This particularly loaded bracket in terms of potential NBA draft picks features a potential #1 overall pick in Rudy Gay, numerous future lottery picks and first and second round prospects galore.
The Bracket
#1 Connecticut
Jonathan Givony
Rudy Gay, 6-9, sophomore, small forward, (#1 pick?)
After a season of ups and downs, it's the NCAA tournament that many be pointed to as the place where Rudy Gay will have to step up his game if he wants to ensure himself of being a top draft pick in June. Gay has been wildly inconsistent throughout the year, starting off the season with a bang at Maui against Arkansas, fading immediately afterwards except for some nice statistical outputs against low-major NCAA talent, picking up his game considerably in late January through mid-February, but then again fading into the background down the stretch as UConn won the Big East regular season regardless and reclaimed their spot as the #1 ranked team in the country.
For UConn to live up to their potential and make it to the Final Four, they will need Gay at his best once again, like he was midway through the Big East conference slate. Not everyone is sold on his likelihood to achieve his massive potential and develop into a legit star in the NBA, and a big tournament could go a long ways in disproving that. Gay will have to reestablish himself within 15 feet of the basket and in rather than settling for weak fade-away jumpshots like he has at times this year. It would also be nice to see go back to playing tenacious man to man defense and crashing the glass, as well as be willing to step up and utilize his phenomenal talent in the likely scenario that UConn's offense gets bogged down in a grind it out half-court setting. The cream rises to the top in March, and Gay is capable and then some of showing the entire world that he is more than just a great athlete with tons of untapped potential.
For UConn to live up to their potential and make it to the Final Four, they will need Gay at his best once again, like he was midway through the Big East conference slate. Not everyone is sold on his likelihood to achieve his massive potential and develop into a legit star in the NBA, and a big tournament could go a long ways in disproving that. Gay will have to reestablish himself within 15 feet of the basket and in rather than settling for weak fade-away jumpshots like he has at times this year. It would also be nice to see go back to playing tenacious man to man defense and crashing the glass, as well as be willing to step up and utilize his phenomenal talent in the likely scenario that UConn's offense gets bogged down in a grind it out half-court setting. The cream rises to the top in March, and Gay is capable and then some of showing the entire world that he is more than just a great athlete with tons of untapped potential.
Josh Boone, 6-10, junior, PF/C, (2006/2007 1st rounder)
It's unclear at this point whether Josh Boone will decide to stay at UConn another year or test the waters to see where his draft stock lies at the moment, and the way he plays here in the tournament could very well likely be the deciding factor in that. Boone has been extremely inconsistent this year once again, ranging from being uninvolved and extremely passive on the offensive end to an unstoppable force on the glass that is willing and able to put up double figures on any given night thanks to his excellent size, length and willingness to run the floor and finish in traffic.
Boone's ability to control the boards and intimidate rivals inside the paint with his shot-blocking skills is the type of advantage that few teams in this tournament possess. NBA teams will want to see a bit more than that, though, which is why they would probably like to see him have at least 1 or 2 big games, showing that he is able as well as willing to take advantage of the type of physical attributes that few players in this draft have.
Boone's ability to control the boards and intimidate rivals inside the paint with his shot-blocking skills is the type of advantage that few teams in this tournament possess. NBA teams will want to see a bit more than that, though, which is why they would probably like to see him have at least 1 or 2 big games, showing that he is able as well as willing to take advantage of the type of physical attributes that few players in this draft have.
Hilton Armstrong, 6-11, senior, PF/C, (2006 first rounder)
One of the best stories of the year in college basketball (if you're not a fan of a rival Big East conference school) has been the blossoming of Hilton Armstrong from a skinny, passive and uncoordinated underclassman to a game changer on both ends of the floor. Armstrong's height, terrific length and outstanding athleticism have made him a force as a shot-blocker especially, showing not just the physical attributes, but also the natural instincts to average nearly 3 and a half blocks per game and help UConn lead the country in this department for the umpteenth time in a row.
Armstrong has shown flashes of excellence on the offensive end as well at times, helping the Huskies relieve the full-court pressure they often see on their lone ball-handler Marcus Williams, stepping back to 16 feet to knock down a smooth looking jump shot, and scoring efficiently in the paint with the jump-hook. He doesn't get too many touches on a team that is absolutely loaded at every position, but he makes the most of what he does, to the tune of 62% shooting from the field on the year.
Continuing to be aggressive is what scouts will look for the most out of Armstrong. He wasn't expected to be the factor that makes or breaks UConn's season, and that trend will likely continue in the NCAA tournament. His physical attributes and raw skills alone will get him plenty of looks regardless in the first round, but a consistent showing throughout the tournament would certainly not hurt his stock.
Armstrong has shown flashes of excellence on the offensive end as well at times, helping the Huskies relieve the full-court pressure they often see on their lone ball-handler Marcus Williams, stepping back to 16 feet to knock down a smooth looking jump shot, and scoring efficiently in the paint with the jump-hook. He doesn't get too many touches on a team that is absolutely loaded at every position, but he makes the most of what he does, to the tune of 62% shooting from the field on the year.
Continuing to be aggressive is what scouts will look for the most out of Armstrong. He wasn't expected to be the factor that makes or breaks UConn's season, and that trend will likely continue in the NCAA tournament. His physical attributes and raw skills alone will get him plenty of looks regardless in the first round, but a consistent showing throughout the tournament would certainly not hurt his stock.
Marcus Williams, 6-3, junior, point guard (2006/2007 first rounder)
The most important player in UConn's offense, Williams (like most point guards in this tournament) has a chance to see his stock skyrocket as the steady presence that leads his team to the final four. As UConn's only reliable ball-handler, he will be facing plenty of traps, full-court presses and other gimmicks intended to get the ball out of his hands. Continuing to show his typical tremendous poise by handling most-everything he sees with confidence will be key for UConn's ability to withstand the tricks most teams will try to utilize to make up for the lack of talent every team in America faces compared with UConns roster.
Williams has shown the ability time after time to run his team's offense to perfection and get everyone equally involved beautifully. He will have to continue to execute similarly as well as show better leadership skills when things inevitably get tough in late-game situations. Williams also has a chance to help his stock by showing better defensive ability by staying in front of his man, as this has been a problem for UConn ever since he returned from his suspension in January. More than anything, he just needs to keep doing what he's been doing all season long. If he does, the draft picture will certainly sort itself out considering the lack of point guards in 2006.
Rashad Anderson, 6-5, senior, shooting guard (2nd round pick?)
"The Dagger" as he's called by UConn coach Jim Calhoun, Rashad Anderson is the Huskies' primary offensive weapon off the bench; a player that would start for almost any team in the country besides UConn. Anderson excels in this role, leading the country in points per game for a non-starter with 13 per game in just 24 minutes and scoring in double figures in all but 5 of Connecticut's 30 games this season.
Anderson is the perfect player to bring off the bench since he has great confidence in his ability as a player and is able to heat up quickly and change the game with his perimeter shot. His ability to space the floor with his deep range and lightning quick release means that defenses have to respect him, which opens up plenty of opportunities for UConn's numerous other offensive options. His clutch shooting has been a huge factor in many of his team's wins this year, and he is decent enough in the other parts of his game to not be a liability on the floor at the college level.
At 6-5 and with just average athleticism for an NCAA swingman, Anderson projects mostly as a hired gun for the NBA, something that historically is not always as appreciated as you might think as far as the NBA draft goes. Anderson will have the chance to continue to show NBA GMs and scouts what a great weapon he can potentially be for them off the bench with his play in the tournament. Helping his team make a deep run with his clutch play could very well stick in their minds as we get further into the 2nd round on draft night.
Anderson is the perfect player to bring off the bench since he has great confidence in his ability as a player and is able to heat up quickly and change the game with his perimeter shot. His ability to space the floor with his deep range and lightning quick release means that defenses have to respect him, which opens up plenty of opportunities for UConn's numerous other offensive options. His clutch shooting has been a huge factor in many of his team's wins this year, and he is decent enough in the other parts of his game to not be a liability on the floor at the college level.
At 6-5 and with just average athleticism for an NCAA swingman, Anderson projects mostly as a hired gun for the NBA, something that historically is not always as appreciated as you might think as far as the NBA draft goes. Anderson will have the chance to continue to show NBA GMs and scouts what a great weapon he can potentially be for them off the bench with his play in the tournament. Helping his team make a deep run with his clutch play could very well stick in their minds as we get further into the 2nd round on draft night.
Denham Brown, 6-6, senior, SG/SF (2nd round pick?)
A player with solid all-around ability in many facets of the game, Denham Brown has recovered from injury problems and poor outings from December through mid-February to become possibly UConn's best player down the stretch. If that excellent momentum continues into the NCAA tournament and pre-draft camps, Brown could certainly translate that into a selection in the NBA draft come June.
As an NBA draft prospect, Brown is very good in many different aspects, but does not stand out in any specific one. He is a good, but not great athlete; a decent, but not very consistent outside shooter, a solid, but unspectacular ball-handler and shot-creator, and an acceptable defender at the college level who might be a bit stuck between the 2 and the 3 spots for the NBA. All in all his numbers have been fairly disappointing this year (39% FG, 31% 3P), but he has a chance to make scouts forget all of that if he can find a way to be UConn's jack of all trades in the NCAA tournament.
As an NBA draft prospect, Brown is very good in many different aspects, but does not stand out in any specific one. He is a good, but not great athlete; a decent, but not very consistent outside shooter, a solid, but unspectacular ball-handler and shot-creator, and an acceptable defender at the college level who might be a bit stuck between the 2 and the 3 spots for the NBA. All in all his numbers have been fairly disappointing this year (39% FG, 31% 3P), but he has a chance to make scouts forget all of that if he can find a way to be UConn's jack of all trades in the NCAA tournament.