Archive for April 9th, 2012

College Teammates Drafted in Top 10

Monday, April 9, 2012 by:Kevin Duffy
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UConn sophomore Jeremy Lamb is expected to release a statement Tuesday regarding his decision, a source close to Lamb told Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

The source did not know whether Lamb would go pro or return for his junior season, but let’s suffice to say it would be extremely surprising if he announced the latter. All season, it’s been widely assumed that Lamb would forgo his final two years of eligibility. He figures to be a mid-to-late lottery pick.

If Lamb and Andre Drummond both declare and go in the top 10, they’ll join an elite group. Since 2000, nine college teams — and I’m including this year’s Kentucky squad — have had multiple players selected in the top 10 of the same draft. Four of those teams won the national championship, and two others made the Final Four.

Check the chart below:

College Teammates Drafted in Top 10 (since 2000)

Cincinnati* (2000): Kenyon Martin (1), DerMarr Johnson (6);  No. 1 seed;  Second Round

Duke (2002): Jay Williams (2), Mike Dunleavy (3); No. 1 seed;  Sweet 16

UConn (2004): Emeka Okafor (2), Ben Gordon (3); No. 2  seed; National Champion

North Carolina (2005): Marvin Williams (2), Ray Felton (5); No. 1 seed; National Champion

Florida (2007): Al Horford (3), Corey Brewer (7), Joakim Noah (9); No. 1 seed; National Champion

Ohio State (2007): Greg Oden (1), Mike Conley (4);  No. 1 seed; National Runner-up

UCLA (2008): Russell Westbrook (4), Kevin Love (5); No. 1 seed;  Final Four

Kentucky (2010): John Wall (1), DeMarcus Cousins (4); No. 1 seed;  Elite Eight

Kentucky (2012): Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist; No. 1 seed; National Champion

UConn (2012): Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb; No. 9 seed, One and done

*Kenyon Martin suffered a broken leg at the end of the season and did not play in the NCAA tournament.

Dyson to sign with Hornets

Monday, April 9, 2012 by:Kevin Duffy
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Former UConn guard Jerome Dyson will finally get to wear an NBA jersey.

Jerome Dyson (AP)

Dyson, a four-year starter at shooting guard who has spent his entire professional career in the D-League, will sign a contract with the New Orleans Hornets. He broke the news on his Twitter account Monday evening: “Got that call I’ve been waiting for headed back to the NO get to sign the contract in the morning,” he said.

Although he’s been on an  NBA roster — he was cut by the Thunder in October, 2010 and by the Hornets in December, 2011 — Dyson has not appeared in a regular season game. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 17.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 44 games for the Tulsa 66ers this season. He was recently selected as a D-League All-Star.

In his four-year career at UConn, Dyson scored 1,630 points. He was a Big East All-Rookie selection and a third-team All-League choice as a senior.

Known as a defensive stopper and dynamic slasher, Dyson was a key contributor on the 2008-09 team that reached the Final Four. He went down with a knee injury in late February, though, and was not able to return. UConn went 23-1 with him and 8-4 in his absence.

Andre Drummond’s Dilemma

Monday, April 9, 2012 by:Kevin Duffy
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At the end of this week, the fuzzy UConn basketball picture should become much clearer.

Jim Calhoun could make an announcement on his future, and the indecisive duo of Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb will likely make their respective decisions, as well. Everyone expects Lamb to go pro, but sources indicate Drummond is on-the-fence.

Andre Drummond (AP)

He’s going to be a top five pick, and the general rule of thumb is to bolt if you’re guaranteed to go that high. Drummond, as raw a top-five prospect as you see, is a special case. It’s not so cut-and-dry for him.

Let’s look at the benefits of each scenario.

NBA

*$$$$: Why play for free when you can get paid? Why risk serious injury and leave all that money on the table? (the Greg Oden rule)

*Chance to compete in postseason (although most top five picks go to horrible teams).

Return to UConn

*More playing time, more practice time: It’s difficult to vastly improve when you’re only logging 10-15 minutes per game. The most recent NBA big man to ride the pine early in his career and develop into a superstar was Jermaine O’Neal…and that happened 12 years ago. Drummond’s first NBA contract is all set; he needs to position himself for a big second contract.

*One step closer to a college degree: In early December, Drummond said he’d like to pursue a degree in computer engineering.

*Closer to family: If Drummond wants to go home to the weekend, it’s only a 40-minute ride. That won’t be the case if he ends up in Cleveland or Portland, two possible draft day destinations.

*Everybody loves college. It’s fun whether you’re a normal student or a star athlete.

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