Jeff Withey: Someone to consider in second round.

[bajaden]

I would imagine that more than a few of you don't know who he is. He plays center for Kansas, and is playing today. Actually, right now I believe. Anyway, he's been a very pleasant surprise to me this season, and is a key part of the reason that Kansas is in the final four. He was voted conference defensive player of the year, which is no mean feat for a guy that only averaged around 5 minutes a game the previous season.

He's the guy that blocked John Hensons last shot of the game last week. He's the guy that averaged 3.5 blocked shots a game. And beleive or not, he attributes a lot of his shotblocking skill to having played volleyball since he was a little kid. Anyway here is a nice article on Withey.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/30/witheys-final-four-journey-started-sand/

 

[Tetsujin]

I would imagine that more than a few of you don't know who he is. He plays center for Kansas, and is playing today. Actually, right now I believe. Anyway, he's been a very pleasant surprise to me this season, and is a key part of the reason that Kansas is in the final four. He was voted conference defensive player of the year, which is no mean feat for a guy that only averaged around 5 minutes a game the previous season.

He's the guy that blocked John Hensons last shot of the game last week. He's the guy that averaged 3.5 blocked shots a game. And beleive or not, he attributes a lot of his shotblocking skill to having played volleyball since he was a little kid. Anyway here is a nice article on Withey.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/30/witheys-final-four-journey-started-sand/

Actually he's playing in two hours. I guess I'll have put up with watching some guy named Anthony Davis instead

 

[Uncia03]

I would imagine that more than a few of you don't know who he is. He plays center for Kansas, and is playing today. Actually, right now I believe. Anyway, he's been a very pleasant surprise to me this season, and is a key part of the reason that Kansas is in the final four. He was voted conference defensive player of the year, which is no mean feat for a guy that only averaged around 5 minutes a game the previous season.

He's the guy that blocked John Hensons last shot of the game last week. He's the guy that averaged 3.5 blocked shots a game. And beleive or not, he attributes a lot of his shotblocking skill to having played volleyball since he was a little kid. Anyway here is a nice article on Withey.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/30/witheys-final-four-journey-started-sand/

Withey has been playing great the last couple of games.

I'm very curious to see how they match up the players in the Ohio St/Kansas game. I want to see a Robinson/Sullinger match-up, but if we do that would create a Withey/Thomas match-up, which is one of those classic big vs. small match-ups.

Being that Thomas is probably the hottest scorer left in the tournament, I wouldn't be surprised if Kansas decides not to match up Withey against Thomas (especially since Withey isn't an offensive player who can routinely take advantage of the smaller Thomas).

So I think Kansas will need Withey to have a good game, I'm just not certain of the line-up that Kansas will have to play in order to get the favorable match-ups to keep Withey on the floor.

But if I needed a big and Withey was there in the 2nd round he would be getting serious consideration.

 

[bajaden]

Withey has been playing great the last couple of games.

I'm very curious to see how they match up the players in the Ohio St/Kansas game. I want to see a Robinson/Sullinger match-up, but if we do that would create a Withey/Thomas match-up, which is one of those classic big vs. small match-ups.

Being that Thomas is probably the hottest scorer left in the tournament, I wouldn't be surprised if Kansas decides not to match up Withey against Thomas (especially since Withey isn't an offensive player who can routinely take advantage of the smaller Thomas).

So I think Kansas will need Withey to have a good game, I'm just not certain of the line-up that Kansas will have to play in order to get the favorable match-ups to keep Withey on the floor.

But if I needed a big and Withey was there in the 2nd round he would be getting serious consideration.

Interesting point in the article, is that Kansas started on a roll with the emergence of Withey as a defender and shotblocker. Reminds of Marshall's impact on North Carolina last year.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

I would imagine that more than a few of you don't know who he is. He plays center for Kansas, and is playing today. Actually, right now I believe. Anyway, he's been a very pleasant surprise to me this season, and is a key part of the reason that Kansas is in the final four. He was voted conference defensive player of the year, which is no mean feat for a guy that only averaged around 5 minutes a game the previous season.

He's the guy that blocked John Hensons last shot of the game last week. He's the guy that averaged 3.5 blocked shots a game. And beleive or not, he attributes a lot of his shotblocking skill to having played volleyball since he was a little kid. Anyway here is a nice article on Withey.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/30/witheys-final-four-journey-started-sand/

He would fit nicely beside Demarcus. Those BLK numbers are phenominal.. His per 40 has got to be close to Davis' for shotblocking.. He would be a great 2nd rounder for us. But do you think he'll slip that far into the second round, especially after a good Tournament?

Who would you compare him to at the NBA level?

 

[bajaden]

He would fit nicely beside Demarcus. Those BLK numbers are phenominal.. His per 40 has got to be close to Davis' for shotblocking.. He would be a great 2nd rounder for us. But do you think he'll slip that far into the second round, especially after a good Tournament?

Who would you compare him to at the NBA level?

Excellent question about slipping to us in the second round. A month ago, I would have said no problem, but now, after his performance on the big stage, he might find his way into the bottom of the first round.. But then, its his performance that makes us want him. I guess we'll see. I guess if I were to compare him to someone at the college level, it would be John Henson. Both are tall and long, and both are shotblockers. Henson has a little game away from the basket, and Withey is primarily a post player. One advantage I give Withey, is that like Davis, he doesn't get into foul trouble that much.

At the NBA level, I'd say maybe Marcus Camby or the Bird man, but I'm not sure he's as athletic as the Bird man. He has a better post game than the Bird man though. Anyway, both those guys are in there for one reason, defense! And thats how I see Withey.

 

[Tetsujin]

Off topic but Dieng is having the game of his life.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Off topic but Dieng is having the game of his life.

Was just going to post something on him... This guy could be another option in the second round for us.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51476/gorgui-dieng

Great block numbers, rebounding, FG % and decent Ft %.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

I like him a ton--plays like your prototypical big, blocks shots, good touch. Seems intelligent. Like him a ton more than Meyers Leonard and Tyler Zeller, that's for sure. But I thought the same about another Jayhawk--Cole Aldrich--a while back, and he hasn't amounted to much. But I think Aldrich is the downside, and if a team can really use a center he'd be awfully useful.

 

[SacTownKid]

Withey's a shot blocking machine no doubt.

 

[bajaden]

I like him a ton--plays like your prototypical big, blocks shots, good touch. Seems intelligent. Like him a ton more than Meyers Leonard and Tyler Zeller, that's for sure. But I thought the same about another Jayhawk--Cole Aldrich--a while back, and he hasn't amounted to much. But I think Aldrich is the downside, and if a team can really use a center he'd be awfully useful.

I think Aldrich's problem is that he turned out to be about 6'8", and not the greatest athlete in the world. I realize its very hard on TV to tell how tall someone is because camera angles distort things. But on the few occasions you get to see him along side another player, he appears to be in the 6'11"/7 ft range. As far as Meyers Leonard goes, if its the second round, and he's sitting there, I'd take him. Thats not going to happen though. He's a definite first round pick, and someone may take him in the lottery. That word potential again.

 

[bajaden]

Was just going to post something on him... This guy could be another option in the second round for us.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51476/gorgui-dieng

Great block numbers, rebounding, FG % and decent Ft %.

Dieng is a very good defender, and he's also likely to stay in school. At least thats the rumor. My biggest question is how much weight he's capable of carrying. He doesn't have a very large frame, and I really doubt he weighs the 230 he's listed at. However, if he were to declare, and he was there in the second round, I think you'd have to take a look at him. I like Withey more, but you never have too many options.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Dieng is a very good defender, and he's also likely to stay in school. At least thats the rumor. My biggest question is how much weight he's capable of carrying. He doesn't have a very large frame, and I really doubt he weighs the 230 he's listed at. However, if he were to declare, and he was there in the second round, I think you'd have to take a look at him. I like Withey more, but you never have too many options.

Yah he looks like he could use another year or two of college.

Man Whithey killed it tonight.... Just completely shut Sullinger down. I didnt see the stats but he had to have close to ten blocks.... definitely going in the first round now haha..

**EDIT: Whithey was credited with 7 Blocks tonight..

 

[Arkitect]

I don't normally watch college ball but caught some of the 2nd half during the commercial breaks for the Kings game. Definately noticed Whithey out there. He seems like a very smart defensive player. Very mobile and has good instincts for the ball.

 

[Gilles]

At this point Withey's definitely coming out and should be a first round pick. Dieng seems like a bordeline first rounder too. At this point it looks like top-3 draft in terms of most players that will play in the nba.

 

[bajaden]

At this point Withey's definitely coming out and should be a first round pick. Dieng seems like a bordeline first rounder too. At this point it looks like top-3 draft in terms of most players that will play in the nba.

Yeah, its a very deep draft. As I've said, there are guys in the second round that would have been first round picks last year. There really aren't any diamonds in the rough so to speak. If we can see them, you know that the NBA scouts can see them as well. Withey has helped himself considerably, and has one more chance to shine on monday. Should be a great game. I think Kentucky has too many weapons for Kansas, but I thought Ohio St. did as well.

Great game by Anthony Davis yesterday as well. 18 pts, 14 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and only 2 personal fouls. Only 2 personal fouls for Withey as well, who had 7 blocked shots. One of the things I love about both players.

 

[hrdboild]

Withey's size really bothered Sullinger, but watching the game I think that says more about Sullinger than it does Withey. He continued to force shots straight up the whole game that had no chance of finding the rim. I'd take a flier on Withey in the late first-round, but I don't have huge expectations. He looked horrible every time he touched the ball on offense.

 

[bajaden]

Withey's size really bothered Sullinger, but watching the game I think that says more about Sullinger than it does Withey. He continued to force shots straight up the whole game that had no chance of finding the rim. I'd take a flier on Withey in the late first-round, but I don't have huge expectations. He looked horrible every time he touched the ball on offense.

Yeah, I never said he was a great offensive player. If he were, we wouldn't be talking about him in the second round. Remember, he only played around 6 minutes a game the previous season, so he's still a work in progress in many areas. But he's not a bad athlete, and he does have one quality that you can't teach. The light went on for him this year, so it would be interesting to see how he progresses in the future.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

is he the next scot pollard for us? we need to take a hard look if hes sitting there with our second pick

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Since we got Terrence now at SF, we should change our draft focus to a defensive big. Unless we can get Davis or MKG, we should trade our pick down and just draft Whithey. Or figure out a way to get a late first rounder to pick him up. Withey (24.8 MPG)- 3.6 BPG, 6.2 RPG, 9.3 PPG , Davis- (32 MPG)- 4.7 BPG, 10.4 RPG, 14.3 PPG

If Whithey got more time he would probably have more BPG then Davis and get close in RPG and PPG. Obviously Davis is way better then Whithey but statistically they are not far off from each other.

 

[bajaden]

Since we got Terrence now at SF, we should change our draft focus to a defensive big. Unless we can get Davis or MKG, we should trade our pick down and just draft Whithey. Or figure out a way to get a late first rounder to pick him up. Withey (24.8 MPG)- 3.6 BPG, 6.2 RPG, 9.3 PPG , Davis- (32 MPG)- 4.7 BPG, 10.4 RPG, 14.3 PPG

If Whithey got more time he would probably have more BPG then Davis and get close in RPG and PPG. Obviously Davis is way better then Whithey but statistically they are not far off from each other.

By no means am I trying to disparage Withey, but you can't go just on stats. You have to beleive what your eye's tell you, and my eye's tell me that Withey isn't Davis. Davis is an athletic freak that has the ability to be playing defense on the perimiter, and still react quickly enough to block a shot under the basket. He has cat like quickness. Offensively, Davis, who hasn't even scratched the surface of him abilities, is still light years ahead of Withey. I see Withey for what he is. A good pickup in the second round that eventually, will be able to come in off the bench and make life difficut for the opposing team under the basket. If you manage to get more than that from him, its a bonus, and not necessarily improbable.

In short, were talking about long term potential. Davis is viewed as a possible franchise player, and Withey is viewed as good bench player. Potential is an overused word, but potential does matter when drafting. How many remember that Shaq didn't start for his college team. Some kid named Stanley Roberts did, if my memory serves. But who had the most potential, and where is Roberts now?