College basketball season is closing in on us and the Road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to continue my look at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value at the next level.

(You can read previous entries here:  Part I; Part II; Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

O.D. Anosike, Siena, Forward, 6’8, 241

15.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.0 bpg, 52.4 FG%, 56.4 FT%

Anosike, the NCAA’s leading rebounder last season, has slowly developed into a very good all-around player.  He is an active defender, able to cover a lot of ground between the perimeter and the post.  Even in Siena’s zone, Anosike covers a large area.  His rebounding instincts are fantastic, anticipating where misses where go, getting to the spot quickly and going strong after the ball.  On offense, he plays well between the high and low posts, and has shown good footwork once he gets the ball.  He doesn’t force many bad shots and sees the floor well, especially after facing up to the basket.  Anosike runs the floor well and is capable of finishing in transition.

What he needs to show this season: Anosike makes many plays off of instinct, but his skill development still needs to continue.  He needs to learn to use his body better to establish position on both ends of the floor.  His shooting touch around the basket needs to improve, as well as his overall shot.  Whether shooting a short hook, a short jumper, or a free throw, Anosike doesn’t get enough arc on his shot and it comes out more like a line drive right at the rim.  Defensively, Anosike also needs to react better as a help defender and look to step in and challenge more when a player gets into the lane.

Ed Daniel, Murray State, Forward, 6’7, 215

6.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 57.8 FG%, 59.5 FT%

The statistics may not say it, but Daniel was a hugely important part of Murray State’s big season last year.  It starts with his strong screening on the perimeter, often being the man who gives Isaiah Canaan enough space to get his jumper off.  When he catches the ball around the rim, he is efficient and has the ability to finish strong.  Daniel does a good job crashing the offensive glass, and in general, he is always looking to make plays when he can.  He is a strong defender who can handle guarding bigger players.   Daniel is also a good help defender and does a strong job challenging shots around the basket.

What he needs to show this season: Daniel will need to become more involved on the offensive end this year, especially with the loss of Ivan Aska.  Daniel needs to look to set position early and use his body to seal the defender.  His footwork and ballhandling around the basket needs to be more polished and he needs to improve his touch.  He has improved his mid-range jumper, he will just need to become consistent.  Decision making will also need to improve on the offensive end, including anticipating help defenders and getting rid of the ball quickly.  On the defensive end, he needs to show that he can guard on the perimeter, positioning himself well and improving his lateral movement.

Kevin Dillard, Dayton, Guard, 6’0, 182

13.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 41.2 FG%, 82.7 FT%, 32.5 3FG%, 2.1:1 A/TO

Dillard had a very strong first season with the Dayton program.  He is very quick and pushes the ball well, but shows good patience when running the Flyers’ offense.  He is a strong ballhandler and has very good court vision.  Dillard is an excellent passer out of pick-and-roll situations, picking up the rotation quickly and finding an open man.  He uses his dribble well to create space for his jumper or to break down the defender and get into the lane.  On the defensive end, Dillard has quick hands and can time his steal attempts well.  He also does a good job getting over screens on the perimeter.

What he needs to show this season:  On the defensive side, Dillard has to work on improving his lateral movement and keeping his man in front of him.  Often, he is content to try and swipe at the ball looking for the steal instead of working to keep his man out of the lane.    Offensively, Dillard does a good job getting into the lane but he has trouble finishing his move to the basket.  He will often bail out and look to pass before the defense has even fully rotated to help.  He needs to be more aggressive and look to draw contact and get to the free throw line.  Dillard also needs to work on getting his jumper off quicker and using screens more effectively to get his shot off.

Gregory Echinique, Creighton, Center, 6’9, 270

9.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 60.7 FG%, 66.9 FT%

Echinique has been a steady post player for Creighton over the past 2 seasons.  He uses his wide body well to establish position in the post on both ends of the floor.  Echinique has good hands and is efficient when he gets the ball deep in the post.  He is a solid screener on the perimeter and he opens up well to the ball as he rolls to the basket.  He uses his lower body strength to back players down as he makes his move to the basket.  Echinique is active on the defensive end, moving easily between the post and the perimeter.  He moves his feet well for his size and has improved his ability to use his feet to cut off quicker post players.

What he needs to show this season: It will be tough for Echinique to show much more than he has done already.  With a scorer such as Doug McDermott, Echinique just needs to make sure that he makes himself available when he is needed, screens well on the perimeter, and hits the offensive glass hard.  Defensively, he needs to do a better job hedging and then recovering in pick-and-roll situations.  Also, he needs to do a better job establishing position and using his body to secure rebounds.

Richard Howell, North Carolina State, Forward, 6’8, 257

10.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 48.9 FG%, 63.6 FT%

While not flashy, Howell has been a big part of the Wolfpack’s resurgence on the national basketball scene.  He is strong and likes to play physical.  On the defensive side, he holds his position well and works hard to force his man away from the basket.  He anticipates missed shots well and uses his body to get position for the rebound, on both ends of the floor.  He sets solid position in the post on offense and uses his body well to make a strong to move to the rim.  He is a solid screener on the perimeter and can be an option in pick-and-roll situations.

What he needs to show this season: On offense, Howell has the right idea looking to face up against bigger defenders, but he needs to improve his short jumper and his ballhandling skills to be able to make it pay off.  His athleticism is limited, so he needs to be more creative in looking to get good shots off against bigger post players.  On the defensive side, he needs to work on his foot speed and reacting as a help defender.  He is often late to react and a step or two behind, often leading him to getting unnecessary fouls.  Also, he will need to show that he is capable of guarding effectively on the perimeter.

Kerron Johnson, Belmont, Guard, 6’1, 175

13.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 52.0 FG%, 76.6 FT%, 31.2 3FG%, 2.2:1 A/TO

Johnson has done a very good job leading Belmont to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.  Now with a move to the Ohio Valley Conference, Johnson will be playing against a much more talented group of conference opponents.  Johnson is a good ballhandler, sees the floor well, and is patient as the Belmont offense runs through its motions.  He is a good passer in pick-and-roll situations, and he also has the ability to come off of screens quickly and get into the lane.  Johnson doesn’t shy away from contact and is a decent free-throw shooter.  On the defensive end, Johnson moves his feet well and has quick hands.  He is very good at guarding out in space, and he has the ability to time his steal attempts perfectly.  He pushes the ball well in transition and does a good job drawing the defense before finding an open teammate.

What he needs to show this season: The Belmont offense does not allow for all that much individual offense, such as letting Johnson clear it out and take his man to the basket.  He has a good first step, but doesn’t get much of a chance to show it.  He needs to work on developing a consistent mid-range and long-range jumper.  Along with that, he needs to also work on using his dribble to clear space for his shot.  On the defensive side, Johnson needs to do a much better job working through screens, especially getting over them on the perimeter and not getting caught in them when guarding off the ball.

Check back soon as I wrap up my look at the seniors, as well as continuing my look at the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About 6 weeks until the first games of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to start my look at this year’s junior class and give some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their appeal to the NBA if they choose to leave school.

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.   Some of these players are already pro candidates, while others will clearly need a senior season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Doug McDermott, Creighton, Forward, 6’8, 225

22.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 60.1 FG%, 79.6 FT%, 48.6 3FG%

McDermott, one of the best scorers in the nation, is also one of the most versatile offensive threats.  He is a good perimeter shooter, can post up other small forwards, or can face up and drive to the basket.  He uses his body well in the post to create space in the post, and while not quick, he is aggressive going to the basket, and can finish with either hand around the basket.  He understands the value of court spacing and looks to identify mismatches and gaps in the defense.  He is a good rebounder, blocking out well, and going strong after the ball.

What he needs to show this season: Defensively, McDermott needs to work on his foot speed and lateral movement.  He also needs to react better to the offensive players’ movements.   He has difficulty getting caught out of position in pick-and-roll situations.  On the offensive side, McDermott needs to work on his explosiveness going to the basket.  He uses his ball fakes and his dribble well, but defenders in the NBA will react much quicker, so he needs to be quicker with his movements.  Also, he does a great job drawing defenders, but he needs to work on becoming a better passer when he gets caught in the help defense.

Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, Forward, 6’7, 225

15.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 52.1 FG%, 75.5 FT%, 34.5 3FG%

Thomas emerged as a crucial scoring threat for the Buckeyes last season and should be able to build on that further with the loss of William Buford and Jared Sullinger.  He has a strong mid-range jumper and can be tough out of the high post.  Thomas is a bull on the offensive glass, using a combination of his quick jumping ability and strong body to get to the ball quickly and to get good shots off these rebounds.  Thomas is also able to hit the spot up jumper from deep.  He is versatile on the defensive side, able to guard both the 3 and 4 positions.

What he needs to show this season: Thomas needs to show that he can be a more versatile scorer, especially if he is going to be the Buckeyes’ main threat.  He has to improve his ballhandling skills and be able to take the ball from the perimeter to the basket.  Also, he needs to be more consistent with his long-range jumper, as well as being able to his jumper off the dribble.  He will need to become a better defender, especially on the perimeter, moving his feet and working on his positioning.  In the post, he needs to use his lower body to force players away from the basket.

Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, Guard, 6’7, 205

8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 42.8 FG%, 72.7 FT%, 38.2 3FG%

Bullock came back strong last season after missing the end of his freshman year due to knee surgery.  Bullock has great size at the shooting guard position and is able to easily shoot over most defenders.  He is a good spot-up shooter and can also hit his jumper off the dribble.  As with most Carolina players, he runs the floor very well, and he does a great job spotting up on the wings in transition.  He is a smart defender and positions himself well.

What he needs to show this season:  With the loss of Barnes, Marshall, Zeller and Henson, Bullock will need to step up into a much bigger role this season.  Acting as mainly a spot-up shooter will no longer be an option.  Bullock will need to diversify his offensive game, using his size to get to the basket as well as hitting the mid-range jumper off the dribble.  Along with this, Bullock should become more aggressive, realizing he is now one of the main options.  On the defensive end, Bullock should have even more of his quickness and reaction speed back after a full 18 months removed from his surgery.

Joe Jackson, Memphis, Guard, 6’1, 171

11.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.2 spg, 41.9 FG%, 83.7 FT%, 30.2 3FG%, 1.6:1 A/TO

Jackson’s college career has yet to live up to the hype when he chose to stay home in Memphis to play for the Tigers.  Jackson is very quick and can get past defenders off the dribble fairly easily.  He sees the court well, has a very good handle and uses both hands very well.  He is very good in the open floor and looks to get to the rim at almost every opportunity.  His defense is fundamentally sound – he stays low, moves his feet well, and positions himself well on and off the ball.

What he needs to show this season: Control and decision-making are Jackson’s biggest issues.  Often, he gets into the defense so quickly, that he doesn’t anticipate where the help is coming from and where his options will be.  He often forces bad shots in traffic, though he doesn’t shy away from contact.  He spent too much time playing off the ball last season, and he needs to show that he can be the point guard that runs the offense efficiently.  He also needs to improve his jumper, especially working on his release point.  At his size, he is going to have a tough time getting good shots off with such a low release on his jumper.

Devon Saddler, Delaware, Guard, 6’2, 205

18.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 39.1 FG%, 80.2 FT%, 31.1 3FG%

Saddler is coming a very good sophomore season when he emerged as one of the top scorers in the country.  He is solidly built and uses his body well when attacking the basket.  He can finish in a variety of ways and can handle contact while still getting his shot off.  He uses screens well to get open, especially getting his jumper off quick coming off of screens.  When he gets his body square, Saddler can hit his jumper well beyond the 3-point line.  He is a good on-ball defender, moving his feet well and forcing his man away from the lane.  He rebounds well for his size, especially doing a good job boxing out once a shot goes up.

What he needs to show this season: Saddler didn’t adjust well being the focus of opposing defenses.  His shot selection was poor, especially from long-range.  He was in such a hurry to get his jumper off that many times he never came close to getting square.  Also, being much stronger than many who guarded him, he would just try and force his way to the basket.  He has to do a better job recognizing the help defenders and either pulling up for a short jumper or kicking the ball out to an open teammate.  On the defensive side, Saddler needs to do a better job as a help defender, rotating quickly, especially in pick-and-roll situations, and positioning himself better to provide some help in the lane.

Andre Roberson, Colorado, Guard/Forward, 6’7, 210

11.6 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.9 bpg, 51.0 FG%, 61.4 FT%, 38.0 3FG%

Roberson is long and athletic, and uses both to his advantage, especially on the defensive end and rebounding.  He has good footwork and is able to guard multiple positions.  He uses his long reach to deny passing lanes well and is developing into a good shot-blocker.  Roberson is a unique offensive player, using mismatches to his advantage in the post and using his athleticism to make plays above the rim.  He works hard on the offensive glass, and does a great job keeping balls alive until he can get a handle on them.  He runs the floor well and does a good job getting to the rim and finishing.

What he needs to show this season: As unique as Roberson is on the offensive end, he is still very raw skill wise.  His jumper is inconsistent and his shot selection can be poor.  He needs to improve his ballhandling skills so he can take the ball from the perimeter or facing up in the post to the basket.  He draws contact well, but he needs to be able to convert his free throws at a higher rate.  Defensively, Roberson will need to continue to improve as a perimeter defender, especially working on moving his feet and anticipating the offensive player’s moves.

Check back soon for the next group of seniors, as well as some more from the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About 6 weeks until the first games of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to continue my look at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value at the next level.

(You can read previous entries here:  Part I; Part II; Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Jack Cooley, Notre Dame, Forward, 6’9, 244

12.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 62.4 FG%, 67.4 FT%

Cooley, who originally made his name as a Luke Harangody look-alike in South Bend, emerged last season as a legitimate inside presence for the Irish.  He is a physical player, uses his body well on both ends of the floor, and understands his role in the Notre Dame offense.  He is a solid screener on the perimeter and is a good option on the pick-and-roll.  He has a good touch around the basket and is able to finish with both hands.  He rebounds well, using his body to establish position and going strong after the ball.

What he needs to show this season: Cooley is ready to take the next step and become a legitimate go-to scoring option for Notre Dame.  While he was the Irish’s leading scorer, his points usually came off of defensive breakdowns or when the defense focused on stopping the perimeter shooters.  Now, Cooley needs to step up and be the man the offense revolves around.  His athleticism isn’t great, and he really needs to improve his foot speed and the speed of his post moves.  Also, improved foot speed will help him on the defensive end, both in stopping quicker post players and in helping him guard on the perimeter and in pick-and-roll situations.

D.J. Cooper, Ohio, Guard, 5’11, 176

14.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.3 spg, 34.8 FG%, 74.5 FT%, 30.7 3FG%, 2:1 A/TO

Cooper has made a name for himself at the national level with his play in the 2010 and 2012 NCAA Tournaments.  The lefty scorer has shown that he thrives in big moments and wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line.  He has good speed and he uses it well to get into the lane.  He uses screens well to create separation, either coming off them quickly to go to the rim or to give him space for his jumper.  He has good range on his shot, and is able to hit from mid and long-range.  Once in the lane, he does a good job avoiding the defense and hitting the short jumper or floater.  On the defensive end, he has good instincts and jumps passing lanes well.  He has quick hands and can make plays as a help defender.

What he needs to show this season: Cooper sees the court well and runs the Ohio offense well, but when he has the ball, he is looking to score first and then pass if he is stopped, especially in pick-and-roll situations.  He draws the defense well, but he needs to be quicker making decisions and finding open teammates.  Along with this, making better decisions should extend to his shot selection, especially not forcing bad shots in the lane.  On the defensive end, Cooper needs to improve his lateral movement when on the ball, as well as doing a better job getting over screens.

Abdul Gaddy, Washington, Guard, 6’3, 195

8.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.2 apg, 39.8 FG%, 69.1 FT%, 33 FG%, 2.4:1 A/TO

One year removed from an ACL injury, Gaddy came back and had a strong season, adding an element of control to a Washington backcourt that featured Tony Wroten and Terrence Ross.  Gaddy is a very strong defender, both on and off the ball.  He positions himself well and has good lateral movement.  He has strong instincts and can force his man into poor decisions.  On offense, he is a patient point guard, letting plays develop before he makes a decision.  He makes good decisions, sees the floor well, and gets teammates the ball where they can make a play.

What he needs to show this season:  The loss of Ross and Wroten to the NBA will affect Gaddy in a few ways.  Most important, he will need to become more of a playmaker instead of just waiting for one of those two to get open.  Gaddy will need to force the defense to play him and create openings for a team that has few experienced scorers.  As part of this, Gaddy will need to become more of a scoring threat himself.  Though he doesn’t have great explosiveness, he can break defenders down off the dribble and get to the basket, where he uses his body well to get his shot off.  Also, Gaddy needs to develop a more consistent jumper from both mid and long-range.

CJ Harris, Wake Forest, Guard, 6’3, 190

16.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg, 47.7 FG%, 84.4 FT%, 42.2 3FG%, 1:1 A/TO

Harris has been one of the few bright spots for the Demon Deacons over the past few seasons.  A versatile scorer, Harris is comfortable driving to the rim or hitting the long-range jumper.  He is aggressive with the ball and is good at creating space for his shots.  Playing mostly off-guard, Harris does a very good job without the ball looking to get open, using screens and cutting effectively.  He chooses his spots wisely and doesn’t take many bad shots.  On the defensive end, Harris plays well off the ball, denying passing lanes and keeping good position.  He moves his feet well and works hard to get through screens.

What he needs to show this season: With Tony Chennault gone, Harris will be relied upon more to work at the point than he did last season.  He is capable, but his mentality is a scorers’.  He should look to hit the open man when he draws help in the lane instead of trying to get shots off in traffic.  He also could improve his consistency with his jumper off the dribble, as he tends to float once he goes up for his shot.  Defensively, he plays good defense, but usually enough to not get beat.  I would like to see him step it up and pressure the ball more this season.

Christian Watford, Indiana, Forward, 6’9, 232

12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 41.6 FG%, 81.5 FT%, 43.7 3FG%

Watford made himself a fan-favorite throughout the country with his last-second three-pointer to beat Kentucky in December.  While the rest of his season had some up’s and down’s, he had a very good March as Indiana got back to the NCAA Tournament.  With the emergence of Cody Zeller on the interior, Watford spent more time playing on the perimeter, but he handled himself well.  He can knock down the open jumper from long range and is capable of beating some players off the dribble.  He is still at his best when setting up in the high or low post and facing up to the basket.  He handles contact well and is a good free throw shooter.  He works hard on the defensive end and goes strong after missed shots.

What he needs to show this season: Watford has a strong body, but he needs to be more physical, especially when defending in the post.  Also, while his footwork looks good on the offensive end, he doesn’t have the same fluid movements defensively.  On the perimeter, he needs to be more aware of who he is guarding and making sure to get out on shooters.  Watford should also look to crash the boards more, especially on the defensive end.

D.J. Seeley, Cal State – Fullerton, Guard, 6’4, 195

17.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 43.9 FG%, 73.1 FT%, 43.4 3FG%

Seeley made the most of his first year at CSF after sitting out a year (transfer from California).  He thrives in a fast paced game, but has shown the ability to attack the basket in halfcourt offenses.  He has a very good first step and gets into the lane quickly, with the ability to finish with either hand.  Seeley is also a good spot-up shooter from long-range, having a quick, fluid stroke.  He is active on the boards for his size, and is quick to get to missed shots.  He is a good on-ball defender, moving his feet well and forcing his man away from the basket area.    He can either push the ball or run the wings in transition, and is quick to the basket.

What he needs to show this season: Seeley is quick and moves well, but I want to see him do a better job moving without the ball, looking to hit open spots and create separation from his man.  Also, I want to see him improve his ballhandling enough to where he can use his dribble to create space for his jumper, as well as create shots for his teammates.  He needs to start to add a mid-range jumper to his offensive arsenal, as he will not get into the lane as easily at the next level.  On the defensive end, Seeley has to be more conscious of his positioning off the ball.  He has a tendency to roam and get turned around against motion offenses.

Check back soon for the next group of seniors, as well as the start of a look at the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About 2 months from the first games of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to continue my look at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value at the next level.

(You can read previous entries here:  Part I; Part II; Part III, Part IV, Part V)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Jackie Carmichael, Illinois State, Forward, 6’9, 240

13.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 53.3 FG%, 71.4 FT%

Many hoops fans may not know the name Jackie Carmichael, but he is in position to have the kind of season to make everyone take notice.  A physical presence on both ends of the court, Carmichael has developed a versatile offensive game to go with his NBA body.  He has good hands and can finish strong or show nice touch around the basket.  He understands his role in the pick and roll – setting solid screens and opening up quickly to the ball.  Carmichael can hit the short jumper out to 10 feet and occasionally will take the ball off the dribble to the basket.  He is a strong rebounder on both ends, chasing down missed shots and securing the ball.  He plays tough in the post on defense and doesn’t back down against anybody.

What he needs to show this season: On the offensive end, Carmichael has to continue to develop the finer points to his offensive game.  His footwork and post moves need polishing, and more important, he needs to be aggressive in working towards the basket.  He will often settle for getting forced away from the basket and shooting from 6-10 feet instead of 2-3 feet from the basket.  Along with this, Carmichael needs to use his lower body better to establish position in the post, looking to get as deep as possible to make a quick move.  He draws a lot of attention around the post and he needs to anticipate double teams better and look to get the ball to the open man.  Defensively, he needs to improve his pick and roll defense, hedging and rotating back to his man.

Drew Crawford, Northwestern, Guard, 6’5, 210

16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 48.4 FG%, 70.7 FT%, 41.2 3FG%

Teammate John Shurna received most of the attention last season, but Crawford’s play earned him the respect of many who watched as Northwestern looked to secure an NCAA bid.  Shurna is gone, but Crawford should build on last season’s numbers.  Crawford is a very good perimeter shooter, able to spot-up well beyond the 3-point line, or to hit his jumper off the bounce or coming off of screens.  He has a good Basketball IQ and the Northwestern version of the Princeton offense has taught him to understand the value of spacing on the court.  He moves well without the ball and sees the floor well, making good passes and getting to open spots quickly.  His on-ball defense improved last season, and he does a good job denying passing lanes off the ball.  He likes to hit the boards and uses his body well to battle for missed shots.

What he needs to show this season: The Northwestern offense may be very methodical in looking for shots, but Crawford should look to be more explosive going to the basket off the dribble.  He also should use his body better to handle contact and get his shot off.  He is a decent ballhandler, but he should use his dribble better to create space for his jumper.  While his defense has improved, he still needs to work on his lateral quickness and getting over screens on the perimeter.

Lamont “MoMo” Jones, Iona, Guard, 6’0, 196

15.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 45.8 FG%, 78.0 FT%, 35.3 3FG%, 1.3:1 A/TO

Jones came to Iona last season after 2 years running the point for Arizona but mainly played off-guard next to Scott Machado.  Machado is gone and Jones should have little trouble keeping the Gaels moving in their fast-paced offense.  Jones has great speed, a good handle, and is very good in the open floor.  He has a good first step and can get to the rim or hit the short jumper.  He does a good job drawing defenders in the lane and finding an open teammate.  Defensively, Jones plays good on-ball defense and can pressure the ball full-court.

What he needs to show this season:  Jones can push the ball like Machado did last season, but he needs to remember that his strength lies in attacking the lane in the half-court and scoring or drawing the D and kicking the ball out.  He needs to improve his decision-making, especially as the pace picks up.  On the defensive end, Jones needs to work on his lateral movement, keeping his man in front of him and out of the lane, as well as working harder to get over screens.

Jeronne Maymon, Tennessee, Forward, 6’7, 265

12.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 55.8 FG%, 65.8 FT%

Maymon has been a consistent presence as Cuonzo Martin continues to get the Volunteers back towards the top of SEC.  He is a wide-body, but he moves well for his size.  He has good hands and a nice touch around the basket.  Maymon is a solid screener and runs the pick and roll well.  He is a strong rebounder on both ends, using his body to create space and boxing out well before going after the ball.  Defensively, he uses his weight well and it allows him to be effective against taller players.  Maymon has also improved as a perimeter defender, positioning himself well and moving his feet better.

What he needs to show this season: Maymon doesn’t have a lot of speed, and while his footwork is good for his size, it can still improve.  He should look to pattern his offensive skills in a way like Jared Sullinger did.  Improve his post moves, look for angles and use the backboard to get good shots off against more athletic defenders.  He should also look to developing a consistent mid-range jumper to help draw defenders out from the rim or to allow him to play in the high post.  On the defensive end, I want to see him be even more physical than he is now, especially using his lower body to force offensive players away from the rim.  Meanwhile, he should continue to work on his footwork to guard against quicker players.

Mike Muscala, Bucknell, Forward/Center, 6’11, 234

17.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.7 bpg, 50.4 FG%, 85.3 FT%, 35.0 3FG (20 attempts)

Muscala is looking to cap off a stellar college career by getting Bucknell back to the NCAA Tournament for the 2^nd time in his 4 years.  He is a highly-skilled big man, able to play on the perimeter or with his back to the basket.  In the post, he has very good footwork and is able to finish with either hand around the basket.  He has the ability to face-up and knock down the mid-range jumper.  He sees the floor well and is a good passer out of the post.  On the defensive end, he also moves his feet well and does a good job altering and blocking shots.

What he needs to show this season: Muscala is able to have his way in the Patriot League based on his skill level, but to play at the next level, he will need to work on his strength and speed.  He needs to be more aggressive on both ends of the floor.  Defending the post, he needs to use his body better to keep players off the blocks and work on his defensive footwork.  On the offensive end, I want to see him become more consistent with his jumper, and look to increase his consistency at longer ranges.

Jeff Withey, Kansas, Center, 7’0, 235

8.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.5 bpg, 54.0 FG%, 79.7 FT%

Withey emerged last season as a strong defensive presence on a Kansas team that made the NCAA title game.  Withey had the best block rate (percentage of blocks a player registered while on the floor) in the country, even better than Anthony Davis.  He is active on the defensive end, helping well and getting out the perimeter when needed.  He runs the floor well and can finish in transition.  He has good hands,  improved his ability to hit shots around the rim and can also finish up high.

What he needs to show this season: With Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson gone, Withey will need to pick up a bigger offensive role, getting position and calling for the ball.  He will need to develop his footwork and post moves, as well as building his strength to help him establish position on both ends of the floor.  Defensively, he needs to do a better job picking when he goes for a block, making sure not to fall for shot fakes.  Also, teams will look to draw him away from the basket and he will need to improve his perimeter defense.
 

Check back soon for the rest of the seniors, as well as the start of the sophomores/juniors.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Less than two months from the start of the college basketball season, and the road to the 2013 NBA Draft has begun.  It’s time to continue my look at this year’s senior class and some brief notes on areas where they need to show improvement to maximize their value at the next level.

(You can read previous entries here:  Part I; Part II; Part III, Part IV)

Remember, these are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out during the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.

Kenny Boynton, Florida, Guard, 6’2, 189

15.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 44.0 FG%, 75.4 FT%, 40.7 3FG%, 1.9:1 A/TO

After 2 seasons as an inefficient scorer for the Gators, Boynton took a major step forward last season by taking, and making, better shots.  Boynton is a good spot-up shooter, with good range on his jumper.  He also has a quick first step allowing him to get by his defender.  He has good body control and does a good job avoiding defenders on his way to the goal.  Boynton is strong in the open court and can push the ball on the break or set up for his jumper on the wings.  Defensively, Boynton can be a strong man on-ball defender, moving his feet well and having good court awareness.

What he needs to show this season: Having played along Erving Walker the past 3 seasons, and with Bradley Beal last season, Boynton has not spent much time being the one to initiate the Florida offense.  The Gators’ offense probably won’t change, so I don’t think Boynton’s role will change significantly, but I would like to see Boynton initiate the offense more often and try to create shots for his teammates by drawing the defense in the lane.  Also, while his shot selection has improved, Boynton still has to continue to develop his decision-making.

Seth Curry, Duke, Guard, 6’2, 180

13.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 42.0 FG%, 87.4 FT%, 38.3 3FG%

Curry’s numbers may not be outstanding, but last season he may have been the Blue Devils’ most consistent player.  He is a very good spot up shooter with great range, and he has improved his ability to shoot the 3 off of screens.  His quick release is ideal and he has little problem getting his shot off against bigger defenders.  He has a high basketball IQ and shows it in his knowledge of spacing on both ends of the floor.  He is a very underrated perimeter defender, denying passing lanes very well, getting through screens, and keeping the ballhandler in front of him.

What he needs to show this season: Shot selection is an area Curry will hopefully improve this season. Some of the issues may have been with the lack of solid point guard play at Duke last season, which often found the players scrambling to get shots off.  Curry is a decent ballhandler and has shown that he can break his defender down off the dribble, but once he gets by his defender, he has a few areas to improve.  He is an excellent free throw shooter, so it would be great if he became more aggressive going to the rim and drawing contact.  Also, his mid-range jumper off the dribble could be more consistent.  He doesn’t have good foot speed, and he can end up backing off or playing on his heels on the defensive end, so he needs to continue to improve his footwork.

Mark Lyons, Arizona, Guard, 6’1, 188

(At Xavier) 15.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 spg, 42.5 FG%, 76.1 FT%, 39.2 3FG%, 1.27:1 A/TO

Lyons decided to play his last season at Arizona after a solid, but unspectacular, career at Xavier.  Paired with Tu Holloway the last few seasons allowed Lyons to focus more on scoring, easily his strong point.  He is a good spot-up shooter with decent range.  He is a good ballhandler, and he uses his dribble well to create space for his jumper.  When he attacks the basket, he goes strong at the defense and can handle contact.  He is a strong perimeter defender.  Lyons has good foot speed and lateral movement.

What he needs to show this season:  Ideally, based on experience, Lyons will step in as a strong leader for his new team.  Lyons will need to show he can he run both the half court offense and make smart decisions in transition.  We know Lyons can score; now we need to see that he can run the team.  With some solid big men, it would be good to see how Lyons handles pick-and-roll decisions.  On the defensive end, he will need to continue to play strong perimeter defense, especially keeping his man out of the lane.  Overall, his decision-making on both ends will need to improve greatly.

Peyton Siva, Louisville, Guard, 6’0, 180

9.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.7 spg, 40.2 FG%, 73.9 FT%, 24.6 3FG%, 1.6:1 A/TO

The lightning-quick Siva was the catalyst on both ends of the floor for the Final Four Louisville squad.  He is extremely active on the defensive end, often picking up his man full court and doing a good job moving his feet to keep himself in front of his man and keeping his hands active.  Off the ball, Siva is very good at anticipating passes and jumping the passing lane.  Siva is very good at turning turnovers into easy baskets; not many players can catch him in the open court.  He sees the court extremely well and makes crisp passes.  Siva gets into the lane easily off the dribble and turns the corner quickly on screens.  Once in the lane, he draws help defenders and is very good at finding the open man.

What he needs to show this season: Control and decision-making, on both ends of the floor, are Siva’s biggest issues.  He needs to become more adept at slowing down the pace of his dribble, especially since defenders are backing off because of his speed.  Along with this, Siva needs to build his confidence in his perimeter jumper.  At points last season, he was passing up wide open shots to drive the ball into traffic.  He may still get away with this at the college level with his speed, but that won’t be an option at the next level.  His jumper isn’t bad – there are minor tweaks to his shot that are needed – but because he hesitates every time he attempts a shot, any rhythm to the motion is gone.  Siva should continue to work on a floater in the lane, often finding himself with some space 5-8 feet from the basket.  Defensively, he can be overaggressive at times, leading to needless fouls.

Zeke Marshall, Akron, Center, 7’0, 235

10.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 54.2 FG%, 54.2 FG%, 70.6 FT%

Marshall, one of the best shot-blockers in the nation, showed improvement in many other areas last season.  He has developed a soft touch around the rim, along with a nice mini-hook in the lane.  When he sets up on the blocks, he gets his base wide and sets a big, high target with his hands.  He has also improved his ability to knock down free throws.  On the defensive side, opponents like to draw Marshall away from the basket, and he has responded by becoming a better perimeter defender.  He moves his feet well and has improved his defense on pick and roll situations.  Of course, around the lane, Marshall does a great job altering and blocking shots with good timing and extension.

What he needs to show this season: Marshall is still a work-in-progress in most phases of the game.  Physically, he still needs to continue to develop his strength, especially in his lower body.  He needs to be able to set effective position on both ends of the floor in the post.  The added strength would also help him on the boards where he gets moved out of good position often.  Also, he needs to be more aggressive in going after rebounds on both ends.  He understands his role in the pick and roll on offense, but he needs to be quicker opening up to ball after setting the high screen.  Finally, he needs to continue to develop his footwork on both ends of the floor.

Tim Frazier, Penn State, Guard, 6’1, 170

18.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.4 spg, 41.9 FG%, 79.1 FT%, 31.4 3FG%, 1.7:1 A/TO

Frazier did everything he could to give Penn State a chance to win last season.  He is very quick and keeps defenders on his toes with his speed and ballhandling ability.  He can score in a variety of ways – a decent spot-up shooter from both long and mid-range combined with his ability to get to the basket off the drive.  He doesn’t shy from contact and is an above-average free throw shooter.  Frazier sees the floor extremely well and makes good passes in the half-court and in transition, especially after drawing the defense.  He is a solid on-ball defender and a better off-ball defender.  He has quick feet and good lateral movement to go with quick hands and an ability to time his steal attempts.  He is a strong leader and no matter how a game is going, he always plays hard.

What he needs to show this season: While circumstances certainly dictated it last season, Frazier can try to do too much, especially on the offensive end.  His speed allows him to get into the lane, but he often forced bad shots against good help defense.  Also, though he sees the floor very well, many of his teammates weren’t ready for the passes he made.  An improved team this season should help his assist to turnover ratio.  His perimeter jumper needs to become more consistent, and he needs to use screens and his dribble better to create space.  On defense, he needs to work on getting through screens and forcing the ballhandler away from their strengths.

Check back soon for the next group of seniors, as well as the start of a look at the junior class.  Follow me on Twitter - @NBADraftBlog and leave your comments below or email me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.