Top Prospects - College Game Summaries

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I see Kanter as more of a backup to Cousins than playing along side him, but all in all, I don't really care how you use him. If he's the best player available, you take him and don't look back. I also saw him play in two games agains the USA all-star highschoolers. Many of whom are on the current draft boards. And he was clearly, and I mean clearly, the best player on the floor in both games. He absolutely dominated inside. Now I know those were typical all star type games where there's little practice time, and little discipline. But the guy looked damm good to me, and his skill level was obvious. As far as him climbing up the draft boards. He's already in the top five on most board right now, so there's not much climbing to do. .

Backup for how long? For the next year or so (assuming Dally comes back) than yes, I would go with backup .. but if we end up with the 4th or 5th pick I hope were drafting him to be a long term solution next to Cousins, and not just his backup.

I think he can play PF as much as Dally or Cousins can play PF.. I think he is just as much of a tweener as JT is. Now, I dont think he is as athletic as JT or Dally, which helps them both play PF for sure, but I do think Kanter is a very good athlete for his size. Again, I always have to mention the small sample size, but from what I saw he looks very active. Very good at running the floor, pretty good handle for a big man ... good hands, good finisher, good at taking contact .. I like what I saw.

Just looking around the NBA .. If combinations like Lee/Biedrins or Griffin/Jordan or Jefferson/Milsap or Scola/Hayes .. If those guys can play together I dont think it would be a problem for Kanter and Cousins.

Now, If we can get Dalembet back on board, Im not sure I even go after a big man... I really like what we have not with JT/Dally/Cousins and possibly Whiteside.

It sure would be nice to win the lottery this year. Irving just seems like the best fit across the board.

 

[Kingster]

I would take Kanter and not worry about how he fits with Cousins. If Dalembert can play with Cousins on offense so can Kanter... If JT can play with Cousins so can Kanter. I think 'fit' is overrated when it comes to big men. Much more important when your talking about guards and swingmen. Any two good bigs can dominate a game no matter how similar they are.

I really, really like Enes Kanter. I like him even more because of how unimpressive this draft class is. He's the 'unknown' yet I've seen him play and he has a ton of skill and talent for his size. He could be the best player in this draft when its all said and done ... Come workout time he could shoot right up there on the draft boards.

It all depends upon whether Kanter can cover Cousins' defensive weaknesses. If he can, great. If he can't, then not great. The Kings need either Whiteside to make a big jump in skill, or another player that can fit the Whiteside bill, someone that is a very good weakside defender. So is Kanter that player?

 

[Kingster]

If we were to draft Kanter, it wouldn't be to compliment Cousins, but to back him up. Kanter is a center. Drafting Kanter would probably mean less minutes for Thompson down the road. Essentially, when you took Cousins out of the game, you'd be replacing him with someone that is almost a clone of him. Nothing wrong with that. You can't have too much depth at the center position.

As far as Barnes goes, if you haven't watched him lately, then I have nothing to say, other than try watching more games.. Players do evolve and improve. Barnes is the youngest player out there. Thats why I watch so many games.

And if that's the case, all the more reason to trade Kanter if we're left holding that bag. You don't want to even think about drafting a guy in the top five as a backup. That's preposterous.

I did watch Barnes lately, and he plays like a periphery player. If he's really attacking the basket in his most recent games and he's rebounding and making great defensive plays, then he's made quite a transformation. I'll be checking him out in the NCAAs.

 

[Kingster]

Man, would Kemba Walker look good as our pg or what?

I think he would. He's got quickness, brains, guts, and leadership ability. I'd say the Kings could use those attributes. I seriously think that if you took him off that team they wouldn't make the NCAAs.

 

[bajaden]

Backup for how long? For the next year or so (assuming Dally comes back) than yes, I would go with backup .. but if we end up with the 4th or 5th pick I hope were drafting him to be a long term solution next to Cousins, and not just his backup.

I think he can play PF as much as Dally or Cousins can play PF.. I think he is just as much of a tweener as JT is. Now, I dont think he is as athletic as JT or Dally, which helps them both play PF for sure, but I do think Kanter is a very good athlete for his size. Again, I always have to mention the small sample size, but from what I saw he looks very active. Very good at running the floor, pretty good handle for a big man ... good hands, good finisher, good at taking contact .. I like what I saw.

Just looking around the NBA .. If combinations like Lee/Biedrins or Griffin/Jordan or Jefferson/Milsap or Scola/Hayes .. If those guys can play together I dont think it would be a problem for Kanter and Cousins.

Now, If we can get Dalembet back on board, Im not sure I even go after a big man... I really like what we have not with JT/Dally/Cousins and possibly Whiteside.

It sure would be nice to win the lottery this year. Irving just seems like the best fit across the board.

Obviously I haven't seen play enough to say whether he can play PF or not. To be honest, he reminded me a lot of Cousins. Not sure about his athleticism etc. I'm just a, go with the best player available and figure out the rest later. Lets put it this way. Maybe he can be as good as Cousins. Not saying he will, but just maybe. In a league short of really good big men, I wouldn't have a problem with having two of best on my team. If you can't figure out a way to play them, then you have a great trading piece down the road.

Don't get me wrong, he's not my first choice, but I won't pass him up just because I already have two centers.

 

[bajaden]

It all depends upon whether Kanter can cover Cousins' defensive weaknesses. If he can, great. If he can't, then not great. The Kings need either Whiteside to make a big jump in skill, or another player that can fit the Whiteside bill, someone that is a very good weakside defender. So is Kanter that player?

It seems that your condemming Cousins as a lifetime poor defender. I think Cousins can develop into a good defender. He'll never be an elite shotblocker, but thats just one aspect of defense. As for the draft, I think you draft a player on what he can do at the NBA level and not what he can't do. As to whether Kanter can be a good weakside defender, I have no idea. Be nice if I could see him play, but it is what it is.

 

[bajaden]

And if that's the case, all the more reason to trade Kanter if we're left holding that bag. You don't want to even think about drafting a guy in the top five as a backup. That's preposterous.

I did watch Barnes lately, and he plays like a periphery player. If he's really attacking the basket in his most recent games and he's rebounding and making great defensive plays, then he's made quite a transformation. I'll be checking him out in the NCAAs.

I realize that you live in a world of black and white, but I don't. You can be a backup and still log 25 to 30 minutes a game and be a very important part of a good team. Sort of why they give out the 6th man award. I also realize the everyone wants to draft a superstar in the top five, but the odds aren't that good in a good draft and less in an average draft. I'd also like to point out that we haven't signed Dalembert to anything yet, and there are no guarantee's that we will. Last time I checked the draft takes place before freeagency, so at the time of the draft we won't know for sure whether Dalembert will be with us next year or not. Now maybe we can get some kind of verbal commitment from him. But always remember that money talks, and someone can always outbid us.

 

[Glenn]

I realize that you live in a world of black and white, but I don't. You can be a backup and still log 25 to 30 minutes a game and be a very important part of a good team. Sort of why they give out the 6th man award. I also realize the everyone wants to draft a superstar in the top five, but the odds aren't that good in a good draft and less in an average draft. I'd also like to point out that we haven't signed Dalembert to anything yet, and there are no guarantee's that we will. Last time I checked the draft takes place before freeagency, so at the time of the draft we won't know for sure whether Dalembert will be with us next year or not. Now maybe we can get some kind of verbal commitment from him. But always remember that money talks, and someone can always outbid us.

Dalembert has said he would like to stay. Do they need to wait until this summer? The last thing I want is two 20 year olds manning the post. When something is working, keep it.

 

[Uncia03]

Austin Peay at Morehead State (03/04/2011)

Morehead State – Kenneth Faried
36 Minutes, 12 Points (6/8 FG, 0/0 3pt, 0/0 FT), 21 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 3 Stl, 8 Blk, 3 TO

Stopped a steal attempt on the 1st offensive possession of the game, and got the ball and slammed it down to beat the shot-clock.

Got offensive rebound and made put-back.

Great position on the baseline and forced player out of bounds for the turn-over.

Got a steal with a quick jump to intercept the pass.

Good weak-side defense as he had an emphatic block on the tear-drop shot.

Blocked another shot.

Jumped another pass and got a steal.

Called for the travel while collecting ball thrown to him in the post.

A face-up complete block to stop a basket at the rim.

Got knocked down on the offensive end. There was a steal on the other end and so he was all alone and got the ball by himself. Did a two-handed wind-mill power dunk to the delight of the fans.

Got another steal.

Morehead turned it over, Faried chased down and blocked the shot at the rim.

Called for offensive foul for a moving screen.

Another block and got the rebound.

Got ball in the post, was immediately doubled, and was fouled.

Came up hobbling at around the 6.5 minute mark, but is staying in the game.
Out at the 5 minute mark.
Back in at the 3.5 minute mark.

Got doubled when he got the ball on the low right block. Was able to muscle up a shot, but it bounced off the rim.

Another blocked shot and rebound.

[2nd Half]

6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 steals in 1st half. Wow….

Challenged a shot and forced a miss at the rim.
Got offensive rebound and a put-back.

Blocked another shot.

Played good defense, stood tall, forced the bad shot, and got the rebound.

Another offensive rebound and put-back slam.

Challenged a shot, and forced a miss, then quick off his feet to go strong for the defensive rebound.

Another offensive rebound.

Got ball on the right wing, drove, spun into traffic, and missed the shot off the back-board.

Kept ball alive on the offensive end, and managed to knock ball off of Austin Peay player.

Got ball in the post, and made a bad pass for a TO.

Fantastic move to get a deflection for a steal.

Ran back quickly on defense and almost got a steal and disrupted the fast-break attempt.

Pulled down an offensive rebound and kicked the ball out to reset the offense.
Challenged another shot at the rim and forced the miss.
Got offensive rebound and put-back off a missed FT.
Out at the game at the 2.5 minute mark.


[Quick Notes]
Another Wow game.

I don’t think that you can watch this guy play and not want him on your team.

He was just a dominant force out there. At the end of the 1st half he had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 3 steals.

So he was under his season average for rebounds at the end of the 1st half. So what does he do? He gets 15 more rebounds in the 2nd half to finish up with 21 rebounds.

He’s just doesn’t ever quit, his motor is off the charts and that combined with his athleticism makes him so effective.

His mindset is absolutely perfect for a mega-role-player, and I think he’s going to be very effective in the NBA.

Just another impressive game.

 

[KingsCitizen]

As far as team needs is concerned, I think the Kings should get a SF or a PG from this draft that is ready to contribute. But I think only Irving is NBA-starter ready for this draft. Otherwise, if we're drafting Kanter(example). It might be better to trade him for some veteran along with Udrih. I could see Atlanta for Kanter/Udrih-Hinrich/Smith/future pick trade, they badly need some real big so Al can play PF. Or probably Indiana for Granger package, they can use a vet PG and young big to pair with Hibbert.

Also maybe we should trade Donte or a future pick, for a later first on this draft. Marshon Brooks is someone I would love to have on our bench for next season. Some draft boards compare him to Nick Young, but what I see in his game is actually Kobe Bryant basketball. I'm not sure though if get fire in himself like Kobe does.

 

[bajaden]

As far as team needs is concerned, I think the Kings should get a SF or a PG from this draft that is ready to contribute. But I think only Irving is NBA-starter ready for this draft. Otherwise, if we're drafting Kanter(example). It might be better to trade him for some veteran along with Udrih. I could see Atlanta for Kanter/Udrih-Hinrich/Smith/future pick trade, they badly need some real big so Al can play PF. Or probably Indiana for Granger package, they can use a vet PG and young big to pair with Hibbert.

Also maybe we should trade Donte or a future pick, for a later first on this draft. Marshon Brooks is someone I would love to have on our bench for next season. Some draft boards compare him to Nick Young, but what I see in his game is actually Kobe Bryant basketball. I'm not sure though if get fire in himself like Kobe does.

I've seen Brooks play several times this year, and did a couple of posts on him. I actually did say that at times he reminded me of Kobe. And by no means was I implying that I thought he was the next Kobe. It was just his body language and some of the moves he made. As far as trading Kanter, I'd be on board for Granger, but not some package of average role players. I think Kanter could end up being an impact player in the NBA, and although he doesn't fill a need position as of now, you can't have too much talent. I hate to play what if's, but lets say we do resign Dalembert, and 10 games into the season either Dalembert or Cousins goes down with a knee injury. All of a sudden Kanter looks pretty good to you. Remember, you can always trade Kanter down the road if you want. But just what if Kanter and Cousins end up being a more effective pairing than Dalembert and Cousins. Then you can always trade Dalembert if you want.

As for drafting someone thats NBA ready, well good luck with that. Not saying it can't happen, but in the world of drafting freshman players, its difficult to find one thats NBA ready. The Kings have been lucky the last two years.

 

[Uncia03]

Oregon at Arizona (03/05/2011)

Arizona – Derrick Williams
22 Minutes, 14 Minutes (5/7 FG, 1/2 3pt, 3/4 FT), 5 Reb, 2 Assists, 1 Stl, 0 Blk, 3 TO

Fingers slightly wrapped on shooting hand.
Guarding #34 (Joevan Catron 6’6 245)

Good footwork to get into defensive position, square up and take a charge in the chest to force a TO.
Fouled Catron in the post.

Got the ball on the right baseline, drove the ball into the paint and made a great bounce-pass to cutter at the rim for the dunk.

Got an offensive rebound, then powered up the put-back through contact to get the bucket.

On fast-break opportunity put the ball quickly off the back-board but missed the shot.

In the middle of the zone, got the ball, was doubled, and found man on the right wing for the made 3.

On the right wing, drove hard right to the rim, but was called for the offensive foul. This is his 2nd foul and it was at the 11 minute mark. He might be out for the rest of the half.

Out at the 11 minute mark.
Back in at the 6 minute mark.

Picked up his 3rd foul at the 4.5 minute mark while going for a defensive rebound.
Out for the rest of the 1st half.

[2nd Half]

2 points (1 of 2 FG) in the 1st half.

Didn’t rotate over to cut off driver, and gave driver easy lane for the bucket.

Received ball on low right block, but wasn’t able to get a good shot up.

Caught the ball on the right wing and knocked down the 3pt shot with-out hesitation. (1st points in the 2nd half at the 17 minute mark)

Out at the 16 minute mark.
Back in at the 14.5 minute mark.

Missed 3pt shot from the left wing.

Doubled on the right block, found man under the rim, but the shot was missed.

Got beat down the court and let Oregon man get the easy hoop.

Cut baseline, managed to keep ball in play on a horrible pass, and ended up getting the hoop under the rim. (7th point of the game (4 rebounds) at the 11.5 minute mark)

Got ball at the free-throw line. Faced up, drove into the lane and was fouled.

On baseline drive, called for the offensive foul. His 4th at the 9 minute mark. He’ll be out for a while.

Out at the 9 minute mark.
Back in at the 4.5 minute mark.

Cut to the rim, finished with the nice up-and-under.

Had ball knocked away from him when the double came.
Huge one-handed slam when getting the ball on a fast-break.
Got fouled going to the rim. (Made 1 of 2)

[Quick Notes]
A really tough game for Williams. He went head to head against Joevan Catron and lost that battle.

Catron ended the game with 28 points, and Williams was just unable to stop him.

Williams picked up two quick fouls in the first 9 minutes of the game. (1st foul was trying to guard Catron in the post, the 2nd was an offensive foul).

So he went out of the game for 5 minutes, but then picked up his 3rd foul 1.5 minutes later.

So he only played 10 minutes in the 1st half, had only 2 points and 2 shot attempts.

In the 2nd half, he didn’t play with as much intensity as he normally would, due to trying to avoid picking up his 4th foul.

However, he knocked down a 3 and played more efficient ball, hitting 4 of 5 shots in the 2nd half.

But his rebounding was down and his impact on the game was down in this one and he only played about 12 minutes in the 2nd half due to foul trouble.

Though it was an efficient offensive night for Williams, an over-all disappointment of the game and a lot of his fellow players had to step up in his absence.

 

[gunks]

Man, I would really love it if we got Faried. I love those lunchpail type players.

I think if we end up picking 3-6th, we should try to trade our pick into multiple lower picks. Not many stars late in the draft, but a lot of solid looking players nonetheless. If we miss out on Irving, I wouldnt mind getting Fredette + Faried + assets.

Not really a GP type of move though.

 

[KingsCitizen]

I also like the possibility of Fredette on this team. But what scares me is if we keep Beno next season, Udrih-Fredette backcourt would suck in defense. Atlanta is a team that I really hope to trade Beno to. They would need salary relief next season. But they don't have first round picks so that sucks!

Since I touched the Atlanta topic, I wish we can get Smith/Hinrich for maybe Udrih/Thompson. It could boost Kings playoff chances if we manage success of having Smith at SF.

C - Dalembert/Whiteside
PF - Cousins/ FA or pick
SF - Smith/Casspi
SG - Evans/Thornton
PG - Hinrich/FA or pick

Probably best defensive starting lineup with potent offensive bench if we get Fredette

 

[gunks]

Well, I'd imagine that Fredette plays off the bench behind Beno. Unless Westphal decides to go super small, which he does sometimes even though the results are always terrible. Fredette/Evans or Fredette/Thorton could be some good stuff in a couple years. Not as good as Kyrie/Evans or Kyrie/Thorton, but good.

I dig your trade idea, but I dont see Hotlanta pulling the trigger. Unless they really want to move Smoove. I'd play him (Smith) as a PF though, he's not much of a SF. People claim he's too tweenery to be a PF, but the dude is a better rebounder/passer/shotblocker than any PF we have on the roster. Smoove is 6'9. Thats not terribly undersized. I think the real problem with Atlanta's undersized frontline comes from Horford at the 5, more than Smith at the 4. Smith/Cousins would be sick.

Anyways...We're totally posting this in the wrong thread

Sorry Uncia03! Keep up the great analysis!

 

[Kingster]

It seems that your condemming Cousins as a lifetime poor defender. I think Cousins can develop into a good defender. He'll never be an elite shotblocker, but thats just one aspect of defense. As for the draft, I think you draft a player on what he can do at the NBA level and not what he can't do. As to whether Kanter can be a good weakside defender, I have no idea. Be nice if I could see him play, but it is what it is.

I'm condemning Cousins to never being a great defender. He is condemned by his poor jumping ability and limited defensive athleticism. He will never be an upper tier defensive center. Can he be average? Yes. Above average? Probably, if he makes it a major priority. He's got good quickness and good anticipation and he's willing to draw the charge, so that should get him at least into the top half of NBA centers, but not the top 5. Cousins and Sullinger would be a disaster on the defensive end because they both are vertically challenged, and Sullinger is challenged not just vertically, but also horizontally. If I'm looking at the guys that are supposed to be in the top of the draft, Sullinger would be the worst pick by far chemistry-wise. If Kanter is similar to Cousins, the same would hold true.

 

[Kingster]

I realize that you live in a world of black and white, but I don't. You can be a backup and still log 25 to 30 minutes a game and be a very important part of a good team. Sort of why they give out the 6th man award. I also realize the everyone wants to draft a superstar in the top five, but the odds aren't that good in a good draft and less in an average draft. I'd also like to point out that we haven't signed Dalembert to anything yet, and there are no guarantee's that we will. Last time I checked the draft takes place before freeagency, so at the time of the draft we won't know for sure whether Dalembert will be with us next year or not. Now maybe we can get some kind of verbal commitment from him. But always remember that money talks, and someone can always outbid us.

Great. So we can draft a guy in the top five to be a backup, a great sixth man. That just sends chills up my spine.

 

[bajaden]

I'm condemning Cousins to never being a great defender. He is condemned by his poor jumping ability and limited defensive athleticism. He will never be an upper tier defensive center. Can he be average? Yes. Above average? Probably, if he makes it a major priority. He's got good quickness and good anticipation and he's willing to draw the charge, so that should get him at least into the top half of NBA centers, but not the top 5. Cousins and Sullinger would be a disaster on the defensive end because they both are vertically challenged, and Sullinger is challenged not just vertically, but also horizontally. If I'm looking at the guys that are supposed to be in the top of the draft, Sullinger would be the worst pick by far chemistry-wise. If Kanter is similar to Cousins, the same would hold true.

Let me be clear. Sullinger is not my first or second choice. I have him rated as the third best player at the moment, but that doesn't mean I would take him third, unless I could take him and then trade down for more picks or an additional player. But I don't share your theory about players being vertically challenged can't be good defenders. The Kings were a good defensive team when they had Vlade, Webber, Peja, Christie and Bibby. Vlade was hardly an above the rim player. Webb, who had good hops had very bad lateral movement, and also played away from the basket more than he did under it. Peja wasn't a high flyer either. And no one would accuse Bibby of being a great individual defender. Only Christie's picture would be in the dictionary under the word defense.

Yet, they were a good defensive team. Because they played very good team defense. There's nothing wrong with having a bunch of good individual defenders. But few teams have that luxury. But even with good man to man defenders, you still need good team defense to be a good defensive team. Everyone makes a big deal about Beno or whomever, not being able to stay in front of Parker, or Paul, or Wall etc. Well you tell me just who can stay in front of them. Start naming them. No one stops them one on one. Thats why they're as good as they are. You stop them with good team defense. You tell me the name of one player in the league that can stop Rose one on one.

So while criticizing Beno for his lack of lateral movement has merit, its really not that relevant in the grand scheme of things. The key is to stop the ball no matter who has it in his hands. When Beno gets beat off the dribble by Parker. Parker should immediately be looking up at someone much taller than him right in front of him. Its called rotation. The Kings do it well at times, and they absolutely stink at times. And sometimes they're late. The worse thing is to be late. Because that usually ends up being, AND ONE.

My biggest concerns with Sullinger aren't on the defensive side of the ball. I'm concerned that he won't be able to do in the NBA what he's doing in College. For that reason he scares me. He gets his shot blocked quite a bit in college, so I don't see that getting any better in the Pro's. Hey, he could prove me wrong, but I'd rather have either Irving or Williams. Maybe just once, we'll get lucky and get the first pick in the draft and get the pick of the litter..

 

[hrdboild]

Cousins and Sullinger would be a disaster on the defensive end because they both are vertically challenged, and Sullinger is challenged not just vertically, but also horizontally. If I'm looking at the guys that are supposed to be in the top of the draft, Sullinger would be the worst pick by far chemistry-wise. If Kanter is similar to Cousins, the same would hold true.

I don't think you're giving Sullinger enough credit defensively. No he's not particularly athletic or quick on his feet. He's not going to be a leader in blocked shots or anything, but he's a smart team player. He makes proper rotations and he seems to be aware of where the ball is at all times. Oklahoma City has been getting by with the undersized Nick Collison at center for awhile (until they picked up Perkins) because he does similar things -- he puts himself in great position despite being undersized.

A front court of Cousins and Sullinger would get outrun by a number of teams, but no one in the league is going to move them out of position (except maybe Shaq, who's on the way out anyway). If you coach them to get back early and hold position in the post and make the proper rotations off of pick and rolls, that's not a disaster defensively. It could actually be a significant strength against other times which rely more on their post game. I'm a little more concerned about figuring out where the shots will go with two very talented post players in the same front court. But I wouldn't pass on Sullinger as the best available talent if we had to make that choice because I think they're both smart enough basketball players to make it work.

 

[bajaden]

Great. So we can draft a guy in the top five to be a backup, a great sixth man. That just sends chills up my spine.

Hey anything I can do to help on a warm day, I'm there for you! Look, I know you want to draft another LeBron or at worse, another talent equal to evans or Cousins. But there may only be a couple of guys in this draft that fit that bill. And they may be gone by the time we pick. Hopefully not, and if not, then it becomes a moot point. But if they are gone, then I'm an advocate of drafting the best player available. And if that happens to be Kanter, then so be it. You may have a different philosphy, and thats fine. I'm just telling you mine... By the way, be careful about those chills. Could be the excitement of thinking about the pick, but it could be an infection as well..

 

[bajaden]

Well the good news is that Kyrie Irving played yesterday. The bad news is that it took him almost the entire game to shake off the rust. He basicly did nothing in the first half. I think he played around 7 or 8 minutes in the first half and had 2 pts if memory serves. Toward the middle of the second half, in a game that was a rout with Duke beating Hampton 87 to 45, he started to look more like the pre-injury Irving. He hit a couple of 3's and made a couple of nice layups, one on a breakaway steal where he turned on the afterburners for the first and only time in the game.

All in all, he played about how everyone expected after such a long layoff, and also recovering from a toe injury. He ended up with 14 points on 4 of 8 shooting overall. He was 2 for 2 from beyond the arc, and 4 for 4 from the freethrow line. He also had 2 steals. He ended up playing a total of 20 minutes in the game. It was the perfect game for him to return in. Duke jumped out to a big early lead and Hampton never threatened after that. His minutes should go up in the next game, and I would expect his confidence to be better as well.

 

[bajaden]

I watched the North Carolina/Washington game. Exciting game right down to the end, where Henson flirted with a goaltending call which would have tied the game. Ty Zeller the 7 footer for N.C. had a very nice game with 23 points on 8 or 14 shooting, 5 boards and 2 steals. Zeller is an interesting player. He's pretty mobile and fairly athletic for a big guy. Although he doesn't appear all that strong, he plays a physcial game under the basket. He has a deadly jump hook that he loves, and is particularly effective with it from the right side of the basket.

Harrison Barnes also had a nice game scoring 22 points on 9 or 19 shots. He was deadly from 3pt land hitting 4 or 7 from beyond the arc. He added 3 steals, and played good defense throughout the game.

The real star of the game should be PG Kendal Marshall. He's not flashy most of the time, and makes hard passes look easy. He ended up with 13 points on 3 of 6 shooting, and 1 for 2 from beyond the arc. He also had 14 assists to go with only 4 turnovers. He threw in 5 boards for good measure. Kendall doesn't shoot the ball very much, but is quite capable of scoring if needed and is a good outside shooter. Because he doesn't shoot much and is constantly setting up his teammates, he'll lull you to sleep, and then suddenly he's by you on his way to the basket for a layup. The big question about Kendall, is can he play defense at the next level. I suspect we'll have time to dwell on that question, because I think he'll stay in school for at least one more year.

I also want to give some props to Dexter Strickland of N.C. He was stuck with the job of guarding Isaiah Thomas, the lightning quick PG from Wash. And he did a spectaculor job. He held Thomas to 12 points on 5 of 15 shooting. I suspect its one of the few times that Thomas had to go up against a taller defender that was just as quick as he was. Strickland's length bothered Thomas the entire game, and he had a very hard time creating space to get his shot off.. He did have 8 assists however.

Not related to the North Carolina/Washington game, but I just wanted to mention JaJuan Johnson, the 6'10" PF/C of Purdue. He had a terrific game in a losing effort. He had 25 points on 11 of 20 shooting, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. If he can put on 15 pounds of muscle, he'll definitely make some team happy in the NBA. He's a pretty athletic player and has a nice touch around the basket. My only knock on him has been his lack of strength, and getting pushed around under the basket. But he definitely has some skills.