|
|
|
|
| HOOPS PREVIEW '07-'08: BIGGEST SHOES TO FILL
|
|
October 13, 2007
|
|
Jeff, SCS.com Staff Writer
|
Contact Jeff
|
 Players leave their teams after every season, whether it was a matter of eligibility running out, the player taking the early-entry route, or in some cases a transfer from one school to another. It's the way college basketball is. However, the impact of the missing players on their old team will vary from school to school as we look ahead to the 2007-2008 season. This year, there is an obvious absence of several of the best players from the last few years. Who will replace them? There will be some large shoes to fill when the season tips off in less than a month.
Kevin Durant, Texas
Replacement: Damion James
James will have to be the versatile forward he has the skills to become.
Greg Oden, Ohio State
Replacement: Kosta Koufos
Koufos is not the defender Oden was, but he is excellent offensively.
Mike Conley, Ohio State
Replacement: Jamar Butler
Butler was very good at PG two years ago, and will return to that spot.
Acie Law, Texas A&M
Replacement: Donald Sloan
Sloan has shown the ability to score, but needs to be the leader Law was.
Alando Tucker, Wisconsin
Replacement: Marcus Landry
Landry has the talent and skill to be an inside-outside scorer.
Arron Afflalo, UCLA
Replacement: Josh Shipp, Kevin Love
Shipp will replace his perimeter scoring; Love takes his spot in the line-up.
Aaron Brooks, Oregon
Replacement: Tajuan Porter, Kamyron Taylor
Porter moves over to the point after starting at SG last year.
Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt
Replacement: A.J. Ogilvy
Doesn’t play the same position and isn’t as versatile as Byars, but Ogilvy will make an impact.
Jeff Green, Georgetown
Replacement: DaJuan Summers
Summers has a similar skill set and stepped up late in the year.
Al Horford, Florida
Replacement: Marreese Speights
Speights could become the next All-SEC big man from the Gators.
Joakim Noah, Florida
Replacement: Alex Tyus
Athletic forward has a decent mid-range game, but is not as active as Noah.
Corey Brewer, Florida
Replacement: Chandler Parsons
Freshman can shoot it from the perimeter and score inside.
Taurean Green, Florida
Replacement: Nick Calathes
Calathes can play both backcourt spots, and is the best guard on the roster.
Nick Fazekas, Nevada
Replacement: JaVale McGee
Impressive in flashes last season, McGee is very talented inside.
Julian Wright, Kansas
Replacement: Darrell Arthur
Arthur could end up being one of the best players in the country.
Jared Dudley, Boston College
Replacement: Rakim Sanders, Shamari Spears
Both Sanders and Spears are versatile forwards that will anchor the frontcourt.
Brandan Wright, North Carolina
Replacement: Deon Thompson
Thompson had a very good summer and will be solid inside.
Spencer Hawes, Washington
Replacement: Matthew Bryan-Amaning
Bryan-Amaning will make an immediate impact as a freshman.
Nick Young, USC
Replacement: Davon Jefferson
Impact freshman is versatile and will become a very good offensive option.
Al Thornton, Florida State
Replacement: Uche Echefu
Obviously not the player Thornton was, but Echefu is decent inside and out.
Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech
Replacement: Maurice Miller
Miller will likely be the second straight freshman PG for Jackets.
Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech
Replacement: Mouhammed Faye
Versatile forward is extremely long and athletic.
Glen Davis, LSU
Replacement: Anthony Randolph
Will immediately be the go-to-guy in the frontcourt.
Josh McRoberts, Duke
Replacement: Lance Thomas
Blue Devils lack a post presence this season; he needs to step up.
Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington
Replacement: Marcus Hinton
Has to become a leader instead of a bench player.
Trey Johnson, Jackson State
Replacement: Jenniro Bush
Highly-regarded freshman will make an immediate impact.
Jason Smith, Colorado State
Replacement: Stuart Creason
Seven-footer had a very good season last year, but needs to step up.
Morris Almond, Rice
Replacement: Bryan Beasley
Texas A&M transfer needs to provide scoring in the backcourt.
Mustafa Shakur, Arizona
Replacement: Jerryd Bayless
Natural wing will be a super scorer at Point Guard U.
Ivan Radenovic, Arizona
Replacement: Jamelle Horne
Versatile forward is an inside-outside option.
Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh
Replacement: Tyrell Biggs
Saw good minutes the past two seasons, but needs to produce.
Kyle Visser, Wake Forest
Replacement: David Weaver
Good defender and rebounder needs to make strides offensively.
Carl Landry, Purdue
Replacement: JaJuan Johnson
Athletic big man has plenty of talent and potential, but could be raw.
Jamaal Tatum, Southern Illinois
Replacement: Wesley Clemmons
Needs to play well on both sides of the ball.
Nate Funk, Creighton
Replacement: Nick Bahe
Very good long-range shooter has to expand offensive game.
Blake Ahearn, Missouri State
Replacement: Dale Lamberth
Very efficient shooter is go-to-guy in the backcourt.
Keena Yong, BYU
Replacement: Jonathan Tavernari
Produced very well in inconsistent minutes last season.
Brandon Heath, San Diego State
Replacement: Lorrenzo Wade
Very good all-around player will become a star.
Caleb Green, Oral Roberts
Replacement: Marchello Vealy
Terrific sixth man last season needs to be more consistent.
Demetris Nichols, Syracuse
Replacement: Donte Greene
Versatile forward can score both inside and out.
Herbert Hill, Providence
Replacement: Randall Hanke
Took off last year for personal problems, but is solid down low.
D.J. Strawberry, Maryland
Replacement: Greivis Vasquez
Showed flashes of brilliance last year, and has lots of potential.
Stephane Lasme/Rashaun Freeman, Massachusetts
Replacements: Dante Milligan, Luke Bonner
Completely new post duo.
J.R. Reynolds, Virginia
Replacement: Mamadi Diane
Will move to the shooting guard spot, and has to step up production.
Zabian Dowdell, Virginia Tech
Replacement: Malcolm Delaney
Freshman will start at point guard from day one.
Derek Raivio, Gonzaga
Replacement: Matt Bouldin
If he becomes more consistent, he could a terrific player.
Jared Jordan, Marist
Replacement: Jayde Gavin
Freshman can knock down threes and score, but needs to lead team.
Jamar Wilson, Albany
Replacement: Jon Iati
Little 5'9" guard has to step up production to replace two-time conference player of the year.
Adam Haluska, Iowa
Replacement: Justin Johnson
Very good shooter has the size to become a solid wing.
Mario Boggan, Oklahoma State
Replacement: Anthony Brown
Physical big man can score inside and will start.
Cartier Martin, Kansas State
Replacement: Michael Beasley
A definite upgrade for the Wildcats; Beasley is a star.
Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech
Replacement: Alan Voskuil
He played well in the second half of last season.
Russell Carter/Colin Falls, Notre Dame
Replacement: Zach Hillesland, Ryan Ayers
Will split the wing responsibilities.
Frank Young, West Virginia
Replacement: Da’Sean Butler
Sixth man last season is a good scorer.
Curtis Sumpter, Villanova
Replacement: Shane Clark
Versatile forward will have to play big for undersized ‘Cats.
Jermareo Davidson, Alabama
Replacement: Justin Knox
He is strong and athletic, and is a solid rebounder inside.
Randolph Morris, Kentucky
Replacement: Patrick Patterson
Highly-touted freshman will start immediately down low.
Tre Kelley, South Carolina
Replacement: Devan Downey
Cincinnati transfer is one of the best point guards in SEC.
David Patten, Weber State
Replacement: Tyler Billings
He put up decent numbers last season off the bench.
Torrell Martin, Winthrop
Replacement: Antwon Harris
Performed well at spots last season, but is not a shooter.
Larry Blair, Liberty
Replacement: T.J. Bannister
Virginia transfer immediately becomes a top point guard.
Bobby Brown, Cal State Fullerton
Replacement: Josh Akognon
Washington State transfer is a good scorer.
Aaron Nixon, Long Beach State
Replacement: Donovan Morris
Fresno State transfer will start on the wing right away.
Gary Neal, Towson
Replacement: Tim Crossin
Will need help from his teammates to replace Neal’s scoring.
Loren Stokes, Hofstra
Replacement: Greg Johnson, Devon Peterson
New York City guards need to fill gaping hole.
DaShaun Wood, Wright State
Replacement: William Graham
Brings experience and decent scoring to backcourt.
Blake Schilb, Loyola Chicago
Replacement: Justin Cerasoli
Mississippi transfer is a talented combo guard.
Ibrahim Jaaber/Mark Zoller, Pennsylvania
Replacements: Harrison Gaines, Tyler Bernardini
Very good freshmen duo.
Romeo Travis, Akron
Replacement: Steve Swiech, Quade Milum
Both will have to play well up front for the Zips.
Jahsha Bluntt, Delaware State
Replacement: Matthew Washington
Paterson Catholic big man will help anchor frontcourt.
Javier Mojica, Central Connecticut State
Replacement: Dan Powell
Has to become more of a factor this season.
Keith Simmons, Holy Cross
Replacement: Kyle Cruze
Part-time starter last season needs to increase production.
Rashad Jones-Jennings, Arkansas-Little Rock
Replacement: Rashad Moss
Will take a lot of work to replace great rebounder.
|
|
|
