Power Rankings #1 (Dec)

The first round of power rankings (released on December 4, 2008) included the following analysis:

- Stud: Which player is most likely to be your team MVP?

- Potential bust: Which early round pick is destined for a letdown?

- Sleeper: Who might turn out to be a diamond in the rough?

- Draft grade: How well did you perform at the preseason draft?

- Outlook: How does the upcoming forecast look for your squad?

Read at your own risk!

Team #10: Booo Joel (0-2)

Stud: Earl Clark, Louisville… When he plays to his potential, he has “lottery pick” level talent. However, his team has struggled to find its identity early, which has led to inconsistent play on both ends of the court. On a team that lacks star power, Booo Joel will need Clark to step it up and be reliable week in, week out.

Potential Bust: AJ Abrams, Texas… Adjusting to a new position is never easy, especially when you’re in your last year of eligibility. After scorching the nets for three straight years, Abrams has been forced to play the point. But running the show is clearly not his forte. While Abrams possesses great shooting ability from long range, he was hardly worthy of a first round pick.

Sleeper: Robbie Hummel, Purdue… A complete force on both ends of the court, Hummel has the ability to fill up a box score. Thus far, he has taken a step back from last year. But the season is young, and the preseason Big Ten player of the year candidate should only improve as the season goes on.

Draft Grade: Just about every player was taken about one round too early… C-

Outlook: This team will struggle to score, plain and simple. If Hummel can take some pressure off Earl Clark, it will certainly improve their chances. But the future doesn’t look very bright for this cellar-dweller.

Team #9: Maria Koppen (1-1)

Stud: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh… This runaway freight train has been consistently racking up double-doubles in limited action. The Big East Conference competition will only improve his stats, as he has rarely played an entire game’s worth of minutes yet.

Potential Bust: Darren Collison, UCLA… A true floor leader, Collison has had the keys to the UCLA hotrod since day one. However, he has rarely displayed consistent ability to take over a game. It will be interesting to see if Collison’s unselfishness ends up hurting Maria Koppen’s chance at a playoff birth.

Sleeper: Ty Lawson, North Carolina… How did he slip into the 5th round, again? We all know that Chapel Hill is gushing with talent. And no one will profit from this more than Lawson. A threat to double-double (points/assists) every time he laces ‘em up, Lawson might end up as the league’s best fantasy point guard.

Draft Grade: When you don’t show up to the draft, you get what you get (and I’m not only talking about your team name)… D+

Outlook: There is no depth on this team, and the scoring potential seems rather limited. Free agency should be this owner’s best friend, if he takes advantage of it.

Team #8: Bill Self (1-1)

Stud: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame… Only a spout with pneumonia could stop the giant leprechaun so far. A solid first round pick, it would be shocking if Harangody doesn’t average a double-double this season.

Potential Bust: BJ Mullens, Ohio St… A reach of a pick in the third round, Mullens still has not started a game for the Buckeyes. The talent is there for this 7-footer. But until he posts double-digits in any category, consider this big man a big bust.

Sleeper: Toney Douglas, Florida St… The Seminoles usually live and die with 3-point shooting… and this year is no exception. A great pick in the late rounds, Douglas may end up more consistent than any of the other guards on this team.

Draft Grade: Started out strong, but after round 2, talent level dropped off. As of right now, this middle of the road team is destined for a middle of the road year… C

Outlook: The frontcourt is solid with Harangody and Tyler Smith, who posted the first triple-double of the season. The backcourt is still a mystery, but Deonta Vaughn and Jack McClinton are two scoring point guards who can dial it up from long range. A lot of things have to go right for this team to make the playoffs, but they will definitely be in the mix.

Team #7: Crimson & Bluebloods (1-1)

Stud: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky… This monster underneath has proven his worth already. While currently owning the league’s high score thus far (66.30), Patterson has the potential to carry a team to the playoffs. Unfortunately, that may be the only way Crimson & Bluebloods can punch their postseason ticket.

Potential Bust: Tyrese Rice, Boston College… While you typically look for consistency in a first round pick, Crimson & Bluebloods drafted the streakiest player in the nation. Rice is just as capable of erupting for 40+ as he is getting shut out. This roller coaster of a pick will ensure a season of ups and downs.

Sleeper: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse… The flashy point guard has lived up to the hype thus far. A true inside-outside threat, Flynn can get to the rim with ease. His improved range from three has drastically raised his fantasy upside. We all know Flynn can talk a good game, but does he have what it takes in crunch time? We shall see…

Draft Grade: After butchering the 1st round pick, the next two brought redemption… B-

Outlook: While Patterson is the only true double-double threat, Crimson & Bluebloods will need free-agent power forwards Al-Farouq Aminu or Gani Lawal to emerge as a starter soon.

Team #6: Gordon Bombay (1-1)

Stud: James Harden, Arizona St… After going for 40 his last time out, the ceiling is sky-high for this super sophomore. He has scored in double figures in all six games this season, and reached double figures in rebounds and assists as well. The triple-double potential is undeniable…

Potential Bust: Chase Budinger, Arizona… I know nearly every team passed on him early, but you’ve gotta be kicking yourself for not taking Blake Griffin. And your draft position just highlights everyone’s blunder. So this is not a bash on Budinger, but it’s definitely going to be salt in the wound during Week 5.

Sleeper: Levance Fields, Pittsburgh… A gift of a pick in the last round, this point guard from the streets of Brooklyn, NY is tough and gritty. Fields has already posted two double-digit assist games. The potential is definitely there for him to step in as a starter down the road.

Draft Grade: This team has blue-collar work ethic. Though not many players are the first option on their team, Gordon Bombay’s depth is scary. Fantasy championships are usually won in the middle 4 rounds, and no one did better than Bombay… B+

Outlook: Once this team gets rolling, get out of the way. The glass-eating frontcourt of Jeff Adrien, Damion James, Raymar Morgan and James Johnson is a great foundation for a team solid from top to bottom.

Team #5: Chalmers Chiefers (0-2)

Stud: Taj Gibson, Southern Cal… A long and lanky shot-blocker, Gibson owns the paint on both ends of the floor. His superior athleticism leads to easy buckets, though his aggressive nature could lead to foul trouble. Regardless, his blocked shots lead to more valuable double-doubles.

Potential Bust: Scottie Reynolds, Villanova… Reynolds is the heart and soul of the Villanova team. They look to him when they need a big shot, and he often delivers. Unfortunately, most defenses (especially in the Big East) will do everything within their power to stop him. He will find it difficult to get his own shot against bigger, more physical guards. He was slightly overvalued as a 2nd round pick.

Sleeper: Cole Aldrich, Kansas… It’s usually not a good sign when your 5th round pick is by far and away the best player on your team. In this case, it’s okay… I have no idea how Aldrich slipped as far as he did. He is currently in the Top 5 in league scoring, and is the focal point of the Jayhawk offense. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the double teams he will surely face once Big XII Conference play opens up.

Draft Grade: Sherron was a “heart” pick at #2, but getting Aldrich that late completely makes up for any mistakes. Marcus Landry and Kyle Singler should provide adequate scoring for a team with a short bench… B

Outlook: This team doesn’t look strong on paper, and they are currently 0-2. So why are they rated so high? Their scoring is through the roof. It’s been bad luck for Chalmers Chiefers so far, but these things always have a tendency to balance out.

Team #4: Boilers (1-1)

Stud: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina… The surefire #1 overall pick hasn’t started the season healthy, but he has yet to disappoint on the court. There’s a lot of pressure on this Psycho, but his talent and intensity will lead to some massive point totals.

Potential Bust: Jrue Holiday, UCLA… Boilers has yet to start the diaper dandy this year, so it’s hard to see why he spent the draft pick on him. He was a perfect 8-8 from the field last time out. But will he eventually hit the “freshman wall” or bust it down?

Sleeper: E’Twaun Moore, Purdue… With the weight of heavy expectations, Moore has been pretty spectacular thus far. He is a do-it-all kind of guy, and can contribute in many ways. This stat-stuffer is exactly the type of player every team wished they had.

Draft Grade: LaceDarius Dunn and Terrence Williams were great late round picks, but pale in comparison to the free agent pickup of sharpshooter Kyle McAlarney… B

Outlook: This team is backcourt heavy, so they may struggle to put up eye-popping numbers. But we know they can score, given the games from Thornton and McAlarney we’ve seen already this young season.

Team #3: Aids (2-0)

Stud: Manny Harris, Michigan… As the engine to the Wolverine offense, everything runs through Harris. He is the ideal fantasy player, and the fact that he slipped to the third round should probably make the rest of the league sick to their stomachs.

Potential Bust: Willie Warren, Oklahoma… Aside from pointing out the obvious 1st and 2nd round picks, Warren could end up disappointing this season. There’s no denying his big play ability, but his poor attitude will lead to a lack of composure when it matters most. If he can play with a team-first mentality, he could end up an all-league player.

Sleeper: Paul Harris, Syracuse… This guy does a little bit of everything. He can out-rebound power forwards, out-quick wing players and out-hustle everyone else. When given the chance, Harris could be the spark this team needs.

Draft Grade: What were you thinking in the first two rounds? It hasn’t cost you so far, as long as Harris and your freshmen keep playing out of their minds… C+

Outlook: A strong start to the season is exactly what Aids needed. After a smart pickup of Jodie Meeks, the starting lineup is getting awfully crowded. Aids might have trouble managing all the egos on this team, starting with his own.

Team #2: WGP (1-1)

Stud: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma… Ask anyone in the league if they’d like to have their first round pick back, and you’re sure to get a “Yes” from most. WGP is one of the few teams having no regrets from the opening round. Griffin has been playing in “beast mode” since his first game, and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon. This team will not live and die by Blake Griffin though, as he is surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Although it might not be a bad idea to ride this thoroughbred as far as he’ll take ya.

Potential Bust: Devin Ebanks, West Virginia… It’s been a rough start to the season for this highly-touted freshman. While still adjusting to the college game, Ebanks has yet to break double figures in any category so far. Given the talent on this roster, WGP has the ability to bring Ebanks along slowly.

Sleeper: Arinze Onuaku, Syracuse… Picked as an afterthought about two hours into the draft, Onuaku has proven himself worthy of a starting spot in the frontcourt alongside Blake Griffin. As the primary post player for Syracuse, Onuaku gets his fair share of garbage points. Look for him to slowly become a more integral part of the offense against equally talented competition.

Draft Grade: This draft was a piece of cake for WGP. Each round, it seemed like he picked the player everyone else was afraid to take. WGP likes his steak medium rare, but his fantasy college hoops drafts, well done… A

Outlook: The frontcourt is rock solid, and should keep WGP’s scoring steady. If Wayne Ellington continues to play with reckless abandon, this team will be tough to beat. There’s a ton of talent on this squad, and they look destined for a first round bye.

Team #1: Smurphs (2-0)

Stud: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut… A usual double-double by halftime, Thabeet has solidified himself as one of the nation’s best rebounders. Originally, I thought he was taken too high, but he has gone on to prove me dead wrong. As long as the talented UConn guards don’t forget about him, Thabeet will be a star in the box score.

Potential Bust: Dominic James, Marquette… Similar to Sherron Collins, James was clearly a “heart” pick. The fourth round pick has struggled this year, and has failed to make an impact on Smurphs’ roster. With the emergence of some late round picks, James might be relegated to spot-starting more often than not.

Sleeper: Roy Williams, North Carolina… This is the only head coach I have mentioned thus far, but he is the only one deserving of it. The Heels have completely dismantled every team they’ve squared off against, and this offensive juggernaut will continue blowing teams out. It will be interesting to see how high Roy finishes in the final scoring.

Draft Grade: Two words: Leo… Lyons. This has to be the pick of the year. A last round selection that left every team scratching their heads. He has gone on to be a top 10 scorer, and the driving force for Smurphs’ onslaught… A-

Outlook: I’m not completely sold on Smurphs yet. I’ve heard it through the grapevine that the rookie coaches have been pretty confident after their fast start. Nick Calathes is a model of consistency, and Jerel McNeal turned out to be a brilliant third round pick. But it’ll be interesting to see if this team has enough in the tank to transform them from a preseason pretender into a postseason contender.