NBA Draft Grades

1. Cleveland Cavaliers Anthony Bennett, SF

Anthony Bennett

Although this was surprising it does make a lot of sense. The Cavs need some help at the three and four and rebounding and with Bennett they get it. Grade: B+
2. Orlando Magic Victor Oladipo, SG
Orlando made a little stretch here with Oladipo but it is a smart pick. He gives them athleticism and physicality on the wing something the Magic really lacked last year. Grade: B
3. Washington Wizards Otto Porter, SF
John Wall and Brad Beal aren't great shooters so that was something the Wizards wanted to address. Porter can hit the three and with his size he can play a number of positions. Grade: A-
4. Charlotte Bobcats Cody Zeller, PF
Everybody is ripping this pick and for good reason. Zeller isn't psychical and isn't a good shooter plus he doesn't have the potential Noel and McLemore have, who were both available at this spot. Grade: D+
5. Phoenix Suns Alex Len, C
For years the Suns have really lacked a dominant low post threat. With Len they gain one who has loads of potential. Grade: B
6. New Orleans Pelicans Nerlens Noel, PF (rights traded to Philadelphia)
Noel was a steal here at six but trading him was the real steal. The Pelicans traded off Noel, who is a risky player for Philadelphia's budding star Jrue Holiday who will form a great core with Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon. Grade: A
7. Sacremento Kings Ben McLemore, SG
McLemore was just one of a number of players who dropped in this draft. The Kings picked him up here hoping he can be the next Ray Allen. Grade: B+
8. Detroit Pistons Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
With Caldwell-Pope, a former Georgia star, the Pistons get guaranteed scoring. He has a ton of potential but their might have been smarter options here. Grade: C
9. Minnesota Timberwolves Trey Burke, PG (rights traded to Utah)
The T-Wolves picked up Burke here clearly with the intention of trading him as they already had a great point guard in Ricky Rubio. Both Shabazz Muhammed and Gorgui Dieng are great picks making this a good move. Grade: B+
10. Portland Trail Blazers C.J. McCollum, PG
Portland definitely wanted a guard in this draft but I have questions about if McCollum and Damian Lilliard will be able to play each other. Both need the ball in their hands to be effective making this pairing a risk. Grade: C
11. Philadelphia Sixers Michael Carter-Williams, PG
With Jrue Holiday off to New Orleans the Sixers got an immediate replacement in Michael Carter-Williams. He uses his huge body to bully guards in the paint and should make an impact immediately. Grade: B-
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Steven Adams, C
Adams has the potential to be the future at the center position for the Thunder but right now he is raw. The Thunder just saw the potential and have the depth to help Adams develop. Grade: C+
13. Dallas Mavericks Kelly Olynyk, C (rights traded to Boston)
The Mavericks ended up with Shane Larkin and they definitely needed him. So this pick to get Larkin was a smart one. Grade: B
14. Utah Jazz Shabazz Muhammed SG/SF (rights traded to Minnesota)
This Muhammed selection helped the Jazz land Trey Burke who is by far the best point guard in this draft. That is very important to a team that has had a huge weakness at point for a long time. Grade: A
15. Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Adetokunbo, SF
The Bucks snatch up this big, long forward that can contribute on the wing immediately. He has a ton of potential and could fit in with Milwaukee. Grade: B-
16. Boston Celtics Lucas Nogueira, C (rights traded to Atlanta)
The Brazilian big man would have been a nice pick for Boston but he will begin his career in Atlanta. The Celtics end up with Kelly Olynyk who is a very polished player. Grade: B
17. Atlanta Hawks Dennis Schroeder, PG
Schroeder will remind a lot of people of Rajon Rondo, an extremely good playmaker and very quick. With Jeff Teague a possible free agent he could start right away. Grade: A-
18. Atlanta Hawks Shane Larkin, PG (rights traded to Dallas)
This pick helped Atlanta pick up Nogueira who has the potential to be a star. Though that is just potential and their may have been some better options that fit the Hawks' system better. Grade: C
19. Cleveland Cavaliers Sergey Karasev, SF
Cleveland continued to work on their forward play with the addition of the Russian Karasev. Karasev is versatile, athletic and can nail the long ball meaning he should push for playing time from the get go. Grade: B
20. Chicago Bulls Tony Snell, SF
The future of Luol Deng in Chicago is in question and the Bulls need some help at the three. Snell has a lot of scoring potential and is a tough player someone that can fit well in Tom Thibodeau's system. Grade: A-
21. Utah Jazz Gorgui Dieng, C (rights traded to Minnesota)
Dieng is a lot like Nerlens Noel; he is a great shot blocker and rebounder and has an evolving offensive game. So the T-Wolves grabbing him this late is a small steal. Grade: B+
22. Brooklyn Nets Mason Plumlee, PF/C
Other than Brook Lopez the Nets' frontcourt is a weakness even if Kevin Garnett turns into his old self. Plumlee gives some much needed athleticism and rebounding. Grade: B
23. Indiana Pacers Solomon Hill, SF
The Pacers have made some agressive picks in the past but this one might have been too long of a stretch. Hill doesn't have the shot or athleticism to play full-time at small forward but he is too small to play power forward. Grade: C-
24. New York Knicks Tim Hardaway, SG
Last season the Knicks had shooting but it wasn't smart shooting due mostly to inconsistent and erratic J.R. Smith. Hardaway should be a much better overall player than Smith at shooting guard. Grade: B+
25. Los Angeles Clippers Reggie Bullock, SG
The Clippers know that they need some help to step over the hump and be a championship contender. Whether Bullock, a guy with a ton of potential, can be that guy is a big question. Grade: C+
26. Minnesota Timberwolves Andre Roberson, SF (rights traded to Oklahoma City) The Thunder have found a talent here with Roberson a good leader who had a great career at Colorado. Grade: B
27. Denver Nuggets Rudy Gobert, C (rights traded to Utah)
The Jazz pick up another big man to go along with a number of developing ones including Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors. The massive Gobert has the potential to be a dominant shot blocker in the NBA.
28. San Antonio Spurs Livio Jean-Charles, PF
This was a definite surprise but it is hard to fault any pick the Spurs make with what they have done in the past decade. Jean-Charles' future is unknown but he has the talent to become a solid pro on Amercian courts. Grade: C+
29. Oklahoma City Thunder Archie Goodwin, SG (rights traded to Phoenix)
Goodwin probably doesn't deserve to be a first round pick but Phoenix needs help everywhere. Goodwin can score but in order to improve he needs to become a better player at point. Grade: C
30. Phoenix Suns Nemanja Nedovic, SG (rights traded to Golden State)
The Warriors ended up with a talented, smart guard out of Serbia with Nedovic. He can be a solid player behind Klay Thompson, though he may not come to the NBA for a couple years. Grade: B-

College Football Preview: 12. Boise State Broncos

12. Boise State Broncos

Last season even without Kellen Moore and a number of other important pieces the Broncos won 11 games. With the return of quarterback Joe Southwick and the maturity of a number of players the Broncos have the talent to be once more BCS busters. If they can get past a couple of tough Mountain West games a BCS bowl could still be on the horizon.


Backfield: Southwick wasn't great in 2012 but he should really improve his senior year. He was smart and accurate through much of last season completing 66.8 percent of his throws. Though he wasn't much of a downfield threat and

Joe Southwick

 didn't feel out pressure well. Those both should take big leaps in '13. The Broncos must replace D.J. Harper and his 15 touchdowns at the running back spot. Sophomore Jay Ajayi is the leading candidate to replace Harper. With Southwick more of a threat Boise won't have to lean too much on their ground game which is definitely a good thing for Ajayi. Freshman Aaron Baltazar and sophomore Jack Fields should get their fair share of carries.

Receivers: Junior Matt Miller returns to make a fabulous duo with Southwick that should give defensive coordinators headaches. Miller was always a threat to make big plays after recording 66 receptions a year ago, averaging 11.7 yards per catch. He is a very psychical receiver who makes catches in traffic but also has the speed to beat defensive backs down the field. Senior Kirby Moore also returns after a strong season in 2012. He also makes plays in traffic but he doesn't have the home-run ability that Miller possesses at times. Another senior, Aaron Burks, will finally get the chance to prove himself after years of sitting on the bench. 5-10 junior Dallas Burroughs has game-breaking speed and has the potential to be the next big thing in Boise. Although he had some issues with drops last year he was pretty effective. The tight end position is in good hands with sophomore Holden Huff and senior Gabe Linehan. Both are important pieces to their teams as both are Southwick's security blankets. They have good hands and constantly pick up tough yards.

Matt Miller

Offensive Line: Throughout the years Boise has had great offensive lines, something that might change this season. Senior tackle Charles Leno returns after a great '12 year. He has great leadership abilities and is extremely athletic constantly able to move to pick up additional pass rushers. The only other returner on the line is senior center Matt Paradis. He is smart and can find and push around rushing tacklers and he was a big part of breaking in Southwick. Although there are some new starters on the line they are very experienced with two seniors, Jake Broyles and Spencer Gerke, starting at the guard spots. Both are big and great at opening up running lanes which should help develop Ajayi. Even with some good experience and proven studs in Paradis and Leno the Broncos don't have much depth so they will have to rely on some redshirts and upperclassmen.

Defensive Line: This appears to be the real strength of the Boise State defense. Junior Demarcus Lawrence is one of the best pass rushers in the Mountain West and even the nation. Lawrence had 9.5 sacks in 2012 and he only played 11 games meaning that 9.5 should go up. He uses his very athletic body to constantly disrupt opposing squad's backfields. Another junior, Beau Martin, has the chance to start at the other end or maybe be a quality backup to Lawrence. With Lawrence wreaking havoc on the perimeter teams should struggle to run up the middle as well. Nose guard Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe doesn't just have a cool name; he is also a great player. He can some backs from getting any easy yards but also is quick enough to get after them before they break the line after recording 4.5 tackles for loss a year ago. Sure to start alongside Tjong-A-Tjoe in the middle is junior Tyler Horn. Horn isn't proven yet though he definitely has the potential to be a great tackle.

Linebackers: For years the Broncos have had some great linebackers and also are tough to run on. Their linebacker corps only includes two due to the way Pete Kwiatkowski runs his defense. Although J.C. Percy and Tommy Smith are both gone the Broncos have a ton of potential at these positions. Sophomore Tyler Gray has the potential to be a great player this year and for years to come. He is quick to the ball and has the chance to mature a lot in 2013. Junior Blake Renaud should also contribute. He also has a nose for the ball and is athletic enough to rack up a bunch of tackles. It appears coach Chris Petersen and staff will rely on a number of freshman to play a lot of snaps immediately. Outside linebacker Gabe Perez is extremely athletic and has the thick, solid frame to push around backs. California product Tanner Vallejo is a tackling machine and should make an impact right away.

Secondary:  It was tough to pass against Boise last season as the Broncos let up just 169.5 yards per game in 2012. That should continue this year with the return of a number of players including safety Jeremy Ioane who is the leading returning tackler this year and picked the ball off 3 times last season. Sophomore Darian Thompson was a great freshman a year ago and will also be tough to pass in the open field. Both Thompson and Ioane combined for 113 tackles in '12. The Broncos also have two great coverage defensive backs in sophomore Donte Deayon and junior Bryan Douglas. Both are quick and tough to beat down the field but they both have a big weakness. Both of these cornerbacks are 5-9 meaning that they can get pushed around by physical receivers and jump balls.

Although this isn't the most talented Broncos team in Boise the fact remains that they are 61-5 the past five years and still are the best team in the Mountain West. This means once more Boise is a double-digit win squad that can find themselves in a great bowl.

College Football Preview: 11. Florida Gators

11. Florida Gators

It was a surprising year in Gainesville for the Gators in 2012. With no proven quarterback and questions about playmakers the Gators still managed to win 11 games and make the Sugar Bowl. With Jeff Driskel returning along with a number of impact players on both sides of the ball their is enough talent to make it back-to-back BCS bowls for Florida.

Jeff Driskel

Backfield: Although the Gators did win 11 games their offense was atrocious for much of last year. In order to take the next step Florida really needs to find its passing game and that starts with junior Jeff Driskel. Driskel was a very good scrambler rushing for 413 yards. Though he only passed for 1,646 yards and the Gators had their worst passing game in terms of yards since 1989. He should mature and feel more comfortable this year. Though in order to have success he has to stretch the field which he didn't do much last season. Florida must replace Mike Gillislee who was the most important player on last year's team constantly picking up tough yards. Sophomore Matt Jones and junior Mack Brown will compete to replace him. Jones picked up 3 touchdowns in 2012 and has proven he can fight through contact and has pretty good speed. Explosive Trey Burton should play a number of spots and will be sure to get carries. With Driskel and Burton's running ability even if Jones struggles the ground attack should be solid.

Receivers: Junior Loucheiz Purifoy was moved from cornerback to receiver in the hopes he could improve the offense. He is shifty and has some great speed and make plays downfield. If Driskel can get him the ball he should have a big '13. Junior Quinton Dunbar is the Gators' leading returning receiver after catching 36 balls for 383 yards ago. He made some big strides in the spring and appears to be more of a leader. Senior Andre Debose hopes to be more of a playmaker after a mediocre junior season. The Gators also lost an important piece to their offense when Jordan Reed graduated. Junior Tevin Westbrook could take over for Reed but Clay Burton should also contribute. Both might not be as effective as Reed though both can move the chains.

Offensive Line: In order for this offense to become stronger the offensive line should also be key. It isn't bad group though it does need some work along it. Sophomore D.J. Humphries is big and quick and tough to push off his spot. He should play an important role as he must protect Driskel's blind side. Also starting on the left side should be guard Max Garcia, a transfer from Maryland. In his true freshman year with the Terps he started all 12 games. Although it is likely he will face better pass rushers in the tough SEC he has the talent and ability to be fantastic. On the opposite side the Gators will also be relying on some youth. 6-6 sophomore right tackle Tyler Moore is a monster when he is on his game but he is inconsistent. He should be able to fix that with more snaps under his belt. In the middle Florida has some much needed experience with senior center Jonotthan Harrison and right guard Jon Halapio.

Defensive Line: The Gators defensive line has taken some losses though it is a strong unit. Shariff Floyd is now a Minnesota Viking and he leaves a big hole in the middle. Senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley is great at filling running lanes and can also provide a little bit of a pass rush, recording 4 sacks in 2012. Moving from end to tackle shouldn't hurt his production in any way. Massive junior Leon Orr should be the top candidate to replace Floyd at the nose tackle position. Another junior, Darious Cummings, should also get a chance to contribute right away. Two sophomores, Jonathan Bullard and Dante Fowler, look like they will be the starters at the end spots. A freshman Alex McCalister should also get a chance to be an important part of Florida's defense right away.

Linebackers: Gone in the linebacker corps are Jonathan Bostic and Jelani Jenkins. Junior Ronald Powell has a great mix of size and speed and is a great pass rusher. He has a lot of speed and is quick to make tackles on the perimeter. Sophomore Antonio Morrison looks like he will replace Bostic at the middle linebacker spot. He is a very hard hitter and can plays all over the field, making tackles and providing a nice coverage 'backer. While Powell starts at one outside linebacker slot it looks like Michael Taylor will man the the other one. A pair of freshman should be impact players from the start. 6-3, 230 pound Alex Anzalone can compete for snaps at the middle and outside linebacker positions. Daniel McMillian should also compete for playing time from the start and can constantly make big plays.

Loucheiz Purifoy

Secondary: Teams shouldn't be able to pass against the Gators very often in 2013. Florida returns a senior leader in Jaylen Watkins who had 3 interceptions a year ago. He is a ball hawk who reads quarterback's eyes very well which helps him get picks and pass deflections. Purifoy might also have the chance to play at cornerback which he was very great last year, racking up 51 total tackles. He is so tough and has the stamina and talent to possibly go both ways. If he isn't playing cornerback expect senior Jeremy Brown to play alongside Watkins. Freshman Vernon Hargreaves III is the star of this secondary for the future but might not play a ton early. He has fantastic instincts and is very quick and is tough to beat down the field. The real weakness for this secondary is at both of the safety spots. Matt Elam is off to the NFL and Josh Evans is also gone leaving some big holes. Juniors Cody Riggs and Jabari Gorman should get the chance to start in their absence. Sophomore Valdez Showers has a ton of potential and should push Gorman at the strong safety position.

If the Gators can find their groove on offense they should contend for their first SEC crown since the Tim Tebow era. With Purifoy and a proven strong ground attack a great bowl is still not out of the question.

College Football Preview: 10. Oklahoma State Cowboys

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys

It was a disappointing year in Stillwater last season. Coming off a Big 12 championship season in 2011 the Cowboys struggled to find a consistent quarterback and their defense was terrible at times all ending up with a 8-5 record. If the Cowboys stay healthy with a weakened Big 12 it could be a record-setting year for Oklahoma State.

J.W. Walsh

Backfield: Wes Lunt, a freshman, started off as the Cowboys' starting quarterback in 2012. Though injuries hit and the Cowboys ended up using junior Clint Chelf and freshman J.W. Walsh. Lunt is going to transfer to Illinois so the quarterback competition is now done between Chelf and Walsh. Chelf is the more experienced and has a strong, accurate arm. He was named the starter of the spring game and it looks like coach Mike Gundy may be leaning towards him. Walsh has more star potential with a huge arm and the ability to scramble but decision making is an issue. Whoever starts has the talent around him and is in the right system to have a huge year. Last year's leading rusher Joseph Randle is now gone leaving an opening at the halfback position. Senior Jeremy Smith has the edge right now after rushing for 371 yards and eight touchowns in a relief role last season. Bigger and more powerful junior Desmond Roland should also be a factor in 2013. Fullback Kyle Staley should help lead the way for an improving ground game.

Receivers: Senior Tracy Moore is ready for a breakout year after receiving a medical redshirt last year. Being the best receiver in this air raid offense means Moore should rack up a ton of receptions and yards. If he can stay healthy Moore could remind a lot of Oklahoma State fans of Justin Blackmon. Junior Josh Stewart could have a big year as well. He is incredibly quick with great hands and can be a leader. Freshman Ra'Shaad Samples is ready to be an instant playmaker in this offense. An Under Armour All-American, Samples provide instant offense. Senior Charlie Moore should also help break in the quarterback. He does a good job of moving the chains though he isn't necessarily explosive.

Josh Stewart

Offensive Line:  6-7 Parker Graham moves from tackle to guard after two great years at the tackle spot. He is massive but he should be one of the most athletic guards in the nation after spending time at tackle. Senior left guard Brandon Webb should likely be the anchor of this line. He uses his big frame to push big D-Linemen backwards. He knows a lot of these pass rushers in the Big 12 after seeing them for three years. Junior center Jake Jenkins looks like he'll have a solid season. Though he needs to stay healthy because the Cowboys have very little depth behind him. All across the offensive line we see a lot of potential and some solid experience.

Defensive Line: In order for the defense to improve from a season in which they allowed 420+ yards per game and 28.1 points per game they need more pressure from their line. Junior college transfer Calvin Barnett emerged as a bright spot for Okahoma State in 2012 after recording 8.5 tackles for loss. After winning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year the 'Boys should look to Barnett to be a leader. Senior end Tyler Johnson appears ready to be a contributor right away after recording 4 sacks last season. Starting alongside Barnett at the opposite defensive tackle slot will be junior James Castleman who is a proven run stuffer. Juco transfer Sam Wren should also provide some much needed depth. If Barnett continues his strong play in the Big 12 and Tyler Johnson emerges as a dominant pass rusher teams shouldn't be able to gain any easy yards against OSU.

Linebackers: The Cowboys don't have any stars in this linebacker group but it appears like it will be a solid unit in 2013. Senior Shaun Lewis has had a great career so far in Stillwater and will look to finish it out with an impressive performance. He recognizes plays a lot better now than he did early in his career and has matured in a ton of ways. Another senior, middle linebacker Caleb Lavey also hopes for a big year. He also has great instincts and has a nose for the ball. Although these two seem like they have been at Oklahoma State for a while the rest of this linebacker group is young. Sophomores Ryan Simmons and Kris Catlin should spend a lot of time at the outside 'backer spot. Sophomore DeMarcus Sherod, also a sophomore, should provide depth behind Lavey in case injuries are a factor.

Secondary: A lot of last year's defensive struggles were blamed on the Cowboys' secondary. Though a good group of returners and some impact freshman should definitely change that. Senior free safety Daytawion Lowe is the Cowboys' leading returning tackler after recording 75 tackles and he also had 2 interceptions. He has fantastic instincts and can really rack up tackles. Senior Justin Gilbert does most of his damage in special teams but he can be lockdown occasionally. He is a pretty hard hitter and loves to cover receivers like a shadow. Junior Lyndell Johnson moved from linebacker to safety a move that could really benefit them. With his ability to tackle in the open field and speed to the ball he could compete for the starting job at the strong safety position. The best prospect out of Kansas this year freshman cornerback Jerel Morrow is a hard-hitter with loads of potential.

With a pretty weak Big 12 and a lot of talent on both sides of the ball the Cowboys are ready for their second conference title in three years if they can stay away from injuries.

NBA Mock Draft Edition 4

Alex Len

1. Cleveland Cavaliers Alex Len, C
Where did this come from? The Cavaliers are starting to question Noel and Len's physical gifts are just so impressive the Cavs can't pass up on him.
2. Orlando Magic Ben McLemore, SG
Orlando was really terrible across the board a year ago and they need help everywhere including shooting. Ben McLemore, who looks like the next Ray Allen should definitely help.
3. Washington Wizards Nerlens Noel, PF
Emeka Okafor and Nene  are the current starters in Washington. Both are old and aren't getting any younger. If Noel drops to three it will be tough for the Wizards to resist him.
4. Charlotte Bobcats Otto Porter, SF
Although the Bobcats choose Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with last year's lottery pick they pick up another swingman in Porter. With his set of skills he can play a number of positions at the next level.
5. Phoenix Suns Victor Oladipo, SG
The Suns lacked excitement and youth last season which is exactly what Oladipo gives them. A team might trade for Charlotte's number four pick and pick up Oladipo but the Suns need him here.
6. New Orleans Pelicans Trey Burke, PG
The Pelicans could use some help with Anthony Davis in their frontcourt but it will be tough to pass up Trey Burke who will remind many New Orleans fans of Chris Paul.
7. Sacremento Kings Anthony Bennett, SF/PF
With a move to Seattle possibly on the horizon the Kings need this pick to count. A fantastic, big rebounding forward, Bennett brings star potential immediately.
8. Detroit Pistons C.J. McCollum, PG/SG
McCollum may be a stretch here at eight but the Pistons really need some more backcourt scoring help which is what the proven scorer McCollum gives them.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
Ricky Rubio gives the T-Wolves a great passer while Caldwell-Pope gives them a scoring guard.
10. Portland Blazers Steven Adams, C
Adams is unproven but NBA prospects love his size and rebounding ability and the Blazers who now have a great guard in Damian Lilliard, need both.
11. Philadelphia Sixers Lucas Nogeira, C
We don't know if Andrew Bynum will even ever play in Philadelphia so the Sixers pick up a talented Brazilian who can remind a lot of people of Javale McGee in Nogeira.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder Michael Carter-Williams, PG
The Thunder's biggest weakness is definitely depth in the backcourt so they use this lottery pick to pick up guard Carter-Williams who is one of the best passers in this year's class.
13. Dallas Mavericks Cody Zeller, PF
Dallas will probably trade away this pick but if they keep it they will likely pick up a forward. Cody Zeller despite some issues, is really the best available forward.
14. Utah Jazz Dennis Schroeder, PG
Utah is looking for a franchise point guard something they haven't had since Deron Williams left. Schroeder is an extremely quick German point guard who can be that franchise guard.
15. Milwaukee Bucks Shabazz Muhammed, SF
The Bucks have a lot of scoring in the backcourt but they need some help on the wing. Muhammed dropping here would be a great scenario for Milwaukee.
16. Boston Celtics Shane Larkin, PG
Rajon Rondo isn't a great shooting guard so the Celtics pick up Larkin who is rising up draft boards because he can nail the three.
17. Atlanta Hawks Kelly Olynyk, C
Olynyk is a very polished scorer but he could drop in the draft boards because of his average size and lack of a mid range game.
18. Atlanta Hawks Sergey Karasev, SG/SF
The Russian swingman will give the Hawks some wing help, something that they haven't had in a long while.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers Mason Plumlee, PF
It would be an amazing draft for the Cavs if they landed both Len and the talented Plumlee dropped all the way to Cleveland at 19. Plumlee is versatile and a double-double machine that is more mature than Len.
20. Chicago Bulls Rudy Gobert, C
Other than Joakim Noah the Bulls lack a dominant low post presence. Gobert, a 7-2 French center could immediately fill that need.
21. Utah Jazz Giannis Adetokoubo, SF/PF
The Jazz should address their need for a point guard with Schroeder at 14, then pick up Greek product Adetokoubo who should provide quality minutes at the three and four.
22. Brooklyn Nets Tony Snell, SG/SF
Behind Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace the Nets have very little depth at shooting guard and small forward. Enter Snell a very athletic player who can score at either.
23. Indiana Pacers Gorgui Dieng, C
Imagine how much the Pacers would dominate the paint if they picked up the big, defensive minded Dieng here to go along with Roy Hibbert.
24. New York Knicks Tony Mitchell, SF/PF
In order to take the next step the Knicks need some more scoring help down low to go along with their strong three-point shooting. Mitchell, a gifted forward from North Texas can definitely score in the post.
25. Los Angeles Clippers Allen Crabbe, SG
The Clippers need some help with their shooting on the wing. Crabbe, who won't have to travel far from college ball at California, has a silky jump shot.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves Tim Hardaway, SG
The Timberwolves don't really have a proven three-point threat. Hardaway, who can also spend time at small forward may be the best shooter in the draft this year.
27. Denver Nuggets Glen Rice Jr., SG
Glen Rice has been slowly rising up draft boards and the Nuggets will really need a shooting guard as Andre Iguodala looks to be moving on. He will give Denver an athletic, 6-6 talent.
28. San Antonio Spurs Isaiah Canaan, PG
Although Tony Parker looks like he is never going to age the Spurs need to think about the future. Canaan can drop 30 every game and should be a quality backup to Parker until he moves on.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder Ricardo Ledo, SG
Ledo could remind a lot of Thunder fans of a young James Harden; extremely athletic and a proven scorer.
30. Phoenix Suns C.J. Leslie, PF
Leslie may be a stretch here but he is one of the best forwards available and the Suns have been weak in the frontcourt for a while.

College Football Preview: 9. Clemson Tigers

9. Clemson Tigers

Clemson used their electric offense to end up winning 11 games and dominate a Chick-Fil-A Bowl over LSU. With 2012's ACC Player of the Year Tajh Boyd returning along with Sammy Watkins and a number of impact freshman Clemson could get back to their first BCS bowl since being blown out by West Virginia in 2011.



Backfield: Tajh Boyd is ready to compete for a Heisman after passing for 3,896 yards and 36 touchdowns. After a rollercoaster of a 2011 Boyd proved to more consistent and overall smarter in his junior year. If Boyd can continue to mature in 2013 he should have an even bigger year. The backfield is now wide open with Andre Ellington graduating. Senior Roderick McDowell has the edge in a number of players in experience and ran for 450 yards as a backup to Ellington last season. Though D.J. Howard and freshman Tyshon Dye should also get their fair share of carries. Dye is extremely dangerous as he can be a psychical runner at times but also has some speed.

Sammy Watkins

Receivers: Sammy Watkins was a ghost in his sophomore year compared to what he did in a dream freshman campaign. He was suspended for two games, sat out another and managed just 57 receptions, with none in the team's bowl game. He is lethal when on his game, fast and agile and is fantastic when he gets in the open field. The loss of DeAndre Hopkins leaves a little bit of a gap but the Tigers have the talent to replace him. Junior Adam Humphries could have a big year and so could another junior Martavis Bryant who is explosive. Freshman Mike Williams has the size and strength to come up with tough catches. If any of these can step up the Tigers offense could be deadly.

Offensive Line: Four starters remain on a very good offensive line last year. Center leader Dalton Freeman is a huge loss but Clemson should still be very good at protecting Boyd. Senior left tackle Brandon Thomas has a lot of potential. He was an All-ACC tackle in 2012 and has the size and mobility to be very dominant this season. The other starter on the left side, guard David Beasley, had a strong sophomore season. He'll be a big part of an evolving ground attack. The top candidate to replace Freeman at center will likely be sophomore Ryan Norton who has the potential to have a strong year. Freshman Tyrone Crowder isn't big standing at just 6 feet but he is extremely athletic. Although he may not play a lot of snaps this season he should be considered the future at the guard position.

Defensive Line: Clemson lost their star defensive end Malliciah Goodman but their D-Line is still pretty strong. Junior Vic Beasley is the team's leading returning sack leader after recording 8 in 2012. He has the speed and strength to constantly disrupt opposing backfields. Defensive tackle Josh Watson has proved that he can fill running lanes with his big body. He is also very experienced like a lot of this line. 6-5 end Corey Crawford and nose guard Grady Jarrett also have experience and are both strong pass rushers. Clemson also managed to bring in a number of freshman who could make an impact. 6-4 end Shaq Lawson could be one along with four-star Brooklyn product Ebenezer Ogundeko.

Spencer Shuey

Linebackers: The return of 2012 leading tackler Spencer Shuey will be huge for Clemson this year. A senior, Shuey's experience allows him to read plays well and make tackles (he had 93 total last season). As Shuey racks up tackles in the middle, junior outside 'backer Stephone Anthony does it all over the field. He was fourth on the squad in tackles in '12 and could get even more this season. He also is pretty solid pass rusher as teams tend to focus on the Tigers' great defensive line leaving holes for him. On the other side the Tigers get a lot of production from senior outside linebacker Quandon Christian who can also rack up a lot of tackles. Inside linebacker Ben Boulware should also be an instant contributor being a four-star prospect. With a solid line and Shuey and Anthony teams shouldn't be able to run all over Clemson which has happened in the past.

Secondary: If Clemson wants to win the ACC and get back to a BCS bowl their secondary needs to play well. That is going to be tough as three important defensive backs are now gone. Junior cornerback Garry Peters is the lone returner and needs to have a big year. He has great coverage skills and should improve with some more experience. Starting at the opposite cornerback position looks like it will be senior Darius Robinson. Robinson is small and does get pushed around a bit with more physical receivers but he is extremely quick. Junior safety Robert Smith looks like he'll have a good year after playing just occasionally in 2012. Young and inexperienced sophomore Travis Blanks appears like he will start at the other safety slot. He has some weaknesses in his game though. The Number 4 overall freshman this year, Mackensie Alexander should spend some time at cornerback. He is a ball hawk with great instincts and awareness. He is ready to come in and be an important contributor.

Once again the Clemson Tigers have the talent to win the ACC. Though this year their defense must be above average and Tajh Boyd must continue to make smart decisions. If all things fit together well an ACC Championship is on the horizon. 

College Football Preview: 8. South Carolina Gamecocks

8. South Carolina Gamecocks

Steve Spurrier has had two straight 11 win teams at South Carolina. This 2013 has the chance to be even better than those two. They have a senior leader at quarterback, the best defensive player in the entire nation and an All-American caliber defensive tackle. If they can get through a tough late season stretch against Florida and Clemson the Gamecocks could roll all the way to a national title.

Connor Shaw

Backfield: Connor Shaw has emerged as one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC. He has a strong, accurate arm and can also do a lot of damage with his legs. Though he does take a beating being a mobile quarterback he is tough and needs to stay healthy. Junior Dylan Thompson played a little bit as a sophomore last year and should be a quality backup to Shaw. Marcus Lattimore is off to the NFL and hopefully recovering from his severe knee injury. Sophomores Brandon Wilds and Mike Davis should take over the tailback job. Davis is the quicker and more agile and uses his tiny 5-9 frame to squeeze into running lanes. Wilds is pretty fast but is more like Lattimore, as he embraces contact. Hopefully, he doesn't struggle through injuries like Lattimore.

Receivers: Explosive, electric and game-changing Ace Sanders left early to the NFL leaving a pretty big hole in South Carolina's receiving group. Sanders was never a fantastic receiver but he definitely was important. Junior Bruce Ellington, a two-sports star should become Shaw's security blanket. Ellington is South Carolina's leading returning receiver, catching 600 yards in 2012. He is pretty fast and is able to catch the ball in traffic. Sophomore Shaq Roland has big play potential with his ability to seperate from defensive backs. With some more snaps under his belt he should continue to improve in a number of areas. Small junior receiver Damiere Byrd is also dangerous in the open field but his hands aren't the best. He struggles with drops and struggles to make catches when he goes up against talented defensive backs. The tight end position is wide open with Justice Cunningham now graduated.

Offensive Line: With just one starter gone the Gamecocks offensive line appears very solid. Junior left tackle Corey Robinson isn't exactly easy to pass. Nobody 6-8, 338 pounds is easy to pass especially Robinson who is very mobile for his huge body. On the other side it appears Brandon Shell, a sophomore, should start. Though improving junior Cody Gibson looks like he may be an option for right tackle. With center T.J. Johnson gone the starting spot should go to freshman Cody Waldrop. This of course could be an issue with an inexperienced player going up against the great pass rushers of the SEC.

Jadeveon Clowney

Defensive Line: We all know "The Hit" but defensive end Jadeveon Clowney did a lot more than that in his sophomore season. He had 13 sacks in 2012 along with 54 total tackles. Clowney enters his junior season as a near certain Number One overall pick on Draft Day 2014. He is quick off the edge, runs over opposing offensive linemen and as Vincent Smith knows, he is a hard hitter. Tackle Kelcy Quarles has the talent to be dominant. He is a proven run stuffer up the middle and is also a decent pass rusher. With teams worrying about Clowney on the perimeter Quarles should find a lot of gaps in the middle. Junior end Chaz Sutton should also be helped by the presence of Clowney. Freshman Kelsey Griffin should get some snaps at the defensive tackle spot. He has the body of a defensive end and is incredibly fast for a tackle running a 4.97 40-yard-dash.

Linebackers: As strong as the Gamecocks defensive line is their linebacker group is very weak with a lot of losses. Shaq Wilson and Reginald Bowens are gone leaving some massive gaps. Sophomore Kaiwan Lewis should play a big role as starting middle linebacker. He hasn't played much so far and had just 3 tackles in 2012. Outside 'backer Cedrick Cooper missed most of spring with a knee injury but should be an instant contributor this year. With all these losses and holes freshman could play a major role. Athletic linebacker Larenz Bryant played both ways in high school and can make plays from sideline to sideline.

Secondary: With a lot of experience this secondary unit should be very strong in '13. Junior cornerback Victor Hampton had a strong sophomore season and has fantastic coverage skills. Hampton also can prove to be important in rush defense as he had 40 tackles last year, a number that could go up. Starting at the other side is senior Jimmy Legree who record 3 interceptions in 2012. Quarterbacks should be very worried passing in the directions of Legree and Hampton. Junior Brison Williams should prove to be a solid starter at the strong safety spot. Though the big issue for this secondary is the loss of All-SEC safety D.J. Swearinger who was the leader of this defense a year ago. Kadetrix Marcus and T.J. Gurley should battle to replace him.

South Carolina has the potential to win it all. Clowney is amazing and their offense is strong enough to keep them consistently in games. Though they need a back whether it is Wilds or Davis to emerge in order to get over the hump and win the SEC East.

College Football Preview: 7. Louisville Cardinals

7. Louisville Cardinals

After watching their basketball team win it all just a few months ago the Cardinals football team believes it is their turn. And it may just be. Louisville ended up 11-2 and dominated powerhouse Florida in the Sugar Bowl from start to finish. With a Heisman candidate throwing the ball and one of the nation's most underrated defenses another championship could rise on the Louisville campus in the span of a couple months.

Teddy Bridgewater

Backfield: Teddy Bridgewater could win the Heisman. The junior proved that he can dominate any defense with a dazzling performance in the Sugar Bowl even with a broken wrist. He has one of the best arms in the whole nation and he can create on the move as well. It is easy to see why NFL prospects love his talents. The Louisville backs aren't too shabby either. Dominique Brown is sure to get the bulk of the carries though the now healthy Senorise Perry is also going to be a factor. When he is healthy Brown can be a monster with his ability to run over stronger and bigger defenders. Perry is also tough to tackle and is quick when his weak knee is holding up. With Louisville's strong group of backs it doesn't look like the Cardinals' offense will rely on Bridgewater too much.

Receivers: The Cardinals have a number of electric game-breaking wide receivers. These include players like NFL prospect DeVante Parker who averaged 19 yards per catch in 2012. He has the speed and hands to make a lot of plays. Junior Eli Rodgers could also be dangerous as he has been Bridgewater's security blanket since high school. He is gifted with a lot of interesting skills but he hasn't proven he can be a force at a consistent level yet. Freshman James Quick is exactly what his name suggests: speedy quick. Though, despite not being huge (6 feet, 180 pounds) he can break tackles. Speedy senior Damian Copeland can also burn defenses but doesn't seem to break away from defensive backs in short routine routes. Senior tight end Ryan Hubbell can also be a force from time to time.

Offensive Line: The O-Line appears to be the biggest weakness for this year's team. Although they have a healthy dose of experience on this unit none of these linemen are stars. Junior guard Jake Smith appears to be the anchor of the line. Coach Charlie Strong and staff experimented with Smith at center and could move there. Junior John Miller, a Miami product, could also be a force on the opposite side. Although he isn't incredibly gifted he works hard and plays strong. Sophomore tackles Ryan Mack and Abraham Garcia have the potential to be fantastic linemen but both are relatively unproven. Garcia showed a lot of talent in short spurts as a true freshman in 2012.

Defensive Line: Louisville doesn't have a proven star on their defensive line but it has all four starters returning and will be solid. Senior nose tackle Brandon Dunn and junior Jamaine Brooks stuff backs up the middle. Their ability to demand extra linemen and double teams create gaps for the teams great linebackers and ends. Junior Deiontrez Mount has the potential to be one of the American Atheltic Conference's best pass rushers. Another end, senior Marcus Smith has already proven he can use his speed and strength to get into opponents' backfields. Four-star defensive end Stacy Thomas who is very versatile spending time at end, linebacker and tackle. With players like Dunn, Mount and Brooks opponents should feel constant, incessant pressure from this line.

Linebackers: Preston Brown is one of the best middle linebackers in the nation after being an All-Big East linebacker in '12. He is agile and quick enough to get a ton of tackles and will compete to lead the AAC in tackles this year. Another senior George Durant is also an above-average 'backer. He can also rack up tackles and should provide stable pressue from the perimeter. Sophomores James Burgess and Keith Brown have the potential to be fantastic linebackers in 2013. Although both are young and just getting adjusted to the tough BCS teams they should continue to mature.

Hakeem Smith

Secondary: Louisville should be very tough to throw on this season. They have two of the best defensive backs in the country in 2013 with safeties Hakeem Smith and Cavin Pryor. Smith, a senior, is the leader of the defense being a monster in coverage and making tackles from sideline to sideline. Pryor has also proven he can be a beast. He is a great tackler in the open field and can also provide help in coverage as well. The Cardinals also have some great cornerbacks too. Junior Terrell Floyd and Andrew Johnson have both proven they can be shutdown at times and should be even more improved with some more experience under their belts.

Louisville isn't a powerhouse yet but they should take big strides in 2013 thanks to their fantastic junior quarterback. If they can get past Ohio on September 1st and Rutgers on October 10th a BCS bowl is a proven.

College Football Preview: 6. Georgia Bulldogs

6. Georgia Bulldogs  
 
The Bulldogs were one play away from a national championship last year. Now this Bulldogs team returns their star quarterback Aaron Murray and a strong stable of backs, hoping they can get over the hump this year. 

Aaron Murray

Backfield:  Aaron Murray returns for his senior season after a terrific junior year. He has the smarts to dominate opposing defenses and has the arm to beat secondaries. Though over his career with the Bulldogs he hasn't had enough targets to fulfil his huge ceiling. If he can find a reliable receiver to throw to consistently a Heisman is on the horizon. Luckily for Murray he has a ton of quality backs to take the pressure off him and the passing game. Sophomore back Todd Gurley returns after a great first year with the team. After filling in for the dismissed Isiah Crowell, Gurley turned into a monster not refusing to go down and running over tackles. Keith Marshall is sure to get some carries after backing up Gurley last year. 

Receivers: Although the 'Dawgs don't have any proven star receivers they have a load of talented wide outs. Junior Malcolm Mitchell, who can also play defensive back has emerged as a quality option for Murray. Mitchell has burning speed but is a little raw in some areas. Senior Rantavious Wooten should also have a big year. He is a little bit small, just 5-10, but he can squeeze into openings and move the chains. Junior Michael Bennett missed most of the 2012 season with a torn ACL but when he is healthy he is very dangerous. He can line up at receiver or tight end and has great hands. Senior Arthur Lynch uses big frame to line up as a blocker and is tough to tackle when he is a receiver.

Offensive Line: Murray should have a ton of time to pass the ball with this fantastic offensive line protecting him. Senior Kenarious Gates isn't intimidated by big SEC pass rushers after years of going up against them. On the opposite side sophomore John Theus should improve with a year under his belt. He struggled at times last season but if he uses his 6-6 body to his advantage he can dominate. The Bulldogs ground game is helped by two senior guards in Chris Burnette and Dallas Lee. Both former Georgia high school products they should be the leaders of this line.

Defensive Line: The loss of end Cornelius Washington and huge nose tackle John Jenkins leave a massive hole on what was a solid defensive line in 2012. Junior Ray Drew will be pressured to be one of this team's elite pass rushers. He has the speed from the edge to pressure opponents but he is very unproven. Another end, senior Garrison Smith also has some big shoes to fill. He is also quick to get to backs but he can struggle to be a factor at times. If both meet their potential it doesn't appear Mark Richt and Georgia will miss their graduated D-Linemen.

Linebackers: Gone are Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree, who both look like they will be solid pros. But this linebacker group is still very strong and should lead a rebuilding defense. Outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins has the biggest potential on this defense. He has the talent to replace Jones as the team's best pass rushers coming in from the perimeter where Jones dominated. If he can figure out offenses blocking schemes he could have a fantastic sophomore season. Inside 'backer junior Amarlo Herrara has the agility and vision to run and tackle opponents all over the field. Senior Chase Vasser should also be an important linebacker. Although he is a senior Vasser hasn't had the oppurtunity to prove himself on the field. It will be interesting to see if he can contribute with more snaps in '13.

Damian Swann

Secondary: This is the biggest weakness on this Georgia team. Bacarri Rambo, Shawn Williams and Sanders Commings are all gone. The only returning starter is junior Damian Swann. He is great at coverage and a sure tackler and with his playing time could be the leader of this weak unit. Sophomore Sheldon Dawson is looking very improved in the spring but still has some holes in his game. Freshman Tray Matthews has the instincts to be an impact safety at the college level. He has a nose for the ball and can rack up a lot of tackles. Malcolm Mitchell is probably a better receiver but when needed he should be an important piece to the puzzle of this secondary.

Georgia returns one of the nation's best quarterbacks and a great offensive line. If this defense can hold up, with their schedule the Bulldogs could rise up to their second straight SEC championship.

Yasiel Puig Is the MLB's New Phenom

Yasiel Puig

After a year like last year when the MLB had such players as Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Yoenis Cespedes many wondered what stars would come out of nowhere this year. We were impressed by Atlanta's Evan Gattis but Yasiel Puig appears to be the MLB's phenom of 2013. The 22-year-old Cuban signed a seven-year, 42 million dollar contract this off season with the Dodgers, just another big contract the Dodgers gave away this off season. When Puig was called up and scheduled to make his debut few people outside of Los Angeles noticed. Though in his first game against the Padres he exploded by going 2 for 4 and showcasing his big arm out in right field by finishing the game by recording an assist on a double play. The next game Puig proved he can be a major power hitter by knocking two homers also against the Padres. On June 6th Puig continued his amazing stretch by recording his first grand slam off of Atlanta. The next day, Puig hit yet another home run to become just the 2nd player to hit four home runs in his first five games. Through his first five games, along with his four home runs, he has 10 RBI, a .421 average and a .450 on base percentage. Since 1920, only two other big leaguers (Danny Espinosa and Jack Merson) have had as many runs batted in through their first five games as Puig has. So, no wonder why people are believing that Puig is the next sensation in the MLB. It will be interesting whether Puig can sustain this level of success
through out the season and win the NL Rookie of the Year. Of course, soon All-Star caliber outfielders Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp should return but manager Don Mattingly should definitely find ways to get such an explosive talent like Puig at-bats. Any way you look at it the Dodgers have found a gem in Puig and his potential is endless.

College Football Preview: 5. Oregon Ducks

5. Oregon Ducks

It looked as though the Ducks were going back to the championship last year. Then, one late night Stanford and their dominant defense beat Oregon. Though with most of their offense returning it should be another BCS bowl year in Oregon, even without Chip Kelly. Though in order to get back to the championship Marcus Mariota must turn into a leader and De'Anthony Thomas must turn into an every-down back.

Backfield: Marcus Mariota did a great job as a freshman last year and should continue to improve. Very little people know Mariota actually had 30 touchdown passes last season. He is the perfect quarterback for the Ducks' system, being

De'Anthony Thomas

accurate and able to keep plays alive with his feet. He has a ton of talent, but like a lot of freshman he made bad decisions. With more games under his belt and a ton of talent surrounding him, that weakness should go away. Kenjon Barner graduated but Oregon is more than ready to replace him. De'Anthony Thomas is back for his junior season after being a situational player in 2012. He is as fast as a cheetah, constantly changing games with his explosiveness. Though it isn't proven that he can continue to be a game-changer when he gets the ball every down. If he does, a Heisman could be on the horizon for one of the most exciting players in the nation. Sophomore Byron Marhsall also returns after proving he can be explosive at times last year. Freshman Thomas Tyner should come and bring immediate help.

Receivers: Although Oregon doesn't rely on their passing game they have a ton of quality receivers. Senior Josh Huff is one of them. Huff may be small but like most of this Oregon team he is quick and agile and tough to tackle. Another small and quick receiver, Keanon Lowe, appears to be ready to make big plays after a strong sophomore appearance. Senior Darryle Hawkins should also be a quality target for Mariota. Tight end Colt Lyerla has maybe the best hands of this group and should be a big part of this offense.

Offensive Line: The Ducks must replace two guards on the line but it is still very strong. Sophomore tackle Tyler Johnstone has the size and strength to have a big year. His redshirt year earlier in Eugene should pay dividends for him later on in his career. On the other side junior Jake Fisher should also be a quality tackle for this year and in the near future. Center Hroniss Grasu really emerged in his sophomore year last season and could be on of the nation's best centers. Unless Oregon can find strong guards no matter how great Mariota or Thomas are they are going to have a tough time against strong defenses.

Defensive Line: Oregon may not have a lot of star power on their line but it is still very solid. Senior end Taylor Hart looks to have a big finale after producing in different ways as a junior. The team's other starting end figures to be junior Tony Washington who has the potential to have an incredible 2013-2014. He has the size and speed to constantly pressure opponents from the edge. Up the middle opponents shouldn't get any easy yards. The Ducks have two strong tackles in senior Wade Keliikipi and sophomore Arik Armstead. Armstead didn't get much downs last year and still has to prove he can live up to the hype he received after arriving in Eugene last year but he has a NFL body.

• Ifo Ekpre-Olumu

Linebackers: Last year Oregon had one of the best group of linebackers in the nation. They had future top-10 pick Dion Jordan, Kiko Alonso and Michael Clay which made running the ball a tall order. Though all three are gone leaving the cupboard bare at those positions. Senior Boseko Lokombo appears to have a chance at being Oregon's leading tackler being, although he can also spend time in opponent's backfields. Sophomore Tyson Coleman should take on a big role as he is sure to be this team's starting middle linebacker. Coleman has some talent as he can cover the field, but is unproven.

Secondary: Many people may knock Oregon for having a weak defense but their secondary is very good. It is led by 2012 All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olumu who returns for his junior year. He is great at coverage and is a good tackler. Teams will fear throwing the ball anywhere near him. Also starting at cornerback there is another junior Terrance Mitchell who can be lockdown occasionally. As if trying to get past Mitchell and Ekpre-Olumu wasn't hard enough teams will also have to deal with Oregon's two great safeties, Avery Patterson and Brian Jackson. Both are seniors and both should contribute to what could be a very stingy secondary.

Oregon once more has the talent to reach the Rose Bowl and beyond even with Mark Helfrich taking over the helm. If Mariota turns into a consistent quarterback and Thomas continues to be a game-changer the sky is the limit for the Ducks.