There is plenty of insight and advice surrounding the NCAA basketball tournament. I have yet to see a list of potential title contenders based on having future NBA athletes on their roster. I did some research and have discovered the importance of having future NBAers. It is obvious with the last two title teams.
In 2005, title winner North Carolina had 4 first round draft picks (May, McCants, Williams, Felton). The Tar Heels beat Illinois who had Deron Williams and Luther Head - both tearing it up in the league this year. Last year's Florida team aka this year's team has 3 potential top 10 picks (Noah, Horford, Brewer). Here is the list of this year's teams with future NBA players currently playing on their rosters.
1. Florida -
Draft express currently has Noah going 3rd, Horford 7th and Brewer 11th. Florida athletes are all over the NBA. Florida guard Taurean Green is currently listed at 7th pick overall in the 2nd round. We all know what this roster is capable of.
2. North Carolina -
It is no fluke UNC has a bunch of future NBA players. Recruiting is pretty easy for Roy Williams, when all he needs to do to land a hot high school senior is point to the rafters or ask MJ to make a phone call. This roster has 2 potential first round picks in Branden Wight and Tyler Hansbrough as well as having Reyshawn Terry who is projected to be a second round pick this year if he chooses to go to the NBA.
3. Arizona -
This may come as a surprise, but right now on Arizona has 3 potential draft picks in this upcoming draft playing right now. The best of these 3 being sophomore guard Marcus Williams. At 6-7, Williams has the length to compete in the NBA and is projected to land in the top 20. Wildcats freshman Chase Budinger has declared he will return, but he will play professionally. Seniors Mustafa Shakur and Ivan Radenovic are both projected to go ahead of Florida's Taurean Green as a late first round early second round picks.
4. Kansas -
Kansas has a couple of future pro's. The most influential for this year's run at the title is sophomore Julian Wright. Wright has been on fire - including the game-winning block today against Texas. Brandon Rush will soon join his brother Kareem in the NBA. Rush, a sophomore, is projected as a top 20 pick and is thought to have a much brighter NBA future than his brother.
5. Georgetown -
The winning tourney team usually has a strong big man. 7-2 Junior Roy Hibbert is that man (not to mention they have Ewing Jr. - most likely a future pro). Roy Hibbert is currently 10th overall on draftexpress. Hibbert is not the only future NBA player on the Hoya roster. Forward Jeff Green is projected to go higher than a lot of really good players.
6. Ohio State -
Greg Oden will likely go #1 in the upcoming draft. Conley is also a solid guard that could easily dribble in the NBA someday. The Buckeye bench has a lot of role-players who have NBA talent.
7. Texas -
Much like Ohio State, they have a guard / big man combo worthy of NBA consideration. Kevin Durant might go #1, but D.J. Agustin has been showing his ability to bail out the Longhorns when the double goes to Durant. If you are thinking about making the Carmelo comparison - remember that Syracuse didn't beat Kansas (who had Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich, both professionals) without the help from future first round draft pick Hakim Warrick.
8. Duke -
Josh McRoberts may need to improve on a few things, but he is projected to go in the top 10 of the 2007 NBA draft. This year's Duke team might not have the outstanding talent like past Duke teams, but coach K has likely recruited talented players - just maybe not good enough for this year's draft.
9. Wisconsin -
Alando Tucker might win the player of the year, but this doesn't equate to him having next level ability. Tucker has lead the Badgers as a super-senior and might be the most mature first round draft pick. His projected position barely puts him in the first round, but he can likely improve his stock during the NCAA tourney.
10. Nevada -
Nick Fazkekas is going to be writing a lot of NBA checks. His 6-11 frame allows him to shoot over defenders. He can handle the ball, pass and rebound as well as shoot. Nevada is currently ranked in the top 10 because of Fazekas.
Other teams to watch for:
Syracuse - Demetris Nichols, F, Sr and Darryl Watkins, C, Sr
Texas A&M - Acie Law, G, Sr
Pittsburgh - Aaron Gray, C, Sr
Marquette - Dominic James, G, So
Washington - Spencer Hawes, C, Fr
Oregon - Aaron Brooks, G, Sr
Florida State - Al Thornton, PF, Sr
USC - Nick Young, SF, Jr
Boston College - Jared Dudley, F, Sr
UCLA - Aaron Affalo, G, Jr
