NBA Draft Prospects: Ed Davis, UNC

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

Stats: 12.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 57.8% FG

Size:

• Listed: 6'9", 215 lb, 21 yrs old
  
• Combine: 6'9 3/4" (with shoes), 227 lb, 7'0" (wingspan)

About Him: After a freshman season that saw Davis put together some impressive performances as the sixth man for a national title winning UNC team, there were some lofty expectations for the youngster coming into the 2010 season. An up-and-down year ended when Davis broke his wrist in February, and after a bit of speculation regarding his draft status, Davis decided to turn pro.

Davis has quite a bit of upside, but as a player he is still quite raw. Athletically, Davis is quite impressive. Almost 6'10" in shoes, he's capable of getting out and running the floor. He is quite explosive as well, sporting a 36" max vert. Combine that with his solid wingspan, and Davis has the tools to be an effective pro.

The problem is that Davis currently has no idea how to use those tools. Despite being as athletically gifted as he is, Davis isn't all that coordinated. He moves well when running end to end, but he isn't great when he is forced to get into a defensive stance or make a move in the post or on the perimeter. And while he has a frame that looks like it can hold quite a bit of strength and weight -- broad shoulders, long arms, etc. -- it is going to be a while before he fills outs. This becomes an issue in the post defensively. Far too often, Davis gave up good post position to an offensive player.

As a player, Davis does a couple of things really well. For starters, his length and athleticism allow him to be an excellent target and finisher around the rim. The majority of his points the last two seasons came as a result of finishing off offensive rebounds or dump-offs around the basket. He's also a very good shot-blocker and rebounder, showing an understanding of helpside defense and the discipline not to bite on a shot fake. On the glass, he is active -- on both ends of the floor -- and has the ability to go and get rebounds out of his area. As he improves his strength, and thus his ability to box out, Davis could turn into a very good rebounder at the next level.

Offensively, Davis is still quite raw. His back-to-the-basket game consists almost solely of a left-handed jump hook, which is actually quite effective. Beyond that, however, he looks weak and mechanical when attempting anything more complicated or advanced. His perimeter game is non-existant. According to Draft Express, Davis took four jump shots all season long. He has almost no ball-handling ability, and is not much of a passer. In other words, he has a long way to go before he would be considered an offensive threat in the NBA.

Comparison:

• Best Case Scenario: The comparison I've seen the most of lat has been Al Horford. I think Davis is a little more athletic, while Horford definitely has more strength than Davis, but it Horford is a pretty good best case scenario. A rebounder and shot-blocker that can get you 12-15 ppg.
  
• Worst Case Scenario: The other comparison I've seen quite a bit is another former Tar Heel, Brandan Wright. Both long, slender athletes that left school quite raw offensively. Wright averaged 8 points and 4 boards for the Warriors this year. If his offensive never comes around and Davis spends time in the weight room, a career path along the line of Dale Davis isn't out of the question either.
  

Outlook: Davis has a long way to go. Any team that drafts him will need to realize that it is quite possible that Davis won't be ready to contribute to an NBA team for two or three years. He needs to fill out and he needs to develop his offensive arsenal. That said, at the very least Davis should be able to be a rebounder and a shot blocker at the next level. One of the bigger questions regarding Davis is whether he can play the power forward position. If he can, which would require him developing his perimeter game on both ends of the floor, than he probably has a better chance of carving himself out an NBA career.

Highlights:




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Ed Davis didn't sign with an agent, apparently

A "mistake" by PTA Sports Management had the state of North Carolina in an uproar yesterday. You see, PTA Sports (who has since taken their website down) had UNC's Ed Davis listed as a client yesterday.

Raise your hand if you see the problem here.

As any reader of this site should know, Davis is still a sophomore at UNC. He is still on scholarship there. He hasn't declared for the draft (which many expect him to eventually do). And while Davis' season is likely done due to a broken wrist, UNC still has a month of basketball left to play.

Regardless on where you looked yesterday, all sides are calling this a mistake, which is pretty much what they have to do. The agency has admitted to having contact with Davis, but both sides strongly denied any written or verbal agreement.

So what happened?

Well, either a competitor found out about this oral agreement and hacked the website to sabotage the deal, or PTA Sports was simply dumb enough to post Davis as a client while he is still officially in season.

Either way, I doubt we will ever know the truth. Davis would be a fool to sign with this agency. Do you really want to have a firm that is that dumb or that insecure representing your professional interests?

Didn't think so.

But I do think that it is now safe to assume that Davis is gone.

At least some real news came out of all this.
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Ed Davis breaks his wrist, done for the year

And you thought Carolina's season couldn't get any worse.

According to Buster Sports, Ed Davis has an injured wrist, believed to be broken, and will be out the rest of the season.

So now, not only are the Heels 2-7 in the ACC, they are all but a guarantee to miss the NCAA Tournament. There is no chance that this team can make a run missing Tyler Zeller, Travis Wear, and Ed Davis. Not the way they have been playing of late.

Buster does point out that this could end up being a good thing. Ed Davis was projected as a top five pick before the season started, but poor play of late has hurt his draft stock. Combine that with this injury, and its not out of the realm of possibility that Davis could return to the Heels on '10-'11.

If Davis does return, this team is an immediate favorite in '10-'11. With the talent they have returning, plus the recruiting class -- headlined by Harrison Barnes -- UNC will be loaded, and more experienced.

Another silver lining is that John Henson will now be forced to play some minutes. The uber-lanky 6'10" frosh has shown some promise, especially using his athleticism around the rim, but doesn't really seem to have a feel for the game. That only comes with playing time (and the Sean May meal plan over the summer).
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Centers

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.
Here are the power forwards.
These are the centers.

Best Freshman:

• Keith "Tiny" Gallon, Oklahoma
• Alex Oriakhi, UConn
• Daniel Orton, Kentucky
• Aaric Murray, La Salle
  

Best of the Rest:

• Dwayne Collins, Miami
• Mac Kowshal, DePaul
• Chas McFarland, Wake Forest
• Keith Benson, Oakland
• Omar Samhan, St. Mary's
• Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech
  

Top 10:

• 10. Terrence Jennings, Louisville: Jennings is an imposing athlete. Standing 6'10", he is strong, fast, and can really jump. Where Jennings could really stand to improve is in his polish. Just a sophomore, Jennings was terrific last season at establishing position, many times because he simply beat his man down the floor. An excellent finisher when his teammates set him up, Jennings did not have much in the way of post moves. His strength allowed him to be effective with a strong drop step over his left shoulder, but beyond that he is still quite raw. But, as I said, Jennings is just a sophomore. A summer under the tutelage of Rick Pitino should have him much improved this season.
  

Terrence Jennings will be counted on for quite a bit of production
as Louisville looks to replace Earl Clark and Terrence Williams.
(photo credit: Hell in the Hall)

• 9. Dexter Pittman, Texas: For Pittman, the issue has never been talent. As a 6'10", big-bodied junior, Pittman averaged double figures while playing just 17 mpg last season. A huge reason for that is his ability to establish post position. Checking in at close to 300 lb, Pittman is able to get deep on the block and hold off defenders. He also has shown a decent array of post moves, as he has a solid touch inside of about seven feet. Blessed with nimble feet and solid mobility, Pittman needs to improve his explosiveness as he is not going to jump over many people. That explosiveness should go hand-in-hand with Pittman getting into shape. He came into Texas at close to 400 lb, and even though he has lost near 100 lb, Pittman still has very limited endurance, hence the limited playing time last season. If he gets into shape, Pittman will be a dominant force inside.
  


• 8. Solomon Alabi, Florida State: Alabi is a guy that oozes potential. Tall, long, and mobile, Alabi was the most effective last season as a defender. But he definitely has shown some potential as an offensive player. He has a nice touch out to about 15 feet, and seems to have a decent feel for the game. As is true with most players of his build (tall and skinny), Alabi will be much more effective as he adds strength, especially in his lower body.
  


• 7. Larry Sanders, VCU: Sanders is as raw of a player as you will find. While he did show some improvement in his post game last season, Sanders still is not much more than a catch-and-finish guy offensively. But as the junior has now been in college for two years, that aspect of his game should continue to improve. Where Sanders impresses is with his length. 6'10" with a 7'7" wingspan, Sanders routinely grabs impressive rebounds from outside of his area and blocks quite a few shots. As he continues to add strength and polish, keep an eye on Sanders throughout the season as he is a major reason new head coach Shaka Smart has a chance to keep VCU on the national radar after the graduation of Eric Maynor.
  

Larry Sanders may have the longest wingspan in college basketball.
(photo credit: VCU Athletics)

• 6. Jerome Jordan, Tulsa: Jordan has been on the NBA draft radar for a few years, but during conference play last season, he really came on strong averaging 17 ppg. The biggest strides Jordan has made is offensively. While his overall polish is fairly lackluster, Jordan developed a decent array of post moves and has a much better recognition of when to use them; essentially, he is starting to develop a feel for the game offensively. Defensively, Jordan's shot blocking numbers were down last season, but some of that can be attributed to players avoiding him inside. Overall, the senior is still quite raw as a prospect, but with his above average athleticism, his 7 foot frame, and his 7'6" wingspan, Jordan should produce big time numbers playing in C-USA.
  


• 5. Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State: Even with Hasheem Thabeet in Storrs last season, Varnado may have been the most dominating interior defender in college basketball. And defensively is where he will make his presence felt again this season. What makes Varnado so effective at blocking shots is that he is disciplined when it comes to biting on pump fakes and he is so quick off the floor, on both his first and second jump. His offensive game still leaves quite a bit to be desired as he is essentially a non-factor outside of dunking the ball. What impressed me the most about Varnado was what happened this off-season. Varnado declared for the draft, knowing that Mississippi State's signing of Renardo Sidney would mean that Varnado would be the Bulldog's 14th scholarship player. So he decided that he would walk-on this year, paying his own way through school.
  


• 4. JaJuan Johnson, Purdue: Johnson has certainly come a long way in the last four years. As a high school junior, Johnson was a 170 lb, 6'10" center that played JV basketball. Today, the 215 lb center (that can reportedly bench press 285 lb) is a potential Big Ten player of the year. Johnson's biggest attribute on the offensive end is his shooting touch. Johnson has excellent range and does not hesitate to shoot when he is left open from 18 feet. While his post game still leaves a bit to be desired, he has developed a fairly reliable turn around and jump hook, which is most effective when he makes quick moves. His under developed frame makes it difficult for him to hold position inside, on both ends of the floor, but you can definitely see why the agile, athletic center is drawing the attention of some NBA scouts.
  


• 3. AJ Ogilvy, Vanderbilt: Ogilvy is very different from the rest of the players on this list as he is not an athlete and doesn't have a ton of potential due to his length and athleticism. Operating one-on-one in the post, Ogilvy is so difficult to stop. He has a variety of effective post moves, and knows how to use pump-fakes and counter-moves to set them up. Where Ogivly struggles offensively is when he is forced to step away from the basket. He doesn't have a great jump shot, and his ability to put the ball on the floor is limited, but improving. While Ogilvy is probably not going to top NBA Draft boards as his athleticism and length is less than ideal, Ogilvy is hands down the best back-to-the-basket center in college basketball.
  


• 2. Ed Davis, UNC: Like Aldrich last season, Davis had limited opportunities as a freshman, playing behind Tyler Hansbrough. But that doesn't mean Davis wasn't productive. In just under 19 mpg, Davis averaged 6.7 ppg and 6.6 rpg. Davis is an excellent athlete with a ton of energy, crashing the offensive glass and defending the rim, especially when coming from the weak side. Davis should see a natural increase in his scoring simply from playing more minutes and being so effective gathering garbage points, but if he can develop a real back to the basket game, Davis could end up being a 15, 10, and 3 block center this year.
  

Cole Aldrich looks to win a second NCAA title.
(photo credit: NY Daily News)

• 1. Cole Aldrich, Kansas: Aldrich improved drastically from his freshman to sophomore season, although much of that was a result of the increased playing he got as a sophomore. Defensively, Aldrich has the ability to be a game changer. At 6'11", he has a ridiculous wingspan and a frame that will be able to hold a lot of strength. As evidenced by his triple-double against a tough Dayton team in the second round of the NCAA Tournament (13 points, 20 boards, 10 blocks), Aldrich is an excellent rebounder with the ability to dominate in the paint. Offensively is where Aldrich could still stand to improve. While he did average 14.9 ppg, much of that was off of lobs, drop-offs, and offensive rebounds. Aldrich is mechanical in the post, and he doesn't have a great touch, but he has shown some signs of developing a solid post game, especially his jump hook. All told, Aldrich is a throwback center, and should once again dominate the Big XII.
  

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No. 7: 2009-2010 Team Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels

2008-2009 Record: 34-4, 13-3 ACC (1st)

Key Losses: Tyler Hansbrough (20.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg), Ty Lawson (16.6 ppg, 5.6 apg), Wayne Ellington (15.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Danny Green (13.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Key Returners: Deon Thompson (10.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Ed Davis (6.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg)

Newcomers: David Wear, Travis Wear, Leslie McDonald, John Henson, Dexter Strickland

Ed Davis has the potential to be a star this season.
(photo credit: Zimbio)

Can any team in the country say they lost more talent than the Tar Heels did? Not only are they losing the players, but in Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough, they lost the guys that gave them their identity. That said, North Carolina brings in an absolutely loaded recruiting class, which combined with the stud freshman Roy Williams brought into the program last season, give him plenty of potential to work with.

Not to put too much pressure on him, but the key to this team's season is going to be sophomore point guard Larry Drew. Ty Lawson was the engine that made UNC go last year. His ability to push the ball in transition and break down a defender in the half court is a major reason that the Heels were able to take advantage of the talent they had on the offensive end of the floor. Can Drew do that same? He isn't as quick as Lawson (few are), but he has shown some ability to get into the paint and find an open man. His three point shot is about where Lawson's was at this point in his career as well - below average. Drew has a lot to prove this season, and his ability to run this team will be instrumental in how good the Heels end up being.

Another big change is going to be UNC's shooting ability. Last year, guys like Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Bobby Frasor were very good shooters. This season, the UNC wings are going to be far from great from the perimeter. Marcus Ginyard, who is back from the injury that forced him to redshirt last season, is an excellent player. He will defend, he will attack the rim, he will rebound, but he isn't an explosive offensive talent like an Ellington, or even a Green. The same can be said for junior Will Graves, who butted heads a bit with Williams last season.

As with every position on the court, UNC is going to rely heavily on their young guys on the wings. Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald are both highly touted freshman joining the program. Strickland is a combo guard. His size and athleticism make him dangerous on the wing, as he excels when he is able to get out in transition or when he is attacking the basket. He will be able to slide over and play some point as well. An improved shooter during his senior season, Strickland is still a ways from being considered a real threat from deep. McDonald is not quite the slasher that Strickland is, but he may be a better shooter (he is probably the Heels best shooter on the perimeter). One of the comparisons I have been seeing a lot of is that McDonald is Marcus Ginyard with a better jumper. Probably not a starter, but he is a guy that will provide a lot of good minutes for the Heels.

Williams has said that 6'10" freshman John Henson is going to see a lot of minutes on the perimeter. Henson could be an x-factor for UNC. He is a play maker that always seems to be around the ball - whether it is making a backdoor pass for a lay-up, blocking a shot, grabbing a rebound and going coast-to-coast. The consensus seems to be that Henson is a 6'10" combo forward with a 7'1" wing span and the perimeter skills of a guard. If he develops this season, Henson has the chance to be a weapon in UNC's full court attack.

The Heels inside play has a bunch of question marks as well. Back are Deon Thompson and Ed Davis. Davis has the potential to be a game-changing big man. He is long, athletic, and aggressive on the boards. Davis also provides the Heels with a shot blocking presence they have not had in a long time. His biggest problem right now is that he has not proven the ability to score with his back to the basket. That said, a breakout season, a la Cole Aldrich, out of Davis has been predicted by many. Thompson is a known commodity. He doesn't really do anything great, but he is a solid all-around post. He is a decent scorer, either backing his man down or facing him up. He'll grab some rebounds. He'll play some decent post defense. With the youth on the Heels front line, Williams is going to count on Thompson for leadership and consistency.

The other three guys up front will be Tyler Zeller and David and Travis Wear. Zeller had a bit of a disappointing freshman season, as a broken wrist suffered in the season's second game kept him out for the bulk of the season. But Zeller has talent. He is a legitimate seven footer, but his strength on the offensive end of the court is his perimeter game. He can shoot it (and may actually be the best shooter on the roster) and he can put the ball on the floor and go by an opposing center. According to reports, Zeller has been playing with the first team over Davis in early season practices.

The 6'9" Wear twins are similar to Zeller. The two are essentially the same player, with David being better offensively and Travis better defensively. Both are excellent with the ball in their hands, shooting the ball from the perimeter and using the bounce to get to the basket. The problem is that neither are good with their back to the basket.

In fact, none of the UNC bigs are that good with their back to the basket, which is why there may be a change to the UNC offense this season. Last year, the Heels looked inside to Hansbrough quite a bit, as Pyscho T was able to score with two and three defenders draped over him in the post. No one on the UNC roster can play like that this year. With how good most of the UNC bigs are facing up with the ball in their hands, Roy will look run even more of a spread attack. The two bigs will operate at the high post a lot, allowing more space for guys to slash to the rim because players like the Wears, Thompson, Zeller, and even Henson are a threat from 17 feet.

Outlook: UNC is going to be raw this season, as they have a ton of youth and inexperience on the roster. Even senior leader Marcus Ginyard is coming off of a season where he played just three games. The Heels are still going to run, but their secondary break is going to be a bit different. Instead of dumping the ball in to Hansbrough and allowing him to score or kick out to a shooter, the Heels are going to look to get their touches in the paint via penetration from the wings. An area where UNC should be better this season is defensively. Davis, Henson, and Zeller are all capable shot blockers, and guys like Strickland, McDonald, Ginyard, and Drew are defensive improvements on the perimeter. In short, UNC has the talent to be a Final Four team, but whether or not these kids develop into a group that can make it that far remains to be seen.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Breakout Players

Cole Aldrich averaged just 8.3 mpg as a freshman, before becoming one of the best centers in the country this past season.

Jodie Meeks had two unimpressive, injury-plagued seasons before becoming one of college basketball's most electrifying scorers as a junior.

Every season, there are kids that come from college basketball obscurity and burst onto the national scene. Who will have a break out year in 2009-2010?

Ed Davis, North Carolina - 6'10" 225lb: Davis is in kind of the same boat Aldrich was last season. As a freshman, he was a promising prospect that was stuck behind a loaded front line. Davis is long, athletic, and plays with a great deal of energy. He has shown the ability to be one of the better defenders and rebounders in the country, and with the added scoring opportunities with the graduation of Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, and Ty Lawson, it isn't a stretch to think Davis could average 15 and 10 as a sophomore.

Ed Davis could be the next great Tar Heel big man.
(photo credit: Raleigh Durham About)

Kemba Walker, UConn - 6'1" 172lb: Walker was stuck playing behind AJ Price as a freshman. But with Price's graduation, this will be Kemba's UConn team to run. And run they will. The last two seasons, UConn has played a much more controlled pace than you expect from a Jim Calhoun team. Price, Hasheem Thabeet, and Jeff Adrien were all more suited to a slower paced, grind-it-out style. With those three gone, UConn will rely on Walker, Jerome Dyson, and Stanley Robinson to lead them, all of whom could be considered the most athletic player at their positions. UConn is going to press defensively and run offensively, and Walker is going to be the catalyst.

Kim English, Missouri - 6'6" 200lb: Anyone that watched the NCAA tournament (and if you read this blog, that means you) should know what English can do when he gets hot: during a four minute stretch against Marquette in the second round, English hit three threes and scored 15 points. A 6'6" two-guard, English is tall enough to get his shot off over most perimeter defenders, but he also has enough athleticism to survive in the 40-minutes-of-hell style the Tigers play. With guys like Leo Lyons, DeMarre Carroll, JT Tiller, and Matt Lawrence all graduating, expect English to get many more minutes and shots.

Chris Wright, Georgetown - 6'1", 208lb: Wright was a much-hyped recruit coming out of St. John's high school in Maryland, but an injury to his foot severely limited his court time as a freshman. Combine that with playing behind Jonathon Wallace, and last season was essentially Wright's first in the Big East. With that came the growing pains - at times he was brilliant, but overall he had an inconsistent season. He now has a year of experience under his belt, and knowing what to expect in a watered down Big East, Wright should be more comfortable and confident leading the Hoyas.

Wesley Johnson, Syracuse - 6'7", 198lb: Johnson was a player for two years with Iowa State, averaging 12 ppg both seasons. But during his sophomore year, he played on an ankle that required surgery after the season was done. Now that he has had 16 months to get healthy, Johnson will start over in a program looking for their own fresh start. The Orange lost a ton of talent on the perimeter, and Johnson will be expected to shoulder the scoring load from day one. Johnson is a tremendous athlete with a jumper that is very effective when he doesn't fall in love with it - which is what happened during his sophomore season (although, that was most likely a result of his injury). If he can become the player he was as a freshman - attacking the glass, going to the basket, defending - Johnson should put up impressive scoring numbers and thrive playing the back line of the Syracuse zone.

Iowa State transfer Wesley Johnson will be counted on to replace the scoring of Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf.
(photo credit: Flagrant Fouls)

Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Washington - 6'9", 240lb: A lot of people are predicting the Huskies to be the best team on the West Coast, and that prediction could very well hold true as U-Dub will field one of the most dynamic back courts in the country. But back court play will only get you so far during the season. Washington will be heading into this year with a gaping hole in their frontline courtesy of Jon Brockman's graduation. Bryan-Amaning will be the guy called upon to fill a lot of those minutes. He has shown signs of being a star-in-the-making during his first two seasons, but both seasons faded down the stretch as his minutes and production tailed off during Pac-10 play. The Huskies, if possible, are going to play an even faster tempo than they did last season, and given Bryan-Amaning's length, athleticism, and face-up game, he should be able to thrive.

Malcolm Lee, UCLA - 6'5", 180lb: Lee has been getting a ton of attention during the off-season, and it isn't hard to see why - the kid looks like he could be the second coming off Russell Westbrook. If you remember, Westbrook flew under the radar as a freshman before exploding as a sophomore and becoming the fourth pick of the 2008 draft. Like Westbrook, Lee is a rangy combo guard with outstanding athleticism. He struggled to find minutes in a crowded back court last season, but that doesn't mean that he isn't blessed loads of talent. Lee is still a bit raw, especially on the offensive end, but he has already garnered a reputation for being a play maker defensively. If he is allowed to take some advantage of his outstanding ability to create in the open court, Lee could be a first team all-Pac 10 player.

Can Malcolm Lee follow in Russell Westbrook's footsteps?

Roburt Sallie, Memphis - 6'5", 196lb: Remember what I said about Kim English? If you watched the NCAA Tournament, you know what this guy is capable of. The exact same can be said about Sallie. Sallie spent most of the season on John Calipari's bench, but exploded for 35 points and 10 three's as he carried the Tiger's to a first round win against Cal State Northridge. One of the best shooters in the country, new coach Josh Pastner is going to need a big season out of Sallie, as the NBA Draft and a disappearing recruiting class has left the Tiger's cupboard pretty bare.

Ishmael Smith, Wake Forest - 6'0", 175lb: As a freshman, Ishmael Smith was one of the most promising point guards in the country, averaging 6.0 apg. But something happened over the past two seasons, and that something was named Jeff Teague. Teague dominated the ball during his time in Winston-Salem, forcing Smith into a much less significant role. But that doesn't mean Smith can't play. He is not a great scorer, but what he does well is break down a defense and lead a break. In other words, he can create scoring chances for others, which is going to be so important for a Wake team that doesn't have a lot of polished offensive weapons.

Ashton Gibbs, Pttsburgh - 6'2", 200lb: Pitt will be heading into this season with basically a whole new team. With four starters gone, and two of their top returners out to start the season (Jermaine Dixon's foot injury and Gilbert Brown's suspension), Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker will be basically the only two guys back. Gibbs played a limited role as a freshman for the Panthers, but in those limited minutes he produced. He also had an impressive summer playing for the U-19 World Champions (coached by Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon). Gibbs will be counted upon immediately to produce for the Panthers, and he should be up to the task. He proved his ability to shoot from the perimeter last season, but this year he will be asked to lead this team as a scorer and play maker.

William Buford, Ohio State - 6'5", 185lb: Buford took some time to find a rhythm as a freshman, but once he got comfortable he really started to show some promising signs at the end of the year. Buford is one of the most fluid scorers in the Big Ten. He is so good at reading a defense and coming off of a screen, and is deadly when shooting in the 15-18 foot range. If Buford can expand his ability to slash to the rim, he could prove to be a deadly complement to Evan Turner.

Honorable Mention:

Michael Dunigan, Oregon
Paul George, Fresno State
Demetri Goodson, Gonzaga
Terrence Jennings, Louisville
Larry Sanders, VCU
Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt
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