Straight Eight:2008 Can’t miss NCAA prospects

-By Weekend Columnist Gilles Gallant
2007 was a big year for NCAA freshmen. Greg Oden and Kevin Durant basically had a one year audition for #1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft. Both were highly touted coming out of high school and both were the first victims of the NBA age limit rule. Now the floodgates have opened up for NCAA recruiters to get the “next one” who’ll be forced to fulfill one year of college and bring their program back to respectability before making the necessary leap to the NBA. A bulk of the prospects being mentioned today all have the talent level to make the leap to the NBA but how much impact when they get there is another question. So I’ve ranked the top 2008 Freshmen coming into the college game. It will make you forget about Greg “One leg longer than the other” Oden and Kevin “I average 20 points in my sleep” Durant. So screw 2007. It’s in the past. We’re moving on. This is the real year of the Freshman.

8) Kyle Singler (Duke) NBA Comparison – Mike Dunleavy Jr. (With a hint of Dirk Nowitzki)

One and done - No

The Oregon native and biggest recruit for Duke this year will have some big holes to fill in the lineup. After losing Josh McRoberts last year to the draft, their frontcourt has virtually no one taller than 6’9’. Singler could see some time at the PF spot but he’s a perimeter guy with a sweet shot. Coach K will expect him to stretch defenses this year as they play small ball. He has play making abilities and shooting touch that separate him from other players, accompanied with a high basketball IQ. Even though he is one of the better prospects, don’t expect him to carry his team to the Final Four as Duke’s talent level really drops off after Singler. Could be another crappy year for the Dookies but if they get another solid recruit next year, it could be enough to put them back in contender status. Look for Singler to get ACC rookie of the year.

7) Donte Greene (Syracuse) NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis

One and done - Yes

Syracuse hasn’t been this excited for a prospect since Carmelo Anthony. And again, they will praise him as the savior of Syracuse. However, until the recruiting process last year during the multiple High School All Star games, he was barely mentioned in the breath of this list of prospects. That is of course until the MacDonald’s and Jordan Classic games where he got game MVP in both. I’m still not sold on his consistency. One minute he seems to be making 3’s flawlessly and driving to the bucket and dunking with authority. The next he’s hardly visible on the court. It sounds a lot like Julian Wright Syndrome from Kansas. Look for the Orangemen to make the NCAA tourney as their bench is quite more solid than last year. Greene will be drafted in the top 10 next year, book it.

6) Kousta Koufos (Ohio State) NBA Comparison: Zydrunas Ilgauskas (with more mobility)

One and done? - No

Ohio State’s Coach Thad Matta has got a premium on centers or something. After a one and done with #1 pick Greg Oden, he gets a top 3 Center in the NCAA. Koufos wasn’t really mentioned much in the recruiting process like other prospects mentioned but exploded on to the scene this past summer. At the Under-18 European Championships playing for Greece, he led the tourney in points, rebounds and blocks and was named tournament MVP. Look for him to lead Ohio State to at least to the NCAA tourney.

5) Eric Gordon (Indiana) NBA Comparison – Baron Davis

One and done: Yes

If this guy was 3 inches taller he would be #1. At 6’4” the size advantage does scare scouts off, but now that I’ve mentioned the bad, let’s talk about the good. This guy is a total package, hybrid player. He has skill sets of many different players with the strength of Ron Artest, the shooting of Mitch Richmond, and the speed and quickness of NFL running backs(which he some what resembles). He could lead Indiana deep into the NCAA tourney with maybe even making the Elite Eight. David Stern will be calling his name come June. He may even get drafted in the NFL just in case. The Houston Texans definitely need a running back but they’re not that educated on the position (see Reggie Bush).

4) Kevin Love (UCLA) NBA Comparison – Wes Unseld/ Elton Brand

One and Done – Depends on if he wins a championship

Love could easily be the freshmen to lead UCLA to its next NCAA title. He’s got basketball genes with his father playing in the NBA and is a big-man with the type of intangibles that will change games he plays in. He constantly is a factor on the floor on the college level but the question scouts will ask is can he sustain that in the NBA? (I’m not quite a scout but isn’t that really what any one of them wants to know?) He is playing in an ideal situation where the bench is deep and the starters all have talent enough to be considered as NBA prospects. He has the best outlet pass I have ever seen which helps to ignite the fast break. On most NBA draft sites he’s ranked in the low teens but that will change once he leads UCLA to the Final Four. He gets drafted in the top 10 if he stays in the draft.

3) Michael Beasley (Kansas State) NBA comparison – Carmelo Anthony

One and Done – Yes

Symbolic to a beast on the offensive end, this guy can do it all. Drop-step hooks, fade-away jumpers, dunks in traffic. He’s got a big personality to go with it as he regularly talks smack to other players about how he’ll dunk on them but the best part is that he actually backs it up. Questions about his intensity surface as some games he looks bored because of the talent around him. He can rebound ferociously for a player his size at 6’9”. His draft status will circulate based on how far he carries his team but his sidekick Bill Walker (OJ Mayo’s High School teammate) will help carry the load with some Vince-Carter-like dunks as well. Kansas State could very well make the sweet sixteen or they could flame out and not even make the NCAA loser tourney, the NIT. Beasley will be a star in the NBA; it’s only a matter of time. But according to him, he already is.

2) OJ Mayo (USC) NBA Comparison – Gilbert Arenas

One and Done? – What do you think?

This guy could’ve been playing pro ball when he was in grade 11. He is scary good because of his ability to create his own shot. He is advanced beyond his years in ball handling but his point guard skills are questionable. Some feel he looks for his shot or the highlight play too much instead of the simple pass. He’s a scout’s dream for size, strength and talent in the point guard position but will he put it all together? We’ll if he can only keep his hands on the ball instead of punching people. Trouble just seems to follow this guy. He’s been reported to have punched 3 different teammates in the last 3 years along with an altercation with some students that made him transfer to another school. USC will be an ideal fit as he can be in the spotlight and handle the rock the whole time. He’ll average 30 points a game this year and USC games will all of a sudden get a huge boost in TV ratings. Basically doing what Lebron didn't have to (silly ol’ Stern). Right now it’s just a countdown to get him in the greenroom at Madison Square Garden and hear his name to be drafted.

1) Derrick Rose (Memphis) NBA Comparison – Gary Payton (with the hops of Steve Francis)

One and Done - Yes

He will be the best point guard in the NBA in 5 years. If you don’t know, then now ya know. His jump shot may have a little hitch, but that will improve as he matures and practices more. On the defensive end or on the fast break, he maintains a high intensity and makes the plays that win ballgames. He is a defensive hawk and has great point guard skills with blinding quickness that will separate him even on the NBA level. Memphis’ program will help him develop his PG skills even more, as in the past he’s been relied on more to score. His quiet personality and his leadership have been questioned….until the dying moments in the game where he makes a killer steal and soars for the dunk. You could say his play speaks for itself and he will make a Memphis a front-runner to make an NCAA title run in a weak C-USA conference.

Honorable mention:
DeAndre Jordan - Texas A&M
Blake Griffin - Oklahoma
JJ Hickson - NC State
Austin Daye - Gonzaga
Jeryyd Bayless - Arizona

All in all, the top three ranked players could shift at some point during the year due to impressive play or an injury. Freshmen regularly get left off the pre-season All-American teams by the press writers but it’ll be hard to keep them off the list by the end of the year. It should be an exciting season and an even more thrilling NCAA tournament as the talent in college keeps beefing up.

Friday's Fives

The following is the top and bottom five sports related things of the week.

Top Five

1. NHL 2007 Hall of Fame Class: Earlier in the week the NHL inducted possibly it's best class ever into the hockey Hall of Fame. Hard hitting defense man Scott Stevens, play maker Ron Francis, Al MacInnis, who has one of the hardest shots in the history of the game, and perhaps the best captain ever, the great Mark Messier.

2. The Return of Ricky: Ricky Williams is once again back in the NFL as he'll receive his second, second chance with the Dolphins after being suspended for smoking marijuana. It seems odd to me that a guy gets suspended for longer than a year for smoking pot, but a steroid user only receives four games. Considering the effects of each, the NFL's politics seem backwards.

3. Vincent Lecavalier: The Lightning center has scorched the league for 15 points in his last six games, and he now leads the league with 29 points.

4. UFC Signing: This week the UFC inked the 'African Assassin' Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. He's well known to hardcore MMA fans for his explosive knockout power, and he makes the stacked light heavyweight division even better.

5. The Boston Celtics: The Celtics on this list could be a trend all season if they keep playing like this. They're 7-0 so far this season, and their 'Big Three' has been unstoppable. We'll see how good they really are after a Western Conference road trip.

Bottom Five

5. Golden State Warriors: Last years dramatic playoff upset of the Mavs seems like a distant memory after an 0-6 start to the NBA season. The Warriors are the only winless team in the league and have lost four times at home.

4. San Francisco 49ers: So much for everyone's favorite sleeper pick going into the season. The 49ers were shut out 24-0 by the Seahawks on Monday night, and have averaged a league low 11.5 points per game. Their record stands at 2-7, and former first overall draft pick Alex Smith doesn't look like the answer at QB.

3. Indianapolis Colts: How's this for a rough week. They lose their second game in a row after Peyton Manning throws six interceptions, then a few days later their best defensive player Dwight Freeney gets injured for the season. Should we just gave the Patriots their Super Bowl rings now?

2. Jiri Tlusty: I'm usually a big fan of nude celebrity scandals. That's because it's usually women. Nude pics of the young Maple Leafs forward surfaced on the Internet a few days ago. Imagine how bad he's gonna get it from the boys in the locker room. In related news, has anyone seen the Paris Hilton video yet?

1. Barry Bonds: The final nail was put in Bonds's coffin after he was indicted of perjury. After all that's happened, Bonds's home run record seems more artificial than the stuff he was injecting into his body. People can say all they want about a witch hunt, but the bottom line is Bonds lied in court, and this proves without a doubt that he knowingly took steroids. Bonds's records and stats should be erased. I think it's fair to say that people won't care either way, just like when he set the record.

Somewhere in the Middle: So it looks like A-Rod will be back in pinstripes after agreeing to outline a 10 year $275 million dollar deal with the Yanks. The deal doesn't really seem to make sense, but either way it will be the richest deal in baseball history. It looks like A-Rod can go back to being the Yankees scapegoat for another 10 years!

Have a great weekend, and check in tomorrow to see who makes the list as the top prospects in college basketball this year.
-Joe Osborne

Video of the Day: One of the Best Commercials Ever

UFC 78 Preview and Predictions

UFC 78 is this Saturday night in New Jersey. The card is headlined by Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping, who are the winners of the Ultimate Fighter reality series seasons two and three. Most fight fans don't consider this fight to be of main event quality, but both fighters are undefeated in their MMA careers and have shown some excitement inside the octagon. Both fighters are relatively small for the 205 pound division, and each posses skills that could put them over the top. The winner of this fight will be catapulted towards the upper echelon of the division, while the loser could be downgraded to mid-card status and maybe consider a switch to the 185 pound weight class.

Although the main event may be considered somewhat lackluster, the under card has potential to be one of the best in recent UFC history. If you're a fan of stand up fighting then you won't want to miss Houston Alexander take on Thiago Silva. Both have several knockouts on their resume, and Alexander has shown he's one of the most explosive fighters in the UFC. Don't blink or you could miss something. Next up is UFC veteran Karo Parisyan vs. Ryo Chonan. Chonon is a relatively unknown in North America, but he's provided plenty of great fights in Pride. Parisyan could be considered a bit of a stepping stone for some of the top fighters in the 170 pound division, but he'll be hard to beat if his conditioning is top notch. In a lightweight battle, Spencer Fisher will take on Frank Edgar. Fisher is well known to fans as a tough stand-up fighter with a great chin while Edgar is primarily known for his work on the ground. Fisher has openly challenged Edgar to stand with him, so it should be interesting to see if he takes the bait.

The other fights on the card are: 155 lbs.- Joe Lauzon (15-3) vs. Jason Reinhardt (18-0), 185 lbs.- Ed Herman (13-5) vs. Joe Doerksen (39-10), 170 lbs.- Chris Lytle (24-14-5) vs. Thiago Alves (12-3), 155 lbs.- Marcus Aurelio (14-5) vs. Luke Caudillo (12-8), and 170 lbs. - Tamdan McCrory (8-0) vs. Akihiro Gono (27-12-1).

Main Fights Predictions

- Frank Edgar (7-0) vs. Spencer Fisher (20-3) - Fisher by stoppage in the 2nd Round.(Excitement Level: 4/5)

- Karo Parisyan (17-4) vs. Ryo Chonan (14-7) - Parisyan by split decision. (Excitement Level: 3/5)

- Houston Alexander (8-1) vs. Thiago Silva (11-0) – Alexander by KO in the 2nd Round. (Excitement Level: 5/5)

- Rashad Evans (10-0-1) vs. Michael Bisping (14-0) – Evans by unanimous decision. (Excitement Level: 2/5)

This UFC card is opposite of the past few cards, due to the fact that it lack superstar names and no titles are on the line. Those cards have been somewhat of a disappointment as the big names haven't lived up to the hype and fans didn't see the results they wanted. On paper UFC 78 doesn't seem all that extravagant, but it does have potential to be a fantastic card. Maybe this time around the fans will be surprised again, but this time in a good way. Have fun watching the event and remember that anything can happened inside the octagon.

Video of the Day: UFC 79 Trailer

This will be one of the most anticipated fight cards in UFC history.

Serious or Delirious: Paying A-Rod $300 Million

It's common knowledge that Alex Rodriguez and his agent Scott Boras will be looking for a ten year contract worth $300 million or more. I decided to look at both sides of the argument to see if paying A-Rod that much money is Serious or Delirious. Let the debate begin!

Serious

• Over his career A-Rod's stats are arguably among the best of all time, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down. This past season he had his highest home run total (54) since 2002 and his highest RBI total ever(156). He also finished the season with an impressive .422 on base percentage which is .33 points higher than his career average. Those stats combined with higher than average speed and an ability to wear out pitchers easily make him baseball's best offensive player. Plug him into any line-up and it will improve drastically.
  
• Whoever the big spender is, they won't have to worry about A-Rod's durability. In the past seven season's he's only missed an average of five games a season. Since most of his salary would be guaranteed money, as long as he played to his highest capabilities, the team will get what they paid for.
  
• From a marketing stand point signing him could be huge. A-Rod would guarantee more ticket sales and higher television ratings for any team he plays for. If Major League Baseball was smart they would market him as 'The Face of Baseball'. Baseball hasn't had a 'Face of Baseball' since Ken Griffey Jr. left the Mariners. Having A-Rod as it's main man would generate lots of revenue for whatever team he signs with.
  
• There's a very good chance that A-Rod could break the all-time home run record. As one of my readers pointed out last week A-Rod has 517 career home runs at the age of 32, while Barry Bonds didn't hit his 500th until he was 36. If A-Rod breaks the record he won't do so under a shadow of steroid conspiracy, and his legacy and the team he did it for would forever be remembered.

Delirious

• As good as he is during the regular season, A-Rod has been just as bad during the playoffs. He's proved to be extremely inconsistent during the playoffs, and his numbers have been horrendous. So basically he's proved that he has what it takes to help a team reach the playoffs, but once their there, he's a write off. He still had plenty of time to make up for his lack of post season success, but for $300 million you'd think you'd be getting a proven, clutch playoff performer.
  
• When A-Rod signed with the Rangers seven seasons ago to become the richest baseball player ever, the Rangers became one of the worst teams in the league for several seasons. Having one superstar player on your roster won't make a huge difference in the win/loss column. Unless he signed with a team like the Red Sox and Mets, that team won't have a whole lot of left over money to maintain or go after other proven talent. Baseball isn't like basketball where one player can control the course of a game. A roster needs more than one good player, because he'll only have four at bats a game, then the rest is up to the other players on the team.
  
• A-Rod isn't necessarily the best liked player in baseball. Whether it's yelling at a third basemen try to catch a pop fly, his reputation for dividing a clubhouse, or for the many other reasons, there's no guarantee that fans in any city will like him. His arrogance and narcissist personality don't make him easy or fun to cheer for.
  
• If A-Rod's numbers start to go south, and they will with age then you're stuck paying him all that money. The last time A-Rod signed a huge 10 year contract like he's supposed to this winter, it blew up in the Texas Rangers face. They ended up trading him after only three seasons, and still needed to pay a huge chunk of his contract. Is the risk worth the reward?
  

Final Verdict: Delirious! There's no way you can justify paying this guy $300 million. Is A-Rod a great player? Yes, he's one of the best of all-time, but halfway through a ten year deal he'll be 37 and his best year will be behind him. Baseball's most clutch player David Ortiz made a little more than $13 million in 2007. Is A-Rod worth more than double than Big Papi? I don't think so. The team that signs A-Rod could very easily find themselves closer to the basement that to a Pennant Race. Add all this to the fact that he's known around the league as a playoff choker, and the dollars don't add up.

Video of the Day: Mascot Madness