There is plenty of insight and advice surrounding the NCAA basketball tournament. Last year I put together 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 is significant. It is obvious with the last three title teams.
In 2005, title winner North Carolina had four first round draft picks (May, McCants, Williams, Felton). The Tar Heels beat Illinois who had Deron Williams and Luther Head - both enjoying NBA success. 2006 and 2007 champion, Florida, had three top 10 picks (Noah, Horford, Brewer). And last year they beat a team with Greg Oden and Mike Conley who were both picked in the top five. Here is the list of title contending teams with future NBA players currently playing on their rosters.
1. Memphis -- Memphis is this year's version of '06 Florida or '05's UNC. Derrick Rose is projected to go right behind Beasley as No. 2 overall in next year's draft with teammates Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey also eyeing the first round. Not to mention that John Calipari spent four years in the pro's as a head coach for the Nets and as an assistant for the 76ers.
2. North Carolina -- The Tar Heels haven't been able to show their professional potential due to some nagging injuries and a tough schedule, but Roy Williams has certainly recruited next level talent. In what is shaping up to be a title-team, guard Ty Lawson and forward Tyler Hansbrough are both projected as first round picks in June. Wayne Ellington, Will Graves, Marcus Ginyard and Danny Green also have hope of someday making it to the NBA.
3. Kansas -- Just a year ago the Jayhawks ranked fourth on my list of teams with future pro's looking for tourney success thanks to top 10 pick Julian Wright. Kansas is back in the hunt again this year thanks to a few pro's who decided to stick around. Sophomore power forward Darrell Arthur, senior power forward Darnell Jackson and junior shooting guard Brandon Rush are all projected to be drafted as part of the '08 draft class. While junior point guard Mario Chalmers could make a nice first round pick in '09.
4. UCLA -- Kevin Love might be the sexy pick, but UCLA has plenty of other players who are looking to cash NBA paychecks someday. In fact, NBADraft.net has Russell Westbrook going eighth, Kevin Love 16th, Darren Collison 17th, Richard Mbah a Moute 39th and Josh Shipp 44th.
5. Arizona -- Thanks to Luke Olson's way of recruiting, Arizona seems to always have NBA talent. And like last year, it comes as a surprise to consider the Wildcats as a title contender when they are on the bubble of even making the big dance. According the DraftExpress.com, Arizona has the third overall pick playing for them right now. Jerryd Bayless has seen his stock rise recently and is now projected as a lottery pick. Chase Budinger could be drafted in the top 10 and Jordan Hill could go in the top 10 next year.
6. Kansas State -- Michael Beasley could single handedly lead this team to a title. Beasley is projected as next year's No. 1 overall while Bill Walker could be a first round pick in June.
7. Texas -- Don't overlook the Longhorns title shot this season because they lost the No. 2 overall pick last year since Texas could have another lottery pick with D.J. Augustin. Not to mention they could send A.J. Abrams and Damion James to the pro's in '09.
8. USC -- The Trojans are trying to prove they aren't just a football program by recruiting professional level talent to play on the hardwood. O.J. Mayo, Taj Gibson and Davon Jefferson will play in the NBA.
9. Georgetown -- Roy Hibbert's draft status has dropped significantly with the quiet effort he's put together this season. Once considered a top three pick, Hibbert is written in as the No. 11th overall pick on DraftExpress. Regardless, the 7'2" swat artist will surely spend many a minute on an NBA floor. It's too bad he doesn't have swingman Jeff Green to help with this year's championship chase.
10. Duke -- Duke might not have the NBA ready team that UNC or UCLA possesses, but they could down the road. With no Blue Devil projected in the first two rounds of this upcoming draft, Duke might have to wait a year or two before the current roster can make it to the top of this list.
Other Teams to Watch:
Indiana -- Eric Gordon could be a top five pick and D.J. White will be an NBA baller.
California -- DeVon Hardin and Ryan Anderson are projected as first rounders.
UCONN -- Hasheem Thabeet has played well enough this season to get some looks from the NBA and should make for a top 20 pick (he's actually ahead of Hibbert on NBADraft.net right now). A.J. Price will be in the same position as Thabeet next season.
Stanford -- Brook and Robin Lopez both hope to use their 7-foot frames to make it to the NBA, but before they do they could lead the Cardinal on a serious tourney run.
Tennessee -- Tyler Smith could be taken in the first round this year, the Vols are full of talent and pro potential.
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