<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Top power forwards 1. Al Horford (Florida): Though Joakim Noah became the darling of March Madness, it's worth noting Horford's stats were similar for the season, and that the 6-foot-9 junior actually outrebounded his pony-tailed teammate (7.6 to 7.1 per game). One preseason magazine described Horford as "unspectacularly spectacular." I kind of think that's a pretty good description. 2. Josh McRoberts (Duke): For some reason some believe because McRoberts only got 8.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a freshman that he didn't live up to the hype. That's a silly deduction, though, because with Shelden Williams in the way, McRoberts' level of production had an obvious ceiling. Now, Williams is out of the way. Consequently, I'm betting McRoberts comes close to doubling his output while maintaining his status as an NBA lottery pick. 3. Al Thornton (Florida State): Here's the other side of that Horford coin, someone who is spectacularly spectacular, a big-time scorer with a knack for producing huge numbers in huge games. Thornton averaged 16.1 points and 6.9 rebounds last year, but he went for 30-plus three times, including 37-point efforts at both Duke and Boston College. That's strong. 4. Jeff Green (Georgetown): The Hoyas could win the Big East this season, and if that happens Green will be the league's Player of the Year. He's a do-everything type of guy whose team is simply better when he's on the floor. That's why he played 32.5 minutes per game as a sophomore, and will do the same as a junior. 5. D.J. White (Indiana): All indications out of Indiana are that White has rehabbed nicely from a foot injury that cost him all but five games last season. He has added muscle and skill, and should make Kelvin Sampson's transition easier while pushing for Big Ten Player of the Year honors. 6. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA): His 17-point, nine-rebound effort against LSU in the Final Four introduced him to the nation, and if you don't already know how to spell his name (that little 'a' can be tricky) you'd better learn. Mbah a Moute will be All Pac-10 this season, and he could lead the Bruins back to the Final Four before following former teammate Jordan Farmar to the NBA after just his sophomore season. 7. Cartier Martin (Kansas State): If you have to get suspended for a violation of team rules, it's best to do it in the summer, like Martin did. That way you don't have to miss any games, and the suspension amounts to little more than nothing, if that much. Come the start of the season, the 6-8 senior will be officially reinstated. That's good news for Kansas State, and 18.0 points per game it won't have to find somewhere else. 8. Julian Wright (Kansas): Wright's numbers of 8.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game don't justify this ranking. But he's an important piece to a title-contending puzzle, and seems willing to sacrifice individual accolades for the sake of the team, evidence being that he plays mostly inside despite NBA scouts projecting him as a wing at the next level. For being unselfish, Wright gets bonus points, and enough of them to push him into the top 10 of this list. 9. Carl Landry (Purdue): Landry had 57 points through two games last season before soreness from an ACL surgery sidelined him for the rest of the year. Now, he's reportedly healthy and ready to return Purdue to respectability. Statistics close to the 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game Landry averaged in 2004-05 shouldn't be too much to expect. 10. Brandan Wright (North Carolina): Wright is another one of those freshmen who is probably only in college because of the age limit. Combined with Hansbrough, he'll give UNC a daunting frontcourt ... and then turn pro.</div> Full Story
I guess I'm one of those silly people who isn't ready to annoint McRoberts the #2 PF in the nation. Gee, I must be nuts. I'll say one thing to this author: Shavlik Randolph. I don't think McRoberts is a bust, and I fully expect him to be a terrific player. But there is no way in hell that he's the 2nd best 4 in the college game right now. A side note; after all the sackriding Gregg Doyell did of Brian "Charmin" Butch last year, it makes me happy to see him not ranked anywhere here. That dude has some stuff to prove this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I guess I'm one of those silly people who isn't ready to annoint McRoberts the #2 PF in the nation.</div> If having that opinion is silly, I'm silly as well. I would place Thornton, Green, and DJ White above McRoberts. After looking at the entire list, the PF position is kinda weak this year. I think Jon Brockman from Washington (ranked 19th on the list) could move WAY up by the time the season is over. And is Oklahoma State's Mario Boggan not good enough to make the top 20? That is kinda crazy! That might be the weakest position in college, even though guys like Tyler Hansbrough and Joakim Noah can be considered PFs as well.
where the hell is Radenovic? He's definetly better than Brockman or anyone not in the top 10 IMO. He's got the outside shot, post moves, can drive, and rebounds. He's probably the most over looked player on the Arizona Wildcats. This year, he'll make a name for himself because he's added some muscle and some post moves this year. Also Richard Hendrix should be someone to watch this year, he's got it all and will be able to push most guys out of the way with his strength.
<div class="quote_poster">J_Ray Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">where the hell is Radenovic? He's definetly better than Brockman or anyone not in the top 10 IMO. He's got the outside shot, post moves, can drive, and rebounds. He's probably the most over looked player on the Arizona Wildcats. This year, he'll make a name for himself because he's added some muscle and some post moves this year.</div> I'm a huge Arizona fan myself, but I've seen Radenovic shoot Arizona out of a few games over the few seasons. And his defense is nonexistant for the most part. He is a very skilled offensive player, but he isn't an overall better player than the guys in the top 10 (maybe Brendan Wright because he hasn't even played a minute yet). I agree he should be in the top 20 though.
White is too low on that list. I'd have him #2 for sure, and maybe even #1. I'd have to agree with Trash on this year's power forwards though. It's really a weak year when Horford and White are your best. No one on that list really stands out as a dominant player. Outside of White, I'd move Richard Hendrix and Wilson Chandler (actually a center) way up on the list. This writer keeps saying how much he values potential, and he has freshman high on all of his lists, and then he almost completely overlooks Hendrix and Chandler. I'm fine with McRoberts being so high on this list, and I'd actually consider him for the #1 spot as well. So what if he didn't have a Freshman of the Year type season a year ago? He was playing on a crowded Duke roster with guys like J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams, and Sean Dockery who will all be gone this season. Everything is in place for McRoberts to have a breakout season. He'll have the playing time, the touches, the point guard, and we all know he has the talent, I don't think anyone's denying that. I don't think I'd list Julian Wright as a four either. Even though he played most of his minutes there last season and his outside jumper is nonexistant, the Jayhawks' roster will be loaded with post players this season - C.J. Giles, Sasha Kaun, Darrell Arthur, and Darnell Jackson. Brandan Wright should be replaced with Derrick Caracter, a more college-ready recruit. It really seems to me that this guy hasn't seen these high school prospects and is just going off of scouting reports from Rivals, Scout, or wherever, but take it from me, I've played Wright, and he's not going to be a top ten power forward his first year in college ball. He's just way too thin to compete with someone like Caracter in the post. Off the top of my head, here's how I'd rank them - 1) Al Horford - Florida 2) D.J. White - Indiana 3) Josh McRoberts - Duke 4) Jeff Green - Georgetown 5) Terrence Roberts - Syracuse 6) Al Thornton - Florida State 7) Richard Hendrix - Alabama 8) Marquise Gray - Michigan State 9) Josh Heytvelt - Gonzaga 10) Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - UCLA 11) Carl Landry - Purdue 12) Jeff Adrien - UConn 13) Cartier Martin - Kansas State 14) Coleman Collins - Virginia Tech 15) Ekene Ibekwe - Maryland 16) Mike White - Indiana 17) Caleb Green - Oral Roberts 18) Robert Dozier - Memphis 19) Jeff Pendergraph - Arizona State 20) Will Sheridan - Villanova
<div class="quote_poster">Thrash13 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm a huge Arizona fan myself, but I've seen Radenovic shoot Arizona out of a few games over the few seasons. And his defense is nonexistant for the most part. He is a very skilled offensive player, but he isn't an overall better player than the guys in the top 10 (maybe Brendan Wright because he hasn't even played a minute yet). I agree he should be in the top 20 though.</div> What Radenovic have you've been watching? When's he's off and can't shoot, he drives, he doesn't keep throwing it up.....that's what makes him so special, not all big men can drive and are mobile like him. He also plays some solid defense, only guy I've seen tear him up is Powe, and Powe did that to everyone. He's also added some muscle to his very frail frame, so expect big things from him this year.
Well I agree with Schaddy, Duke gets alot of publicity and they were always on TV. I saw alot of Josh, and to be honest he is no where near number two. I know that it was his first year and all, but McRoberts should to me like just a solid player, not top material. And good to see my Florida squad pulling the number one spot with Al.
