NCAA Tournament 2006. 65 players to watch. By Bobby Gerould. March 13, 2006 – The NCAA Tournament field of 65 teams was announced about
ten hours ago. As usual I am trying to look at individual efficiency as it
relates to future professional prospects. Today is the 13th – so why
not look at the top 13 players at each of the five positions. That will leave
us with a list of 65 players. …We will
start with the BIGS.
Centers:
- Patrick
O’Bryant – Bradley. 7’0”
262 …Jim Les coaches one of the best prospects in America in O'Bryant. ...Good hands. Great
size and length. …Raw defensively. …Catches and turns to finish well. …In
a win over Tennessee Tech (02/18/06) he scored 19 points, grabbed 16
boards, and blocked nine shots.
- Nick
Fazekas – Nevada. 6’11” 215 …2004-05 WAC Player of
the Year. Serious prospect. Fazekas will finish in traffic. He gets up on
his toes, and combined with his long arms, he keeps balls alive. His hands
are way quicker than his feet. String bean skinny, and a bit awkward, Fazekas
is nevertheless effective. ...WAC Player of the Week 02/16/04. As a freshman posted 32 points
and 15 rebounds, both career highs in a rout of UTEP on Valentine's Day
2004. ...Denver Post Player of the Year as a high school Senior. Led his
team to Colorado state championship. ...On his
three point proficiency at 6'11", "I've got the green light to
take it. I don't take it unless I'm really in rhythm. Basically, if I'm
open, I'll shoot it. I'm not going to try to create it or anything."
(USA Today)
- Glen
Davis – LSU 6’9” 310
…"Big Baby" is his nickname. He is
massive and agile. He plays with flair and personality. Right handed. Good
free throw shooter for a big man at 76%. He also can make a difficult pass
look easy. …Scored 28 points, and snatched 15 rebounds in a win over Kentucky (02/25/06)
- Paul
Davis – Michigan St. 6’11” 255 …Big man is skilled. It is hard to
find big guys with touch on their shot and Davis has that. 76% free throw shooter
for his college career. ...Hits the offensive glass hard. Needs to work on
his off (left) hand. ...Was named to the 2003 Global Games All-Tournament
Team.
- Aaron
Gray – Pittsburgh 7’0” 270 …Space eater that can
really rebound. Not a big jumper or great runner. Does set a good screen.
…Misses easy shots around the basket. First team All Big East 2005-06.
- Josh
Boone – Connecticut 6’10” 237 …Shot blocker struggles
at the free throw line (56% career) but runs the floor as well as any big
man. Boone averaged 9.5 blocked shots per game as a high school senior.
- C.J.
Giles – Kansas 6’11” 235 …Has great length and
can really change the game by altering shots... A true defensive low post
presence... A great shot blocker... Has added 15 pounds from his freshmen
to sophomore seasons... Was one of 21 players invited to the 2005 USA
Basketball men's Under 21 National Team trials in summer 2005.
- DeVon
Hardin – Cal 6’11” 235 …Long arms. Good passer
out of the low post. Hardin has shown as much improvement as anyone on the
team since the end of last season, according to head coach Ben Braun ...
gained significant experience as a freshman, starting 10 consecutive games
during one stretch ... runs the floor well and is a solid shot-blocker and
rebounder.
- Hilton
Armstrong Jr. – Connecticut 6’11” 235 …Shot blocker supreme
came alive as a senior. His plays with poise, and selflessness. …Poor free
throw shooter (58.5%) for his career.
- Jermareo
Davidson – Alabama 6’10” 220 …Big time rebounder. Freshman All-SEC
(SEC Coaches’ team). Represented the USA in France on a NIKE-Select touring team and
played in the event’s final four against France in summer 2004.
- Darryl
Watkins – Syracuse 6’11” 258 Shot blocker. His eight
blocks against Cornell were the second most in a single game in school
history... Had a career high 14 rebounds against Notre Dame.
- Roy
Hibbert – Georgetown 7’2” 272 Big man does not run well - but he
does have a soft touch. …He gets good position and will dunk many shots.
…He blocks shots - but also turns it over lots. Right handed but does use
his left around the basket.
- Sean
Williams – Boston College 6’10” 230 …Shot blocker
shoots 59% from the field.
See the best 13 power forwards