OJ Mayo will face off against Derrick Rose in New York on December 4. (hoopsvibe.com)
By Ryan Feldman
rfeldman@thehoopsreport.com
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
1. Michael Beasley, 6-9 PF Kansas St (27.2 ppg, 15.5 rpg):
Nov. 22 vs. George Mason: 30 pts, 10 reb
Nov. 23 vs. UCF: 30 pts, 13 reb
Nov. 25 vs. Rider: 13 pts, 10 reb
Next game: Nov. 29 vs. Oregon
Beasley showcased his superb abilities in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, although his team lost their first round game. He still has not played a major conference team, but his next three games are against Oregon, Notre Dame, and California.
2. Eric Gordon, 6-4 SG Indiana (27.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg):
Nov. 23 vs. Illinois St: 31 pts, 6 reb
Nov. 24 vs. Xavier: 20 pts, 3 assists
Nov. 27 vs. Georgia Tech: 29 pts, 4 reb
Next game: Dec. 1 vs. Southern Illinois
Gordon is now the leading scorer in the country, but he has to work on some other aspects of his game. He had eight turnovers in his last game, and he needs to work on his rebounding.
3. Kevin Love, 6-10 C UCLA (19.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg):
Nov. 23 vs. Yale: 15 pts, 5 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. George Washington
Love did not have to do too much against Yale, but he dominated against big time competition (Maryland and Michigan State). His next three games (GW, Texas, and Davidson) should all be competitive, so expect Love to dominate in those games.
4. Derrick Rose, 6-4 PG Memphis (17 ppg, 5 rpg):
Nov. 27 vs. Austin Peay: 19 pts, 12 assists
Next game: Dec. 4 vs. USC
Rose was very impressive, showing off his point guard skills, against Austin Peay with his first double-double. His matchup with OJ Mayo and USC should be exciting next week.
5. OJ Mayo, 6-5 PG USC (21.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg):
Nov. 22 vs. San Diego: 20 pts, 3 assists
Nov. 24 vs. Miami (OH): 21 pts, 5 reb
Nov. 25 vs. Southern Illinois: 13 pts, 3 reb
Next game: Nov. 29 vs. Oklahoma
Fans were shocked when Mayo came off the bench in the championship game of the Anaheim Classic, but he shot well and the Trojans won. This week will perhaps be their toughest week of the season when they play Oklahoma, Kansas, and Memphis.
6. Donte Greene, 6-9 PF Syracuse (20.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg):
Nov. 21 vs. Ohio St: 21 pts, 10 reb
Nov. 23 vs. Washington: 25 pts, 10 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. UMass
Greene has been spectacular so far, leading the team in scoring and second on the team in rebounding. He has been very consistent, and has hit 3-pointers in every game. He is a very solid all-around athletic forward.
7. Kosta Koufos, 7-0 C Ohio St (18.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg):
Nov. 21 vs. Syracuse: 24 pts, 9 reb
Nov. 23 vs. Texas A&M: 10 pts, 3 reb
Nov. 25 vs. VMI: 22 pts, 14 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. North Carolina
Koufos has dominated the competition thus far, especially against VMI. He faced stiff competition against Syracuse and Texas A&M, but he faces the ultimate test in Tyler Hansbrough and the Tar Heels.
8. Jerryd Bayless, 6-3 SG Arizona (18.4 ppg, 5.2 apg):
Nov. 21 vs. Adams St: 14 pts, 6 assists
Nov. 25 at Kansas: 19 pts, 3 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. CSU Fullerton
Bayless has not received a lot of national attention thus far like some of the other freshmen, but he has been quite consistent scoring the ball. If Bayless continues to score 18 points per game, he will be recognized by the time Pac-10 conference play begins.
9. J.J. Hickson 6-9 C NC State (18 ppg, 8 rpg):
Nov. 22 vs. Rider: 13 pts, 6 reb
Nov. 23 vs. South Carolina: 9 pts, 8 reb
Nov. 25 vs. Villanova: 15 pts, 6 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 at Michigan St
Hickson has slowed down a bit since his hot start to his career. He had an effective Old Spice Classic, but nothing spectacular. He should be a force inside all season long for the Wolfpack.
10. Kyle Singler, 6-8 PF Duke (14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg):
Nov. 21 vs. Marquette: 25 pts, 7 reb
Nov. 25 vs. Eastern Kentucky: 7 pts, 5 reb
Nov. 27 vs. Wisconsin: 13 pts, 6 reb
Next game: Dec. 1 vs. Davidson
Singler played great on the big stage against Marquette, and every other game he shows off his 3-point range. He just needs to be more consistent. So far, Singler has not had consecutive great performances, but his team continues to win.
11. DeAndre Jordan, 7-0 C Texas A&M (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg):
Nov. 21 vs. Washington: 8 pts, 10 reb
Nov. 23 vs. Ohio St: 11 pts, 8 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. Alabama
Jordan has been a major force around the rim for the Aggies. He has had at least eight rebounds in each game since his first game. He is not the type of player who will score thirty points a game like Michael Beasley, but he will pound the boards and get consistent double-doubles.
12. Jonny Flynn, 6-0 PG Syracuse (11 ppg, 5.8 apg):
Nov. 21 vs. Ohio St: 0 pts, 4 assists
Nov. 23 vs. Washington: 16 pts, 2 assists
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. UMass
Flynn has quieted down a bit after his spectacular performances against Siena and St. Joe's, but he is still an exceptional freshman point guard. He should be near the top of the nation in assists at the end of the season, and near the top in entertainment value.
13. Anthony Randolph, 6-11 PF LSU (15.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg):
Nov. 21 vs. Arizona St: 21 pts, 7 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. Nicholls St
Randolph has had two straight games with 21 points, and has had at least seven rebounds in four of his five games. The Tigers will really need him to continue playing so well throughout the season.
14. James Harden 6-5 SG Arizona St (16.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg):
Nov. 26 vs. Cal Poly: 15 pts, 10 reb
Next game: Nov. 28 vs. Florida Gulf Coast
Arizona State has not had a brilliant recent past in basketball, but fans are hoping that Harden is a savior. So far, he has been pretty good and he can rebound well for a guard.
15. Davon Jefferson 6-8 SF USC (10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg):
Nov. 22 vs. San Diego: 5 pts, 3 reb
Nov. 24 vs. Miami (OH): 7 pts, 2 reb
Nov. 25 vs. Southern Illinois: 20 pts, 5 reb
Next game: Nov. 29 vs. Oklahoma
Jefferson was a five star recruit and missed the first few games of the season with an injury. He may go under the radar playing with Mayo, but he had a breakout game against Southern Illinois with 20 points.
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