 28.2 mpg) while dishing out 3.6 apg and shooting 46% from three. More importantly, however, he has stepped up in Kansas State's biggest wins. In victories over Xavier, Dayton, at UNLV, and at Alabama, Pullen is averaging 25.0 ppg. In their loss to Ole Miss, he had his worst performance of the season, going just 5-15 from the floor and 2-8 from three, finishing with just 17 points. When Pullen is playing well, Kansas State is very, very good. If he continues to play like this, and Kansas State makes a run at the regular season title, he has to be considered a favorite to win.
  
  That said, Damion James has been absolutely fantastic as well. He's posted the best numbers of his career, averaging 16.7 ppg and 10.8 rpg. And, like Pullen, he's stepped up in the biggest games. In the Longhorn's two wins over UNC and Michigan State, James averaged 24.0 ppg and 14.0 rpg. On Tuesday night against Arkansas, he went for 20 points and 9 boards in just 17 foul plagued minutes, which included a number of huge baskets down the stretch, and also went for 20 and 9 against Pitt. With seven double-doubles already this season, James has been the best and most consistent player for one of the best teams in the country.
  

Dana's right. James has been the player of the year in the Big XII. But calling it a runaway is not fair to Jacob Pullen and Ekpe Udoh, because they have best just as good. This award, as is usually the case, is going to be won in conference play.

Just another storyline to follow in what is guaranteed to be an exciting season of hoops.
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Monday's Shootaround: UNC struggles again, Texas cruises, Devin Ebanks sits out, and a Harvard buzzer beater

UNC 88, Valpo 77: Sunday offered further proof that UNC is a long way from being a team that can compete for the ACC crown and a trip to the Final Four. Yes, the Heels won by 11, but they allowed to Crusaders to slowly chip away at a 24 point second half lead. If it wasn't lazy passes, it was lazy defense or lackadaisical effort on the glass. At a certain point, you have got to believe that this was a result of being unprepared to play. Reading some quotes from the post game press conference, the theme seemed to be that the Heels weren't focused; that maybe they didn't get up for a Sunday game against Valpo.

Right now, I think the biggest issue for UNC is a lack of leadership. Guys like Marcus Ginyard and Deon Thompson, veterans who have been through the battles, need to get their teammates ready to play. Do you think Tyler Hansbrough would have let UNC come out flat in a game? Ever? Moreover, the Heels need somebody to step-up as a go-to scorer. They need someone they can give the ball when an opponent makes a run, knowing they will get a basket to take the momentum back.


Texas 89, UC Irvine 42: Damion James and Dexter Pittman combined to go for 42 points and 22 rebounds on 17-20 shooting to lead Texas in a game that was never really close. But we knew the 'Horns were big inside this year. The question marks were on the perimeter. Rick Barnes started three guards, with Varez Ward, Justin Mason, and J'Covan Brown joining Pittman and James. Brown was, according to Barnes, incredibly amped for this game, and it showed early on as Barnes twice had to pull Brown due to back-to-back turnovers. But Brown looked like an excellent scoring option last night. He finished with 13 points, and knocked down 3-6 threes. We'll give Brown the benefit of the doubt in this one, as he sat on the bench all last season waiting to get eligible.

Ward and Dogus Balbay also looked solid at the point for Texas, combining for 10 assists without a turnover. But neither looked good scoring the ball, as they were a combined 2-10 from the floor. Perhaps the most promising sign was the debuts of the stud freshman class. Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton both looked like promising scorers, as they slashed their way to 10 and 12 points, respectively. Shawn Williams, the third frosh in that group, did not score but grabbed six boards in 13 minutes. All in all, its tough to learn anything about a team in a 47 point win, but the Horns definitely had promising signs.


West Virginia 83, Loyola MD 60: Playing without Devin Ebanks and Joe Mazzulla, the Mountaineers started the game slowly. They weren't playing with energy, they struggled shooting the ball (they had seven airballs in the first half) and they weren't getting it done defensively. But WVU got a huge boost from freshman big man Danny Jennings off the bench, as he came in and sparked a run in each half. Jennings finished with 9 points and 12 boards (4 offensive).

After a sluggish start, you really got what you expected out of this WVU team. They forced 18 turnovers, won the rebounding battle 40-29, and grabbed 20 offensive boards. Da'Sean Butler had 26 points, Truck Bryant added 15 and 5 assists (and 3-6 from three), Kevin Jones had 14 points and 7 boards starting for Ebanks, and JuCo transfer Casey Mitchell added 13. If WVU can cut down on the number of three pointers they take (they were just 9-29 last night), this team is going to be as tough as expected.

Onto Ebanks - Bob Huggins said after the game that Devin Ebanks was held out as he "had some personal issues to work through." Not sure what that means, and Huggins did not set a time table for his return. While WVU has more than enough depth up front, playing without Ebanks will hurt as he is the best of the bunch on the front line. Mazzulla was held out due to the same shoulder that was injured last year. Only a precautionar measure. John Flowers did roll his ankle, but x-rays were negative.


Other notable scores:

• Harvard 87, William & Mary 85 3OT: We already have a game of the year and a shot of the year nominee courtesy of the Crimson.
• Wake Forest 89, East Carolina 58: Al-Farouq Aminu had 23 and 9 while Tony Woods and Ish Smith added 12 and 14 points, respectively, but the story of the game was the Demon Deacon's defense - they forced 22 turnovers and held the Pirates to 24.8% shooting.
  
• Washington 111, Portland State 55: Quincy Pondexter has looked like an all-american here in the early part of the season. After going for 25 on Saturday, Pondexter had 29 points and 13 boards last night against the Vikings.
• Tulsa 81, FIU 49: The story of this game was an interesting interaction between Isiah Thomas and Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik. Midway through the second half, Thomas, with his team down 63-25 and on the wrong end of a 27-5 run to start the half, motioned and then verbally asked Wojcik to pull his starters from the floor. Wojcik didn't, in large part due to limited numbers - he only had eight scholarship players available.
• Illinois State 82, SIU-Edwardsville 60: Osiris Eldridge led the Redbirds with 19 points as they cruised in their season opener.
• Florida 74, Stetson 46: Freshman Kenny Boynton never really found his stroke (0-4 from three), but he did finish with 12 points as Florida went up big early. Georgetown transfer Vernon Macklin had 13 points and 8 boards.
• Virginia Tech 69, Brown 55: Malcolm Delaney had 21 points, and the Hokies used a 16-5 run at the end of the first half to open up the game.
• Kansas State 82, Western Illinois 50: We knew that K-State had a good back court with Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente, but with an athletic front line of Curtis Kelly, Wally Judge, and Jamar Samuels playing like they did yesterday (39 points, 20 boards, 5 blocks, 14-25 from the floor, 59 minutes), this Wildcat team is going to sneak up on a lot of people.
• Arizona 87, Northern Arizona 70: The Sean Miller era starts out well for Arizona. Playing without freshman Kevin Parrom and with a beat-up Nic Wise (tweaked an ankle in practice last week), the Wildcats were in control for most of the game. Freshman Solomon Hill went for 17 points and 8 boards while Jamelle Horne added 14 points and 11 boards. Overall, Zona's crop of freshmen looked solid enough that the Wildcats may actually be able to compete for a NCAA tourney bid this year.
• Wisconsin 75, IPFW 46: Jon Leuer led the Badgers with 19 points and 4 blocks as Wisconsin held the Mastadons to just 34% shooting.
• Iowa State 72, Chicago State 50: Craig Brackins (7 points, 8 boards) and Marcus Gilstrap (11 points, 15 boards) were both off, but the Cyclones defense was good enough to hold on for the win.
• Oregon 68, Colorado State 55: Tajuan Porter had 23 points as the Ducks improved to 3-0.
  

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No. 3: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Texas Longhorns

2008-2009 Record: 23-12, 9-7 Big XII (t-4th)

Key Losses: AJ Abrams (16.6 ppg, 40% 3's), Connor Atchley (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Key Returners: Damion James (15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Dexter Pittman (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Gary Johnson (10.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Justin Mason (6.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.0 apg)

Newcomers: Avery Bradley, Jordan Hamilton, Shawn Williams, J'Covan Brown

Damion James' versatility will be a major factor in the Longhorn's success this season.

The last three season's, Texas has essentially ridden the coattails of their star. From Kevin Durant, to DJ Augustin, to AJ Abrams, the offense that Rick Barnes has run during that span has not been much more than a variety of clearouts or one-on-one opportunities. Lacking a great go-to scorer this year, Texas is going to look quite a bit different this year.

For starters, they are going to be big. Really big. It will start with 6'10", 290 lb Dexter Pittman. Pittman has the talent to be an absolute monster in this league. Arguably the strongest player in the league, Pittman is very good at establishing position in the post. When he gets the ball within seven feet, Pittman has a soft touch, which combined with his nimble feet (especially when you consider his size) make him an excellent low block scorer. Pittman's problem is, and has always been, his endurance. He was only able to log 17 mpg last season, which is not a good thing when you consider Pittman was able to average double figures in those limited minutes. If he can get into better shape (which he reportedly has been), not only will it help improve his athleticism and explosiveness but it will allow him to spend more time on the court.

Pittman, as good as he can be, won't be the best front court player for the Longhorns. That will be Damion James. For the numbers James has put up throughout his three years in Austin, he really doesn't get the national credit he deserves. The reason is probably because James has never really developed into much more than a role player, albeit an extremely good one. James is as good of an athlete as you are going to find. A strong 6'8", James is one of the better rebounders in the country despite being more of a combo forward than true power forward. Offensively, James is a threat to knock down a three, but he is most effective when putting his athleticism to work; be it cutting to the basket or attacking the offensive glass. Texas does not really have anyone that is going to be a real threat in the half court this season. If James can develop into a guy that can create his own shot, it will make Texas just that much better.

Gary Johnson is another guy that has not really received much attention during his time at Texas. Despite being just 6'6", Johnson is a load to handle inside. He is an athletic and strong kid with energy to burn, but he also added a decent 12-15 foot jumper to his repertoire last season. Johnson will likely see some time as a starter this season.

Not only will Texas be big this season, they will be deep. Three more guys will see time in the front court. Alexis Wangmene, a 6'7" sophomore, will be back after suffering a season ending knee injury last year. Wangmene is long and fairly athletic, but he is still quite raw and needs to develop a better feel for the game. Clint Chapman, a 6'10" junior, showed some signs of being an impact player last season. He is athletic, has a great motor, and plays with a lot of energy, but he needs to improve his decision making. Matt Hill is a 6'10" junior that had a promising start to his career, but has battled injuries and may struggle to really crack the rotation.

The Longhorns are going to be just as deep in the back court, but the key this season is going to be at the point. Last season, Texas had issues as no one ever emerged as a point guard capable of leading the team. Justin Mason was probably their best option last year, but he is not a point guard. He is their best perimeter defender, an excellent rebounder, and a capable play maker from the wing, he just simply never seemed to feel comfortable in the point guard role. Being able to drive and draw a defender is a a far cry from the ability to run a team. Simply put, he is most effective playing off the ball.

This season, there will be four guys competing for minutes at the point. The best of the bunch may be freshman J'Covan Brown. Brown was supposed to join Texas last season, but he had trouble gaining eligibility and ended up sitting the year out. The reason Brown might be the Longhorns best option is that is he dynamic with the ball. He can score and he can create, and on a team that will be lacking offensive explosiveness, that will be a valuable trait. Jai Lucas, a transfer from Florida who will be eligible for the second semester, is probably their second best option. The son of John Lucas and brother of Oklahoma State's John Lucas III, Jai is much less of a pure scorer than Brown is expected to be, but he may be a better true point guard.

Varez Ward and Dogus Balbay were the two guys that handled the point for Texas down the stretch last season. Ward is a solid player - pretty good at setting up the offense - but he is not a great scorer or shooter and may end up being the guy lost in the shuffle. Balbay, on the other hand, can create and get to the rim, where he will finish with reckless abandon, but he is such a bad shooter that teams defended him inside the foul line when he had the ball at the top of the key.

Three freshmen will be thrown into the mix in the back court. Avery Bradley looks to be the best of the three. Bradley has drawn praise from everyone that has seen him play for his efforts on the defensive end. When he and Mason share the back court, opposing guards are going to have a rough go of it. Offensively, he is a terrific athlete that excels when playing in the open floor and slashing to the rim. If he can add a consistent three point shot, forcing defenders to respect his range, he could end up being one of the best players in the country by the time he leaves Texas.

Jordan Hamilton and Shawn Williams are both tall (6'7") and talented wings. Williams is still basically just an athlete, although he has gotten recognition for his perimeter shooting ability. Hamilton, on the other hand, could be a very important piece for Barnes. A gifted scorer, he has the potential to be unstoppable offensively. He is quick, athletic, a good shooter, and has a feel for being able to score. Like I said with Brown, Texas lacks explosiveness offensively, and having a guy like Hamilton that can get his own shot will be valuable.

Outlook: Texas is going to be big, deep, and tough this season, especially on the defensive end. Where they are going to run into issues are on the offensive end. Is someone going to step up and take control of the point guard spot? Will guys like James, Hamilton, and Brown be able to create their own shots in the half court? Who is going to be the proverbial zone-buster - will there be enough perimeter shooting to force teams to come out of a zone? If Barnes can find a suitable answer to those questions, Texas will have the horses to make a run at not just the Big XII title, but a national championship.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Power Forwards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.
Here are the shooting guards.
Here are the small forwards.
There are the power forwards.

Best Freshman:

• Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech
• DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
• Mouphtaou Yarou, Villanova
• Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State
  

Best of the Rest:

• Samardo Samuels, Louisville
• Luke Babbitt, Nevada
• Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
• Stanley Robinson, UConn
• Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech
• Deon Thompson, UNC
  

Top 10:

• 10. Matt Howard, Butler: Howard is a guy that doesn't get a lot of press playing for Butler. But make no mistake, Howard is as good as any four in the country. Howard is what you might refer to as a land warrior - he isn't going to outquick or outjump anyone in the country, but he is so strong. An excellent rebounder with a solid back to the basket game, Howard's strength offensively is his ability to seal and hold position in the post. He is the rock for a talented Butler team.
  


• 9. Damion James, Texas: A lot was expected out of James last season, but he didn't quite live up to the hype he received in the preseason. A big reason for that is James was asked to play more minutes on the perimeter with the emergence of a big front line for Texas. The biggest strength of James' game is his ability to rebound the ball on the offensive end and how well he cuts to the basket and finishes at the rim. His back to the basket game is decent, but playing more minutes on the perimeter will limit his touches inside. James is dangerous offensively because he is not only able to shoot the ball, but he has some ability to put the ball on the floor and go around a bigger defender. James is forever a tweener - not really big enough to be a four, but lacking the true perimeter skills to be a three.
  


• 8. Lazar Hayward, Marquette: Last year, all anyone talked about when it came to Marquette was their guard play. While those three were definitely talented, Hayward might have been the most valuable player on the roster as the only real big man. Hayward, who is a converted small forward, in dangerous because of his perimeter skills. Without much in the way of a post game, Hayward does his damage shooting the ball and taking advantage of the mismatches when a big forward guards him on the perimeter. Also an excellent rebounder, expect big numbers out of Hayward this year as Marquette's go-to player offensively.
  

Lazar Hayward is counting to be counted on heavily by Marquette.
(photo credit: ESPN)

• 7. Devin Ebanks, West Virginia: Ebanks is as raw as a prospect comes. In terms of tools, there are few forwards that match him. He has the wingspan of an albatross, can run the floor, has above average athleticism, and plays hard. All of that made him an excellent defender and rebounder, especially on the offensive end. But the rest of his game still needs to be developed. His ball handling ability is not much more than the one or two dribbles it takes to for to get to the rim. His jumper was so inconsistent last year that he himself actually decided that he would not longer shoot outside jumpers. But with Alex Ruoff gone, and an offseason of developing his skills, Ebanks should be ready to turn into one of the best forwards in the Big East.
  


• 6. Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest: Aminu is another guy I'm not completely sold on. Right now, he relies almost exclusively on his tools. He is long, athletic, plays with energy, and has excellent body control. Last year he was at his best when he was able to get out in the open court and outrun the defense. His skills were quite raw, however. While his handle and his jump shot no doubt improved with an off-season of working out, Aminu has a long way to go before he can be considered "talented" skillwise and a threat in the half court. All that said, we are talking about a guy that averaged 12.9 ppg and 8.2 rpg on a team with a big front line, Jeff Teague, and James Johnson. Imagine what he will do as the first offensive option.
  

Al-Farouq Aminu will need to rely on more than just athleticism this season.
(photo credit: freewebs)

• 5. Trevor Booker, Clemson: Booker is one of the best athletes in the country. While there are a number of guys at the power forward position that have more talent than Booker, there are few that play with his aggressiveness and determination. Every second he is on the court, he is going hard - whether it is defensively, posting up, hitting the glass, cutting to the rim. Booker seems to have an endless supply of energy. He doesn't have the best back to the basket game, relying heavily on his physical tools (strength holding position, jumping over a defender) to score. Where he has become more effective, and where he needs to improve to make it at the next level, is in his perimeter game. If he can continue to get better putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket and keep improving his jump shot, Booker has a shot at winning the ACC player of the year award.
  


• 4. Greg Monroe, Georgetown: Monroe is the perfect fit for the Princeton offense that JTIII likes to run. Standing 6'11", Monroe has the offensive skills of a point forward. He can use the dribble to get to the basket, he can knock down a perimeter jumper, and he has excellent court vision and passing instincts. There are really three aspects of his game that Monroe needs to improve to become a dominant forward in the Big East. He needs to improve his ability with his right hand - he struggles dribbling and finishing in that direction. He needs to improve his strength and toughness in the paint offensively, defensively, and on the glass. Most importantly, he needs to be able to assert dominance on a game. There are few players with the talent that Monroe has, but how many times last season did you find yourself thinking "Greg Monroe has taken this game over"?
  


• 3. Craig Brackins, Iowa State: Brackins, at the college level, is a match-up nightmare. Standing 6'10", Brackins has the ball handling and the quickness to get by bigger defenders that try to come out and guard him on the perimeter. If you don't guard him, or if a smaller, quicker defender is on him, Brackins is a very dangerous shooter out to about 17 feet. Where Brackins has really developed during his first two seasons is with his toughness and his aggresiveness. He came with 17 rebounds of averaging a double-double last season, and has the makings of what could turn into a solid back-to-the-basket game.
  


• 2. Patrick Patterson, Kentucky: Patterson proved last season to be one of the most dominant and efficient players in the country. Patterson's just 6'8", but his length, his athleticism, and his strength make him so difficult to handle on the block. He has a solid righty hook and an above average turn around jumper, but his ability in the post centers around how good he is at establishing position. He seals hard, and really understands how to use his body to hold off his defender. He showed some improved ball skills last season, and if he can develop a consistent jumper this season, Patterson will be near unstoppable this year.
  

Harangody's biggest improvement during his career has been his jumper.
(photo credit: basketme)

• 1. Luke Harangody, Notre Dame: If there is an argument against Luke Harangody as the best power forward in the country, I cannot think of it. The guy can average 25 and 12 this year, and I won't be surprised. By now, you should know Gody's game. An underwhelming athlete, Gody struggles going against bigger opponents with his back to the basket. But over the course of his career, the big fella has developed an excellent face-up game. He has developed range out beyond the three point line (and showed NBA three point range during the draft process). The biggest improvement in his game is his fitness - Gody looked as svelte and in shape as he ever has during the draft process.
  

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Early 2010 title favorites: Kentucky, Kansas, and ... Texas?

Yes, Texas.

Especially now that Damion James has decided to return to Austin for his senior season. He was a borderline first round pick, but really needs to improve on his ability to play the perimeter before he merits a guaranteed contract.

So once again, the Longhorns are going to be stacked across their front line. It starts with Dexter Pittman, Rick Barnes' gargantuan center who is already returning for his senior year. Pittman was one of the most improved players in all of college basketball last season. The 6'10" center was a force in the paint by season's end, but the problem was endurance - he scored 10.1 ppg and grabbed 5.5 rpg in just 16.6 mpg. Another off-season of conditioning should mean that Pittman can play major minutes. We could be looking at a first team all Big XII performer.

How good Dexter Pittman can be will depend on how good of shape he is in.
(photo credit: USA Today)

Alongside Pittman will be the versatile James, who can play both forward positions, although given the wealth of talent that Texas is bringing in along the perimeter, I would expect James to play the four quite a bit more often than he did this past season. Coming off the bench will be Gary Johnson, who is one of the most underrated players in the conference, and be sure to keep an eye on Clint Chapman, an active 6'10" center that showed some flashes as a sophomore.

If you saw the 'Horns play at all last season, than you should know that the front court is not where their issues were. The biggest problem they faced was the fact that they did not have a legitimate point guard on the roster.

Justin Mason, who did do a solid job when he was asked to run the point, is not a natural point guard. Dogus Balbay, while equally decent in his time as the lead guard, is such a poor shooter that at times the 'Horns were almost playing 4-on-5. AJ Abrams might have been the best point guard on the roster, but he was also really the only guy that could put up points as well.

Barnes solved that problem by landing Florida transfer Jai Lucas. Lucas averaged 8.5 ppg as a freshman, but left the school in November because he did not feel like he was going to get enough minutes, not with Nick Calathes and Erving Walker on the roster, and Billy Donovan bringing in Kenny Boynton this season.

Lucas will be eligible after the first semester.

Just as important is the freshman class that Barnes has landed. 6'3" guard Avery Bradley and 6'7" wing Jordan Hamilton are both consensus top 10 recruits. They should provide a nice scoring punch for the 'Horns from the wing, something they have really been lacking since the days of Kevin Durant.

And don't forget about Shawn Williams, a top 100 recruit himself (Rivals #67). Williams is another big wing (6'7"), who is known for his athleticism.

Last year, Texas relied a lot on a their defense and toughness to get by.

Why?

They were forced too. They just did not have the offensive firepower to put up points with the likes of Oklahoma and Kansas. As good as guys like James, Mason, and Johnson are, the fact remains that they aren't scorers first. They are role players, junkyard dogs by nature.

Bradley and Hamilton? Those guys are scorers. Lucas? He is a pure point guard.

So not only does Texas bring back their toughness, they add the offensive firepower that they were lacking last season.

By the end of the year, the Texas line-up will look something like this:

• G - Jai Lucas
• G - Justin Mason, Avery Bradley
  
• F - Jordan Hamilton, Gary Johnson
  
• F - Damion James
• C - Dexter Pittman
• Bench - Clint Chapman, Dogus Balbay, Shawn Williams, Varez Ward
  

There may not be a better top seven in the country.

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Who are we still waiting on?

Tyler Smith and Dominique Archie have both pulled their names out of the NBA Draft, which provides a huge boost to both schools.

So with four days left for players to return to school, who are the big names we are still waiting to hear from?

- Brian Davis, Chinemelu Elonu, and Donald Sloan, Texas A&M: None of these three guys seem likely to be drafted, and all three should return to school. Elonu is probably the best bet to have a solid NBA career given his size, length, and athleticism. The Two Man Game even compared him Joakim Noah and Tyson Chandler, although I think Louis Admunson is a lot closer.

- Austin Daye, Gonzaga: Daye is in a tricky situation. There have been numerous reports about him - that his dad wants him to stay in the draft and that he has been promised in the top 20. Although he really could use another season in college to let his body (and his personality) mature enough to where he is ready for the league, can you really argue with being a top 20 pick and taking the guaranteed money. Reports yesterday have Daye staying in.

- Devan Downey, South Carolina: Downey would likely not be selected into the NBA, but reports have said that he is interested in doing the Euro route.

- Luke Harangody, Notre Dame: As Andy Katz writes, this is a tough decision for Harangody. He has a chance to be the best player ever at a school with a pretty solid basketball tradition. If he leaves now, odds are he won't be a first-rounder and may even end up in the D-League. 'Gody is exactly the kind of player that should come back to school, especially when you consider that Notre Dame, who returns Tory Jackson and Jonathon Peoples but, more importantly, add transfers Ben Hansbrough and Scott Martin, will be a good team next season.

- Damion James, Texas: James is a crapshoot. He has not impressed many teams thus far with his workouts, as reports have said he is settling too much for his jumper and not attacking the glass the way we have seen. James could probably use another season developing his perimeter game so he can play the wing in the pros, but there is a chance he is a first round pick. With James back, Texas probably vaults into the conversation as a sleeper for the Final Four with their returning front line and incoming freshman class.

- Jodie Meeks, Kentucky: Meeks, along with Harangody, will probably be a pre-season national player of the year candidate. Unlike Harangody, Meeks has an excellent chance of bringing home a national title next season. The biggest issue I can see arising is that Meeks, who is a borderline first round pick (more likely early second), is going to take a hit in his numbers playing a season with that much talent surrounding him. Does he want to risk it?

- Jeff Teague, Wake Forest: Teague was almost a lock to leave, as he has played his way well into the first round while drawing comparisons to solid role players like Louis Williams and Monta Ellis. But after spraining his MCL last week, Wake Forest fans should be hoping the injury, while not too serious, is enough to scare teams off and send Teague back to school.

- Greivis Vazquez, Maryland: Vazquez should return to College Park. He is not a first round pick, and may not even be drafted. He is simply not athletic enough for the NBA. But what if Maryland lands Lance Stephenson? Can two overpowering personalities co-exist on the same team, especially when both players want the ball in their hands every possession? Vazquez, with his dual citizenship, would be a valuable commodity overseas.


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