College Hoops daily Update
August 2008 |
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - Washington State Cougars
posted 8/24/08 | Questions and/or Comments
Washington State Cougars
Head Coach: Tony Bennett
2007-08 Record: 26-9 (NCAA Sweet 16)
| Pacific 10 Predicted Standings |
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1 |
UCLA Bruins |
| 2 |
Arizona State Sun Devils |
| 3 |
Washington Huskies |
| 4 |
Southern California Trojans |
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5 |
Arizona Wildcats |
| 6 |
Washington State Cougars |
| 7 |
California Golden Bears |
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8 |
Stanford Cardinal |
| 9 |
Oregon Ducks |
| 10 |
Oregon State Beavers |
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For the past 20 years, Wazzu was arguably the the Pac 10's least heralded program. Then Dick and Tony Bennett came along and within three years had back-to-back NCAA Tournament teams. This year, Bennett brings in a legitimate Top 25 class, but it will be impossible to replace the trio of
Derrick Low, Kyle Weaver and Robbie Cowgill - on whom the program was rebuilt upon. Still, there is some talent returning and with the newcomers on board, don't be shocked if the Cougars surprise and finish in the upper half of the conference.
Seniors Taylor Rochestie and Aron Baynes will never be confused with Dwyane Wade and Shaq, but the duo are an underrated pair who are economical in what they do. Rochestie put up a nearly three-to-one assist-to-turnover ration and was a deadeye from beyond the arc. Baynes is a big, old fashioned post who converts well down low. Two more returning seniors, Devan Harmeling and Caleb Forrest, also return and will add much needed experience and depth. Expected to help out up front will be German big forward Fabian Böeke, who was forced to sit out last year due to a bogus NCAA rule over playing professionally. Serbian guard Nikola Koprivica is also available, but will be looking over his shoulder to fend off the freshmen. If there is an issue with the holdovers from 2007-08, it's a lack of athleticism in a conference notorious for up tempo play. The Cougs' ability to force their halfcourt tempo and hardnosed defense looks like the key to another NCAA tourney run.
Of the newcomers, wing Klay Thompson appears most ready to contribute. Versatile, athletic and a team-first player, Thompson is the epitome of a Tony Bennett player. Also expected to pitch in from day one will be guards Michael Harthun and Marcus Capers and possibly forwards James Watson and DeAngelo Casto.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - Washington Huskies
posted 8/24/08 | Questions and/or Comments
Washington Huskies
Head Coach: Lorenzo Romar
2007-08 Record: 16-17 (CBI 1st Round)
Two years ago, coming off back-to-back Sweet 16 seasons and bringing in a top five recruiting class, Washington appeared on the brink of being where UCLA is now.
While progress has stagnated, Lorenzo Romar still has a lot of talent on hand, an experienced and deep roster and Jon Brockman. For the Huskies to get back to the top of the Pac 10, two things must happen that rarely did in 2007-08, defense and free throw shooting. Had the Dawgs done either just a little better last year, they would have been in the NCAA Tournament.
For all the things Brockman isn't - undersized, no shooting range - his will to get his hands on every loose ball and effort make him the ultimate teammate. Probably an NFL first round pick if he chose to be a tight end, Brockman is a unstoppable rebounder and effective low post scorer. But, the key to Washington this year looks to be the last player remaining from the aforementioned incoming 2006-07 incoming class, Quincy Pondexter. A great athlete who can get to rim with ease, Pondexter struggled to find his niche through much of last year, but finished strong and looks primed to step up as a consistent go-to scorer. Romar will also look for enigmatic guard Justin Dentmon to show some consistency and maximize his ability to penetrate and push the pace.
Traditionally, a college player's biggest improvement comes between their freshman and sophomore season. If that is the case, lead guard Venoy Overton and post Matthew Bryan-Amaning should step up and provide a huge boost. Among the players likely to provide depth are a trio of talented guards - Isaiah Thomas, Scott Suggs and Elston Turner - as well as long, athletic wings Justin Holiday and Darnell Grant. Battling for time up front will be big bodies Artem Wallace and shooting specialist Joe Wolfiger, plus frosh shotblocker Tyreese Breshers.
With several other programs rebuild in 2008-09, Washington should be able to climb back atop the Pac 10 standings and assuming they can close out games from the line and defend on the perimeter, there is no reason a Sweet 16 run can't be accomplished.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - UCLA Bruins
posted 8/20/08 | Questions and/or Comments
UCLA Bruins
Head Coach: Ben Howland
2007-08 Record: 35-4 (NCAA Final Four)
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AP Photo |
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Despite the loss of three NBA draft picks, UCLA returns
All American candidate Darren Collison for 2008-09. |
Famed for its past, UCLA is no less relevant on the college basketball map today. Three straight FInal Fours and two more first round selections in the NBA Draft. Yet for Ben Howland, there is no reason for concern over the personnel losses. Despite the departure of lottery picks Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook - plus second rounder Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - Howland returns starting guards Darren Collison and Josh Shipp, plus a star studded recruiting class that is expected to help immediately.
While Westbrook was the lead guard last year who had pro scouts raving, jet quick scoring point Collison had another solid year and is back to run the Bruins and prep for the NBA himself. Also returning will be the steady, solid Shipp.
The fifth year senior may not have the upside several of the newcomers do, but his knowledge of Howland's system and experience will be huge in leading UCLA to another deep March run. Of the three highly touted incoming guards, combo Jrue Holiday is the most ready to contribute early and with his do-it-all game, should be a perfect complement to the veterans. Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson will play supporting roles as freshmen, but both have great upsides and represent the next generation of Bruins stars. After redshirting in 2007-08, long range gunner Michael Roll is back as well and will hope to break into the rotation.
Minus superstar Love and last seasons best defender, Mbah a Moute, Howland will need for reserves like Alfred Aboya and James Keefe to step up and provide defense and rebounding, if not a few points in the paint. Newcomers J'mison Morgan and Drew Gordon are both solid prospects, but will likely take time to adapt to the rigors of big time college hoops. Morgan is an old fashioned big body who can score in the paint and Gordon is an athletic runner-jumper.
Unlike the past couple years, when Howland lost first rounders Jordan Farmar then Aron Afflalo, there is less depth to take over. For UCLA to make a fourth straight trip to the Final Four, a couple big guys will need to step up and Holiday will have to be ready for prime time. Regardless, these are good times again for Bruins fans.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - Stanford Cardinal
posted 8/17/08 | Questions and/or Comments
Stanford Cardinal
Head Coach: Johnny Dawkins
2007-08 Record: 28-8 (NCAA Sweet 16)
It is hard to believe prospects could be so low for a team that loses only two starters
off a Sweet 16 team. But when the subtractions are NBA First Round twins Brook and Robin Lopez, the losses are compounded. In the span of eight months, the Cardinal will go from having one of the nation's most dominant frontcourts to arguably the weakest.
On the coaching front, Stanford did well to lure Coach K understudy from Duke to Palo Alto. Once Trent Johnson jumped ship for LSU, the outlook for one of the more storied Pac 10 programs in recent years appeared murky. While it will take a year or two for Dawkins to establish recruiting ties on the West Coast, there is potential for the Cardinal to remain relevant against the likes of UCLA, Arizona, USC, Washington and so on.
if there is one player who looks primed to break out from the shadows of the departed bigs, it's streaky scoring guard Anthony Goods. Capable of carrying a team when hot, Goods is also an able penetrator who should be good for 16-18 points a night. Running the show will be steady, unspectacular junior Mitch Johnson. Looking to step up the production off the bench will be versatile defender Landry Fields,
redshirt guard Da'Veed Dildy, Drew Shiller and
talented frosh Jeremy Green.
While there is no possible way to replace the Lopez twins, the key to Stanford's hopes will fall on the shoulders of Lawrence Hill. After two years of playing third fiddle, the senior forward will have an opportunity to step up and demonstrate his inside-outside skills. As to who will augment Hill's efforts, the list includes holdovers Josh Owens and Will Paul. Considering neither player has shown the ability to compete against power conference competition, Dawkins can only hope for the best. The Cardinal took a big hit when signee Miles Plumlee reneged on his LOI following Johnson's resignation and re-signed with Duke - oddly enough.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - USC Trojans
posted 8/4/08 | Questions and/or Comments
USC Trojans
Head Coach: Tim Floyd
2007-08 Record: 21-12 (NCAA 1st Round)
Oregonian |
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Freshman phenom Demar DeRozan will be expected to
pick up the slack left behind the departure of O.J. Mayo. |
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It was common knowledge that O.J. Mayo - and
Davon Jefferson to a lesser extent - would be a one-and-done, but that didn't keep TIm Floyd from riding the superstar guard to a NCAA Tournament appearance. Unlike last year's team, there is no O.J. Mayo on hand in 2008-09. There is another stud frosh on campus in Demar DeRozan - who will more than likely be gone by next summer - but the ultra-athletic wing isn't someone a team's entire offense can funnel through.
What Floyd does have this year is a roster with experience and depth. It will be interesting to see if role players from previous years are ready to step into the forefront. The foundation for USC this year will be built on DeRozan and juniors Dwight Lewis, Taj Gibson and Daniel Hackett. DeRozan is easily the most athletic and explosive incoming freshman in college basketball this year and has a game ready-made for the NBA. While shot selection and stepping up in competition will be a challenge, the LA-area wing should be a star from day one. Of the junior trio, Lewis is the slasher who can score from the rim to mid-range, Gibson is a strong finisher and post defender and Hackett is a glue player who does it all, including running the offense.
Likely starting at the point is highly regarded JC transfer Donte Smith. Expected to compete with now departed frosh Angelo Johnson - who couldn't get a starting guarantee - Smith now will have to make the transition quickly from the Juco level to big time hoops. Freshman Percy Miller looks like a redshirt candidate.
Also available on the wing will be former UConn Husky Marcus Johnson and holdover reserves Kasey Cunningham and Marcus Simmons.
Starting alongside Gibson will be someone from a group that includes little used holdovers RouSean Cromwell, Keith Wilkinson and redshirt Mamadou Diarra and newcomers Leonard Washington and Nikola Vucevic. Diarra and Washington, in particular, have the talent and potential to be effective Pac 10 big men. The key will be how well either or neither adapt to Floyd's system that requires defensive intensity and an understanding of a structured offense.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - Oregon State Beavers
posted 8/4/08 | Questions and/or Comments
Oregon State Beavers
Head Coach: Craig Robinson
2007-08 Record: 6-25
It's one thing to be bad and someone has to finish last in a great conference like the Pac 10, but to go 0-18 is mesmerizing. It was no surprise to anyone when Jay John was canned during the 2007-08 season, but few would have guessed an Ivy League coach known more for his relationship with Barack Obama than any accomplishments on the court would be hired.
Of course, you can't get much worse down Corvallis way, but with Craig Robinson at the helm, will anything get better? Two of the top players on the roster this year for the Beavs will be transfers Dwain Williams (Providence) and Chris Richard (Richmond). Unfortunately, both will be redshirting in order to meet residency requirements.
Good or bad, brothers Josh and Seth Tarver return in the backcourt. More suited for backup roles at this level, older brother Seth should at least average double figure points and Josh may be ready to run the offense with more consistency. The problem for OSU is that no one is on hand to take the starting spots away from the Tarvers. At best Lathen Wallace, Rickey Claitt and Calvin Haynes are mediocre.
If there is a glimmer of hope this year, it is that Utah transfer Daniel Deane will be eligible and if motivated, has the talent to be a solid starter. Promising sophomore Sean Carter decided to transfer to UMass during the offseason, leaving only a pedestrian group of holdovers in Omari Johnson, Calvin Hampton and Roeland Schaftenaar. No matter how it's spun, Robinson has little ammo on hand to fight the tough battles he'll face nightly during the conference schedule.
Time may prove Robinson is the right guy for the job at Oregon State, but it's hard to imagine the Beavers finishing anywhere but last in the Pac 10 this year - and years to come for that matter.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - Oregon Ducks
posted 8/4/08 | Questions and/or Comments
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AP Photo |
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Oregon's Tajuan Porter will look to revert to his freshman form |
Oregon Ducks
Head Coach: Ernie Kent
2007-08 Record: 18-14 (NCAA 1st Round)
From the brink of being fired to a brand new contract extension through 2012-13, Ernie Kent turned two consecutive NCAA tourneys into some comfy job security. Of course, the group responsible for most of the recent success -
Malik Hairston, Maarty Leunen and Bryce Taylor - are now playing for pay. But the cupboard is far from empty in Eugene, as a Top 15-level recruiting class is on hand after a year or two of taking some lumps, should put the Ducks back in the postseason hunt.
Expected to transition the past with the future will be streaky, pint-sized scorer Tajuan Porter, who needs to rebound from a tough 2007-08 season. Expected to take over as the point when Aaron Brooks graduated, the Detroit dynamo struggled. Developing sophomore Kamyron Brown and ex-Xavier multi-purpose guard will likely run the offense, but there is plenty of opportunity for LSU transfer Ben Voogd and late spring signee Garrett Sim to take over and be the main man. Touted freshman scoring guards Matthew Humphrey, Teondre Williams and Drew Wiley will vie for an opportunity play early, along with returning sophomore LeKendric Longmire.
Likely to start from day one and not likely to spend more than a couple years before going pro will be Chicago big forward Michael Dunigan. Big and athletic, Dunigan has an exciting combination of physical talent and smarts. Undersized junior Joevan Catron can be counted on for a few boards and hustle, but Kent will need at least a few minutes nightly from frosh Josh Crittle and senior Frantz Dorsainvil.
Without having to worry about winning instantly, Kent will likely give his talented incoming class an opportunity to learn on the job. It maybe be a rough season for the Ducks this year, but the future is bright and with the commitment to the current coaching staff, Oregon might reclaim the talent from their own backyard that has escaped in recent years.
Summer 2008-09 Pacific 10 Conference Preview - California Golden Bears
posted 8/1/08 | Questions and/or Comments
California Golden Bears
Head Coach: Mike Montgomery
2007-08 Record: 17-16 (NIT 2nd Round)
AP Photo |
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| Patrick Christopher will be counted on to pick up the slack following the loss of Ryan Anderson and DeVon Hardin |
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For 12 years, all Ben Braun did was run a clean, solid program that included five NCAA Tournaments and led fans and administrators to believe they should expect even more. So, who better to turn to than Bay Area coaching legend Mike Montgomery. But, can Cal move from being a traditional middle-of-the-pack program to among the elite? Maybe if Todd Bozeman is brought back to recruit. In the short term, the Golden Bears will have to overcome the loss of top scorer and first round NBA pick Ryan Anderson and second rounder DeVon Hardin. Montgomery will have the solid backcourt duo of Patrick Christopher and Jerome Randle on hand, but in a conference like the Pac 10, a thin bench and unproven big men can lead to a long, unforgiving season.
A talented scorer who can slash and score from mid-range, Christopher will be expected to assume the bulk of the scoring load in 2008-09. Unfortunately, without Anderson on hand, defenses will be geared to stop him. Look for Randle to step up the scoring another notch, a challenge he should be up for. Extremely quick with the ball,
the Chicago native is capable of getting deep in the lane or firing up threes. Backcourt depth will hopefully come from Serbian redshirt junior Nikola Knezevic and frosh two guards D.J. Seeley and Jorge Gutierrez. Of the three, Seeley comes with a solid prep resume and projects as a starter in time.
Montgomery will have to hope at least a couple of the several unproven big bodies available can step up quickly and replace the frontcourt loss of production. Solid swing forward Theo Robertson returns from a redshirt year and has the scoring ability to help out. Another player who could take a big step up is ex-Duke tweener Jamal Boykin. Athletic and undersized inside, Boykin can score above the rim and has an accurate perimeter shot when left alone. Redshirt freshman Omondi Amoke will also look to step in at both forward slots and provide some minutes and activity.
Size will have to come from a group that includes Chinese seven-footer Max Zhang, thus far unproductive junior Jordan Wilkes, hustling blue-collar soph Harper Kamp and redshirt Taylor Harrison. If Montgomery can get quick results from a couple players to lessen the load on the starting guards, there is enough potential for Cal to surprise and make a run toward the upper-division in the Pac 10. If the bigs aren't ready to produce, a slide to the bottom half is also very realistic. |
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