Your bracket is toast. Don’t lie to me and say you had Butler in the Final Four, let alone VCU. You’re not winning any money in the office pool this year, that is going to the guy three cubicles over who hasn’t watched a college hoops game in years and made his picks based on mascots and where his friends went to college.
No, you’re going to watch the Final Four to check out NBA prospects. Particularly in the Connecticut vs. Kentucky game.
Here are a few guys to keep an eye on this weekend. (The DX number is their ranking as a prospect in this draft by the wise men at Draft Express.)
Kemba Walker, 6’0” guard, Connecticut (DX No. 7): He’s the kind of small, quick guard that has been in vogue in the NBA. He comes with an increasingly rare NBA skill — the midrange game. And he uses the threat of it very well to create shots for himself and teammates. His crossover and step back is wicked. Also, he has been a big game player (two 30 point games in the NCAA Tournament, plus big plays in the Big East Tournament and the Maui Invitational). If the game is on the line for UConn the ball will be in his hands.
Scouts will be watching to see how he does against another lottery pick in Kentucky’s Brandon Knight.
Brandon Knight, 6’3” guard, Kentucky (DX No. 8): He has moved up draft boards with a good tournament and a contested game winner for the Wildcats. He projects as a shoot-first combo guard in the NBA. And he can shoot, hitting 38 percent from three plus knocking down contested midrange shots all season long. Some scouts are concerned about fit, but his performance is winning people over.
Terrence Jones, 6’8” forward, Kentucky (DX No. 12): He may or may not be coming out after his freshman season and he’s taken a little step back during the tournament as his outside shot has not been consistent. He’s got a real NBA body but there are questions about his energy game in and game out.
Shelvin Mack, 6’3” point guard, Butler (DX No. 65): He has taken on more of the scoring role this season at Butler and boosted his stock some with this run to the Final Four. He has range on his shot and has looked good running the pick-and-roll. But he’s not as quick as the PGs he will often see at the next level, and his shot is not consistent. Still, some team may take a shot on him in the second round
Doran Lamb, 6’4” guard, Kentucky (DX No. 67): A freshman who may return to what will be a loaded Kentucky team next season. He has a wide range of shots and hit 48 percent from three this season, plus he can defend. A lot to like here going forward, but there may be a ceiling with him not as high as some other guards around his age.
Alex Oriachi, 6’9” power forward, Connecticut (DX No. 78): He’s very athletic but considered a work in progress, although he took some steps forward this season. Don’t expect him in the draft this season but keep an eye on him.
Jeremy Lamb, 6’5” shooting guard, Connecticut (unranked by DX): The freshman is not coming out this year but the raw potential he has had is really starting to come through in the Tournament (he had 24 against San Diego State). He needs to put on some muscle and refine his game, but he’s a guy to watch in a year or two.
