Jumping Ship

With tons of big decisions being made all around the NCAA Bball world I just wanna outline some of the biggest and give you guys a prediction as to where I think they will land in the draft.

Greg Oden - Father announced yesterday that he was leaving for the draft. I really thought he would stay but I guess I was wrong.
prediction- Almost positive he'll go #1

Joahkim Noah- I wish he wouldn't scream everytime he does anything but, it's official he has hired his father's agent. He might have gone #1 overall last year but decided to come back...I guess that worked out ok for him in the end.
prediction- top 10

Kevin Durant- How big do you think his shoe deal will be?
prediction- top 2

Julian Wright- said all year that he'd be returning to finish his degree...I guess something changed his mind. It's a bummer for Jayhawk fans everywhere, myself included.
prediction- he'll be a lottery pick

Aaron Afflalo- He declared last year too so I'd say he's in for good now.
prediction- probably anywhere from picks 15-35

Corey Brewer- Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player...he's long and athletic and I think will be great in the NBA.
prediction- lottery pick

AL Horford- He really impressed me in this year's tourney. I think he's great and his size makes him even more valuable.
prediction- goin' top 10

Josh McRoberts- wasted no time in announcing he’ll be leaving Duke for good, despite the fact that his draft stock is not that great following a fairly disappointing sophomore season.
prediction- top 20, probably top 15

Roy Hibbert- best size in the draft other than Oden. I thought he shoulda returned to school. He probably could have reall improved his game and gone even higher next year. Hasn't hired agent yet, could still return.
prediction- top 15 for sure

Jeff Green- Definitely A top-flight guard in the draft...doesn't have an agent yet either so him and Hibbert both could return. I think if one does you can look for the other to follow suit.
prediction- top 10 if he goes

**Sorry It's so short. I have to go to work now....Lemme know your thoughts, predictions and projections**

Final Four Breakdown

The Final Four is here and we have some great match ups ahead of us this Saturday and it should be a dandy. I am really looking forward to it. There are a handful of premier big men playing which should make it that much more exciting to watch. But anyways, here's some analysis and predictions on the games.

Ohio St. vs. Georgetown
Oden vs Hibbert
This is the match up I have been most anticipating. You have 7'0 Greg Oden vs 7'2 Roy Hibbert. Great match up overall. But this is where I give the advantage to Georgetown. I think Hibbert can control Oden down low and hold his own against him. Hibbert is the most physical post player in the country and I think he will out work and definitely out rebound Oden down low. Oden must stay out of foul trouble because they have no one else to guard Hibbert or even Patrick Ewing Jr. for that matter.

Also, OSU has no match for Jeff Green. They can definitely hold Hibbert down low. But who's going to stop Green? Green outmatches every other Buckeye. If they stick an undersized guard on him he will abuse him all over the court. If they put Ivan Harris or even Othello Hunter on him, he will be able to slash and take them to the rack all day. Georgetown's front court is going to provide some big problems for OSU, especially if Oden gets into foul trouble.

OSU has the edge in the back court. They have multiple options with their guards, so does G'Town, but the Buckeyes G's have a little more talent. Mike Conley is a phenomenal PG, he is most effective in the open floor, and he'll get those opportunities only if Georgetown commits a lot of turnovers or has a horrible shooting night; which is doubtful that will happen. But with Conley, Lewis, Cook, Butler, and Lighty, OSU has the ability to take it to Georgetown's G's, if they can pressure them and force them to put up bad shots they can definitely top the Hoyas.

The Pick: Georgetown- Their defense has been tremendous. They're just too big and physical for the Buckeyes. Don't forget their holding opponents to just a little under 40% field goal shooting. Georgetown will easily dictate their own tempo and should handle them well in a half court game.

Florida vs. UCLA
It's the rematch of last years national title game. I think defense is going to be the biggest factor in this game. Both teams have played stellar defense in the tournament thus far. I don't expect the game to be as one-sided as it was last year, only because UCLA is a more experienced team.

Starting with the front court, Florida has a huge advantage here. UCLA's undersized posts have played bigger teams in this tournament well (i.e. Kansas & Pittsburgh). But, Al Horford has been amazing and has produced awesome numbers in guiding the Gators to Atlanta. Don't forget about Joakim Noah who has played well and UCLA needs to contain him Saturday night. Florida also has post depth off the bench, so if Horford or Noah get in any kind of foul trouble, it won't be a huge deal.

I love the back court match ups with Taurean Green, Lee Humphery, and Corey Brewer of Florida vs the likes of Aaron Afflalo, Josh Shipp, Darren Collison, and Michael Roll of UCLA. Both are evenly balanced and I can't really give an edge to either. But I think the X-Factor here is Darren Collison. Afflalo has been a stud lately and he needs someone else to step up too. Collison with his defense can pressure and contain Green and/or Humphery. If he can get them to force some tough shots and get them a little flustered UCLA will have a great chance at winning this game.


The Pick: UCLA- The play of Afflalo and the other guards has been amazing. I think UCLA's guards, especially Afflalo and Collision, can outperform Florida's. Also, defense will be a huge key and UCLA has been impressing many with their solid play on both ends of the court.

You should also check out some predictions and analysis from Complete Sports. I also encourage you to vote in our Final Four poll.

AP Names All-American 1st Team

Freshmen Kevin Durant and Greg Oden were voted to the AssociatedPress' All-America team Monday, the first members of their class so honored since 1989. Durant was the only unanimous selection, which seems fair... completely dominated the game all-around. One of the greatest freshmen to ever play college hoops.

Making the team along with Durant and Oden are Alando Tucker -Wisconsin-, Acie Law -Texas A&M-, & Arron Afflalo -UCLA-. All 5 deserved to be on here, I wouldn't take anyone else over any of them.