Who should be drafted No. 1 -- Durant or Oden?
After Durant's incredible performance in Wednesday's triple-overtime loss to Okahoma State, many think he's surpassed the 7-foot Oden. He certainly has the better numbers. Through the Longhorns' first 17 games, Durant is averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, while Oden is averaging a mere 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in 11 games (Oden missed six games with a wrist injury). Despite the numbers, some scouts still maintain that Oden will be the better pro. In his latest column, SI.com's Seth Davis asked an NBA scout whether there's a chance Durant will be drafted ahead of Oden. Here's what he said: "Not a chance. I'm not drafting small forwards in front of centers. Oden can dominate the game for the next 15 years. Durant is a star, but unless a team already has a young, great center, I don't see it." Then again, a similar debate erupted more than 20 years ago when scouts debated two seven-footers -- Akeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie – against a talented kid out of North Carolina named Jordan. Both Houston and Portland went with the size and both teams are still regretting that decision. However, in this case, we'd take Oden. Durant is going to be a stud, but his skill set – size, athleticism and three-point range – aren't that rare in the NBA anymore (think Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, Al Harrington, Tim Thomas, Lamar Odom, Rudy Gay and others). Oden, meanwhile, is a throwback center, understands how to protect the basket and is a legit seven feet and growing (he's still 18). If he entered the NBA today, he'd be the fifth best true center in the league (behind Shaq, Yao, Jermaine O’Neal and Eddy Curry). His combination of size, skill and maturity only comes along once a decade and an NBA team would be foolish to pass that up. Who would you choose? Arrested for Standing at a College Hoops Game?
But this was no ordinary game. After an Arizona basket, Murthy stood and cheered ... and stood ... and stood ... and stood. Soon, people in his section were asking him to sit, and like any stubborn college student, Murthy refused. Before long, security came over and offered him a seat in a different section. Murthy again refused, claiming that the seat was worse than the one he had and that he has a right to stand. Unfortunately, the UA athletic department disagreed and Murthy was soon escorted out of the arena in handcuffs. University police Commander Kevin Haywood told the Arizona Daily Star: "He refused to stop standing even though the play of the game did not dictate that." Murthy felt he was well within his right to stand. "I could not believe I was being ejected for standing up at a basketball game," he said. "As long as I'm not throwing stuff, being vulgar, anything like that, I think it's well within my rights to stand up for any duration I want." While Murthy may have a point, it's worth noting that Tuscon is a popular retirement spot and the crowds at Wildcats games are often split evenly between students and senior citizens. So should a student – even if he's being a passionate fan – be removed from a game for being too passionate and angering an entire section? SIOC says NOOOO! College fans are among the most passionate in the world and shouldn't be punished for that. Murthy is a hero in our eyes for taking a stand. What do you think? Early Entries
Both Louisville and LSU received a huge boost by the returns of QB Brian Brohm and DT Glenn Dorsey, respectively. Among the other notable players who have chosen to remain in school are Arkansas WR Marcus Monk, USC LB Keith Rivers, Florida WR Andre Caldwell and Penn State LB Dan Connor. But the early-entry list continues to grow. Florida safety Reggie Nelson has entered the draft and there are reports that the national champions will also lose LB Brandon Siler, CB Ryan Smith and DE Jarvis Moss. For the second straight season, three Ohio State juniors -- WRs Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez and RB Antonio Pittman -- will bolt to the NFL. And this is just the beginning. A large number of the last season’s brightest stars are taking their game to the next level, including Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson, Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, LSU QB JaMarcus Russell, Michigan DT Alan Branch, USC WR Dwayne Jarrett, Cal RB Marshawn Lynch and Tennessee WR Robert Meachem. These decisions have brought great change to the college football landscape. Which teams have been impacted -- for better or for worse -- the most? Which players made smart decisions and which ones could have used better advice?  |
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