[sammybuckeye13Participant]

A couple weeks ago I posted my top 10 prospects for the upcoming draft:

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/my-top-10-prospects-2012-draft

Here’s my early pre-season ranking of the top 10 teams: 

1. North Carolina

With seven possible first round picks on the roster, UNC is not only stacked with elite talent, but with stars that have well defined positions: they’ve got the nation’s best passer in Kendall Marshall manning the point, a great scorer in Reggie Bullock at the two (with the equally talented P.J. Hairston backing him up), the nation’s best small forward in Harrison Barnes, a constantly improving defensive force in John Henson and a dynamic center in Tyler Zeller. This team is so loaded that 6-9 combo forward James McAdoo, considered by some to be an even better prospect than Barnes, won’t even start. The emergence of Marshall in the latter half of the 2010-11 campaign alone made them a contender; the noticeable improvement of its returning stars and the addition of five-star recruits McAdoo and Hairston qualifies this UNC team as a true powerhouse.

2. Kentucky

One of the most talent-laden teams of this generation, Calipari’s squad returns sophomores Terrence Jones (15.7 points and 8.8 rebounds) and Doron Lamb (12.3 points, 48.6% 3PT), and boasts the top PG (Marquis Teague), SF (Michael Gilchrist), and PF (Anthony Davis) of the 2012 freshman class. Unlike the 2010 incarnation that starred John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, this team can actually shoot the rock and there isn’t a single ball hog on the roster. For a very young team, they’re remarkably well rounded; Teague and Lamb makes up one of the nation’s most explosive backcourts, while Gilchrist, Jones and Davis will comprise one of the country’s most athletic and defensively tough frontlines. Senior Darius Miller, a versatile, rapidly improving 6-7 wing who put up 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 44% from beyond the arc, is an ideal sixth man. The Wildcats will doubtlessly take much longer to jell than fellow heavy hitters UNC and Ohio State, however, and they just might be too young to take home a title.

3. Ohio State

Losing senior leaders David Lighty and Jon Diebler hurts, but there’s no reason to believe that this Buckeye squad can’t be even better than last year’s top-seeded team. Sophomore Aaron Craft, who took home Sixth Man of the Year honors in the Big 10 as a freshman, is more than ready to take over the point, while senior SG William Buford (14.2 points, 44.2% 3PT) should finally be ready to take over games at the two. They have the best player in the country in Jared Sullinger, and if sophomore wing Deshaun Thomas can put points on the board like he did last year while learning to share a bit more, this team will be hard to outscore. The only question mark is at the other low post spot, where undersized, four-star freshmen Amir Williams (6-9/220) and Laquinton Ross (6-8/195) will have their work cut out for them.

4. Syracuse

Coming off a strong 26-7 campaign defined by awesome highs and shocking lows, Syracuse is ready to contend for a third consecutive year. The orange return their PG, SG and SF in Scoop Jardine (12.5 points and 5.9 assists), Brandon Triche (11.1 points and 2.9 assists) and Kris Joseph (14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds), a versatile, strong and athletic group of guys that have been playing together for a few years now. Center Fab Melo can only improve, but if he doesn’t, they’ll be just fine; 6-9/230 center Rakeem Christmas is regarded by some as the top center in the 2012 class, while sophomore C.J. Fair is ready to start and produce. In the backcourt they’ve also got Dion Waiters, a huge talent in need of some more discipline, and five-star recruit Michael Carter-Williams, a rail thin 6-5 combo guard reminiscent of Steph Curry.

5. Vanderbilt

After threatening to break out in each of the last two seasons, 2012 could be the year that the Commodores finally reach the Final Four. This Vanderbilt squad has all the ingredients for success: a star and dependable first option in John Jenkins (19.5 points, 40.8% 3PT), an elite center in the constantly improving, 6-11/255 Festus Ezeli (13 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks), a very solid point guard in SEC assist leader Brad Tinsley, and a great glue guy in 6-7 senior Jeffrey Taylor, who averaged 14.7 points as a junior while setting an example on defense. This team’s only weaknesses are depth and consistency, as evidenced by their back-to-back first round tournament exits, but this year the Commodores should not only be experienced enough to overcome the late March pressure, but they should play with a chip on their shoulder that allows them to maximize their enormous potential.

6. Florida

Not only does Florida have the nation’s best backcourt heading into the 2011-12 season, but one of the best backcourts assembled in years. The Gators return their two leading scorers, the 5-8 Erving Walker (14.6 points) and the 6-2 Kenny Boynton (14.2 points), who combined to make 159 threes last year. Billy Donovan has two more immensely talented guards heading to Gainesville this year: 6-4 shooting guard Brad Beal, rated the #4 prospect in the country by Rivals and ESPN, and Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario, who averaged 16.7 points as a sophomore in the rough and tumble Big East before redshirting. Due to a dearth of talent in the frontcourt as a result of the loss of forwards Chandler Parsons, Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus, the Gators will likely end up starting Walker, Boynton and Beal, though three-guard lineups have been successful in the past, and Beal is big enough to play the three in college. Small forward and power forward are problem spots, but the center position is not; 6-9/245 sophomore Patric Young, a phenomenal athlete with an NBA-ready body, was one of the best players on this year’s U-19 USA squad and should be a favorite to take home Defensive POY honors in the SEC.

7. Duke

Compared to the last few Duke squads, this team is, well, a bit weird, relying entirely on young talent and a couple prospects that aren’t your typical Krzyzewski disciples. 6-5 shooting guard Austin Rivers, rated #1 by Rivals and #2 by ESPN, is an extraordinary scorer but is also very ball-dominant for a non-PG and could stand to buckle down harder on defense. The backcourt boasts a pair of world-class shooters in Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins, but the frontcourt leaves a lot to be desired. The Plumlee twins haven’t necessarily developed as expected, though the 6-11 Mason still shows good promise as a combo big. The loss of Kyle Singler is going to sting, but four-star wings Michael Gbinje (6-6/194) and Kyle Murphy (6-8/180) could be serviceable in his place. The talent is certainly there, but whether or not Austin Rivers can lead this team as the primary ball-handler, and whether the frontcourt is anything more than average, are questions that Duke fans are nervously eager to discover the answers to.

8. Memphis

Winning 25 games is no longer a noteworthy accomplishment for Memphis, which plays in the somewhat inferior Conference USA. When you consider that that their top three scorers (and four of their top five) were freshman, well, that looks a little more impressive. Last year’s recruiting class was ranked 2^nd overall by Rivals, and this year they’ll add blue chip forward Adonis Thomas (6-6/210), a potential star right out of the gate. The young backcourt of 6-0-176 PG Joe Jackson (9.9 points and 3.1 assists) and 6-6/175 SG Will Barton (12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds) will improve on their solid freshman campaigns, while Thomas should contribute something in the range of 14 and 7 from the swing. Sophomore PF Tarik Black (9.1 points, 5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks) is already a very good post defender and has a rapidly developing offensive skill set, and senior swingman Wesley Witherspoon (6-9/210), who averaged a ridiculous 1.66 PPS last year, could leapfrog Barton and Thomas as the team’s go-to guy. Outside shooting, chemistry and experience could be sizable roadblocks, but this team has the size, athleticism and versatility to make waves.

9. Pittsburgh

You can’t bring up the Pitt Panthers without almost immediately bringing up combo guard Ashton Gibbs, the best senior in the country and a top POY candidate. A strong defender and one of the most fundamentally sound players in the nation, Gibbs averaged 16.8 points on 46.8% shooting, hitting 88.9% of his free throws and a whopping 49% of his threes (and he shot more than six per game). Last year’s top-seeded club benefitted hugely from experience, and while the losing starters Brad Wannamaker, Gilbert Brown and Gary McGee is certainly unfortunate, they have enough talent to be ranked among the potential contenders. Versatile 6-5/220 forward Nasir Robinson (9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds) is ready to embrace a bigger role in the offense, and Trevor Woodall (3.4 assists in 21.6 minutes) should be fine handling PG duties. The real variable is incoming big man Khem Birch (6-9/210), ESPN’s top-ranked center. Though his frame isn’t yet fully developed, Birch brings a package of athleticism, length and shot-blocking ability that last year’s team lacked, not to mention considerable potential as a scorer both on the block and in transition. Even as valuable as Gibbs, however, is head coach Jamie Dixon, who some might argue is the best in the country based on what he’s done with the players he’s had.

 10. Louisville

Though not as talented as the Earl Clark/Terrance Williams-led team that finished with a 31-6 mark in 2009, this Louisville squad has the potential to go even further. Eight of the top nine scorers from last year’s surprising 25-win team are back, including marksman Kyle Kuric (10.8 points, 44.6% 3PT), floor general Peyton Siva (9.9 points, 5.2 assists, 2 steals), 6-9/220 combo big Terrence Jennings (9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks), who’s a spark away from fulfilling his potential as an Earl Clark-type forward. If they weren’t deep enough already with everyone aside from Preston Knowles returning, Pitino slyly landed the #9 recruiting class, a group headlined by 5-star PF Chane Behanan and elite SG prospect Wayne Blackshear, a an off-guard with an and NBA-ready body and a powerful style of play. They don’t have a go-to player or a true center and rely dangerously heavily on three-point shooting, but their shooting prowess often works to their advantage, especially in Big East play. One could argue that the Cardinals are the nation’s deepest team, and their shooting ability and experience suggests that they’re primed to make a run.

 

[sahrgobucksParticipant]

Amir Williams for the bucks is 6’11 not 6’9. You also forgot to mention Sam Thompson and Shannon Scott. Scott being a Mcdonalds all american.

[sahrgobucksParticipant]

Amir Williams for the bucks is 6’11 not 6’9. You also forgot to mention Sam Thompson and Shannon Scott. Scott being a Mcdonalds all american.

[providencefriars1Participant]

Im not a big fan of Pitt over Uconn and Louisville but the rest is good

[providencefriars1Participant]

Im not a big fan of Pitt over Uconn and Louisville but the rest is good

[gopack10Participant]

Syracuse is a little too high.  They may be top ten but not top five.  The Rick Jackson loss hurts them a lot and Fab Melo hasn’t shown me anything other than being overhyped.

Duke and Florida are a little low but only by a few spots.

I also wouldn’t have Pitt in the top 10.

Just as a correction, the wing from Duke is Alex Murphy not Kyle Murphy even though he does resemble another Kyle that played for Duke recently.

[gopack10Participant]

Syracuse is a little too high.  They may be top ten but not top five.  The Rick Jackson loss hurts them a lot and Fab Melo hasn’t shown me anything other than being overhyped.

Duke and Florida are a little low but only by a few spots.

I also wouldn’t have Pitt in the top 10.

Just as a correction, the wing from Duke is Alex Murphy not Kyle Murphy even though he does resemble another Kyle that played for Duke recently.

[patdawg5Participant]

Terrence Jennings declared for the draft and went undrafted he will not be playing for the ville this season.

[patdawg5Participant]

Terrence Jennings declared for the draft and went undrafted he will not be playing for the ville this season.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I think there is a drop off after UNC and Kentucky.  Those two teams look like Final Four locks with the other two spots being wide open. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I think there is a drop off after UNC and Kentucky.  Those two teams look like Final Four locks with the other two spots being wide open. 

[scoutguruParticipant]

I don’t know if Adonis Thomas will be putting up 14 and 7. That’s pretty gaudy numbers, considering what they have coming back. Whether or not he even starts remains to be seen. Maybe like 10 and 5 would be more a more conservative estimate.
I honestly think Memphis goes as far as Joe Jackson takes them. His development will be key for Memphis’ success not only for this year, but in the subsequent years as well.

[scoutguruParticipant]

I don’t know if Adonis Thomas will be putting up 14 and 7. That’s pretty gaudy numbers, considering what they have coming back. Whether or not he even starts remains to be seen. Maybe like 10 and 5 would be more a more conservative estimate.
I honestly think Memphis goes as far as Joe Jackson takes them. His development will be key for Memphis’ success not only for this year, but in the subsequent years as well.

[Snubs15Participant]

I like the list but if i would add one team it would be Baylor. I think they could surprise people and break out as a top 10 team. They have crazy size, length, and athleticism. Perry Jones and Quincy Miller are top notch prospects and they have a good bunch of players surrounding them. This team can do some damage imo.

[Snubs15Participant]

I like the list but if i would add one team it would be Baylor. I think they could surprise people and break out as a top 10 team. They have crazy size, length, and athleticism. Perry Jones and Quincy Miller are top notch prospects and they have a good bunch of players surrounding them. This team can do some damage imo.

[jeff416Participant]

Vanderbilt is to high imo. I do not think they are a top 5 team, I’m not even really sold on them being a top 10 team.

 

 

[jeff416Participant]

Vanderbilt is to high imo. I do not think they are a top 5 team, I’m not even really sold on them being a top 10 team.

 

 

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