HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

We’ve reached one of the most important times of the year for NBA draft prospects. All the postseason workouts and interviews are vitally important, but there’s a near consensus amongst NBA scouts and general managers that game film triumphs all. There’s nothing more important than producing on the floor, especially with the stakes raised in lose-or-go-home contests. Over the next couple of weeks a prospects’ stock can change drastically, giving guys who have struggled recently an opportunity to work their way back up draft boards. In this draft watch we take a look at those players who need to step up if they’re going to seriously consider leaving at the end of the season.
 
Mason Plumlee (Duke) – 6’10, 230 lbs. Power Forward
At the beginning of the year Mason Plumlee was firmly establishing himself as a lottery pick thanks to his great combination of size and athleticism. Plumlee has the bounce of a future NBA dunk champion, but he’s looked less and less ready for the big leagues with every game that has passed since the first couple of weeks. Plumlee has scored in double figures just four times in 2011 and only has one double-double to his credit in that same time span. Duke desperately needs him to get back to utilizing his great natural tools in order to repeat as champions. They can’t do it without him re-discovering his A game.

Josh Selby (Kansas) – 6’2, 183 lbs. Guard
When Josh Selby initially made his collegiate debut after missing the first month due to an NCAA suspension he justified all the hype. He was giving the Jayhawks a huge boost offensively and was even becoming their go-to player in the clutch. Then he missed three games last month due to injury and hasn’t been himself since. February 1st against Texas Tech, a 14-point effort for Selby, was the last time he notched more than eight points. He’s only connected on three of his last 18 attempts from distance and has seen his minutes decrease as a result. He’s certainly not healthy, but Selby has to find a way to fight through the pain and improve his play if he wants to be a first round pick.

Fab Melo (Syracuse) – 7’0, 240 lbs. Center
Many people had already written freshmen center Fab Melo as a non factor for this year. Orange head coach Jim Boeheim gave him opportunities at the beginning of the season to make an impact and he failed to do so, looking lost while being extremely foul prone. But as of late, he’s finally shown some signs of life. His recent surge started in a blowout victory against DePaul, where he went 5-5 from the field while also grabbing six rebounds. In a much more competitive contest against St. John’s Melo was the difference maker for Syracuse, once again shooting a perfect 5-5 while grabbing four boards and blocking two shots. With his size and potential combined with the lack of talent at center, Melo could easily find himself back in the first round if he can continue playing like he has in the last two games.

Cory Joseph (Texas) – 6’3, 185 lbs. Point Guard
The Texas Longhorns have not been at their best recently and freshmen point guard Cory Joseph’s struggles have definitely been one of the reasons why. On the year he’s been one of the best first-year players in the country, but as of late he’s really struggled with his individual offense. At times it seems like Joseph has trouble deciding when to be aggressive and when to look to create. That’s a problem that almost every point guard has dealt with before, especially those who are as capable as Jospeh is in that area. He’s got to pick up his shooting percentages and make sure to keep the turnovers to a minimal in the tournament. What could make life really easy for Joseph is if the Longhorns get to play close to home. Playing in front of a supporting crowd never hurts.

Terrence Jennings (Louisville) – 6’9, 220 lbs. Forward
Although the Louisville Cardinals have been fantastic this season, they aren’t a team overflowing with NBA talent. Most of their top players will likely end up playing overseas at best, but Terrence Jennings has a chance to make it to the NBA if he becomes a regular double-double threat like he has the ability to be. The Cardinals are going into the tournament rightfully feeling like they can beat anybody. For them to do so, though, Jennings has to impose himself and standout rather than blend in as he’s been content to do at times this year. Even if he isn’t getting the touches he needs to score at a high rate he has to be relentless on the glass and try to make every board his.

Yancy Gates (Cincinnati) – 6’9, 265 lbs. Forward/Center
As a team the Cincinnati Bearcats are prone to going through long scoring droughts where they simply can’t buy a basket. Junior big man Yancy Gates has to be on in order for them to keep up with most teams offensively. The problem is he’s still way too hot and cold. One night he’s dependable, the next they might as well not even bother running things through him. Gates has been thinking about the NBA for the past year and this is a good year for him to make the jump due to the possibility of many underclassmen fearing a lockout and staying in school. If he wants to be a first round pick, though, he has to have a heck of a tournament because right now he’s firmly in the second round with a long way to go.

More Memorable Moments To Come

This is the time of year where we see some of the season’s most exciting plays and highlights. With every matchup being so important the nation’s top players take their games to another level and put their teams on their back.

{AUTHOR_BOX}Yesterday we saw UConn’s Kemba Walker deliver what quite possibly could be the play of the year up to this point. Knotted up at 74 apiece against third-ranked Pittsburgh, Walker found himself defended by Pitt center Gary McGhee with the shot clock off and the game on the line.

Walker proceeded to drop McGhee to the floor with a sickening double-stepback move and then nail a long jump shot as time expired to give the Huskies the 76-74 victory. All the helpless McGhee could do was watch from his backside as Walker pulled off a highlight that has already been replayed thousands of times and counting.

That play was a perfect example of just how magical March Madness can be and the best part is that the NCAA tournament doesn’t even start till next week. This weekend will be filled with plenty more plays like that. So sit back, watch and enjoy as there’s nothing left but must-watch college basketball the rest of the way.

Even if you’re someone who mainly watches the NBA, this is the time to fit in some college hoops into your viewing schedule. It’s the stars of tomorrow playing today – and they’re putting on an absolute show every time they step out onto the floor.

What To Watch For

Just as we have the last three seasons, HOOPSWORLD is going to bring you the most in-depth coverage of the NCAA tournament on the net. Luke Byrnes and myself will be bringing you a complete 68-team preview shortly after this year’s field is announced and round-by-round previews to follow. Coach Anthony Macri will regularly give his insight from the coach’s perspective and this year we’re happy to announce the addition of TheKnicksBlog.com’s Thomas Dee to our tournament coverage. He’ll be breaking down things from an NBA Draft point of view. This year’s tournament coverage is brought to you by The United States Marines. Make sure to bookmark our tournament coverage headquarters page now!