Nice run at the end of the season for the team. They ran into a very well coached UVA team that was super stingy on defense and really stayed in the fight. With Oregon Live reporting both King and Wooten are unsure about their future, I wanted to throw the question to everyone on the board as to who you think will stay another year with the team and who will make the decision to go to the draft. Of course I have my own opinions as well
1. Bol - I believe he should stay. Bol is an obvious talent with great touch but I also saw cracks in his game. He won't move ANYONE in the low post right now and could really work on the mid range to low post game. I believe he goes to the draft for two primary reasons. 1 - I don't think he was ever long (more than a year) for the college game to begin with. 2 - I think he and his people are smart enough to realize his physical makeup lends itself to injury more than others. Why risk another season ending injury that would affect draft status and earnings. Bol is gone.
2. King - I think King should stay as well but it has more to do with his recent history of nagging injuries than anything else. Unlike Bol, King's injuries have not been severe or season ending. He's the kind of player that seems to get dinged up and injured in ways that could keep him out for small stretches at a time. I think NBA teams will see that and question if he's worth a late 1st or 2nd round pick. With a full season of remaining healthy and putting on more good weight coupled with his long frame and shooting skills, I believe he could really improve his draft status for next year. I think King jumps at the chance to play in the NBA is enters the draft.
3. Wooten - Clearly the most athletic player on the team, Wooten is fun to watch especially when he's changing the game on the defensive end. However, the NBA game has been geared towards offense for years and with the lack of a solid mid range game or being a threat down low, I don't see Wooten being drafted until late in the 2nd round at best. Last night was a great example of Wooten not being able to impact the game offensively when the other team plays good man and trapping defense. Clearly the offensive disappearance last night is not solely on his shoulders but little things like passing out of a double team or re-establishing a good post position make a big difference. I think Wooten works on his offensive game over the next year and stays with the team.
4. Pritchard - To me this is the hardest one to pick. Pritchard is tough, has great handles, and good court vision. His shooting and speed are average for a D1 point guard but he has the ability to create space with his quickness. I don't think Pritchard's game translates as well in today's NBA game as it might have back in the days of John Stockton and the Utah Jazz where there wasn't as much emphasis on the 3 point game. If Pritchard were to be put in a system that did not require him to be a scorer as much as a facilitator, I believe he could be a productive PG. A team like San Antonio with scorers like Aldridge and DeRozan come to mind. My feeling is Pritchard rolls the dice and enters the draft.
What a great finish to the season by the guys. I hate to see any of them go but I suspect 3 of the 4 mentioned will give the NBA a try. If they do, I hope they all end up having long and successful careers.
1. Bol - I believe he should stay. Bol is an obvious talent with great touch but I also saw cracks in his game. He won't move ANYONE in the low post right now and could really work on the mid range to low post game. I believe he goes to the draft for two primary reasons. 1 - I don't think he was ever long (more than a year) for the college game to begin with. 2 - I think he and his people are smart enough to realize his physical makeup lends itself to injury more than others. Why risk another season ending injury that would affect draft status and earnings. Bol is gone.
2. King - I think King should stay as well but it has more to do with his recent history of nagging injuries than anything else. Unlike Bol, King's injuries have not been severe or season ending. He's the kind of player that seems to get dinged up and injured in ways that could keep him out for small stretches at a time. I think NBA teams will see that and question if he's worth a late 1st or 2nd round pick. With a full season of remaining healthy and putting on more good weight coupled with his long frame and shooting skills, I believe he could really improve his draft status for next year. I think King jumps at the chance to play in the NBA is enters the draft.
3. Wooten - Clearly the most athletic player on the team, Wooten is fun to watch especially when he's changing the game on the defensive end. However, the NBA game has been geared towards offense for years and with the lack of a solid mid range game or being a threat down low, I don't see Wooten being drafted until late in the 2nd round at best. Last night was a great example of Wooten not being able to impact the game offensively when the other team plays good man and trapping defense. Clearly the offensive disappearance last night is not solely on his shoulders but little things like passing out of a double team or re-establishing a good post position make a big difference. I think Wooten works on his offensive game over the next year and stays with the team.
4. Pritchard - To me this is the hardest one to pick. Pritchard is tough, has great handles, and good court vision. His shooting and speed are average for a D1 point guard but he has the ability to create space with his quickness. I don't think Pritchard's game translates as well in today's NBA game as it might have back in the days of John Stockton and the Utah Jazz where there wasn't as much emphasis on the 3 point game. If Pritchard were to be put in a system that did not require him to be a scorer as much as a facilitator, I believe he could be a productive PG. A team like San Antonio with scorers like Aldridge and DeRozan come to mind. My feeling is Pritchard rolls the dice and enters the draft.
What a great finish to the season by the guys. I hate to see any of them go but I suspect 3 of the 4 mentioned will give the NBA a try. If they do, I hope they all end up having long and successful careers.
