Stanford/Zona players, pro picks

[sir scarvajal]

This is a little late but wanted to post on it. Some have talked about drafting Mark Madson, a few others about Loren Woods. Here were my observations from the recent game, unfortunately Woods wasn't playing.

On Stanford--they have no lottery-bound players, zero, nada. I don't remember the last time a team was a good as they are without any blue chippers at all. Madson might go late in the first round, he might not go until the second. Given he can't shoot and hasn't pushed around some of his tougher competition that much--Micheal Wright, Woods, Moisioso (UCLA/sp?), Kevin Freeman (UConn)--I just don't see him being a good pro. He also is something like a 25 & has benifited from great coaching, so I think what you see is what you get. Fine college player, but that will be all. Before I had thought the Collins twins are better prospects, but I don't see that happening either. They look too slow and are not quite tall enough (6'10ish) to where it doesn't matter if you are slow or unathletic (say the 7 '1+ range). The best of the rest of the Stanford prospects is the freshman, Jacobsen, but I think he will be maybe a better college player than Madson, but also to slow to be much of a pro player.

Arizona is a very different story. They have perhaps 4 first round draft picks, all juniors or less, and at least two will be lottery picks (Woods and Richard Jefferson). Woods goes without too much saying, 7 '1 (250) and athletic. As good as defensive player as Ken Johnson (OSU), better offensive game though. Him and Mihm look like the best centers, probably both top 6 picks. I also really, really, like Jefferson's game. A lot like a younger and bigger Morris Peterson. He can shoot lights out, and can go to the hole hard, and he is an inside presense too. I hope Jefferson comes out this year too (I think Woods is for sure), because he would just add the the talent at SF, which would be great for the Rockets. In addition to these guys, Arizona has the best back-court in the Pac 10 and both guys are freshman . They are very good already, could be great. We will just have to see how they develop, but lottery-bound one of them might be. Finally, they have a a sophmore short-stocky PF type in Micheal Wright who has pretty much macthed Madson in rebounds & points every time they are match-up up. He is shorter than Madson by an inch or two, about equal in strength, but has much better low post moves, a better shooter and is quicker. Probably too short to make it in the NBA (liek Freeman too), but I like eithers chances better than Madson.

Overall, with Kenyon down, there is no doubt this Arizona team is the most talented in the country. Probably even the most talented 1-5 even if Kenyon was there. If Woods and Jefferson stay healthy for the turney, they are the team to beat and should win it all. Stanford is a great team with good players, but they will find a team with more quickness and talent somewhere around the round of 8 and will be DONE. Individual skills (+ merely adequate teamwork) at some point will over come superior scheme, teamwork & depth, you can count on it.