Yesterday was not a banner day for the University of Kansas basketball team. They fell from being the prohibitive favorite to win the title to being the victim of what many are calling the biggest upset in NCAA history. Their star, Sharron Collins leaves shrouded in failure after winning the title in 2008, but failing to capitalize on the most talented KU team in years. Bill Self can comfort himself with that championship, but also faces early exits thanks to Bradley and now, University of Northern Iowa.
But you knew all that already. What about the NBA prospects of the kids headed back to Lawrence early?
Sherron Collins was thought by some to be the best point guard in the country. Granted, that meant completely overlooking John Wall, but still, the sentiment was out there. Collins enters the NBA as guard with a championship and a starter for a national powerhouse. But if ever there was a game to reveal the weakness in his game, yesterday was it. He was turnover prone, and all the nifty shots that led him to greatness not only weren’t falling, but looked like poor decisions.
Collins excelled at the college level thanks to his penchant for creating and hitting tough shots, particularly after making contact. While the contact piece is good, his lean-away move won’t work in the NBA, where he’ll be swallowed up by the length of NBA defenders. He’s not particularly fast, is shorter than most guards, and doesn’t possess terrific vision. Unlike Ty Lawson and Darren Collison, guards who excelled at major national programs and then lit their respective teams aflame in their rookie seasons, Collins doesn’t possess the same kind of athleticism.
A team will likely reach out and take Collins at some point, but don’t be surprised if yesterday scares him off into the second round.
Cole Aldrich is a much more interesting case. Aldrich is currently at six on the board according to DraftExpress. But last night’s game could have an impact on where he ends up. Aldrich had a tough game, though as opposed to most upsets, he wasn’t facing a smaller lineup. The Panthers trotted out several bigs to keep Aldrich occupied. Then Aldrich turned his ankle in the second half and that also slowed him down.
Aldrich has a tremendous skillset for a big man, offensively. He’s not the fastest or most versatile in terms of offense, but what he does, he does well. The question will be in his passing, which is good not great, and his rebounding. Though he racked up 10 boards and the Jayhawks outrebounded the Panthers yesterday, there were still several times where Aldrich was either beaten to a crucial rebound or unable to effectively tap out the ball to reset the offense.
Aldrich is still a top-ten pick, but after being seen as high as #3 overall at one point this season, yesterday probably dinged up his stock a bit.
Xavier Henry was a big winner yesterday for the Jayhawks, with 8 points and 8 rebounds, and two steals as well. His athleticism was on display, and was evident as KU scrambled to get back into the game. But Henry’s season in full may warrant another year under Bill Self alongside the Morris twins if he wants to assure himself a top 15 pick. Henry struggled early in the system before coming on late. Another season would likely boost him to high lottery status.
