[valentine]

THE GOOD

 

 

Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State Buckeyes
Top 100 Rank: 3

 

 

Sullinger has been the most consistently impressive freshman in the nation. Scouts love his toughness, low post scoring ability and rebounding. So why is he topping the list this week? Because for the first time all season, a handful of executives are beginning to talk about him as a potential No. 1 pick.

 

 

For weeks the debate has been between Kyrie Irving and Perry Jones. Jones has been playing very well of late (including a season-high 27 points against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday), but some scouts feel taking him at No. 1 is reach. Irving is still out with a foot injury and there are rumblings he’ll likely miss the rest of the season.

 

 

Meanwhile, Sullinger has been cleaning the glass for the best team in the nation virtually every night. He has the sixth-highest PER in the nation and already has 11 double-doubles this season.

 

 

But Sullinger’s play on the court isn’t the only thing helping him — so is the play of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love. A number of NBA execs are using Love as a high-level NBA comp. Like Love, Sullinger isn’t an explosive athlete nor is he the ideal size for his position. But he has Love’s high basketball IQ, body strength and rebounding savvy. Most importantly for many NBA GMs, Sullinger is seen as a bit of a sure thing. He might not dominate, but they believe he poses less of a risk than fellow freshmen Irving and Jones.

 

 

Sullinger still has a long way to go to get to the No. 1 spot. The teams with the best odds at winning the lottery — the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota — all have either Irving or Jones atop their boards. But if Jones fails to impress in workouts and Irving is held back with his injury, Sullinger could still persuade even the Clevelands of the world to take him No. 1.

 

 

Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina Tar Heels
Top 100 Rank: 5

 

 

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Bob Donnan/US PresswireBarnes’ recent hot streak has reassured NBA scouts about his star potential.

 

 

Finally.

 

 

After months of frustration for UNC fans and NBA scouts, the real Harrison Barnes has started to show up for the Tar Heels. In his last three ACC games, he’s averaging 22.7 points, shooting 56 percent from the field and grabbing 7.3 rpg. He’s shooting nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc and for the first time in a long time is aggressively attacking on offense.

 

 

Many scouts point to a game against the Clemson Tigers on Jan. 18 as a turning point. In that game, Barnes hit a clutch triple down the stretch to set the Tar Heels on their current five-game winning streak. The next game, Barnes shrugged off a poor shooting night to hit a game-winning 3-pointer in Miami.

 

 

The last three games his confidence seems to have grown exponentially. Barnes appears to be playing with more energy on both ends of the floor and he looks much more sure of himself.

 

 

Some of the credit likely goes to fellow freshman Kendall Marshall. Marshall took over the starting point guard position from Larry Drew II on that same date — Jan 18 — and he seems to have settled down the entire squad, most importantly Barnes and fellow lottery hopeful John Henson (13.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg since Marshall took over).

 

 

If Barnes can keep up his confidence and production the rest of the season and take the Tar Heels deep into the tournament, he’ll likely move back into consideration for the No. 1 pick according to a number of scouts I’ve spoken with. The rocky start was scary, but most scouts are convinced that the Barnes we’re seeing now is the real deal.

 

 

THE BAD

 

 

C.J. Leslie, F, North Carolina State Wolfpack
Top 100 Rank: 27

 

 

Leslie started the season strong but struggled to live up to much of the hype for the Wolfpack and eventually was demoted from the starting five, and then was suspended for the game against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday for violating team rules.

 

 

Leslie has all the talent of a lottery pick but has been unable to put it all together on a consistent basis. His lack of a defined position along with his lack of strength has hurt both his college game and his draft stock. The word among NBA agents is that he’s likely to declare as long as he’s a first-round pick. He’ll likely get a nod in the top-30 just on sheer upside, but it’s looking like his days as a lottery pick are behind him.

 

 

THE SLEEPER

 

 

Marshon Brooks, G/F, Providence Friars
Top 100 Rank: 84

 

 

Brooks is yet another senior sleeper who is putting up some terrific numbers this season. He’s a big-time scorer who is averaging 23 ppg this season. On Saturday, he put on a show, scoring 43 points in a loss against Georgetown.

 

 

Brooks is a big-time slasher who thrives at getting to the basket. He’s also shown increased accuracy on his jump shot and is shooting a career-high 35 percent from deep this season. He’s got a very good NBA body, long arms and has shown to be an excellent rebounder for a wing.

 

 

His lack of elite athleticism is the biggest thing holding him back from being a first-round pick. But I’m hearing more scouts lately talking about him as a potential first-round bubble guy. Workouts will likely be key for him as he often plays out of position at Providence. But if you haven’t caught him play yet, he’s worth a look.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Where can I veiw that Top 100 list.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Where can I veiw that Top 100 list.

[omphalosParticipant]

Damn, I was hoping Barnes would fly under the radar and end up with the Charlotte Bobcats. Guess not at this rate.

[omphalosParticipant]

Damn, I was hoping Barnes would fly under the radar and end up with the Charlotte Bobcats. Guess not at this rate.

[canesboy6Participant]

I got a funny feeling he comes back.

[canesboy6Participant]

I got a funny feeling he comes back.

[JoeWolf1]

 I agree, canesboy6, if the UNC keeps playing well and Barnes keeps playing well throughout the NCAA tournament, I think he’s back in the top 3 picture by the end of the year.

[JoeWolf1]

 I agree, canesboy6, if the UNC keeps playing well and Barnes keeps playing well throughout the NCAA tournament, I think he’s back in the top 3 picture by the end of the year.

[scoutguruParticipant]

There aren’t really too many guys out there to me. So Brooks is virtually a 1st round lock. After about 20 or so, there’s really no one who is a no brainer prospect ahead of him. He’s really been amazing this year.

[scoutguruParticipant]

There aren’t really too many guys out there to me. So Brooks is virtually a 1st round lock. After about 20 or so, there’s really no one who is a no brainer prospect ahead of him. He’s really been amazing this year.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Barnes should stick around at least another year..And continue to work on a few things..He still seems timid when it comes to putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Barnes should stick around at least another year..And continue to work on a few things..He still seems timid when it comes to putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket…

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