2010-2011 Season Preview: Top Power Forwards

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 small forwards:

1. Marcus Morris, Kansas, Jr: I had a very difficult time determining No. 1 and No. 2 on this list as I am a huge fan of both Morris and Elias Harris. I ended up picking Morris for one reason -- last season, he averaged 12.8 ppg and 6.1 rpg on the best team in the country as the fourth best player on the floor. That's impressive. As far as his skill set is concerned, there isn't much Morris cannot do offensively. He can score in the paint, he can shoot from the perimeter with range to the college three point line, he can put the ball on the floor and finish in the mid range, and he's a good ball handler with nimble feet. He's also a more-than-capable defender. Morris should put up all-american numbers in a junior season in which he will be the Jayhawk's focal point.

2. Elias Harris, Gonzaga, So: As I said earlier, I really like Harris' game. Like Morris, he has a great all-around offensive arsenal. He can score in the paint, he can drive the ball on the perimeter, and he has three point range. The difference between Harris and Morris is that the former is a much more explosive athlete. He's quicker and he's a better leaper. He doesn't quite have the polish that Morris does just yet, but that will come with time. As a player, Morris is better right now. As a pro prospect, its Harris.

3. Jon Leuer, Wisconsin, Jr: Jon Leuer is a name that you are going to be hearing a lot from this season. He really impressed people working out with Team USA over the summer. Leuer was a guard before he hit the growth spurt that sent him to 6'10", which means that he has a terrific perimeter game for someone his size. He's a confident ball-handler, a capable penetrator, and a very good shooter. He's got a finesse game in the post, utilizing good footwork and a variety of hooks and turnarounds to score. Like I said, expect to hear his name a lot this season.

4. Kevin Jones, West Virginia, Jr: Jones is one of the more interesting players on this list. He's one of the best offensive rebounders in the country, as he is long, aggressive going to the glass, and has a terrific motor. He also happens to be a deadly three-point shooter when he is given time to set his feet. He's a smart player that understands his limitations and maximizes his strengths. This season, with Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler gone, Jones is going to be relied upon for much more scoring this season. The question will be how much his post game developed in the offseason.

5. Derrick Williams, Arizona, So: Williams wasn't expected to be this good, and he certainly wasn't expected to be this good this quickly. A relatively unknown recruit coming out of high school, Williams burst on the scene in Tucson, winning the freshman of the year award in the Pac-10 while averaging 15.7 ppg and 7.1 rpg. As a freshman, Williams didn't have a terrific back-to-the-basket game, but he does have a great feel. He knows how to get himself open, he has a knack for getting to the offensive glass, and he's very good at finishing around the rim and drawing fouls. Williams will be relied upon quite a bit more for scoring this season, so it will be interesting to see how his post game has developed during the offseason.

6. John Shurna, Northwestern, Jr: Shurna was one of the country's most pleasant surprises last year. When Kevin Coble went down with an injury before the season started, most believed that the Wildcats were done. And while they didn't quite reach their goal of making the NCAA Tournament in 2010, the emergence of Shurna was a major reason Northwestern won an impressive 20 games. He is also the biggest reason that the Wildcats have a shot at making the dance this season. Shurna is a perfect fit at power forward in Bill Carmody's princeton offense. He can shoot the ball, he is a good passer, and he really has a feel for the game and this system.

7. John Henson, North Carolina, So: It will be interesting to see what kind of player that Henson turns into this year. A top ten recruit in 2009, Henson struggled throughout much of his freshman campaign as he was forced to play out of position on the wing. But towards the end of the season, when he began to get more minutes in the paint, he really started to come into his own as a player. Henson has added some bulk to his (very) slender frame, but he still needs more to become a truly dominant interior player. Where he should be effective this season is as a shot blocker, a rebounder, and running the floor. A lot of people expect Henson -- who is a supremely talented kid -- to have a big sophomore season. I don't disagree.

8. Tracy Smith, NC State, Sr: NC State's season was saved when Smith, who averaged 16.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg, decided that he would return to anchor a young, but talented, Wolfpack squad. Smith's numbers will likely take a hit this season as he will have more scorers to share the offensive workload. Smith is strictly a back-to-the-basket player showing very limited perimeter skills. But he has a polished post game, complete with a number of turnaround jumpers and jump hooks. Smith is going to be the anchor for an NC State team that should be dancing come March.

9. Chris Wright, Dayton, Sr: I can't imagine what it must feel like to be a Dayton fan and watch Wright's career, because I get frustrated following it from afar. Wright has a ton of athletic talent. He's athletic and coordinated enough that, if he makes the NBA, it will likely be as a three. But the problem is that he hasn't been able to develop his skills. Last year, he had all kinds of expectations, but his jumper was still suspect and his handle was still subpar. His athletic profile alone makes him one of the best forwards in the country, but did he put in the work over the summer to take that next step?

10. Lavoy Allen, Temple, Sr: There are some things that Allen does very well on a basketball court. He moves without the ball, he rebounds extremely well on both ends, and he's an excellent shot blocker. He also has a couple of solid post moves, although he needs to improve his ability to finish around the rim. But perhaps Allen's best attribute is that he is unselfish offensively, understanding the role he plays in Temple's offense.

11. Marshawn Powell, Arkansas, So.
12. JaMychal Green, Alabama, Jr.
13. Curtis Kelly, Kansas State, Sr.
14. Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Washington, Sr.
15. Damian Saunders, Duquesne, Sr.
16. Mike Davis, Illinois, Sr.
17. Matt Howard, Butler, Sr.
18. Tai Wesley, Utah State, Sr.
19. Reeves Nelson, UCLA, So.
20. Justin Rutty, Quinnipiac, Sr.


Top Five Freshmen

1. Terrence Jones, Kentucky: Jones is a face-up four man with a versatile skill set that has drawn him comparisons to Lamar Odom. The biggest issue regarding Jones' success as a freshman is Enes Kanter. Those two would work really well together.

2. Tobias Harris, Tennessee: Harris, like Jones, is a guy that can realistically play both forward sports. He's a smart player, a guy that makes the IQ play as opposed to the SportsCenter play.

3. CJ Leslie, NC State: The 6'8" Leslie surprised a lot of people when he popped for NC State. Long, lanky, and super athletic, Leslie will be an excellent complement to Tracy Smith inside.

4. Tristan Thompson, Texas: Thompson is a big, physical power forward. He's got some post moves and plays with a great motor. He should be a focal point offensively for Texas next season.

5. DeShaun Thomas, Ohio State: Thomas is a strong, lefty combo forward that really understands how to score the ball. He's got a face-up game, but at 6'6" he's a bit short for a power forward.