Archive - Nov 2012 - Article

Rising

Ben McLemoreBen McLemore, Kansas

McLemore appears comfortable out there, and looks the part of an NBA 2-guard. He's been a little inconsistent to start the year, particularly shooting the ball, but his potential is unmistakable. He's drawn comparisons to Ray Allen due to his size, athleticism and silky shooting stroke, and smooth all around game.

In baseball and horse racing, the Triple Crown is seen as the ultimate individual honor that is rarely achieved. On the unique occasions that someone reaches this milestone, their name goes down in the history books to be looked upon with reverence forever. Affirmed was the last horse to win the award, 34 years ago. With baseball’s Miguel Cabrera ending a 45-year Triple Crown drought this season, America has been reminded that such an achievement is still possible in this day and age.

It is a given that many of the top players in a class will leave as freshmen or sophomores. But some talented players take time to develop at the college ranks, and that often results in a more NBA ready prospect. Last year Thomas Robinson and Damian Lillard both had breakthrough junior seasons to skyrocket up draft boards.

The first NBADraft.net College Power 16 of the season has a decided Big Ten Conference flavor near the top.

The Indiana Hoosiers and Michigan Wolverines are 1-2 and Ohio State No. 5.

It doesn’t end there.

Jetting to No. 12 is one of the surprise teams of the season so far, Illinois, which rolled the competition (USC, Chaminade and Butler) by an average margin of 23 points.

Interestingly enough, Coach John Groce’s club struggled when it returned home, finally eking out a 63-62 win over Gardner-Webb on Sunday.

This year's EA Sports Maui Invitational had some highly competitive contests highlighted by a dramatic last second game winning three by Butler's Rotnei Clark to defeat Marquette and a shocking Butler win over UNC, in which they held a 30 point lead at one point. While it was disappointing for NBA scouts as few unheralded prospects surfaced, and the talent level was down from past years, it was an exciting event nonetheless. Here is a look at the top 5 prospects from my viewpoint after watching the event first hand and speaking with scouts.

Rising

Marcus Smart, OK State, 6'4, G

Our first extended mock draft of the season. While this doesn't appear to be a particularly strong draft, the same thing was said around this time last year and a number of rookies are showing signs of becoming stars. Team needs are not factored into this mock and won't be until the draft order is set at the end of the NBA season.

Hard to believe this will be the last year in the Big East with the regular cast of characters.

Before leaving, Syracuse looks to have one last run in them for the conference title, with another balanced, deep group of young talent and savvy veterans. Louisville also returns at the top with their suffocating defense and experienced rotation, earning the number 2 ranking in the country. Everyone else in the bunch looks to be fighting for that next spot, as we enter the new year with all sorts of parity. The door is open to anyone that wants to walk through it.

With a horrendous football season almost at its end, the Big Ten Conference rejoins the national conversation. The Big Ten had six bids to March’s NCAA Tournament (tied with the Big 12 for second-most) and four advanced to the Sweet 16 — tied for the lead among all conferences.