Mid-Majors and Players to watch
Aug 15, 2006 6:12:48 GMT -5
Post by Fastbreak on Aug 15, 2006 6:12:48 GMT -5
This is from ESPN Insider, written by Jay Bilas
Mid-majors to watch
There are several mid-majors that will not get much run during the regular season but should be really good by NCAA Tournament time. Don't let these teams surprise you because their scores aren't on "SportsCenter":
Winthrop: The Eagles came within a bucket of beating Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament and that would not have been an upset. Craig Bradshaw is a big man who can shoot it and Torrell Martin is the best athlete in the Big South. Winthrop should be the best team in the conference -- again -- and all non-conference foes should prepare for a fight.
Nevada: Mark Fox looks like he is turning Nevada into the Gonzaga of the WAC. Nick Fazekas will take home player of the year honors again, and he has plenty of help to get the Wolf Pack back to the NCAA Tournament. Nevada does not win games from the 3-point line; it wins games with hard-nosed defense and getting quality shots. Point guard Ramon Sessions is a heady passer and handler, Marcelus Kemp can get to the rim and the free throw line, and Kyle Shiloh can knock down shots. Nevada is solid in any league.
Southern Illinois: The Salukis played their way into the NCAA Tournament last year, taking the decision away from the selection committee, and everyone is back. Chris Lowery will see that his team guards people all over the floor and plays together. Jamaal Tatum and Tony Young are more than just defensive stalwarts and Matt Shaw and MVC tourney MVP Randal Falker are outstanding rebounding and defensive forwards.
Creighton: The Bluejays just missed out on the NCAA Tournament last year, but Dana Altman gets back his best player this year. Nate Funk returns from shoulder surgery and should be a favorite for MVC Player of the Year. Funk is versatile and tough and can score. Add in Josh Dotzler and inside threat Anthony Tolliver, and Creighton will be a tough out.
Missouri State: The Bears had a legitimate beef after being left out of the NCAA Tournament last year. This season, it would not be a shock to see them wind up as the top team in the MVC. Blake Ahearn, the J.J. Redick of the MVC, returns as the best shooter in the league. Barry Hinson is a terrific coach and his team will play with a chip on its shoulder this year. This is a solid, well-coached team.
Hawaii: This will be, in all likelihood, the last season for coach Riley Wallace, and this could be his best team. Wallace is an outstanding coach and he has done a terrific job with the program. Hawaii has solid guards in Matt Gibson, Matt Lojeski and Bobby Nash, and an outstanding defender in Ahmet Gueye. Hawaii has a good nonconference schedule and will have to perform well against it to garner some additional recognition.
Hofstra: Tom Pecora has the top scoring returning backcourt in the country. Do-it-all guard Loren Stokes teams with sharpshooter Antoine Agudio and defensive-minded Carlos Rivera to provide scoring, defense and experience. Hofstra won 26 games last year, beat George Mason twice, and still went to the NIT. With good inside play to complement his guards, Pecora could be NCAA-bound in '07.
George Mason: The Patriots still should be on a high on October 15, but Jim Larranaga will not let the Final Four decrease his team's hunger, because Mason can be good again. Folarin Campbell is a versatile player with star potential and Will Thomas is an undersized workhorse who is very productive. If Jesus Urbina and John Vaughan return strong after redshirt years, George Mason will be a factor.
Wichita State: Despite losing MVC player of the year Paul Miller, the Shockers will be near or at the top of the Valley again. P.J. Couisnard, Sean Ogirri, Kyle Wilson, Karon Bradley and Matt Braeuer return from a 26-9 team that reached the Sweet 16. Wichita State is a well-coached team. Mark Turgeon is among the nation's finest coaches.
College of Charleston: Bobby Cremins inherits a nice squad to work with at C of C. Dontaye Draper led the team in scoring and assists at the off-guard spot, but Cremins probably will move him back to the point. David Lawrence and Jermaine Johnson are fine rebounders and defenders who also can score, and the Cougars will have some depth. With some better defense and end-of-game execution, Charleston will be very good.
Bucknell: Patriot League player of the year candidate Chris McNaughton returns, as does four-year starter Abe Badmus, Darren Mastropaolo and the athletic Donald Brown. McNaughton plays his best against the best competition, and Bucknell has shown it is unafraid of playing, and often beating, the best. Pat Flannery is an outstanding coach who always has had to do more with less, but the last couple of years, he has had plenty to work with at Bucknell.
Bilas' 2007 All-America teams
First Team
F Joakim Noah, Florida
F Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
F Jared Dudley, Boston College
G Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech
G Ronald Steele, Alabama
Second Team
F Glen Davis, LSU
F Al Thornton, Florida State
F Nick Fazekas, Nevada
G Chris Lofton, Tennessee
G Dominic James, Marquette
Third Team
F Jeff Green, Georgetown
F Josh McRoberts, Duke
C Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh
G Arron Afflalo, UCLA
G Sean Singletary, Virginia
High Honorable Mention: Jermareo Davidson, Alabama; Roy Hibbert, Georgetown; Brandon Heath, San Diego State; Alando Tucker, Wisconsin; Corey Brewer, Florida; Morris Almond, Rice; Acie Law, Texas A&M; Taurean Green, Florida; Al Horford, Florida; Brandon Rush, Kansas; Richard Roby, Colorado; Brian Randle, Illinois; D.J. White, Indiana; Marcus Williams, Arizona: Malik Hairston, Oregon; Adam Haluska, Iowa; Curtis Sumpter, Villanova; Trent Plaisted, BYU
Six guys you need to know
G Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State
C Luke Nevill, Utah
C Jason Smith, Colorado State
G Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington
F Al Thornton, Florida State
G Marcus Williams, Arizona
Bilas' All-Freshman team
Chase Budinger, Arizona: Athletic and skilled player should be Pac-10 Rookie of the Year.
Sherron Collins, Kansas: Strong point guard will run the show for KU.
Kevin Durant, Texas: A smooth shooter and very skilled forward.
Paul Harris, Syracuse: Explosive and rangy player is unafraid and hungry.
Spencer Hawes, Washington: A sponge who has great feet and aptitude for the game.
Gerald Henderson, Duke: A smaller Grant Hill who can get to the rim.
Ty Lawson, North Carolina: Fastest guard in America with the ball.
Vernon Macklin, Georgetown: High energy big man who can run and crash the glass.
Greg Oden, Ohio State: The most dominant big man since Tim Duncan or Patrick Ewing.
Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech: An explosive lefty who will be outstanding.
High Honorable Mention: Derrick Caracter, Louisville; Daequan Cook, Ohio State; Wayne Ellington, North Carolina; Damion James, Texas; Davon Jefferson, USC; Darrell Arthur, Kansas; DeShawn Sims, Michigan; Brandan Wright, North Carolina.
Bilas' mid-major All-America team
Blake Ahearn, Missouri State
Bobby Brown, Fullerton State
Folarin Campbell, George Mason
Dontaye Draper, College of Charleston
Nick Fazekas, Nevada
Nate Funk, Creighton
Caleb Green, Oral Roberts
Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky
Torrell Martin, Winthrop
Chris McNaughton, Bucknell
Gary Neal, Towson
Blake Schilb, Loyola
Loren Stokes, Hofstra
Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington
Jamaal Tatum, Southern Illinois
D.J. Thompson, Appalachian State
Nick Welch, Air Force
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Mid-majors to watch
There are several mid-majors that will not get much run during the regular season but should be really good by NCAA Tournament time. Don't let these teams surprise you because their scores aren't on "SportsCenter":
Winthrop: The Eagles came within a bucket of beating Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament and that would not have been an upset. Craig Bradshaw is a big man who can shoot it and Torrell Martin is the best athlete in the Big South. Winthrop should be the best team in the conference -- again -- and all non-conference foes should prepare for a fight.
Nevada: Mark Fox looks like he is turning Nevada into the Gonzaga of the WAC. Nick Fazekas will take home player of the year honors again, and he has plenty of help to get the Wolf Pack back to the NCAA Tournament. Nevada does not win games from the 3-point line; it wins games with hard-nosed defense and getting quality shots. Point guard Ramon Sessions is a heady passer and handler, Marcelus Kemp can get to the rim and the free throw line, and Kyle Shiloh can knock down shots. Nevada is solid in any league.
Southern Illinois: The Salukis played their way into the NCAA Tournament last year, taking the decision away from the selection committee, and everyone is back. Chris Lowery will see that his team guards people all over the floor and plays together. Jamaal Tatum and Tony Young are more than just defensive stalwarts and Matt Shaw and MVC tourney MVP Randal Falker are outstanding rebounding and defensive forwards.
Creighton: The Bluejays just missed out on the NCAA Tournament last year, but Dana Altman gets back his best player this year. Nate Funk returns from shoulder surgery and should be a favorite for MVC Player of the Year. Funk is versatile and tough and can score. Add in Josh Dotzler and inside threat Anthony Tolliver, and Creighton will be a tough out.
Missouri State: The Bears had a legitimate beef after being left out of the NCAA Tournament last year. This season, it would not be a shock to see them wind up as the top team in the MVC. Blake Ahearn, the J.J. Redick of the MVC, returns as the best shooter in the league. Barry Hinson is a terrific coach and his team will play with a chip on its shoulder this year. This is a solid, well-coached team.
Hawaii: This will be, in all likelihood, the last season for coach Riley Wallace, and this could be his best team. Wallace is an outstanding coach and he has done a terrific job with the program. Hawaii has solid guards in Matt Gibson, Matt Lojeski and Bobby Nash, and an outstanding defender in Ahmet Gueye. Hawaii has a good nonconference schedule and will have to perform well against it to garner some additional recognition.
Hofstra: Tom Pecora has the top scoring returning backcourt in the country. Do-it-all guard Loren Stokes teams with sharpshooter Antoine Agudio and defensive-minded Carlos Rivera to provide scoring, defense and experience. Hofstra won 26 games last year, beat George Mason twice, and still went to the NIT. With good inside play to complement his guards, Pecora could be NCAA-bound in '07.
George Mason: The Patriots still should be on a high on October 15, but Jim Larranaga will not let the Final Four decrease his team's hunger, because Mason can be good again. Folarin Campbell is a versatile player with star potential and Will Thomas is an undersized workhorse who is very productive. If Jesus Urbina and John Vaughan return strong after redshirt years, George Mason will be a factor.
Wichita State: Despite losing MVC player of the year Paul Miller, the Shockers will be near or at the top of the Valley again. P.J. Couisnard, Sean Ogirri, Kyle Wilson, Karon Bradley and Matt Braeuer return from a 26-9 team that reached the Sweet 16. Wichita State is a well-coached team. Mark Turgeon is among the nation's finest coaches.
College of Charleston: Bobby Cremins inherits a nice squad to work with at C of C. Dontaye Draper led the team in scoring and assists at the off-guard spot, but Cremins probably will move him back to the point. David Lawrence and Jermaine Johnson are fine rebounders and defenders who also can score, and the Cougars will have some depth. With some better defense and end-of-game execution, Charleston will be very good.
Bucknell: Patriot League player of the year candidate Chris McNaughton returns, as does four-year starter Abe Badmus, Darren Mastropaolo and the athletic Donald Brown. McNaughton plays his best against the best competition, and Bucknell has shown it is unafraid of playing, and often beating, the best. Pat Flannery is an outstanding coach who always has had to do more with less, but the last couple of years, he has had plenty to work with at Bucknell.
Bilas' 2007 All-America teams
First Team
F Joakim Noah, Florida
F Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
F Jared Dudley, Boston College
G Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech
G Ronald Steele, Alabama
Second Team
F Glen Davis, LSU
F Al Thornton, Florida State
F Nick Fazekas, Nevada
G Chris Lofton, Tennessee
G Dominic James, Marquette
Third Team
F Jeff Green, Georgetown
F Josh McRoberts, Duke
C Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh
G Arron Afflalo, UCLA
G Sean Singletary, Virginia
High Honorable Mention: Jermareo Davidson, Alabama; Roy Hibbert, Georgetown; Brandon Heath, San Diego State; Alando Tucker, Wisconsin; Corey Brewer, Florida; Morris Almond, Rice; Acie Law, Texas A&M; Taurean Green, Florida; Al Horford, Florida; Brandon Rush, Kansas; Richard Roby, Colorado; Brian Randle, Illinois; D.J. White, Indiana; Marcus Williams, Arizona: Malik Hairston, Oregon; Adam Haluska, Iowa; Curtis Sumpter, Villanova; Trent Plaisted, BYU
Six guys you need to know
G Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State
C Luke Nevill, Utah
C Jason Smith, Colorado State
G Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington
F Al Thornton, Florida State
G Marcus Williams, Arizona
Bilas' All-Freshman team
Chase Budinger, Arizona: Athletic and skilled player should be Pac-10 Rookie of the Year.
Sherron Collins, Kansas: Strong point guard will run the show for KU.
Kevin Durant, Texas: A smooth shooter and very skilled forward.
Paul Harris, Syracuse: Explosive and rangy player is unafraid and hungry.
Spencer Hawes, Washington: A sponge who has great feet and aptitude for the game.
Gerald Henderson, Duke: A smaller Grant Hill who can get to the rim.
Ty Lawson, North Carolina: Fastest guard in America with the ball.
Vernon Macklin, Georgetown: High energy big man who can run and crash the glass.
Greg Oden, Ohio State: The most dominant big man since Tim Duncan or Patrick Ewing.
Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech: An explosive lefty who will be outstanding.
High Honorable Mention: Derrick Caracter, Louisville; Daequan Cook, Ohio State; Wayne Ellington, North Carolina; Damion James, Texas; Davon Jefferson, USC; Darrell Arthur, Kansas; DeShawn Sims, Michigan; Brandan Wright, North Carolina.
Bilas' mid-major All-America team
Blake Ahearn, Missouri State
Bobby Brown, Fullerton State
Folarin Campbell, George Mason
Dontaye Draper, College of Charleston
Nick Fazekas, Nevada
Nate Funk, Creighton
Caleb Green, Oral Roberts
Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky
Torrell Martin, Winthrop
Chris McNaughton, Bucknell
Gary Neal, Towson
Blake Schilb, Loyola
Loren Stokes, Hofstra
Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington
Jamaal Tatum, Southern Illinois
D.J. Thompson, Appalachian State
Nick Welch, Air Force
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