College Hoops Video

I have to admit, I thought Patrick Patterson would go pro in the 2009 NBA draft when he started being projected to be a first round pick. He stayed in college for one more year to finish his degree and spend a year under new Kentucky Coach, John Calipari’s tutelage to help enhance his “away from the rim” skills. Patterson may see his overall numbers dip a bit now that the Wildcats have a few more options than have Jodie Meeks shoot the 3ball and Patterson shoot it inside, but he enters the 2009-10 season as one of the best inside-men in college basketball. The defending champion North Carolina Tar Heels, however, have Ed Davis coming back to help lead their national title defense. Two freshmen make my “top ten ” of power forwards based on their pedigrees entering their freshman seasons: Kentucky’s DeMarcus Cousins, and Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors. Yes, Cousins would be labeled a center at most colleges, but don’t be surprised to see him listed as a second PF on the lineup. Favors will get more touches at Tech, and look out for these two highly touted Frosh.

Top 10 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forwards

#1 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward - Patrick Patterson, Kentucky

Now that Kentucky has two big time post players to complement Patrick Patterson in DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton, we’ll finally get a chance to see what Patterson can do this season. Not that his 17.9 points per game last season were any small effort, but by making Patterson free to not have to guard the opposing center every game, Patterson could quickly become one of the Naismith Player of the year candidates this season at Kentucky. Expect to see him go high in the 2010 NBA draft.
#2 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Ed Davis, North Carolina
For the Tar Heels to have a decent shot at defending their 2009 NCAA Tournament title, Ed Davis will need to have a huge year. He’s capable of doing so, and now that he’ll be one of the primary focuses of the North Caroline offense, regular double-doubles out of Davis may become the norm when watching the Tar Heels play this season.

#3 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest
It was surprising to see both Aminu and Patterson pass up a chance to go to the NBA in the 2009 draft. WIth Aminu returning for another season at Wake, expect to see his numbers increase and for Wake Forest to be in the thick of the ACC race.
#4 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Devin Ebanks, West Virginia

Devin Ebanks really started to grow-up as a basketball player last season at West Virginia. Over the last third of the Mountaineers season, he averaged more than 10 rebounds a game. He’ll be playing a key role in West Virginia’s Big East title hopes this season.
#5 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Craig Brackins, Iowa State
Craig Brackins has continued to increase his scoring and rebounding production over the past two seasons. Now he just needs to show he can help his team win more ball games this coming season.
#6 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech
One of two incoming frosh on my top ten. It was a toss-up to me on whether to list Favors or Cousins in this spot, but since Favors figures to get more touches on offense, at first glance it apears as though his numbers will be higher this season than Cousins.

#7 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
If you keep up with Kentucky basketball news, then you’ll know that Coach Cal has nothing but great things to say about Cousin’s inside game. Since it doesn’t seem to be “en vogue” to be listed as a center now-a-days if you’re under 7′ tall, expect to see Cousins listed as a second PF on Kentucky’s roster this season next to Patterson in the starting lineup.

#8 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Trevor Booker, Clemson

If Clemson can reliably get him the ball game in and game out, we’ll see a huge season out of Booker this year in the ACC.

#9 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Lance Thomas, Duke
I know, if you’re not a Duke fan you might be like ? Well, Lance Thomas didn’t crack the 6 ppg mark last season, but he nailed over 60% of his field goals and now that he’s entering his senior year, he’s primed to have a big season for the Blue Devils at the PF position.

#10 2009-10 NCAA Basketball Power Forward -Lazar Hayward, Marquette
Hayware averaged 16.3 points per game last season without ever really being the primary focus for the offense. Expect a big year from him this season.

Close to Making my list:

Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State - If we ever get to see him play alongside Vernado, then he enters the top 10 somewhere near Favors and Cousins….but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Daniel Orton, Kentucky – Its just not right to list 3 bigs from the same team. I don’t see Cal getting all three of his premiere bigs enough touches this season to list Orton, Cousins, and Patterson on the same list. It won’t surprise me, however, to see some big games out of Orton this season.

Updated: May 30^th, 2010

The following is our June update for the 2010 NBA Mock Draft. The mock is updated with the 2010 NBA Lottery Draft order but only goes through the first round for now. We have past the NCAA declaration deadline and have four of the Kentucky Wildcat freshmen from last season in addition to Junior Patrick Patterson declaring for this year’s draft. Kentucky point guard has been the odds-on #1 pick favorite since before he played a game for the Wildcats, although many think he could be inter-changeable with Ohio State star Evan Turner. The following is the College Hoops Video update for the 2010 NBA draft.

2010 NBA Mock Draft

#1 Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG, Kentucky, 6-4, Fr.

John Wall is considered to be the top point guard pick in this year’s draft. Most expect the Wizards to take Wall with the first pick and that they will move Gilbert Arenas over to the 2 guard spot with the drafting of Wall.

#2 Philadelphia 76ers: Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State, 6-7, Jr.

Philly needs a “go to” player to help bring life back to the team. They have a chance with landing the second spot in the draft to pick a franchise player, and Turner looks like the perfect fit.

#3 New Jersey Nets: DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kentucky, 6-11, Fr.

Its hard to say if the Nets will take Cousins, Favors, or Wesley Johnson with this pick, but Cousins has demonstrated the most talent amongst the three players.

#4 Minnesota Timberwolves: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech, 6-10, Fr.

If for some reason Evan Turner drops to #4 look for the T-Wolves to take him in this spot. If not, then either Derrick Favors or Wesley Johnson would provide the most help to the current team needs.

#5 Sacramento Kings: Xavier Henry, SG, Kansas, 6-6, Fr.

The Kings need some help on the wing and Xavier Henry could be the answer…though it may take him a few years to get there. This may be a bit high for X to be drafted, but it wouldn’t be surprising.

#6 Golden State Warriors: Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, Wake Forest, 6-9, So.

Golden State needs wing and front-court depth. Aminu can provide them a player with the size to play inside or expand his skill set to play in in the team’s running style.

#7 Detroit Pistons: Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, So.

The Pistons need size, and Ed Davis is one of the most athletic options available at the #7 spot in the draft. They could end up drafting Greg Monroe, Ekpe Udoh, or if we see one of the other bigs drop. Shouldn’t count Cole Aldrich out of the game just yet either.

#8 Los Angeles Clippers: Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown, 6-10, So.

The Clippers may take Johnson if he’s still available in the 8 spot, but don’t count out Greg Monroe’s upside potential with his athleticism.

#9 Utah Jazz: Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Jr.

The Pistons need a player to play in the half-court. Patterson is one of the prospects that will be available and could fill their needs. Although his wing play was an area of focus during his junior year, its unknown how it will hold up to NBA level competition.

#10 Indiana Pacers: Eric Bledsoe, PG, Kentucky, 6-1, Fr.

The Pacers need a point guard to run the team into the future and Bledsoe looks to be the best available to take with the pick. A bit high for a player with his stats from last year, but remember that he played alongside John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, etc for the season.

#11 New Orleans Hornets: Ekpe Udoh, PF, Baylor, 6-10, Jr.

The Hornets need another big. Look for them to take the best one available, and don’t be surprised if you see Cole Aldrich get picked in this spot. Udoh has a great defensive game and could be the pick here.

#12 Memphis Grizzlies: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Jr.

The Grizzlies are coming off of their best season in a long time. Johnson could be just the all-around help they need to get over the hump and back into the playoffs.

#13 Toronto Raptors: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas, 6-11, Jr.

The Raptors will likely lose Chris Bosh and could use Aldrich to help fill the void left if he signs with another team.

#14 Houston Rockets: Hassan Whiteside, C, Marshall, 7-0, Fr.

Houston doesn’t have a lot of holes to fill this offseason, but Whiteside could be the perfect draft pick to take now and work on his potential.

#15 Milwaukee Bucks: James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State, 6-6, Jr.

The Bucks need a shooter and traded their solution for the aging Michael Redd last season (Jodie Meeks). James Anderson could fill that void and help provide additional scoring for the Bucks.

#16 Minnesota T-Wolves: Jordan Crawford, SG, Xavier, 6-4, Soph.

The T-Wolves are still very young, and Crawford could provide them a scorer for the near term.

#17 Chicago Bulls: Donatas Motiejunas, F/C, Lithuania, 7-0, 1990

Motiejunas gives the Bulls another wing option to play alongside Rose. If the Bulls believe they have a strong shot at landing the “King” in free agency, this pick may change significantly.

#18 Miami Heat: Gordon Hayward, SF, Butler, 6-9, So.

The Heat could need a significant amount of help next season if they lose D-Wade. If Hayward is available this deep, then look for Miami to snatch him up.

#19 Boston Celtics: Damion James, SF, Texas, 6-8, Sr.

The Celtics may lose Ray Allen solely due to finances after this season. Damion James could be the best wing player available to take as a potential backup or replacement for Allen.

#20 San Antonio Spurs: Luke Babbitt, SF, Nevada, 6-9, So.

Babbit could be the perfect wing/inside player to add to the Spurs squad to try and make it deeper into next year’s playoffs.

#21 Oklahoma City Thunder: Solomon Alabi, C, Florida St, 7-1, So.

The Thunder made it to the playoffs, but need to have a defensive paint presence. Alabi could provide that need for the team with his 7’1” height.

#22 Portland Trail Blazers: Daniel Orton, F/C, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.

Portland needs some size and Orton may be the best pick for them to take. He is relatively un-proven at the college level, but showed a lot of upside towards the end of last year’s college basketball season.

#23 Minnesota Timberwolves: Paul George, SF, Fresno State, 6-8, So.

#24 Atlanta Hawks: Avery Bradley, G, Texas, 6-2, Fr.

#25 Memphis Grizzlies: Terrico White, SG, Mississippi, 6-5, So.

#26 Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Ebanks, SF, West Virginia, 6-9, So.

#27 New Jersey Nets: Elliot Williams, G, Memphis, 6-4, So.

#28 Memphis Grizzlies: Kevin Seraphin, PF, France, 6-10, 1989

#29 Orlando Magic: Lance Stephenson, SG, Cincinnati, 6-5, Fr.

#30 Washington Wizards:Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma, 6-4, So.