Taking A Look At Kentucky's Elite 8 Players

Andrew Harrison- PG

Andrew Harrison, over sized for a point guard at 6'5", will be used to facilitate to his deadly scoring teammates. Not only is he tall, but he has a 6'8" wingspan and has ball-on-a-string handles. He is exceptional at creating offense with the ball in his hands and score at will. Although he has great handles, he overdribbles excessively and can be turnover prone. He lets mistakes get to his head on offense, and usually fails to get back on defense after a turnover. Although Harrison can burn and dunk on people, if he gets his pocket picked, it can lead to an easy fast-break dunk. Harrison will complete with Marcus Smart to be the best point guard at college basketball.

Aaron Harrison- SG

Aaron, the weaker of the Harrison twins, is still a top 30 college player. He is more of a scorer than his brother, but less of a facilitator. He is streaky, as shown in his high school stats. In a pair of two games, he had 3 and 8 points. In a second pair of games, he had 31 and then 40 points. Hopefully Coach John Calapari can get the Aaron Harrison that scored 71 points in two games rather than the Aaron Harrison that scored 11 points in two games.

Alex Poythress- F

Poythress was under a lot of heat last year for being the definition of inconsistent. On top of his game-by-game inconsistency, he shot only 69% from the free-throw line. But on top of his mediocre stats, he had a few strong points. He averaged 6 rebounds per game and shot 42.4% from beyond the arc. Although Poythress under achieved last year, he is due for a great season with the erratic play of Archie Goodwin and Ryan Harrow replaced with the Harrison twins.

Dakari Johnson- C

At 6'11", Johnson will get a lot of post work from Coach Cal this year. Johnson will have to make defensive adjustments and improve his feel for the game. Johnson's positives include his size(6'11" with a 7'0 wingspan, 263 lbs), his presence on the glass and his post game. Johnson can score off of offensive boards, make post moves, and hit right-handed jump hooks. He also has very strong hands that prevent smaller guards from stripping him of the ball. Johnson's main weakness is his ability to go left, or lack there of. Johnson should be able to get his shots, but not lead the team in scoring.

Willie Cauley-Stein- C

Cauley-Stein looks mildly upset after last years NIT loss, but he will be happy soon. Like Poythress, his game was affected negatively by Archie Goodwin. Also like Poythress, Cauley-Stein struggled mightily from the free-throw line, but Cauley-Stein was much, much worse at 37.2 percent. He stands 7 feet tall and is capable of giving opposing post defenders fits. He also gives them fits when they are on offense, as Cauley-Stein blocked 2.1 shots a game last year. He will likely start at the center position over Dakari Johnson, and he has to make an impact for the Wildcats this year.

Marcus Lee- F

Lee is uber-athletic and dunks everything in sight. At 6'10", he might play a little center if Cauley-Stein and Johnson get in foul trouble. Lee will have to worry about foul trouble as well, because Lee can block shots like crazy. Has nice hands and is a very solid passer. But at only 200 pounds, he can't back anyone down or have a strong post game. He is very raw and only an average rebounder. He is a limited scorer because he doesn't have a perimeter game. Lee looks like a poor mans Nerlens Noel for the Cats.

Julius Randle-F

Randle is easily the best player on this list. There are so many positives to the 6'10", 240 pounds stars game. Randle is lethal in transition, has an unstoppable first step, and is a rare combination of finesse and power. He has better handles than most forwards, and can draw fouls, finish, and make the free throws. His post game is unstoppable. He competes on defense and makes plays. If he can begin to hit jumpers from beyond the arc, Randle will be unstoppable. He is drawing comparisons to Chris Webber, but hopefully he knows how many timeouts he has left.

James Young-G/F

James Young is another one of those incredible two-way players. Young is 6'7", but has a 6'11" wingspan. His left-handed shot has a low but quick release, and can make shots with a hand in his face. He is a solid rebound and defender who makes the extra pass to give players open looks. Young is energetic and is a great teammate that is very, very good if he gets in rhythm. All Young has to do is hit a couple of shots and before you know it, he is weaving through the defense on his way to scoring buckets. He likely hasn't hit his peak athletically, which means he can be a top player in the NCAA. The potential is there for Young. Although Young would probably be a better player that Alex Poythress, Poythress will be starting at the small forward this season unless Young can upstage him.

Last Year's College 3-Point Stars That Can Make NBA Rosters

Chris Babb- Celtics G

Babb, the former Iowa State standout shooter, has made an impact on the Celtics from beyond the arc. In one preseason game against the New York Knicks, Babb went 4-of-6 from the field, missing only one three pointer and scoring 12 points, all off of made three pointers. He helped the Celtics come back from a 30 point deficit, but the Cs lost by one. Babb made 38 percent of his threes at Iowa State last year, and the 6'5" guard can make huge shots. Babb should be able to crack the Celtics opening day roster but if not, there are other teams that can use a player like Babb.

James Southerland- Bobcats F

Southerland was a knockdown shooter who burst on to big scene at Syracuse last year. He made 40.2 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and at 6 foot 8 with a high release, it is extremely difficult for defenders to contest. In two straight games against Seton Hall and Pittsburgh, he went an exceptional 12 of 15 from three. Southerland doesn't have to beat out a lot of stars to make the Cats roster, so there is a high chance you will see him on opening day vs. Houston.

Trey McKinney- Jones- Bucks G

McKinney-Jones, a career 37 percent three point sniper from Miami, has a very low shot of making the Bucks roster. He hasn't appeared in a single preseason game for them so far, but the Milwaukee native can fill up the bucket in a hurry. He made three after three at the U, and he hit 6 of 9 threes in the ACC Championship Game against UNC, and 5 of 7 in a huge game against Michigan State.

Rodney McGruder- Thunder G

McGruder is well-known for knocking down a game-winning three vs. Baylor last year, and that is a reflection of his game. Not only does he knock down threes, but he is also a very good scorer. Probably the weakest shooter on the list, McGruder's best game was when he made 5 of 9 threes as his Kansas State Wildcats took down Oklahoma State last year. If McGruder cracks the roster, it is very unlikely that he will get much playing time, but he could be the third scorer that OKC is looking for.

Romero Osby- Orlando F

Osby, the best college shooter on this list, is in place to make a huge impact for the Magic. 53% from beyond the arc at Oklahoma was Osby's percentage last year, a stat that will make the Magic happy to have him. He lacks the ability to pull up and sink a three, but at 6'7", Osby would typically be a catch-and-shoot guy even if he could pull up. The arc isn't Osby's primary attack, but when he does shoot it, there's a high chance its going in.

College Basketball Fan Favorites So Far In the 2010s

Isaiah Thomas- Washington G

Why? The former Washington standout guard stood only 5'8", yet he was able to dominate opponents and win over the heart of the country with the name of an NBA Hall-of-Famer. He apparently had a few fans in Sacramento, as the Kings selected him 60th overall. He is entering his 3rd year with the Kings in 2013-14 and is already the best player of all time picked 60th.

Jimmer Fredette- BYU G

Why? The sharp-shooting BYU guard became the first ever BYU player to win a National Player of the Year Award , which he did in 2011 with his incredible scoring ability. His name is also Jimmer, and he actually had cults that followed him to Sacramento when the Kings snagged the former lottery pick in a draft-day trade. He hasn't done much in the NBA, but that won't erase his fans love for what he did with the Cougars.

Peyton Siva- Louisville G

Why? Siva had a very tough life growing(see Peyton Siva: The Legend article), but he was able to maintain a fun-loving attitude. He led the underdog Cardinals to a Final Four berth in 2012, and helped them win it all in 2013. He had the best personality of everyone in college basketball so far in the 2010s, and that helped him get drafted 57th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Mackey McKnight- Lehigh G

Why? He led the 15-seed Lehigh Hawks to a surprise upset over the 2-seed Duke Blue Devils, capturing the heart of America as an unknown small-school guard to a star who took down possibly the most loved/hated team in America. He was not drafted and will probably never have an NBA career, but that will not stop America from loving Mackey.

Kevin Ware- Louisville G

Why? In an Elite 8 game against Duke, Ware suffered possibly the most horrific injury in the history of college basketball. You have probably already seen the injury pictures and videos, so I elected not to show any of them. Anyways, this injury sparked Louisville onto an eighteen point victory and a championship behind the slogan "Win It For Ware". The most emotional moment of the season was when Ware cut down the nets in Atlanta. Ware, now a junior, hopes to play before the end of this calendar year, and he is already back to dunking.

Best New NCAA Court Designs

5. SJSU

San Jose State University, a team with relatively no basketball power, now has an amazing basketball court that has five warriors that have the team's initials and logo on their shields.

4. Memphis

#GoTigersGo

3. UCF

This was called Experiment Blacktop. I think it worked out pretty well.

2. UTEP

I count three pickaxes.

1. FIU

Best court ever!

2012-13 College Basketball 5 for 5: Top Five Moments, Freshmen, Jerseys, Dunks, and Shockers

This is a new thing I plan to do after every year of college basketball.

TOP FIVE MOMENTS
5. Not 20/20, but 19/19
In a tough nonconference matchup with UCLA, Missouri's Phil Pressey had 19 points and 19 assists. Pressey had 12 assists at halftime, and he clearly knew he was on the way to a career game. Unfortunately, UCLA pulled of the win at home.

4. The Butler of Incredible Shots

With Marquette up by two in Maui, Butler got a rebound of a Junior Cadougen missed free throw. Butler's Rotnei Clarke runs to the left, then to the right, throws up a shot and BOOM!!! Butler won 72-71

3. Uhh, Why Him?

Game tied Vanderbilt 75, Ole Miss 75. Vandy hits a 3 with 4.2 seconds left. Ole Miss inbounds, throws to Henderson, who drains an incredible shot. Ole Miss ended up winning.

2. Only Good Thing To Happen To WVU This Year

Jabarie Hinds of West Virginia(now of UMASS) sees no opening, so he throws the ball of the rear of Baylor's A.J. Walton and dunks it. This play happens occasionally, but this worked to PERFECTION.

1. Kevin Ware Cuts Down The Net

Title says it all.

TOP FIVE FRESHMEN
5. Nerlens Noel, Kentucky C

Athletic. ATHLETIC. ATHLETIC! ATHLETIC!!!!!

4. Gary Harris, MSU G

Harris is an incredible shooter. And athlete.

3. Jahii Carson, Arizona State

A 5'10" athlete???? Man is fast too

2. Anthony Bennett, UNLV

Pretty athletic, right? First overall pick in 2013 NBA Draft as well.

1. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State

He literally screams athlete.

NOTE: I do know about Ben McLemore but I do not feel as if he was worthy of the list.

TOP FIVE JERSEYS
5. Notre Dame Black Vs. Kentucky

A whole lot better than those green ones.

4. USC Black Vs. UCLA

These jerseys were worn for a game, and then got fired like Kiffen.

3. USF Green/ Yellow Vs. Seton Hall

They had a yellow stripe on the back too.

2. Texas Black vs. Kansas

The man in this picture is everyone on Texas besides Myck Kabongo.

1. Texas Tech Lone Star vs. West Virginia

Lone Star on the shorts, State of Texas with TTU logo in middle, pure awesome all over. There was a white version of these too.

TOP FIVE DUNKS

5. Here's Ben McLemore

Those Texas jerseys though.

4. So Boats Fly Now?

Who knew?

3. Mar-killed

Markel Brown's new joke when he dunks on someone "You got Mar-killed!!"

2. Hey Buddy, Can You Toss Me An Oop?

Joke at the expense of Buddy Hield, the guy who threw the oop.

1. Worrel of a Dunk

Name puns.


TOP FIVE SHOCKERS

5. These Shockers

They did lose to Louisville in the Final Four.

4. Hurricanes Caused A Panic

Not only did they defeat the Blue Devils, but they won the ACC as well.

3. This Block

KCP!!! KCP!!!

2. Marshall Henderson
He shot threes and led the SEC in scoring.

1. FGCU
Dunk City!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Absolutely incredible.

Thanks for reading. Feedback is appreciated so if you have a thought feel free to comment.

 

Did the Nike Hyper Elite Road Jerseys Help or Hurt Team Performances?

Last year in college basketball, there were three major jersey types released midseason. One of these types was the Nike Hyper Elite Road Jerseys. 13 teams, from both men and women's basketball, donned these jerseys. Below are the mens uniforms and results.

These jerseys obviously had mixed results. For Kentucky, they lost by 30 points to Tennessee. Texas, a mediocre team all year all year long, lost their game to Kansas, a way stronger team, with their nice Longhorn Logo uniforms. Ohio State lost in a close game to Michigan, 76-74. Duke also lost by 2 in their unis, but to Maryland instead of Michigan. But USC won a crucial game in their uniforms against rivals UCLA. The UNC Tar Heels got spanked by the Miami Hurricanes. Villanova lost a tight contest to Notre Dame. Michigan State lost by five to the Indiana Hoosiers. Georgetown beat Cincinnati by 7, but Gonzaga unfortunately lost by one to Butler on a buzzer beater by Roosevelt Jones.

The UConn women's team lost to Skylar Diggens and a stellar Notre Dame team in their special jerseys.

Brittney Griner led the Baylor Bears to an easy victory over Texas Tech with their uniforms, as they won 90-60.

There are no pictures of the Stanford women's uniforms, but they beat USC while wearing them.

Overall Men's Record: 2-8. Overall Women's Record: 2-1. Combined Records: 4-9

These results don't rely on the fact that some of the teams lost to teams that were better than them, but most of the teams lost to teams that they could've easily beat.