2010-2011 Season Preview: Top Centers

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 8th, 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 its about time 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 putting the freshman in a separate 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 compared to the rest of college basketball until I see them play at this level. 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.

By Position: PG, SG, SF, PF, C

Hit the jump for the centers:


1. JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, Sr: Johnson has really come a long way. As a high school sophomore, he played JV basketball. As a college senior, he is the best center in the country. Johnson is a good shot blocker, he's got a soft touch from the perimeter, and a nice finesse game in the post. The biggest knock on Johnson throughout his career is that he has always been slender and weaker than would be ideal. Well, if Seth Davis is to be believed, Johnson is now benching 315 lb. That's some serious weight. With Robbie Hummel gone, Johnson will be relied upon even more on the offensive end by the Boilermakers. Now think about this -- in the eight games Purdue played without Hummel at the end of last season, Johnson averaged 17.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg, up from 15.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg with Hummel.


2. Trey Thompkins, Georgia, Jr: Ranking Thompkins this high is completely dependent on a quick recovery from the high ankle sprain that he suffered last week. If that injury bugs him all season, this ranking -- and the idea that Georgia could end up being a bubble team -- could end up looking foolish. The biggest reason that the Bulldogs are expected by many to make a jump this season is their biggest player. Thompkins is a force on the block and has developed an above-average face-up game. When healthy, he is a legitimate 20 point, 9 board kind of player.

3. Kenneth Faried, Morehead State, Sr: By now, Faried should be a name that everybody knows despite playing for a team in the Ohio Valley Conference. At 6'9", he is a rangy, athletic player that is as active as they come. Its not a stretch to say that he is the best rebounder in the country, at any level. He's become more of an offensive threat as he has developed, and if he can improve on his free throw shooting (he hit under 60% of his 237 attempts last season), I think there is a real possibility this kid could average 20 and 15 this season. Yes, that is a lot, but Faried is that good.


4. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina, Jr: Zeller is a kid that I am expecting a big season out of. A junior, his first two years at North Carolina did not exactly go as planned. He battled injuries -- a broken wrist as a freshman, a stress fracture in his foot as a sophomore -- and dealt with playing behind a talented front court. Now is his time to shine, as the Heels will be very thin up front. Zeller has skills as well. He's got a nice touch around the rim and has developed a nice array of post moves. He's not the most important piece, but he will play a huge role in UNC's return to glory.

5. Jordan Williams, Maryland, So: Williams is a player with a promising future. Perhaps the best sign for Williams this season is that he has dropped about 20 pounds, which should help him both in his quickness and explosiveness, two skills he really struggled with last season. Even with that extra weight, Williams proved to be good at running the floor as a freshman, a skill that should continue to improve and will be important in the uptempo system the Terps want to play. The key for Williams this season will be to develop his skills -- footwork, post moves, jumper. He's great at establishing position thanks to his size and strength, and will become that much more effective as his offensive repertoire expands. That expansion will be important this season as the Terps will be dealing with the loss of Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes, and Landon Milbourne.

6. Keith Benson, Oakland, Sr: Benson was gone. He had declared for the draft and all but made the decision to stay in, but an injury to his thumb that required surgery forced him to return. That is great news for the Grizzlies, who get back one of the most productive big men in the country. Benson averaged 17.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and 3.3 bpg as a junior, and with games against teams like West Virginia, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State, Tennessee, Michigan, and Ohio State, Benson will have plenty of chances to prove himself. Already a borderline first round pick, he can probably improve himself the most by getting stronger and becoming a better defender.


7. Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb, Sr: Hodzic, like Benson, is a mid-major star that decided to return to school for his senior season after initially entering the NBA Draft. The reigning Atlantic Sun player of the year should put up some startling numbers this season as he averaged 22.7 ppg as a junior, good for second best in the nation. There isn't a lot of flair to Hodzic's game, as the native of Sarajevo tends to use his 6'9", 250 lb frame bully his way through the paint. His 12 blocks on the season and 29 assists (compared to 80 turnovers) should let you know all you need to about his all around game. But that doesn't change the fact that, offensively, Hodzic is beast.

8. Herb Pope, Seton Hall, Jr: We are lucky that we can even throw Pope into this list, as the Pirate's junior center nearly died in April from a heart defect. But now that he is back on the court and healthy, we can all get back to remembering just how dominant of a player Pope truly is. At 6'8", 236 lb, Pope isn't overly explosive and doesn't have the best post moves in the country, but he is very strong, is tremendous as establishing and holding position, has long arms and a tremendous nose for the ball. Last season, he led the Big East with 10.7 rpg. It will be interesting to see how he develops this season, as he will play a large role in the year that Seton Hall is expected to have. That said, Pope is probably just happy to still be breathing, let alone playing.

9. Yancy Gates, Cincinnati, Jr: Gates will be an interesting player to watch develop this season. A top 25 recruit coming out of high school, a lot was expected of him. At 6'9", 260 lb, Gates has a solid skill set for someone that size. His issue has been embracing his strength on the block. With Deonta Vaughn and Lance Stephenson both gone, it will be up to Gates to carry the load for the Bearcats offensively.


10. Mike Tisdale, Illinois, Sr: Tisdale is a bit of a different player that most of the other players on this list. Standing 7'1", Tisdale is far from what you would call a bruiser. In fact, the best aspect of his game is the touch he has on his jump shot. He's a capable shot blocker and rebounder, but where he is the most is effective is on the offensive end of the floor. His ability to hit a jumper keeps the floor spread for Demetri McCamey's penetration, and in the post he has a nice finesse game -- quick baseline turnarounds and jump hooks.

11. Ryan Rossiter, Siena, Sr.
12. Denzel Bowles, James Madison, Sr.
13. Drew Gordon, New Mexico, Jr.
14. Nikola Vucevic, USC, Jr.
15. Greg Smith, Fresno State, So.
16. Mason Plumlee, Duke, So.
17. Jarrid Famous, South Florida, Sr.
18. Robert Sacre, Gonzaga, Jr.
19. Alex Oriakhi, UConn, So.
20. DeAngelo Casto, Washington State, Jr.

Top Freshman

1. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State: Sullinger could very well end up being the best low post player in the country this season. That's how much hype this kid as received coming in. Many have put him on their all-american teams. At 6'8", 250 lb, Sullinger has terrific moves on the block and really understands positioning.

2. Enes Kanter, Kentucky: The question for Kanter is simply eligibility. Will he be able to get on the floor this season? If he does, he is a strong 6'11" center that is excellent around the rim and a terrific rebounder. He, along with Thompkins, will be neck-and-neck as the best big man in the SEC.

3. Fab Melo, Syracuse: Melo isn't quite at the level of development that Kanter and Sullinger are, but he is still going to be an immediate impact player at Syracuse. More than anything, his size in the middle of that 2-3 zone will be quite important.

4. Patric Young, Florida: Part of the reason that Florida is expected to be a Final Four contender this season is because they essentially bring back their entire roster. The other reason? What they were missing last season -- a big, athletic, and physical kid to rebound, block shots, and intimidate around the rim -- was added when Patric Young came to Gainesville.

5. Josh Smith, UCLA: I'm expecting big things out of Josh Smith this season. In part because he is a talented, highly regarded recruit that should see immediate minutes at UCLA. The other part is because he has reportedly addressed his biggest knock and gotten himself into excellent shape heading into the season.