Who's Hot

San Jose State G Adrian Oliver can do it all for the Spartans and last season's dominating performance translated into everything but wins for the team.  He connected on more free throws than anyone else on the team even attempted, and his impact even extended to the boards. He averaged 5.3 rebs/gm and played big minutes in nearly every game.  With the team losing three of its' top five scorers, look for Oliver to improve on his 22.5 ppg scoring average from a year ago.  

Scouting Report Snippet:

Strengths:  

Unique ability to get shot off quickly off the pass.  Nice step back jumper.   Shooting range up to around 24 feet.  Uses baselines well to create separation for shots and has a fall away jumper vs taller defenders.  Quick first step and can handle the ball at the top of the key when given room. Excellent free throw shooter. Sneaky first step and quick release. Does a good job of following/timing missed shots and gets a lot of long rebounds.

Weaknesses: 

Streak shooter. Turns the ball over (3+/gm). Too many off balance shots with high degree of difficulty (fall backs, jump shots over two defenders, baseline turnarounds) that contribute to low shooting percentages. Needs a lot of shots to be effective.  More of a scorer than true pure shooter. Commits a lot of unnecessary fouls on the defensive end due to relative lack of energy at times.  Undersized for the two guard position for the next level, yet only has a two guard's game.  

Georgia G/SF Travis Leslie JR 

For years Bulldog fans have been waiting for this generation's version of former Georgia great Dominique Wilkins, who shined for the Dogs in the early '80s.  Well, the time has now arrived.  

Now it would be silly to compare the sophomore numbers of Wilkins and Leslie.   Clearly, you must think Leslie (6'4") does not have the size of the 6'8" Wilkins, nor his jaw dropping 47" vertical jump.  The combination of that type of leaping ability with 22.0 speed in the 200 meters made him the best athlete in the entire country.  During his sophomore season of 1980-'81, he averaged over 23 points/gm and was a 2nd Team Sporting News All-American.  He was also named the SEC Player of the Year.  That's Dominique Wilkins.

Which brings us back to Leslie.  Now you might ask why would I even dare compare the two?  

Well, here's my take.  First of all, ask former Kentucky star DeMarcus Cousins can Leslie leap?  His dunk on Cousins may have dropped the 6'10" center's draft stock. His five dunks on South Carolina were all highlight film material and let's face it, this kid is the most exciting player in America.  

Bar none. 

He's the most spectacular dunker the Georgia basketball scene has seen since the days of Wilkins. He's the most spectacular player returning in college basketball this season.  

His game?

Far from a finished product, he needs to continue to work on his range and the ability to create his own shot.  I like the fact that he rebounds extremely well for a guard and he plays much bigger than his size. What I don't like is that at this point, his game, well....is more of a small forward's game.  He's yet to consistently prove that he can be a dynamic playmaker required to be double-teamed.  In fact, he's not even Georgia's best player. That honor goes to 6'10" playmaker Trey Thompkins, an unspectacular athlete with major game and upside down low for the 'Dogs.

When it comes to Athens, we're mostly used to firing up the grill and waiting for Walker, Zeier, Tarkenton, Godfrey, Moreno, or even most recently Green to get us going.  

Well, here's news for Bulldog fans. The best team in 2010-'11 may very well play indoors. With Thompkins and Leslie, you may want to get in early to catch the action.