2009 NBA Mock Draft Part 1

This is the first LayupDrill.com 2009 NBA Mock Draft. As both the NBA and College Basketball seasons progress, expect to see more and more mock drafts, including projections of the entire draft, and team by team breakdown of the needs. For now, in early December, I will focus on the projected lottery picks for next June’s draft.

1. Blake Griffin - PF - Oklahoma
Blake is the best pro prospect in college basketball today, and he is only a sophomore. He has dominated teams this season, even when drawing double teams. At 6′10 and 240 lbs, Griffin looks to be ready to start in some NBA rosters right now.

2. B.J. Mullens - C - Ohio State
You can’t teach height, and if your team is in the market for a young center, Mullens is your man.

3. Hasheem Thabeet - C - UConn
Read the comment on B.J. Mullens.

4. Stephen Curry - G - Davidson
Curry will surely be a fan favorite in the league, but what position will he play? He will have to improve his ball handling to be a true point.

5. James Harden - G - Arizona State
Many fans in the east never get a chance to see this explosive guard play, but Harden is the truth.

6. Jordan Hill - F - Arizona
Another potential first team All-American. Hill can light it up with the best of them.

7. Brandon Jennings - G - Rome
If Jennings decides to test the NBA waters next season, how high will he go? His play overseas could hurt his draft stock.

8. Earl Clark - F - Lousiville
A leader on the court and off, Clark will be a steal toward the end of the lottery.

9. Jrue Holiday - G - UCLA
UCLA has a knack for developing NBA ready point guards. Holiday is no exception.

10. Ty Lawson - G - North Carolina
The man who runs the show for the best team in college basketball could be another Raymond Felton in the pros.

East Coast Bias?

East Coast Bias?
We are still very early into the college basketball season, but if the latest AP Poll is any indicator, the path to the national title runs through the east, the Big East that is. Syracuse entered the poll this week, which gave the Big East a record 8 teams ranked in the Top 25. One-third of the best teams in America all from one conference? Read more

Layupdrill.com College Basketball Power Ten: Week Two

Written By: Jonathan Lintner

UCLA and Memphis say their goodbyes to the Power Ten following losses to Michigan and Xavier. Both were quality losses (if such exists), but neither team appears to be Power Ten worthy.

The top five didn’t change from week one, but places fifth through tenth have transformed since last time around.

1. North Carolina: The Heels knocked off Kentucky and Tyler Hansbrough returned in the span of a week. Tyler Zeller is done for the year, but the injury will hardly affect North Carolina’s run at the title so long as Hansbrough stays out of foul trouble.

2. Connecticut: After a mediocre game against La Salle, Connecticut turned it on in a domination of Miami (FL). These Huskies are for real.

3. Louisville: Samardo Samuels welcomed himself to the big-time in a Saturday/Sunday freshman domination in Freedom Hall. The Cardinals are fast and play incredible defense, especially for a team in only the first week of the season.

4. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh has the traditional size down low with DeJuan Blair and precision shooting from Levance Fields. Don’t forget about Sam Young—potential abounds for him.

5. Michigan State: The Spartans stayed idle last week, and that’s no reason to drop a team. Consecutive games against ACC opponents Maryland and UNC pose as early season threats to change the landscape of college basketball.

6. Notre Dame: The Irish have played a cupcake schedule so far, but with the Big East looming, Notre Dame should take what it can get early. The Irish should be an easy 11-0 when they face Georgetown Jan. 1.

7. Texas: Texas will be tested in a loaded field in Maui. If the Longhorns come away with the title, expect them to man up with Oklahoma and take the Big 12.

8. Oklahoma: The Sooners rallied to beat Gardner Webb last Saturday by only four, but that win came on the heels of a solid victory over Davidson. Blake Griffin looks as mean as ever, easily claiming player of the week honors with his stunning statistics.

9. Duke: The Blue Devils make the top ten simply because they deserve it, already at 6-0. Teams like Michigan State and Purdue might not make it that far, but Duke has already.

10. Purdue: Speaking of Purdue, the Boilermakers will challenge Notre Dame for the best team in Indiana. Games for Purdue against Duke and Davidson in the next month could change popular opinion about who owns the state.

Five on the verge: Tennessee (3-0), Gonzaga (2-0), Xavier (5-0), Marquette (3-0)

Rock bottom: Rutgers (loss to St. Bonaventure)
Projected Final Four: North Carolina, Connecticut, Louisville, Texas

College Basketball Power Ten - Week One

LayupDrill.com College Basketball Power Ten: Week One
Words by Jonathan Lintner

1. North Carolina: Minus Tyler Hansbrough and Marcus Ginyard, UNC showcased some young talent against Penn last week.  A blowout win over Kentucky should solid solidify the Heels’ position at no. 1.

2. Louisville: The Cardinals stayed idle in week one and won’t play until Nov. 22, but returning four starters and bringing in freshman hopeful Samardo Samuels is enough to help Louisville stay at no. 2.

3. Connecticut: As an ESPN headline read last week, “They’ve Got Thabeet.”  The Huskies opened with a gimmie against Western Carolina, showcasing Hasheem Thabeet’s returning talent as he scored 23 and pulled down 17 boards.

4. Pittsburgh: Levance Fields returned to the court for the Panthers, but it’s DeJuan Blair that makes Pittsburgh a potential Final Four team.  A common opponent in Miami (OH) with UCLA will be a interesting match-up to watch this week.

5. Michigan State: Sophomore guard Chris Allen led the Spartans to the most dominating win seen last week, a 100-63 beating of the Idaho Vandals.  Tom Izzo played 15 different players and shot 60 percent as a team. Read more

College Basketball FAQ for 2008-09

10 Burning Questions to Start the College Basketball Season

With the College Basketball season underway with its many kickoff tournaments across the country, LayupDrill.com presents the 10 questions we know all college hoops fans have on their mind. In case you haven’t, make sure you check out our College Basketball Preview.

10. Is the Big East really that good? Read more

2008 Mens College Basketball Preview

Can Anyone Stop the TarHeels?
2008 Mens College Basketball Preview
A LayupDrill.com exclusive

My personal favorite postseason of every major sport I follow is Mens College Basketball, and March Madness. Anyone has a shot to make history, and make a run at the national title. The optimism that is on campuses across the country in November turns to reality by January. LayupDrill.com seperates the contenders from the pretenders, and makes the bold prediction that one of these five teams will be cutting down the nets in April as national champion.

Read more