5 "What Ifs?" From The 2013-14 College Basketball Season

What If..... Stevie Clark Wasn't Arrested Twice?

Who was Stevie Clark? If you watched Oklahoma State early in the season, you know that Stevie Clark was Marcus Smart's 5'11" freshman backup. Clark was no ordinary backup point guard. Clark shot the ball very well, and Clark probably could have started on most teams. Clark was a star in the making for the Cowboys, but he was arrested for possession of marijuana on January 1st, and was later arrested for public indecency on February 2nd. Clark was eventually dismissed from Oklahoma State. Clark was soon wanted, as he missed five of the seven games during the Cowboys losing streak. Clark would've also had the opportunity to start later in the year due to Marcus Smart's suspension. Clark's brother Deondre is now trying to get Stevie to play at LSU. Clark was sorely missed by Oklahoma State down the stretch.

What If..... Robert Hubbs III Didn't Spend the Whole Season Injured?

Robert Hubbs III was supposed to be a double-digit scorer for the Tennessee Volunteers this season. The Vols didn't have a third reliable scorer behind stars Jordan McRae and Jarnell Stokes. Hubbs III was supposed to fill a scoring void, but he seemingly never showed up. He spent all of the twelve games he played with a nagging shoulder injury that held the athletic freshman from making much of an impact. His game-high in points was a 13-point game against a mediocre Citadel team. Hubbs averaged only 5 points per game on 28 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Hubbs had season-ending surgery after Tennessee's blowout win against Virginia. Hubbs, a rising sophomore, will hopefully be able to make an impact for a Tennessee team which could lose its three leading scorers. Hubbs has a future as a spectacular athlete and three-point shooter for the Tennessee Volunteers.

What If..... Brandon Ashley Hadn't Gotten Injured?

 Brandon Ashley was a beast for the Arizona Wildcats. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22 games. In the twenty-second game against Cal, Ashley broke his foot two minutes in. Seemingly, Arizona lost the game, 60-58. The Wildcats lost four games without Ashley at the power forward position. Ashley gave the Wildcats something that his replacement, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, couldn't. Ashley shot 38 percent from beyond the arc, compared to Hollis-Jefferson's 20 percent. Ashley was also third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding before the injury. Brandon Ashley was dearly missed by the Wildcats, who may have gone perfect with Ashley healthy. Ashley should have a stellar junior season next year.

What If..... Michigan State Had Stayed Healthy?

Branden Dawson missed nine games with a broken hand. Keith Appling missed three games with a wrist injury. Adreian Payne missed seven games, Gary Harris missed three, and even backup point guard Travis Trice missed two games. It has been said time and time again that Michigan State is the best team in the nation when they are healthy, but they are seemingly never healthy. They are the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament this year with all five as the players listed above healthy. With hopefully the whole team healthy, Michigan State should be a team to watch in March.

What If..... Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood Stay?

No one wants to think about this. If Parker and Hood stay, we are looking at possibly the deadliest starting lineup ever. Parker has talked about staying, and hopefully he can convince Hood to do so as well.bDuke is bringing freshmen Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor to Tobacco Road. Hood will be a junior, and Parker will be a sophomore. Add that with rising junior Rasheed Sulaimon, and we could be looking at the real 40-0 team. Parker and Hood should have motive to stay after an embarrassing second round loss to Mercer in the NCAA Tournament. If this somehow happens, point guard Tyus Jones, who is already a tremendous distributor, can average double-digit assists. Sulaimon can knock down uncontested threes with the defense locking down on Parker and Hood, who will be the lead scorers. Center Jahlil Okafor will be the anchor inside, protecting the rim and snatching rebounds. Duke will also have Quinn Cook, Matt Jones, and Semi Ojeleye along with incoming freshman Grayson Allen coming off the bench to score as well. Duke can be the best team to ever play next year, if Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood can stay.