Derrick Williams vs. Mason Plumblee
Mason Plumblee is the kind of big, athletic power forward that Derrick Williams will be playing against in the NBA and if he expects to play that position at the next level, he'll have to show he can score inside against bigger players as well as wear them out on the perimeter. Plumblee will have a size advantage on offense and should look to take advantage of it while playing Williams well on the perimeter will help cement his status as a defensive stalwart.
Kemba Walker vs. D.J. Gay
D.J. Gay is an underrated defender who has the unenviable task of slowing down Kemba Walker on offense while also trying to make him work on the defense. Walker has shown that he can hurt opponents as a distributor as well as scorer, but as the leader of his team in a big time game, you can expect him to take 20+ shots. Besides Malcolm Thomas, the Aztecs don't have an intimidating rim defender so their game plan may be force Walker into jumpshots instead of trying to challenge him to finish at the rim, in which case Gay will play off of Walker. Walker has improved his jumpshot this season but you're better off forcing him to shoot than you are risking him getting in the paint and drawing fouls.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Sweet 16 Matchups to Watch (East)
Harrison Barnes vs. Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder
Marquette doesn't have any NBA prospects, but they've got a number of tough, long wing defensive aces like Butler and Crowder that will look to harass Harrison Barnes every second of every minute he's on the court. Don't be surprised if early in the game he gets laid out on a drive to the basket. Marquette wants to punch him in the face (figuratively) and how he responds will be huge. Barnes has been huge for North Carolina in pressure situations and with each game the Tar Heels advance into the Tournament, the overall pressure is rising. Barnes is the top scoring option on a team expected to win against the 11th seeded Golden Eagles and if he struggles and the Tar Heels lose, it will bring back to the surfaces some of the questions scouts had early in the season about Barnes motor and toughness.
Jared Sullinger vs. Josh Harrellson
I don't know if this matchup is going to have any kind of effect on the NBA draft, but it's certainly going to be fun to watch. One of the best parts about Jared Sullinger's game is that he never gives up on rebounds both offensively and defensively, well Josh Harrellson is the same way and will match his intensity and effort on every play. At 6-9, 260 Sullinger has the size to dominate most lighter college centers, however Harrellson (6-10, 275) won't be pushed around so easily. When the Buckeyes go small, most of the rebounding duties will fall on Sullinger, who'll have to contend with big time rebounders in Harrellson and Terrence Jones. Aaron Craft vs. Brandon Knight is another matchup to watch.
Marquette doesn't have any NBA prospects, but they've got a number of tough, long wing defensive aces like Butler and Crowder that will look to harass Harrison Barnes every second of every minute he's on the court. Don't be surprised if early in the game he gets laid out on a drive to the basket. Marquette wants to punch him in the face (figuratively) and how he responds will be huge. Barnes has been huge for North Carolina in pressure situations and with each game the Tar Heels advance into the Tournament, the overall pressure is rising. Barnes is the top scoring option on a team expected to win against the 11th seeded Golden Eagles and if he struggles and the Tar Heels lose, it will bring back to the surfaces some of the questions scouts had early in the season about Barnes motor and toughness.
Jared Sullinger vs. Josh Harrellson
I don't know if this matchup is going to have any kind of effect on the NBA draft, but it's certainly going to be fun to watch. One of the best parts about Jared Sullinger's game is that he never gives up on rebounds both offensively and defensively, well Josh Harrellson is the same way and will match his intensity and effort on every play. At 6-9, 260 Sullinger has the size to dominate most lighter college centers, however Harrellson (6-10, 275) won't be pushed around so easily. When the Buckeyes go small, most of the rebounding duties will fall on Sullinger, who'll have to contend with big time rebounders in Harrellson and Terrence Jones. Aaron Craft vs. Brandon Knight is another matchup to watch.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Round of 32 matchups to watch (West)
Kawhi Leonard vs. Lavoy Allen
Lavoy Allen is a deep fringe NBA prospect, while Kawhi Leonard is a lottery pick but when they're matched up, it should be a good battle. Allen is a good college scorer who can beat you in a couple ways and it will be up to Leonard to slow him down, while also winning that battle on offense and on the glass. Leonard has the obvious advantage in talent, and is coming off a great performance in round 1 (21 pts on 9-14 shooting and 1o rebounds) while Allen struggled, scoring only 3 points in 40 minutes. Allen will be looking to bounce back and it's rare that he'd put together two bad games in a row.
Tristan Thompson vs. Derrick Williams
This could be the best matchup of the whole Tournament. Both Tristan Thompson and Derrick Williams are projected lottery picks in the 2011 draft, neither guy has great size for a frontcourt player (they're both about 6-8) but they get by with their length, muscle, motor, and bounce. Williams will be more of a combo forward in the NBA, while Thompson is a pure 4. They'll be matched up in this game however. Williams is a top 5 pick, while Thompson is more late lottery, but they could move closer if Thompson has a dominant performance. Williams also may be matched up some with Jordan Hamilton, another lottery pick.
Lavoy Allen is a deep fringe NBA prospect, while Kawhi Leonard is a lottery pick but when they're matched up, it should be a good battle. Allen is a good college scorer who can beat you in a couple ways and it will be up to Leonard to slow him down, while also winning that battle on offense and on the glass. Leonard has the obvious advantage in talent, and is coming off a great performance in round 1 (21 pts on 9-14 shooting and 1o rebounds) while Allen struggled, scoring only 3 points in 40 minutes. Allen will be looking to bounce back and it's rare that he'd put together two bad games in a row.
Tristan Thompson vs. Derrick Williams
This could be the best matchup of the whole Tournament. Both Tristan Thompson and Derrick Williams are projected lottery picks in the 2011 draft, neither guy has great size for a frontcourt player (they're both about 6-8) but they get by with their length, muscle, motor, and bounce. Williams will be more of a combo forward in the NBA, while Thompson is a pure 4. They'll be matched up in this game however. Williams is a top 5 pick, while Thompson is more late lottery, but they could move closer if Thompson has a dominant performance. Williams also may be matched up some with Jordan Hamilton, another lottery pick.
Round of 32 matchups to watch (Southwest)
Kenneth Faried vs Richmond's frontcourt
Kenneth Faried was as dominant of the boards as ever against Louisville (17 rebounds, 5 offensive) and attracted so much attention on the glass that other Morehead State players were able to get free for offensive rebounds. Richmond doesn't have the big, physical frontline that Louisville had, but they've got players like Justin Harper who can step out and shoot 3s, Dan Geriot who's a big body, and Darius Garrett who is an aggressive athlete. It will be interesting to see how well Faried does not only on the glass, but also playing defense and trying to get things going better on offense, as he was 4 for 17 in the first round.
JuJuan Johnson vs. VCU's frontcourt
VCU doesn't have a ton of elite frontcourt players (though Jamie Skeen is a very solid player), but they're feisty and play hard. That said, JuJuan Johnson has a significant talent advantage in this matchup. Johnson has had a great season and is a solid first round pick, but he hasn't always dominated like he should. Scouts would like to see him take over when he has a advantage. Whether it's getting open for jumpers or taking it down on the block, Johnson should look to be the top option of on his team.
Kenneth Faried was as dominant of the boards as ever against Louisville (17 rebounds, 5 offensive) and attracted so much attention on the glass that other Morehead State players were able to get free for offensive rebounds. Richmond doesn't have the big, physical frontline that Louisville had, but they've got players like Justin Harper who can step out and shoot 3s, Dan Geriot who's a big body, and Darius Garrett who is an aggressive athlete. It will be interesting to see how well Faried does not only on the glass, but also playing defense and trying to get things going better on offense, as he was 4 for 17 in the first round.
JuJuan Johnson vs. VCU's frontcourt
VCU doesn't have a ton of elite frontcourt players (though Jamie Skeen is a very solid player), but they're feisty and play hard. That said, JuJuan Johnson has a significant talent advantage in this matchup. Johnson has had a great season and is a solid first round pick, but he hasn't always dominated like he should. Scouts would like to see him take over when he has a advantage. Whether it's getting open for jumpers or taking it down on the block, Johnson should look to be the top option of on his team.
Round of 32 matchups to watch (Southeast)
Patric Young vs. Joshua Smith
Patric Young has disappointed on the offensive end this season, (though not much was expected of him in that area yet) but his defense and rebounding has been awesome this season. He's a natural rebounder with great motor, aggressiveness, strength, length, and athleticism. Joshua Smith is a massive man (6-9, 300) and has about a 60 pound weight advantage over Young. It's going to be a matchup between Smith's size and Young's athleticism. If Young can shut down Smith it will go a long way to show scouts he can defend bigger players, while Smith will look to show he can play against long, athletic players.
Jimmer Fredette vs. Steven Gray, Demetri Goodson, and Marquise Carter
I'm still waiting for Jimmer Fredette to actually try to defend. He didn't do it against Wofford and he'll be going up against one of the deepest backcourts in the country. Against St. Johns they combined for 46 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Fredette will be matched up against all of them at different points throughout the game and it would be nice to see him at least try on defense. I'm not sure why his clear lack of effort isn't a big red flag for people, but I guess they think that he carries such a big load on offense he doesn't have the energy to play defense, though Kemba Walker does it, so why can't Fredette?
Patric Young has disappointed on the offensive end this season, (though not much was expected of him in that area yet) but his defense and rebounding has been awesome this season. He's a natural rebounder with great motor, aggressiveness, strength, length, and athleticism. Joshua Smith is a massive man (6-9, 300) and has about a 60 pound weight advantage over Young. It's going to be a matchup between Smith's size and Young's athleticism. If Young can shut down Smith it will go a long way to show scouts he can defend bigger players, while Smith will look to show he can play against long, athletic players.
Jimmer Fredette vs. Steven Gray, Demetri Goodson, and Marquise Carter
I'm still waiting for Jimmer Fredette to actually try to defend. He didn't do it against Wofford and he'll be going up against one of the deepest backcourts in the country. Against St. Johns they combined for 46 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Fredette will be matched up against all of them at different points throughout the game and it would be nice to see him at least try on defense. I'm not sure why his clear lack of effort isn't a big red flag for people, but I guess they think that he carries such a big load on offense he doesn't have the energy to play defense, though Kemba Walker does it, so why can't Fredette?
Round of 32 matchups to watch (East)
Kevin Jones and John Flowers vs. Terrence Jones
All three of these players have similar games, they're small fowards who play in the paint but can also stretch defenses with their shooting. Kevin Jones and Flowers are fringe NBA prospects, but Terrence Jones is a top ten pick. Jones has spent a lot of time as a small ball 4, using his shooting and ball handling skills to beat slower paint players. However, the two West Virginia forwards have the quickness to guard him on the perimeter as well as the strength to bang with him down low. It's a matchup worth watching to see if Jones can still excel with a less favorable matchup. The matchup of Kentucky's freshman guards (Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb) vs. West Virginia's tough peremiter defenders (Joe Mazzulla and Daryl Bryant) should also be a good matchup.
Harrison Barnes vs. Justin Holiday
Harrison Barnes has had an up and down season but is starting to put together more consistent production. He tends to shy away from contact settles for jumpshots too often. He'll be tested against Justin Holiday, one of the best wing defenders in the country. Holiday will be physical with Barnes and try to force him into shooting jumpers. Barnes is a good jump shooter, but if he wants to lead his team, he'll have to put the ball on the deck to open up offense for his team. It'll be big for Barnes to show what he can do against an NBA level defender.
All three of these players have similar games, they're small fowards who play in the paint but can also stretch defenses with their shooting. Kevin Jones and Flowers are fringe NBA prospects, but Terrence Jones is a top ten pick. Jones has spent a lot of time as a small ball 4, using his shooting and ball handling skills to beat slower paint players. However, the two West Virginia forwards have the quickness to guard him on the perimeter as well as the strength to bang with him down low. It's a matchup worth watching to see if Jones can still excel with a less favorable matchup. The matchup of Kentucky's freshman guards (Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb) vs. West Virginia's tough peremiter defenders (Joe Mazzulla and Daryl Bryant) should also be a good matchup.
Harrison Barnes vs. Justin Holiday
Harrison Barnes has had an up and down season but is starting to put together more consistent production. He tends to shy away from contact settles for jumpshots too often. He'll be tested against Justin Holiday, one of the best wing defenders in the country. Holiday will be physical with Barnes and try to force him into shooting jumpers. Barnes is a good jump shooter, but if he wants to lead his team, he'll have to put the ball on the deck to open up offense for his team. It'll be big for Barnes to show what he can do against an NBA level defender.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Round of 64 matchups to watch (Southeast)
Jimmer Fredette vs. Cameron Rundles and Jamar Diggs
We all know Jimmer Fredette can score like crazy, but one of the big concerns teams have about him is his lack of defensive chops. Two of Wofford's top three scorers are guards in Cameron Rundles and Jamar Diggs that Fredette will likely be matched up with both of them at points. Obviously, Rundles and Diggs aren't anywhere near the level of players Fredette will have to guard in the NBA, but he needs to show the effort at least, which hasn't always been there for him.
Elias Harris vs. Dwight Hardy
Elias Harris went from a potential first round pick last year to a boarderline draftable prospect in scout's eyes. A lot of weaknesses in his game were exposed and his number have been down around the board. A big game against a solid defensive team and a well respected player in Dwight Hardy could be a step in the right direction, which followed by a big Junior season could get Harris back into the first round mix in the 2011 draft.
We all know Jimmer Fredette can score like crazy, but one of the big concerns teams have about him is his lack of defensive chops. Two of Wofford's top three scorers are guards in Cameron Rundles and Jamar Diggs that Fredette will likely be matched up with both of them at points. Obviously, Rundles and Diggs aren't anywhere near the level of players Fredette will have to guard in the NBA, but he needs to show the effort at least, which hasn't always been there for him.
Elias Harris vs. Dwight Hardy
Elias Harris went from a potential first round pick last year to a boarderline draftable prospect in scout's eyes. A lot of weaknesses in his game were exposed and his number have been down around the board. A big game against a solid defensive team and a well respected player in Dwight Hardy could be a step in the right direction, which followed by a big Junior season could get Harris back into the first round mix in the 2011 draft.
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