[GreenLanternParticipant]

I was reading articles and comparing draft sites’ mock drafts today and I saw a little bit of a theme today: are people conflicted on just how good the Jayhawks squad is? There is a guy on a VERY popular draft site (initials S.K.) who said that Cole Aldrich “has to prove himself as a first round pick” (are you kidding?), NOBODY is talking about Tyshawn Taylor yet (although the chatter is building on him) and Xavier Henry’s stock in his high school class has been all over the place and no one is sure what type of numbers he will produce his freshman season, even as they are comfortable in proclaiming right now that the other top freshmen will have big seasons. And they barely if ever even mention Collins who may be the most productive if not the best PG in the nation this year. My opinion? I LOVE Kansas’ squad. I think they have THREE sure fire 2010 first rounders (Aldrich, Henry, and Taylor) and championship-level experience. What team has more NBA talent and a better shot to win it all? Maybe I’m wrong and they are overrated. What do yall think?

[FutureoftheGame]

Maybe they are being overshadowed by Kentucky??

[McWinningParticipant]

i still think Texas has more nba talents. Pittman, James, Johnson, and the ttwo amazing freshman, but i have to agree even though i hate them their the best team in the country probably.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Kentucky is overrated

I dont think there overrated. The team to beat this year is Texas

[FutureoftheGame]

Idk about them being overrated. They will be pretty damn good. Especially if JWall is what everyone says he is.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

I think at best. Kentucky is the 4th best team in the Nation

[FutureoftheGame]

Who do you have above them?

[FutureoftheGame]

And at best? Thats kind of a bold statement.

[McWinningParticipant]

id say thats worst. this is my rankings.
1. Texas- picking the underdog im probably bias,
2. Kansas- probably the best team i the country.
3. Kentucky- extremly talented.
4. Villanova- they still have alot of good players.
5. North Carolina- riducilusly deep bench.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

If There were a 1 on 1 game I think these 3 teams can beat them

Texas, North Carolina, Kansas

[jojososaParticipant]

Like this team they r a veteran group and they went deep n tha tournament last year also tha addition of xavier henry will help them as well

[GreenLanternParticipant]

Maybe if Meeks stayed or Henry joined UK they would be the best hands down? Also I agree that Texas is loaded. What about UNC being overrated? I actually think Duke (who I hate) is going to surprise people and be a lot BETTER than they were last season.

[FutureoftheGame]

Does nobody think WVU is going to be any good?? Ya know, like top 5 or 10 good??

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Kentucky is definitely not overrated. They are loaded. Only weakness is outside shooting. They have a ton of talent with enough experience to make a very deep tourney run. Perry Stevenson, Harris, & Patterson provide leadership. Orton & Cousins are huge. Texas is solid but I wouldn’t put them above UK or KU

[GreenLanternParticipant]

I think WVU will be real good, but not top 10 more like top 20. What do you think of them FutureoftheGame and why?

[GreenLanternParticipant]

Oh yeah gatorheels I forgot about Daniel Orton, who I think will start at center over Cousins (lazy) and alongside Patterson.

[McWinningParticipant]

i think their the team most likely to have 1st rounder next year 2 freshman, Pittman, and James, i also think Gary Johnson should have a breakout year.

[FutureoftheGame]

I think my opinion is bias because I live in WV but i think they could be great. Huggins is a proven winner. Butler can score with the best of them. Ebanks can do anything he wants. Kevin Jones will be a year older and has gained some weight. Truck Bryant is not a freshman PG leading a Big East team anymore. Look for him to be very improved. Wellington Smith is a Defensive beast. Got that JUCO player of the year in Casey Mitchel. Big freshmen in Dan Jennings and the Denzi guy from Turkey. And that white SG can really play from what i heard. The thing about their team is there is nobody on the roster that is a legit 6’10. Everyone is kinda short. We really dont have a backup point gurad unless Mazzula gets back on the team then Bryant will be on the bench.

Sry, im probably bias, but i think they will win the Big East and hopefully go to the Final Four. WVU never gets any respect.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

Gary Johnson is due for a breakout year but with James starting again he probably won’t have it. Barnes uses Gary primarily as a big ball-hawk and then asks him to create offense for himself, which he has a lot of trouble doing, not unlike James. I think Texas will be good this year but if Balbay is the 1st PG off the bench I am worried. That dude cannot pass and for a guard he shoots 44% from the stripe. I would take my chances with Varez Ward running the point off the bench if I was Barnes and put Balbay in for spot duty.

[JNixonParticipant]

Kansas isnt overrated. They have alot of talent, and they have ALOT of experience with all of their meaningful players returning. They also bring in top notch recruits so they are really good contenders for the Final 4.

Now as for the Kentucky vs. the field debate. I would take Kentucky. They have every matchup on their team. If they want to play big they can, and dominate. If they want speed, they can play that way. They have plenty of depth, and they have alot of defensive hounds who can ball-hawk with their size and quickness. You have to D up for Calipari, or he will bench you and I think they’ll defend.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Now as for the Kentucky vs. the field debate. I would take Kentucky.

Sorry man, That’s crazy. They will have 4 Freshman starting. I think Texas would beat UK by double-digits.

[McWinningParticipant]

(check your website) im not so sure. they might cream them but i thnk theill be a lot like Wake Forest last year as in the can be beaten by alot of teams but they can beat anyone.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Knicksboy… wow you think Texas would beat Kentucky by double digits? How?

PG- Wall vs. Ward Wall is clearly better…this is a mismatch
SG- Miller vs. Bradley Bradley has better talent but Miller is improved & has more experience. Even matchup
SF- Dodson vs. Hamilton Dodson is somewhat unknown..I have to give Hamilton the edge hear.
PF- Patterson vs. James Patterson is better in the post but James is the better perimeter player. Even matchup
C- Cousins vs. Pittman Pittman has more experience but Cousins is more talented. This is pretty even.

UK Bench- Stevenson, Harris, Liggins, Orton, Bledsoe
Texas Bench- Balbay, Johnson, Lucas

Kentucky has the better bench.

In my eyes I think Kentucky would win by about 3 on a neutral court.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Gator…that’s because you did not put the matchup’s right

Bradley would guard Wall (Wall has said in the past that Bradley was tough to score on for him)

PG- Wall vs Lucas (Before I lose negative points hear me out) Lucas played before and I have to give him the edge.

SG-Miller vs Justin Mason (you forgot him). Mason is the better player. He can shoot and slash and was improving every well here. Miller is strong but Mason by a nose.

SF-Dodson vs James (He is a SF) Dodson can shoot and has improved while James needs a set up man to get going. Dodson with the edge.

PF-Patterson vs Chapman (Another player you forgot) Patterson gets the edge on this one.

C-Cousins vs Pittman Pittman because Cousins is lazy. You cannot be lazy, that’s how teams lose.

Bench- Dead Even.

Overall with both these teams I see Texas- 75 vs Kentucky 68. Not Double-digits but a UT win.

[JNixonParticipant]

PG- Wall vs Lucas- John Wall would be a mismatch. Lucas is too small to deny penetration against Wall. And Wall could keep up with Lucas’ quickness. Wall win this matchup.

SG-Miller vs Bradley. Avery Bradley would win this matchup, I think Bradley would get the better of him.

SF-Dodson vs Hamilton (He is a SF) I’d take Hamilton, even though he doesnt play defense, because of his offensive tools. I honestly dont know about Dodson.

PF-Patterson vs James: Patterson would outplay him down low, but I dont feel comfortable with Patterson’s perimeter D. Push

C-Cousins vs Pittman: Cousins would run Pittman and show Pittman’s lack of athleticism by pulling him out to the perimeter, but Pittman may outwork him down low. Push.

UK Bench- Stevenson, Harris, Liggins, Orton, Bledsoe
Texas Bench- Balbay, Johnson, Ward

Kentucky play any kind of matchup gimmick they want, or change the pace of the game with their bench. Texas doesnt have enough offense to compete with their bench.

Kentucky by 2: Wall will dominate Lucas and Balbay enough to geet the W.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

WHY ARE PEOPLE FORGETTING JUSTIN MASON?

[joe2BAParticipant]

I find it funny the question posed in this post is primarily concerned with Kansas, yet everyone is arguing over Texas vs Kentucky.

I like this. While u guys are still cranking the hype machine, over in Lawrence we will be polishing all the beautiful hardware while going nuts on Mass Street.

P.S. Talent wise, we are not overrated. We have the opportunity to produce 5 first round picks in two years. The last team to do that was Kentucky in 96-97. Sherron, Xavier, Cole, Tyshawn and either; Elijah, Trob, Jeff Withey, or Harrison Barnes

All of this hype means nothing without a National Championship. So keep hyping up Texas and Kentucky

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Listen, Texas would sent different defenders to Wall. Bradley can contain Wall

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Ooops I did forget Mason my bad. Wall vs. Lucas is a true joke. Lucas is weak. Wall dominates. Damion James can easily play PF. Patterson domiantes Chapman. I think Ward starts over Lucas. Also you may be right about Mason starting. Him & Miller is an even matchup. The Bench is pretty even too now. I still think UK would win barely. No way Texas would beat them by double digits. But yeah Kansas wins it all unfortunately.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

then what do you think of Bradley vs Wall?

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Wall still has a pretty big advantage.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Why? Why does he have a huge advantage? How?

[FutureoftheGame]

Because he was good in highshcool…DUH! That obvously means he is good in college. Its basically the same game. Geeze Knicksboy, what are you thinking??

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Please tell me that’s sarcasm.

[FutureoftheGame]

Are you serious?? Yea………..it was…………

[JNixonParticipant]

Justin Mason isnt that good. He is a defender, but John Wall would beat him off the bounce. I’ve seen players with speed and/or size give him problems ( Denis Clemente, Donald Sloan, Bryon Eaton, Sherron Collins, and Willie Warren). I think Wall would still beat him head-to-head. You think Wall cant shoot?! Ha. Mason, Balbay, and Ward make you wonder if the goal is covered up.

Wall v. Bradley would be a push I think. Bradley is a REAL tough defender. And Wall would get up for that matchup I know.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

LOL.

[joe2BAParticipant]

Thank u Gatorheels.

Texas and UK will be 2nd and 3rd respectfully, and that would be a hell of a matchup. I’ll give the edge coaching edge to Calipari, hands down…
My question is: Who hits the 3’s……. Bradley has a decent stroke but that isn’t his strength, same with Wall. Darious Miller?
Dodson?Hamilton? defeniately not Mason or Balbay.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Wall’s Jumper is not the greatest…

[ckowalskiParticipant]

You’re also forgetting Matt Hill, Alexei Wangmene, and Shawn Williams for the Texas bench.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Also, Igu How do you feel about this site rating Feb Melo a 88 overall?

[gatorheelsParticipant]

He is simply the better player. Also Pittman will have trouble running the floor with Kentucky. UK will run & gun. Texas would have problems.

[JNixonParticipant]

VASTLY slighted. They said his post game was limited, he has pretty much all the post moves you can ask for with both hands. This site underrated him badly.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

UK will run & gun

Yea but Texas can slow it down with long possesions deep in the shot clock and have Pittman draw fouls.

[FutureoftheGame]

And Pitman can definatly do that. I

[Knicksboy34Participant]

I would not be shocked to see Texas pound UK inside and Pittman gets 20-25 points easy.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

I would be shocked. Patterson, Cousins, & Orton can all guard him. Plus Stevenson is a shot blocker.

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Those 3 guys are good but not pounders. Pittman would use his body inside and wear them out and gets some good points and free throws.

Plus Texas has better guard play. Wall is there only “amazing” guard. Texas would do what Kansas did to Rose, send different defenders to defend him and keep him guessing and since he does not have the best jumper, you can keep him honest.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Pittman can’t wear out all those bigs for UK. I agree about Wall though.. I think Texas could find a way to frustrate him some. Bledsoe can play PG too though and he is underrated. Miller has supposedly improved a ton over the summer.

[canesboy6Participant]

Why is nobody talking about them?

few things, I heard Jordan Hamilton is ineligible for Texas. Also, Joe2b I think your making an enourmous assumption that KU will get Harrison Barnes, I think its either Duke or UK but I havent heard anybody say Kansas leads for him.
If people are going to say Kentucky is the best team because of the recruits + returning talent, why not carolina?
They return more proven talent. Deon Thompson has started in 2 final fours and has one of the most polished post games in the nation, will finally get enough touches. Ginyard who everybody forgot used to start is back from injured reserve 100 percent. Ed Davis will be the best big man in the ACC, plus McD all american sophmores Tyler Zeller and Larry drew. Add on a class that Is right on par with Kentucky’s as a very close second, I dont see why Kentucky has THATTT more much talent. Add that to an established system and National Championship experience on the team, and UNC has UK’s number again IMO although obviously we will see.

ps. I think John Henson will be every bit the Impact Freshman as John Wall

[PaulsJayhawksParticipant]

Collins(potential poy)
Taylor (crazy potential)
Henry (we’ll see)
Morris(athletic 4)
Aldrich(beast defensivly)

Henry#2(was highly touted before trying baseball)
Johnson(top 20 freshman)
Reed(clutch 3pt shooter)
Morningstar(one of bid 12 leading 3pt shooters)
Little(juco player of the year 2 years ago)
Morris #2(solid big)
Robinson(rebounding beast top 20 freshman)
Whithey(7ft back up)

Hard to argue. KU Rockchalk!

[joe2BAParticipant]

Multiple sources indicate KU has been in the lead. I would say UNC has a way better shot than Kentcucky. It’s basically between KU,Duke, and UNC. He said he want’s to go to a good business school, and Duke doens’t have an undergrad program. My gues it’s between KU and UNC. Although it is a stretch to automatically assume he will come, my point is that we have a great chance to have 5 first rounders in a two year stretch, and this is basically unprecedented except kentucky in 1996-1997.

draftexpress.com “The scuttlebutt seems to indicate that Kansas is in the lead at this point.”

Twincities.com “The latest buzz is that 6-foot-6 Harrison Barnes, the consensus No. 1 incoming senior prep basketball player in the nation and someone of whom the Gophers have been in hot pursuit, is leaning toward Kansas.”

Fannation.com “Nation’s top recruit leaning to Jayhawks”

[catoosanumber22]

people,people why the fu^& are you not mentioning Oklahoma as the best team in the big 12 and a NC contender?? They return Willie Warren,Tony Crocker,Cade Davis and they are getting an AWESOME recruiting class that has Keith ”baby shaq” Gallon, Tommy Mason-Griffin,Andrew Fitzgerald, Steve Pledger and Kyle Hardrick. no love???????

[Knicksboy34Participant]

They gotta prove it in my eyes

I heard Duke was close to getting Barnes

[FutureoftheGame]

Oklahoma is going to depend on an overweight PF who is undersized and thinks he is a SG, and a fabulous PG/SG who hasnt yet proved he is great without people double teaming a big in the post. Doesnt sound like a great team to me.

[Author]

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