How to choose the best college basketball picks
Wofford hoops fans can’t wait for this year’s NCAA Tournament, but some of their favorite teams are getting a bit of a boost this weekend.
The top three picks in our college basketball draft order could be considered locks, and some of the top-rated players in the nation could be available as early as Friday.
We will break down the top picks, their strengths and weaknesses, and their chances of being chosen as early in the first round as possible.
Here are the top three college basketball pick orders:Basketball Power Index: Top 50 prospects for each conferenceIn addition to the rankings above, we have a Power Index that ranks each player on the Big East’s top 50 prospects, using data from ESPN Stats & Info.
This is the first time we’ve done this, and it’s a good starting point for evaluating a player’s draft stock, as the data isn’t based on preseason rankings.
While we have many talented players in this draft, the rankings are a great starting point to get a clearer idea of which players you should be interested in and which ones you might want to wait on.
Top 10 picks in the Big TenWest Virginia guard Tyler Dorsey, who is a consensus top-five recruit in the class of 2019, is the No. 2 overall player.
While he may be a bit undersized (he’s listed at 6-foot-7), he has great length and athleticism and could be a great fit for West Virginia’s offensive attack.
The Mountaineers need a true freshman in the backcourt, and Dorsey will help in that role.
North Carolina forward Jahlil Okafor, a consensus consensus top 40 prospect in the Class of 2019 and the No, 7 overall player, has the best shot at the top of this draft.
He is very good at rebounding and is a strong three-point shooter who can hit jump shots.
Okafones offensive skill sets are similar to those of fellow freshman Jalen Brunson, and if he is able to grow and develop his three-pointer, he could be an excellent prospect.
West Virginia’s Jabari Bird is a solid prospect with excellent size, length and an explosive first step.
He has the tools to be a high-scoring point guard, and could go high in the draft, as he is already projected as a top-15 pick.
The Big 12’s Jaron Blossomgame is a legitimate All-American prospect with great size, wingspan and a good shooting touch.
He can stretch the floor with his offensive game and create some separation for his teammates, and he could go as high as No. 1 overall.
Kansas guard Jalen Adams is a versatile, talented freshman who should have a solid freshman year in Lawrence, Kansas.
He averaged 20.6 points and 8.3 assists in his first two seasons, and while he may not be as athletic as other top prospects, he has tremendous size and can defend the rim.
Kansas’ D.J. Humphries, who averaged 20 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in his freshman season, is a top 100 prospect in this year.
He may be undersized, but he has the skills to play a three-and-D guy and play a smaller role on offense.
Kansas’s Jadre Scott, who played at Marquette, is one of the best shooters in the country, but is undersized at 6’7.
He doesn’t shoot well from deep, but his shot is still solid and he has a strong feel for the game.
Kansas senior guard Austin Crosland, who could go in the top 10, is another explosive athlete who has the skill set to play in the NBA.
He had 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in four seasons at Wichita State.
The ACC’s Malik Beasley is a terrific shooter who could be used as a pick-and–roll ball handler, and is the best athlete in this class.
He shoots well and is very athletic, so he could have a good future in the league.
Florida State’s Malik McDowell, who had a breakout season in 2017-18, has good size (6-foot) and length and a strong basketball IQ.
He might not be a star, but Beasley could be.
The SEC has a ton of elite talent at the guard position, and many of the SEC’s best players are also in the NCAA Tournament.
Auburn’s Deandre Burnett has been a top 20 prospect since his freshman year, and will have a lot of fun in the tournament.
LSU’s Adreian Payne is the top offensive player in this generation and should be able to dominate at the next level.
Kentucky’s Isaiah Briscoe, a Top-25 prospect who averaged 21.1 points and 7.3 blocks last season, could be ready to lead a Bluegrass attack that could push for the national championship.
Northwestern’s Malik Monk is a
