Look Ahead to the 2010-2011 College Basketball Season
With the 2010 NBA Draft, college graduation and the 2009-10 college basketball season in our back windows, we look forward to a new year, the 2010-11 NCAA season and a new draft class. Gone are the like of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and three other Kentucky teammates, Evan Turner- the national Player of the Year, and for the first time since 2003 that no player on the NCAA's consensus All-American list returns to college for another season.
Kansas lost Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, but that brings new opportunity for guards Josh Selby, Tyshawn Taylor and Marcus Morris, while players like Kevin Jones at West Virginia have a chance to really step into the national spotlight with forwards Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks gone to the NBA. Some players will thrive in their expanded role, while others will find struggles ahead of them.
Brandon Knight & Enes Kanter, Kentucky
John Calipari brings in another talented freshmen class, highlighted by two consensus top ten players in guard Brandon Knight and center Enes Kanter; both will be guaranteed starting spots with John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton gone to the NBA. Knight and Kanter may be feeling some pressure to live up to the talented and hyped freshmen class of 2009, but these two players are as talented as any other in the nation and will likely jolt school after this year, just like their successors.
Willie Buford, Ohio State
The team lost do-every guard-forward Evan Turner who took his national Player of the Year award to the Philadelphia 76ers. Stepping up in his place will be Willie Buford, a highly skilled guard who has the abilities to shoot the lights out. Making life easier for him will be one of the best big men in not only the incoming freshmen class, but in all the land next year with Jared Sullinger. While Turner played with a talented center his freshman year, he never had a strong inside presence his sophomore or junior campaigns to ease the pressure. With Sullinger craving double-teams down low, Buford should thrive in his new role knocking down shots from the perimeter and driving the lane. Turner operated with the ball in his hands last year and with him gone, Buford should be able to create more for himself and his teammates.
Kevin Jones, West Virginia
Last season, senior forward Da'Sean Butler and sophomore wing Devin Ebanks were supposed to carry the team, especially after Ebanks' breakout campaign in the Big East Tournament as a freshman. However, Ebanks never grasped his new role and Kevin Jones, another 6'8" versatile forward, stepped up. Without both Butler and Ebanks this season, Jones should be Bob Huggins' focal point on offense, a load in which Jones can surely carry. He can score in the low blocks, taking advantage of smaller defenders, but when you switch to a true post defender, Jones has the ability to step outside and knock down 3-pointers. He can put the ball on the floor and drive strong to the rim as well. Without Ebanks' defense and Butler's clutch performances, Jones will need to step up in a big way on both ends of the court if West Virginia wants to compete at the top of the Big East again.
Shelvin Mack, Butler
Gordon Hayward got all the praise and glory, but he couldn't have done it without his guard, Shelvin Mack. Butler also lost do-it-all forward Willie Veasley to graduation so Mack will have some big shoes to fill. If this summer is any indication, Mack is ready to take on the spotlight; he performed extremely well at the LeBron James Skills Academy, not just in drills, but in the scrimmages as well. Mack is a physical guard, who will body opponents up and uses his length well as an effective defender. Mack will take over Veasley's defensive role, guarding the opposing team's best player next year, but he has the ability to fill in for Hayward's offensive prowess as well. He shoots the ball with deep range from the perimeter and should be given the reigns to the team with Gordon Hayward gone.
Marcus Morris, Kansas
Morris may have slide under the radar a bit with All-Americans Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich stealing the notoriety, but he was the Jayhawks second best player last season, if not the best. He is a chiseled versatile forward, willing to bang in the low blocks, but is also comfortable facing up and knocking down 3-point shots. With Aldirch gone, Morris will dominate the glass and be the Jayhawks new low-post option. Guards Tyshawn Taylor and Josh Selby should be looking to Morris early and often down low, but also streaking down the court in transition or stepping out for a mid-range jumper.
Kris Joseph, Syracuse
It's difficult to begin to explain the huge role that Joseph will take over for Boeheim's squad in 2010-11. Gone are Wes Johnson and Andy Rautins on the perimeter, while Arinze Onuaku had a productive four-years with the Orange. Brandon Triche and Rick Jackson will no doubt have big roles as returning starters, but Kris Joseph could develop into a star this season. He is an ultra-athletic wing in the mold of Wes Johnson, with a less-effective jumper. The team will need him to be an outside presence without Rautins and Johnson, but Joseph should make an immediate impact rebounding the ball and slashing through the lane on offense.
Terrence Jennings, Louisville
Jennings may not be a household name, but he was a highly recruited high school player who started some games his freshman and sophomore years before eventually backing up Samardo Samuels, who left Rick Pitino's squad to go undrafted in the 2010 Draft. Jennings is a long, athletic 4-man who, as a junior, is still developing, but could breakout this year. He can face-up from 12-15 feet and is showing signs of improvement scoring the ball around the rim. Given the minutes, he can be just as good of a rebounder as Samuels, but an even better defensive presence with his length and shot-blocking ability.
Alec Burks, Colorado
With a new coach in Boulder, a new system, a move to the Pac-10, Burks will prove to be a star this season. Burks is last season's Big 12 Rookie of the Year, and is spending the summer working at the Nike Skills Camp. Head Coach Tad Boyle has said that he looks even better after one season under his belt and spending an entire offseason working on his game. Burks is an athletic wing with good size, but really impresses with his court vision and passing ability. With his length and basketball smarts, he has developed into a solid defensive player already with room to grow in all areas of his game.
Jordan Hamilton, Texas
With Damion James and Dexter Pittman exhausting their four years at Texas under Rick Barnes and Avery Bradley moved on to the Boston Celtics, Jordan Hamilton should thrive taking over the focal point of the offense. Incoming freshmen Tristan Thompson and Corey Joseph should only help Hamilton, as they are both viable scoring threats both inside and out, as Pittman and James too often clogged the paint for the athletic slasher in Hamilton. He should have more room to operate, but also more freedom to pull-up for his deep 3-pointers.
Gus Gilchrist, South Florida
South Florida had its best year in the history of its basketball program and fortunately for them, one of the best big men in school history, Gus Gilchrist is returning to the team after two solid seasons. Unfortunately, last year's top scorer in the Big East and one of the most dynamic guards in the country, Dominique Jones is gone. Gilchrist was the recipient of many Jones' drives and dump-offs for easy buckets and not can the team not replace a talent like Jones, but they don't have ball-handler or floor general like him with court vision. Gilchrist has the ability to step outside and knock down mid-range jumpers, but he will likely face many double-teams in 2010-11.
Written by President - Corey Ruff - 7--22--10
