1st – New Jersey Nets: John Wall, Point Guard (6’4”, 195 lbs)
As the Wildcats went on to capture their 44th SEC regular season championship, freshmen sensation John Wall was backing up why he should be picked as the SEC’s Player of the Year. The Tennessee game was a complete headache just weeks ago, but Wall was Kentucky’s aspirin going into the SEC Tournament.
Wall and the Cats handled a pesky Georgia team and downed Florida on Senior Night to solidify their hold on a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. During the game against Georgia, Wall went 8-10 from the field and 5-5 at the charity strip for 24 points, to go with six assists and three steals. Wall’s game against Florida wasn’t as flashy, but he still got the job done with 11 points, eight assists and two rebounds.
The importance of Wall to the Wildcats is unprecedented and he will have to play stellar basketball from here on out if Kentucky is to win a National Championship. He’s struggled with consistency throughout the season and that can’t be a problem come tournament time. Look for Wall to hold down his spot as the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft barring unforeseen circumstances. NBA Player Comparison: Dwyane Wade-Miami Heat
4th – Indiana Pacers: DeMarcus Cousins, Center (6’11”, 280 lbs)
The freshman big-man, a double-double machine for the season, has gone two games without posting one after having posted on the season. That is a freshman record for and just three behind Jim Andrews who holds the record for double-doubles in a season at 21.
Cousins averaged only 21 minutes in the team’s last two games, creating a consistency problem for Cousins, much like teammate John Wall. Cousins only had six points and four rebounds against Georgia and looked bothered at times by the height of the Bulldogs big men. Saturday’s matchup against Florida was another lackluster performance as Cousins put up eight points and nine rebounds in a solid victory for Kentucky on Senior Night.
The Pacers look to select Cousins with the 4th selection, a wise decision from a team who is in desperate need of some talented players. Cousins would fit the bill and with such a unique skill set, would be a great fit for any team in the NBA. NBA Player Comparison: Andrew Bynum-Los Angeles Lakers
11th – Minnesota Timberwolves: Patrick Patterson, Power Forward (6’8”, 235 lbs)
Patterson, who was recognized on Senior Day for his time at Kentucky, will most likely head to the NBA after his junior season and will likely wind up being selected as an NBA lottery pick. He drops a spot this week to the Timberwolves at No. 11 and could potentially team up with guys like Kevin Love and Johnny Flynn.
The junior All-American candidate had two solid games against Georgia and Florida, going for 17/10 in the Wildcats first game against the Bulldogs and 13/5 against Florida. What might be the most impressive aspect of Patterson’s game this year is his improved shooting ability. With the help of head coach John Calipari and his coaching staff, Patterson has developed a mid-range shot that can also be taken behind the arc to score some three-pointers. He’s shooting almost 42% from deep and has NBA scouts salivating about Patterson potential as a four-man at the next level.
It has been quite a ride for Patterson and he’s finally been able to realize his college basketball dreams by sticking around for another year. NBA Player Comparison: Paul Millsap-Utah /Elton Brand-76er’s
2011 NBA Draft
4th– Indiana Pacers: Eric Bledsoe, Point Guard (6’1”, 195 lbs)
According to NBADraft.net, Bledsoe could very well team up with current teammate DeMarcus Cousins if the NBA draft projections came to fruition. He’s been the ‘back-up’ point guard to John Wall, but his importance to Kentucky’s success cannot go unnoticed.
Bledsoe will likely be back for another year to work on several aspects of his game that NBA general managers would like him to improve before making the jump. That fact would give Bledsoe the chance to take over the lead guard duties next year, further increasing his chances of being drafted as the first overall player in the 2011 NBA Draft.
The freshman guard hasn’t been playing well as of late, but continues to give the Wildcats another ba
ll-handler on the perimeter as well as a serviceable outside shooter. He had his best game in a while against Florida, scoring 14 points in 29 minutes while grabbing three rebounds. Staying an extra year will definitely help Bledsoe mature and mold into a solid, overall point guard at the next level.
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans