POSTERIZED: The Dayton High-Flyers

Just because there were not a bunch of top-quality games this weekend doesn't mean there were some top-quality plays and highlights. Dayton and New Mexico played in the game of the weekend, with the Flyers winning in double-OT 76-73.

But what people are going to remember about this game were the two monsterous dunks thrown down by Chris "Top Flight" Wright and Juwan Staten.

Wright is widely considered as one of the best dunkers in the country, and this nasty tip-dunk is evidence why.



Wright's dunk was pretty filthy, but it may not have even been the best dunk of the game. I think that award goes to Juwan Staten.
(at the 1:57 mark)




The dunk is slow-mo




Were these dunks better than the previous entries

POSTERIZED - D.J Stephens, Memphis
POSTERIZED - Derrick Williams, Arizona
POSTERIZED - Reeves Nelson, UCLA
POSTERIZED - Kendall Marshall and John Henson, UNC
POSTERIZED - Terrence Jones, Kentucky
POSTERIZED - Rodney Williams, Minnesota
POSTERIZED - Joe Jackson, Memphis
POSTERIZED - Shay Shine, High Point
POSTERIZED - Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
POSTERIZED - Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion
POSTERIZED - CJ Fair, Syracuse
POSTERIZED - LeBryan Nash
POSTERIZED - Rodney Williams, Minnesota
POSTERIZED - Travis Leslie, Georgia
POSTERIZED - Terrence Jones, Kentucky
POSTERIZED - Marcus Jordan, Central Florida
POSTERIZED - Lorenzo Brown, NC State
POSTERIZED - Tai Wesley, Utah State
POSTERIZED - Trent Lockett, Arizona State, and Derrick Williams, Arizona
POSTERIZED - Brandon Paul, Illinois
POSTERIZED - Jordan Hamilton, Texas


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Chris Wright must be reading BIAH

Earlier today, the NCAA released the list of the 80 players that had declared early for the NBA Draft. The list wasn't a day old before Dayton's Chris Wright heeded our advice.

This afternoon, Wright announced his intentions to return to Dayton:

I have decided to return to UD for my senior season and have pulled my name out of this year’s NBA draft. When I announced I was investigating the draft, I said my three main goals as a Dayton Flyer were to graduate, to raise the national profile of our program, and to put myself in position to play at the highest level. I'm excited about accomplishing these three goals.

Going through this process was a learning experience for me and I really appreciate the advice I received. I also want to thank my family and coach Gregory for the support and guidance they gave me as I came to this decision. I love the University of Dayton and where our program is headed. I can't wait for next year.

For our thoughts on what a return would mean for Wright as a player, read here.

The bigger question is what it means for the Flyers as a team.

With Wright returning, Dayton now brings back their top two scorers -- Wright and Chris Johnson, a talented wing that averaged 12 and 7 while shooting 35% from three -- as well as their head coach Brian Gregory, who spurned offers form a couple high-major programs.

But the Flyers are not a team that thrives on scoring to win. Their style of play is best described as a street fight -- they are going to fly around defensively, playing tough, physical man-to-man defense. And with the seven seniors that graduate this year (which includes back court players Rob Lowery, London Warren, Mickey Perry, and Marcus Johnson), the Flyers lose much of the depth, and a number of the defenders, that allowed them to play that style.

Its not all bad. Gregory is bringing in five recruits, of which all five can play on the perimeter. Two of those recruits -- Juwan Staten and Brandon Spearlman -- were sought after by a number of high majors. Staten is the best of the bunch. He's a true point guard, a good decision maker that can use the bounce the create and score and is a willing and able defender. He also excels getting out in transition. He should be a good fit for this Dayton team.

Dayton returns quite a bit of size, as Luke Fabrizius, Josh Benson, and Matt Kavanaugh all return. Kavanaugh and Benson were both freshmen this season and saw limited playing time, while Fabrizius was a sophomore that averaged just 9.4 mpg in the 25 games he saw action. While that young and inexperienced front line struggled to see consistent minutes, there is some potential there. Fabrizius is probably the best shooter on the Dayton roster, and Kavanaugh and, to a lesser degree, Benson were both fairly highly-regarded recruits.

But clearly, the biggest piece of news the Flyers got, or will get, this offseason is the return of Chris Wright.

Without him, they are a team that might be looking at their second straight NIT. With him, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Flyers make a run at both an A-10 title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
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2010 NBA Draft Early Entrants: Who helps themselves the most by returning to school

The NBA Draft's Early Entry deadline came and went on Sunday. Today, we will provide you with a bit of fodder over how some of this year's decisions could sway the 2010-11 college basketball season. For a complete list of this year's crop of early entrants, click here.

I am not opposed to early entry into the NBA Draft. In fact, I often support the decision of many of these kids to enter the professional ranks. When the opportunity to become a first round pick presents itself, there is no reason for me to protest against a kid pursuing his dream and making a (substantial) living. If you are blessed enough to be an NBA-worthy talent, there is no reason not to cash-in on your ability.

The issue I have is with the kids that stay in the draft when it would suit them best to go back to school for a year. I understand that this season is unique, with a potential NBA lockout looming, but there are still players who may be able to move up draft boards -- and possibly earn themselves a guaranteed contract -- by returning to school.

While it is a less-than-ideal format this year (and believe me, that is putting it lightly, but that is another post for another day), the ability to test the waters is great for these kind of players. In a perfect world, they can work out for NBA scouts, see where they stand in terms of the NBA Draft, and either continue on with their efforts to lock up a guaranteed contract or return to school and work on the specific aspects of their game that need improvement to up their stock as a draft pick.

Which players should pull their name out of the draft? Note that we are only considering guys that we deem potential first rounders one day. There are a lot of players with their names in the draft that clearly need to head back to school, or simply tested the waters because they are a junior.


Chris Wright, Dayton, junior: Wright has always been a sensational athlete. You don't get the nickname "Top Flight" easily. Wright is 6'8", strong, athletic, and built in the mold of the power wing/combo forward that has become a trend in today's NBA. As a junior, Wright finally started to show some flashes of a developed perimeter game, which he will need in order to become an NBA player. Every player in the NBA is an elite athlete. To warrant a first round pick, you need to bring something else to the table.

Chris Wright, if he's smart, will return to Dayton and get up a lot of jumpers this summer.
(photo credit: Dayton Daily News)

But Wright isn't quite there yet. He jump shot, ball-handling skills, and instincts on the perimeter still need some work. If he can put in the work this summer, and develop himself like, say, Quincy Pondexter did this year, he should be able to work his way into next year's first round. This season, it is very likely that he will fall into the second round.


JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, Purdue, juniors: Moore is the obvious one here. While he is a very good player at the college level, he lacks the ideal size and athleticism of an NBA two guard, and he isn't a point guard. Simply put, I'm not sure if the NBA is in Moore's future.

Johnson, on the other hand, has the potential to be a first round pick if he comes back. 6'10" and athletic with a soft touch on the perimeter will catch a lot of eyes. But Johnson's issue is his strength. He's just a slender guy, weighing right around 215 lb with a frame that doesn't exactly look like it can add a lot of size.

Johnson isn't a first rounder this year. If he decides to stay in the draft, he will be in that mix of guys looking to steal one of the last 10 picks of the draft. Given his limitations and the quality of talent in the 20-45 range, odds are good that he slips into the second round. But if he spends a summer in the weight room and showcases a better low post game next season for what should be a very good Purdue team, he would likely be a first round pick in 2011. Johnson has gone from the JV for his high school team as a junior to a potential NBA pick in four years. He clearly works hard and is willing to put in the effort to make himself better. The NBA can wait another year.


Keith Benson, Oakland, junior: Benson, like Johnson, is a borderline first round pick this year. Like Johnson, he is tall, long, and athletic with a soft touch on the perimeter. And like Johnson, Benson lacks the strength that is required to be a post player in the NBA.

The talent is there for Keith Benson.
(photo credit: The Oakland Press)

Benson averaged 17 ppg this past season, but too much of that came from the perimeter. While he does have a foundation that should lead people to believe he can improve -- he has excellent footwork, for example -- he needs to get stronger and tougher. In a lot of cases, he is forced to be a perimeter shooter and a face-up big man not for a lack of post moves, but because he lacks the strength and the toughness to hold position on the block and finish those post moves. The strength and toughness issue shows through on the defensive end as well. Benson has first round potential, but he is much more likely to realize that potential if he waits for the 2011 draft.


Samardo Samuels, Louisville, sophomore: Samuels was a top five recruit coming out of high school, and certainly hasn't failed to be a very good player for Rick Pitino. I don't think anyone can complain when they are getting 15 and 7 out of a sophomore.

The problem is that Samuels doesn't really project as an NBA player. He is only 6'8" (and that may be generous) and is comparatively an underwhelming athlete -- he isn't overly quick or explosive. Samuels can survive at the collegiate level because he is strong, understands how to hold position, and has some effective post moves. But with his lack of a perimeter/face-up game, a 6'8" low post player is a long shot at getting picked in the first round, if at all. If Samuels decides to return to Louisville, he could very well be the best post player in the conference, if not the Big East player of the year.


Devin Ebanks, West Virginia, sophomore: Ebanks is a bit of an enigma. Standing 6'9", he is long and pretty athletic. But the issues with Ebanks aren't his tools, it is how he uses them. At times, he looked like he was capable of taking over games this season, but there were also times he looked absolutely lost.

I don't think Ebanks really understands how to play basketball. There were a number of times late in the season where he simply lost track of how much time was left on the clock, or looked completely lost on the offensive end. There is also the issue of an early season suspension and a perimeter game that is really lacking. Ebanks came into the season as a potential lottery pick, and his stock only dropped during the year. Leaving now, he may even end up in the second round. If he can come back and get people talking about his strengths, not his weaknesses, then he may boost himself back into the lottery next season, especially with the likelihood that his role will be expanded without Da'Sean Butler.

Other notable names who could benefit from an extra year in school:

• Avery Bradley, Texas, freshman: Everyone knows how good Bradley can be defensively, but he had an up and down season on the offensive end. With Damion James and Dexter Pittman graduating, Bradley would have the chance to be the focal point offensively. Its a double edged sword, because another inconsistent year could end up the label of strictly a defender.
• Terrico White, Ole Miss, sophomore: There is a lot to like about White. He has two guard size and athleticism, and has shown the ability to play the point (as a freshman, when Chris Warren was injured). He's a potential late first rounder this season, but could move up into the lottery if he goes back to school and has another good year.
• Manny Harris, Michigan, junior: Harris has first round talent, but it is tough to warrant using a first round pick on a guy that couldn't lead his college team to many wins, especially when the late first round is so loaded. Harris has a variety of skills, ut is still maturing as a player and a person as well as learning the game.
• Kenneth Faried, Morehead State, junior: I really like Faried's game. He's 6'8", he's athletic, he's energetic, he plays hard, he attacks the glass. He's the kind of blue-collar player that is going leave everything he has on the floor. Faried is probably never going to be a go-to scorer, but he doesn't need to be to find a spot in the league. He may not improve his stock all that much if he comes back, but he would likely go higher in the draft next year simply because there won't be as many people in front of him on draft boards.
  

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Georgetown needs a leader

Has there been a more inconsistent team over the last three weeks than the Georgetown Hoyas?

Get blown out by Syracuse, blow out Duke, lose to South Florida, smack Villanova, struggle to hold on against Providence, and finally yesterday's loss to Rutgers. After the win over Villanova, many pundits had the Hoyas slotted in the last two seed.

Its doubtful that is going to ring true anymore. Rutgers hadn't beaten a top 10 team in almost seven years, and this win may actually save their head coach's job. Not exactly a great loss.

Rutgers took Georgetown out of this game play last night.
(photo credit: Wash Post)

The obvious answer is Chris Wright. When he scores in double figures, Georgetown is 16-0. When he doesn't, the Hoyas are 2-6.

But that isn't exactly what Georgetown's issue is.

As we said after the Villanova game, the Hoyas are a team that, when they play their game, will beat just about anyone in the country. When they are playing patiently on the offensive end, moving the ball quickly until someone has a good shot or penetration opportunity, and simply playing good, hard, fundamental defense, Georgetown is going to be nearly impossible to beat.

But they didn't show up against Rutgers. At all.

Georgetown got into a bit of a hole early, and completely lost the ability to execute their game plan. The Hoyas forced quick shots on the offensive end. They made ill-advised drives to the rim. They decided not to play any defense on Rutgers.

And that's the real reason that Chris Wright is the most important player for this team.

Wright is the Hoya's point guard, but he isn't the guy that they run their offense through. That would be Greg Monroe, who proved why with 19 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists last night. Wright, essentially is a scoring guard trapped in a point guard's body. He doesn't have the mentality or the leadership to, when things are going badly, make a change in what the Hoyas are doing. He's not a vocal leader; he's not a guy that will get on his teammates if they aren't hustling defensively or are taking bad shots.

The Hoyas, as a result, don't have that coach on the floor. They don't have that leader; the stopper that can get them running their sets. Wright is just as likely to force a dumb shot early in the shot clock as anyone on the team.

Its only natural for a team like Georgetown, who has had a lot of success this season, to come out a bit flat against inferior teams, especially during a road game late on a Sunday afternoon.

And while Georgetown is an excellent team when they do play Hoya basketball, there are going to be times during the postseason that they get into trouble.

If they don't have someone that can change the momentum when that happens, the Hoyas may be primed for an early exit come March Madness.
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The Hoyas need Chris Wright to be a scorer

Anyone who has watched any Big East basketball over the last five years should know about Georgetown's offensive system.

Running a Princeton system that relies more on team execution than on individual talent, JTIII has brought the Hoyas back to the national prominence they experienced under his father's tutelage.

But is that really the best way for Georgetown to win right now?

Georgetown is at their best when Chris Wright is a scorer.
(photo credit: AP)

Take a peek at Chris Wright's stats.

In Georgetown's four losses, Wright is averaging just 6.5 ppg, while he is posting 16.8 ppg in their 15 wins. The contrast is even more stark over the last ten games. The Hoyas have lost three of those games, and Wright is averaging just 7.3 ppg while shooting jut 28% from the floor. In the seven wins, he's averaging 21.6 ppg and shooting 57% from the field.

Its gets weirder.

In the four losses, Wright is averaging 6.5 apg and just 1.3 t/o's, a better than 5:1 assists:turnover ratio. In their 15 wins, he's posting just 3.5 apg and 2.9 t/o's.

While the numbers look funny, they make sense when you think about it.

Wright isn't a prototypical point guard because Georgetown doesn't run a prototypical system. Greg Monroe is their playmaker. They run their offense through Monroe at the high post, allowing him to find cutters and create points. They don't necessarily need Wright to be a playmaker as much as they need him to be a scorer.

Like it or not, Georgetown is at their best when Wright is attacking the basket and looking to be a scorer.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Best Dunkers

There aren't too many things that will fire up a crowd more than an electrifying dunk. The momentum of a game can change on just one outlet pass that turns into a thunderous slam. There won't be a shortage of rim-rockers this year, and there are plenty of guys out there with the hops capable of putting on a show for the fans.

With the season tip-off being literally hours away, what better way to get back into the spirit of the game than by going over the biggest high-flyers of the upcoming season.

As we have certified ourselves as the preeminent dunk experts on the intrawebs, here is out list of the top 10 dunkers this season. Don't be surprised if these guys make quite a few Sportscenter top 10's.

Chris "Top Flight" Wright - 6'8" forward, Dayton

I can make this short, because, well, his nickname is "Top Flight". Wright is by far the most talked-about dunker entering this season, and with the high expectations that have been set for Dayton, we could be seeing a lot of the this high-flyer on weekly top tens throughout the year. There are more than a handful of dunks you could pick as being Wright's most memorable. When he dunked over Marquette's Maurice Acker, I was pretty sure he left the atmosphere (seriously, look at where he catches the ball, then think about the fact that he doesn't use a dribble to get to the rim). Not only is Wright one of the best dunkers in the country, he is also one of the most athletic players out there. With Blake Griffin and Gerald Henderson, arguably two of the best dunkers last year, leaving for the NBA, "Top Flight" has become the premiere rim-rocker at the college level.









Trevor Booker - 6'7" forward, Clemson

He's your prototypical power-dunker. The true definition of a rim-rocker. The bulk of his highlight reel dunks come on tip-ins and follow-up slams. Clemson is a widely known as a "push-the-pace" team, and Booker has become an expert at trailing the break and following up on the glass. He's also a beast on the offensive rebounds. His physical strength can get him over, around, or through any defender in his way.









Paul George - 6'8" forward, Fresno State

A lot of people across the country didn't get to see a single Fresno State game on the television last season. They missed out on one of the most entertaining players in the entire country. But George's popularity has soared because of his highlight reel videos across the internet and youtube. He made his case for last season's "Dunk of the Year" with a monstrous one-handed slam from just inside the foul line against St. Marys. Did I mention that he did this in only his second game in his college career? Entering his sophomore season, George will undoubtedly capture the spotlight in the Mountain West Conference. He's long and lanky and is still some-what raw, but he has smooth transitions and can get up off the ground in a hurry.









Stanley "Stix" Robinson - 6'9" forward, UConn

The man known as "Stix" has been soaring across the sky in Storrs for the past two seasons. He had to leave the team to tend to personal issues a year ago, but came back to the team for the second part of last season. Since then, he has been the Huskies resident skywalker. His dunking ability is a combination of great athleticism and entertaining excitement. With the Husky's style of play lending to outside jumpers, "Stix" has a great presence of mind to get to the basket after the shot. However, having said all that, we must remember that he does have a tendency to be on the wrong end of posterizations. See Summers-comma-Durrell or Anderson-comma-Joe for more details.

(first highlight here)









Durrell Summers - 6'4" guard, Michigan State

Mr. Summers makes the list for his ability to be in the right place at the right time along with feeling at home soaring above the rim. A long and athletic wing with a wiry frame, Durrell was MSU’s most dynamic big-play threat last season. His knack for making a big shot, or finishing off a nice transition has made him a star among the East Lansing faithful. He is an integral part of the Spartans transitional play and press-break, usually starring as finishing touch. Spartan fans were acustomed to nightly viewings of Durrell Summers finishing off a Michigan State possesion with a fierce slam. Summers is forever linked to Robinson because of the monumental posterization that Summers laid down during the Final Four.









The best of the rest

Willie Warren - 6'4" guard, Oklahoma





Gerard Anderson - 6'6" forward, Cal State-Fullerton



Will Coleman - 6'9" forward, Memphis





John Wall - 6'4" guard, Kentucky





Carlon Brown - 6'3" guard, Utah





Who did we miss?
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Small 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.
These are the small forwards.

Best Freshman

• Jordan Hamilton, Texas
• Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, UConn
• Noel Johnson, Clemson
  

Best of the Rest

• Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
• Edwin Ubiles, Siena
• Quincy Pondexter, Washington
• Patrick Christopher, Cal
• Klay Thompson, Washington State
• Marcus Ginyard, UNC
• Wesley Witherspoon, Memphis
  

Top 10

• 10. Raymar Morgan, Michigan State: As a junior, Raymar Morgan battled mono all season, and thus had the least productive year of his career. Morgan has great size and strength for a wing, which is only complemented by his athleticism. He is still a bit of an enigma offensively. He is not a great shooter and looks out of control at times when he penetrates, but he is excellent around the rim, whether it is off of a drive, a break, a post-up, or an offensive rebound. With a disappointing season culminating in a loss in the title game, expect Morgan to come out hungry this year.
  


• 9. Chris Wright, Dayton: Wright, who has earned the nickname "Top Flyght", may be the best athlete in the country. At 6'8" with a near-40" vertical, he soars around the rim. The problem is, he is still very much just a dunker and a rebounder. To his credit, however, the rest of his game has been coming along. Wright has a decent mid-range game and has improved his handle to the point that he can get to the rim from the wing. Where Wright excels, however, is his ability to make plays defensively, on the offensive glass, and in transition. A potential A-10 player of the year, Wright will be one of the most exciting players in the country to watch.
  

You'll see a lot of this out of Chris Wright this year.
(photo credit: Dayton.edu)

• 8. Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia: Butler is one of the best kept secrets in the country, and will be the most important player for a West Virginia team with Final Four aspirations. With Alex Ruoff graduating, Butler is really the lone offensive threat on the Mountaineers. And he is quite a threat, averaging 17.1 ppg last season. Butler's offensive game starts with his shooting ability, where he is very dangerous when he has a chance to get his feet set and his shoulders squared. He's not an overwhelming athlete, but he is long and strong. At 6'7", he is a good finisher around the rim and has a decent post game. If he can improve his ability to create his own shot using the dribble, he will likely be a first team all-conference selection.
  


• 7. Tyler Smith, Tennessee: Smith is one of the most versatile players in the country. He is built like a power forward, but he has the skills and athletic ability of a small forward. Smith is at his best when he is attacking the basket. Not only is he an excellent passer (and probably the best creator on the Vols), but he can get to the rim and finish or draw a foul. A capable shooter, the key for Smith is to avoid falling in love with the three-ball.
  


• 6. Robbie Hummel, Purdue: Hummel had a disappointing sophomore season as he spent the year battling a painful stress fracture in his spine. Now that he is back healthy, expect Hummel to return to his freshman year form. Hummel is first and foremost a shooter, as he knocked down 45% of his threes in his injury-free freshman season. Hummel is also excellent moving without the ball, whether it is coming off of a screen or cutting to the basket. He does struggle a bit when he is forced to put the ball on the floor, but given the system that Purdue runs, Hummel will not be asked to drive to the basket all that often.
  


• 5. Wesley Johnson, Syracuse: Johnson is still a bit of an enigma at this point in his career. He had an outstanding freshman season for Iowa State, but transferred after an injury plagued sophomore year. He sat out this past season, but given his tools and his skill set, Johnson should fit in perfectly with the Orange. Johnson is a long, 6'7", athletic wing. His offensive game is based on his outside shot, but his athletic ability makes him dangerous in the passing lanes and on the glass. He has drawn quite a few comparisons to Shawn Marion, which is a fair assessment. If he stays healthy this season, Johnson will be one of the best scorers in the Big East.
  

Wesley Johnson shouldn't sneak up on anyone this season.
(photo credit: syracuse.com)

• 4. Manny Harris, Michigan: Out of everyone on this list, Harris is the only guy that could be considered a two guard. But given his ability to affect the game in a multitude of ways, I decided to slide him over to the three. Harris is first and foremost a scorer. A slender 6'5", he uses a quick first step and long strides to get to the rim. Harris is a natural scorer, meaning he just seems to know how to get buckets, but it really is just a nice way of saying "the kid relies too much on athleticism, and not enough on advanced skill, to score." That's true for Harris. He is still a bit toolsy. If he can improve his jumper and his handle, he has the ability to average 20. One place where Harris made significant strides last season, and hopefully will continue to make strides this season, is his efficiency. He forced some shots and some passes last season, but as he continues to get more comfortable in his third season playing for John Beilein, that should become less of an issue.
  


• 3. Kyle Singler, Duke: With Duke lacking in perimeter players and deep in the front court (especially when it comes to perimeter oriented fours), Singler is moving to the three spot this season. What makes Singler so good is that there really isn't anything that he can't do on a basketball court. If a smaller guy is guarding him, he can score in the post. If a bigger guy is, he can step out to the perimeter and knock down a jumper or put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He can rebound. He can pass. He can defend. He hustles. Add to that the combination of Singler being immensley talented and 6'8", 230 lb, and what you get is one of the best players in the country.
  


• 2. Gordon Hayward, Butler: Just a sophomore, Hayward doesn't get the recognition he deserves nationally as he is a huge reason the Butler Bulldogs will be in and around the top ten this season. Hayward's game starts with his jump shot, which is as pure as it gets. Standing 6'8", there aren't many people that Hayward can't shoot over. He also proved to be adept at slashing to the basket last season. Not blessed with greeat athleticism, Hayward is able to penetrate from perimeter due to his craftiness - he knows how to get a defender off balance using an array of fakes, jabs, and hesitation moves.
  

Evan Turner is such a well-rounded player.
(photo credit: SI)

• 1. Evan Turner, Ohio State: Turner may be the most complete player in the country - he was one of two guys to average 17 ppg, 7 rpg, and 4 apg last season. Standing 6'7", Turner is going to play a point forward role this season for the Buckeyes. Why? Because he is such a good play maker and passer. He isn't the greatest athlete in the world, but he is smart and fundamental, especially with the ball in his hands. He makes good decisions - shooting when he's open, passing when he's not - and rarely forces the issue. If improved his stroke from the perimeter (he shot 44% from deep last year, but only attempted 25 threes) over the summer, Turner will be near unstoppable.
  

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No. 14: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Dayton Flyers

2008-2009 Record: 27-8, 11-5 A-10 (t-2nd)

Key Losses: Charles Little (8.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Key Returners: Chris Wright (13.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg), Marcus Johnson (11.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg), London Warren (4.1 ppg, 4.4 apg), Rob Lowery (7.5 ppg, 3.4 apg)

Newcomers: Matt Kavanaugh, Josh Benson

Chris "Top Flyght" Wright returning to school is a major reason why Dayton is going to be a top 25 team this season.
(photo credit: Kansan)

Dayton may have been the deepest team in the country last season, as 12 guys averaged between 8.8 and 28.3 minutes per game. It should be more of the same next year, as 10 of those 12 return.

Dayton hangs their hat on defensive toughness and the ability to rebound, especially on the offensive end (the stats say it all - they averaged almost 14 offensive boards per game while holding their opponents the 39.7% shooting and 61.4 ppg). Its their system, its how they win, and there are few teams in the country that are tougher than this team.

It is difficult to name a leader for this team. Junior Chris Wright is clearly the kid with the most potential. At 6'8", 226 lb, Wright has earned the moniker "Top Flyght" because of the thuderous dunks his 39.5" vertical allows him to throw down. He probably made the right decision returning to school as he still relies too much on his tools, but as his mid-range game and his passing ability (he had 33 assists and 84 turnovers last year) continue to improve, don't be surprised if Wright wins the A-10 player of the year award.

But he may not even be the most valuable player on this team. Marcus Johnson, the second leading scorer and team leader in minutes and threes last season, is also the teams best defender. He would routinely guard an opponent's best scorer last season. What about London Warren? While he won't score all that much, Warren is the guy that makes this team go on both ends. He harasses the opposing point guard of the defensive end, but his passing and decision making (4.4 apg, 1.9 t/o's) helps keep the Dayton offense running smoothly. Then there is Rob Lowery. Lowery was Dayton's sixth man and spark plug off the bench last season, playing the role of back up point guard. But Lowery tore his patellar tendon with 10 games left in the year (he should be ready to go by January). With Lowery, Dayton was 23-2. Without him, they went 5-5.

There are two other back court players on the Flyers that should see time. One is Mickey Perry. A 6'2" senior, Perry was another guy that provided offense off the bench for Brian Gregory. The other is 6'4" sophomore Paul Williams. Williams played limited minutes as a freshman, but showed some promise as a player in this system.

The point you should take regarding the Flyers are truly a team - they are balanced, they are deep, they play together, and they each play the role they are assigned. If there is a question mark this year, it is who is going to take the place of Charles Little up front. There are quite a few options as well. For starters, Gregory could go smaller, sliding Wright to the four spot and putting 6'6" sophomore Chris Johnson in the starting line-up. Johnson is more of a perimeter player than a post due to his slender frame and shooting ability, but he was second on the team in rebounding last year at 5.2 per (2.1 on the offensive end).

But the Flyers also have the personnel to go big this year. Starting at center is 6'10" Kurt Huelsman. Huelsman isn't a great scorer, but he will get you some rebounds, block some shots, and basically just take up a lot of space on the interior. There are a myriad of options to play the four. Luke Fabrizius is a 6'9" sophomore forward who can shoot the lights out from three, but is not as big inside as some of the other guys on the team. Devin Searcy, a 6'10" junior, is a stronger presence defensively and on the glass, but he doesn't bring much to the table offensively. 6'9" Josh Benson was a highly touted freshman last season, but he is coming off of a torn rotator cuff that forced him to redshirt last year. Matt Kavanaugh is this season's talented freshman, a 6'9" monster that is physically ready to play at this level.

Outlook: This is Dayton's year. They lose seven seniors after the season, and likely will see Wright bolt for the league. With Xavier down this season, Dayton is the favorite to win the A-10, and should have the horses to make a run to the Sweet 16. They get a good early test with Georgia Tech and Derrick Favors in Puerto Rico, and if Rob Lowery comes back at 100%, I don't think 30 wins and a top four seed is out of the question.
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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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2009-2010 Team Preview: Georgetown Hoyas

This preview is brought to you by Trizzle, BIAH's resident Hoya fanatic.

2008-2009 Record: 16-15, 7-11 Big East (11th)

Key Losses: DaJuan Summers (13.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 39% 3-pt.), Jessie Sapp (6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg)

Key Returners: Greg Monroe (12.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.9 spg), Chris Wright (12.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg), Austin Freeman (11.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.0 apg)

Newcomers: Hollis Thompson, Vee Sanford, Jerrelle Benimon

Greg Monroe might be the most versatile big man in the country.
(photo credit: ESPN)

This is a very telling year for the Hoyas. Last year's collapse was a huge indication that this team was and still is very young. But with a year of college experience under his belt, Conference ROY Greg Monroe and the Hoyas have a chance to be a threat in a watered down Big East.

If DaJuan Summers had opted to return to Georgetown for his final year, the Hoyas would arguably be the best team in the conference. But without a legitimate power-forward, the Hoyas will struggle inside, even if Monroe is the offensive focal point. Greg Monroe is one of the most versatile players in the country. While he still needs to add some strength to be a dominant low-post force, Monroe has quite a variety of finesse moves down low. His biggest strength, especially in John Thompson III's system, is his perimeter ability. Monroe can knock down a perimeter shot, but when a big man at this level steps out to defend him, Monroe has enough handle to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.

The reason that Monroe is so effective in this offense is his passing ability. Georgetown's Princeton offense is centered around getting the big man touches in the high post. When Monroe gets the ball here, his versatility takes over. He can find open shooters, attack a gap and kick the ball out, or hit a back door cutter. The Hoyas offense thrives on easy lay-ups off of back door cuts, and the fact that Monroe is able to make this pass is a huge reason that some people think Georgetown could be a top four team in the league.

Monroe however, won't be the only Hoya who will have gained experience from last year's rise and fall. Junior guard Chris Wright, the team's third leading scorer a year ago, will now be the full-time point guard with the graduation of Jessie Sapp. Wright will provide the technical style of JT3's offense with a dose of run-n-gun. He loves to get out in transition and is also improving on his outside shoot. The one flaw in Wright's game is his ball handling. His uptempo pace can sometimes get the best of him in the Hoya's meticulous offensive setup, as he averaged over 2 turnovers a game. Last season was a de facto freshman year for Wright, as the limited time he got his freshman season was hampered by injuries. Wright has the talent to be an elite point guard at this level, and look for him to have a breakout season this year.

Joining Wright in the backcourt will be shooting guard Austin Freeman. Freeman is going to play a pivotal role on offense. He is a terrific shooter but can use his fullback-like frame to get to the rim and muscle through defenders. Freeman is a good rebounder for his size, especially on the offensive end. This is important because the Hoyas were woefully inconsistent on rebounding last season (they ranked dead last in the conference in rebounding last season).

The Georgetown starting five for 2009-2010 gets interesting after Monroe, Wright, and Freeman. Last season, JTIII opted to go with a three guard line-up, although much of that was due to the youth and inexperience of his front line. With Jessie Sapp and DaJuan Summers now gone, the question now becomes does he go small again. If he does, there are really two options - sophomore Jason Clark and freshman Vee Sanford. Both have similar builds (long, slender, 6'3" athletes) and both play the game hard, Clark will be the better defender, while Sanford is more known for his shooting touch. Having both on the roster provides Thompson some versatility in the back court.

Up front, JTIII is going to have a decision to make. He lost Dajuan Summers to the NBA, leaving a big hole at the four spot. What made Summers dangerous was the fact that he was able to easily slide between the three and four spots, especially on the offensive end. Without him, Georgetown really doesn't have anyone to fill that role. Senior Julian Vaughn, who transferred to Georgetown from Florida State two years ago, was a highly touted recruit out of Oak Hill, but hasn't developed into much more than a bruiser at this level. Lefty Nikita Mescheriakov, a 6'7" junior, didn't really break into the rotation until midway through last season. It will be difficult for him to see major minutes up front as he is basically a shooter that struggles in the paint. The front court player with the most upside is Henry Sims, a 6'10" sophomore who was a top 50 recruit coming out of high school. Sims is long and athletic, but had difficulty adjusting to the physicality of the Big East. He showed some flashes by the end of the season, and if he can figure it out - the toughness, the Hoya's offense and defensive schemes - he and Monroe would form one of the more versatile front courts in the country.

Freshman Hollis Thompson, 6'6" small forward, is Georgetown's best recruit this season and could be the x-factor for this team. One of the things Georgetown as been missing the last couple of season's is a wing player with difference-making athleticism. They haven't had anyone that can come flying in for a tip dunk, or chase down a fast break and block a shot, or jump a passing lane and get an easy run out. Thompson can do those things, which is important not just because they are the plays that get teams and fans fired up, but because he is really the only guy on this team that can make those kinds of plays.

Outlook: It will be interesting to see where the Hoyas stack up in a not-as-beastly Big East conference. Georgetown's early season non-conference schedule is a mixed bag. They play some duds (Savannah St., Harvard, ODU, Lafayette, Mt. St. Marys), but participating in both the Jimmy V Classic (first round against Butler) and the John Wooden Classic (first round against Washington) along with games against Temple and Duke should give the Hoyas a ton of experience and time to be able to compete in the conference. The biggest issue for the Hoyas is going to be in the paint. They were, as I said, the worst rebounding team in the Big East last season, and lost their starting power forward. You know what you are going to get form them offensively (technical savvy) and defensively (tough, lock down defenders), but unless they can figure out a way to clean up the defensive glass, they are going to be one of the six or seven teams bunched up in the middle of the league.
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