Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Thomas Robinson showed just how valuable an
elite power forward can be as he led Kansas to within one game of the national
title last season. Let's take an early look at the power forwards expected to
thrive in 2012-13:
DOUG MCDERMOTT - Having already accomplished more in two years than the
majority of college basketball players accomplish in four, McDermott became the
first player in Creighton history to be named a First Team All-American by the
Associated Press last year. McDermott also became the first sophomore in
history to be named the Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year after averaging 22.9
points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He set single-season school records with 801
points, 307 made field goals, and 48.6 percent accuracy from three-point range
while leading the Bluejays to the third-round of the NCAA Tournament. Prior to
signing to play at Creighton for his father Greg, McDermott was offered just
three scholarships despite playing with Harrison Barnes, who was one of the
most heavily recruited players in the nation. He has made all the teams that
neglected him during his prep career pay by blossoming into the most complete
power forward in college basketball.
AARIC MURRAY - After two impressive years at La Salle, Murray decided to
transfer to West Virginia. After sitting out last season, the former Explorer
will be an adequate replacement for the Big East's leading scorer and
rebounder, Kevin Jones, whose college career concluded last season. Murray
averaged 13.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest, earned an Atlantic 10
Conference All-Rookie selection, and he ranks second in La Salle's history with
143 career blocks. The 6-10 menace in the middle stated his main reason for
transferring was to develop into an NBA player under WVU head coach Bob
Huggins.
C.J. AIKEN - Saint Joseph's rebounded from two sub par seasons to earn a spot
in the 2012 NIT. Aiken was a huge factor in the turnaround and could lead the
Hawks to even greater heights next season. Phil Martelli has coached some elite
talent during his 17-year tenure at SJU, but Aiken is arguably his most
complete power forward. The 2012 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the
Year, Aiken led the league and finished fifth in the nation with 3.53 blocks
per game. However, his skill set is far from one dimensional as he has also
demonstrated the ability to score both inside and out. If Aiken can improve his
consistency on offense and on the glass, he could become an intriguing NBA
prospect.
JAMES MICHAEL MCADOO - North Carolina is still expected to have a very strong
team next season despite losing multiple players to the most recent NBA Draft.
McAdoo was stuck behind first-rounders John Henson and Tyler Zeller on the Tar
Heels' depth chart last season, but the former blue chip recruit will be "the
man" for UNC this time around. His athleticism and natural talent were on
display during his freshman season, showing that he has what it takes to be a
star, but he was a little too timid early on. Down the stretch however, McAdoo
emerged as the future of the team. The budding second-year player will need to
add some strength to become a dominant player, but all indications are he is
going to have a breakout season as a sophomore.
MASON PLUMLEE - Duke will be one of the toughest teams to play once again next
season, and this senior forward will be one of the primary reasons. Plumlee
averaged 10.9 points and 9.1 rebounds as a junior in the perimeter-based Blue
Devils' offense due to his tremendous motor and athleticism. Although Duke was
knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in its first game by Lehigh, Plumlee's 19
points on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting to go with a dozen rebounds made it clear
he was not at fault. This Plumlee flirted with the idea of foregoing his final
year and entering the NBA Draft, but he decided to return to Durham for a
chance at another national title. The graduation of his older brother Miles,
and the loss of star guard Austin Rivers as well, will give him an even bigger
role this winter.
ELIAS HARRIS - Gonzaga's reign as one of the top mid-majors in the country will
continue next season with Harris back for his final year. The German combo
forward was good enough to be a second-round draft pick and also had multiple
offers from professional European clubs, but he ultimately elected to return
for one more run with the Bulldogs. Harris is a physical rebounder, and he also
has the ability to knock down shots from the outside. As a freshman, he
averaged 14.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, but his scoring numbers have
dipped in each subsequent season. Harris, who has played with Germany's Senior
National Team, pulled down a career-high 8.5 rebounds per game last season.
O.D. ANOSIKE - Although Siena finished with a disappointing 14-17 overall
record in 2011-12, Anosike still managed to make a name for himself. The
Saints' power forward led the nation with 12.5 rebounds per game and recorded
23 double-doubles, which was the second most in the NCAA behind Thomas
Robinson. Anosike also showed noticeable improvement offensively this past
year, as his sophomore scoring average of 8.9 ppg grew to 15.0 ppg. His
excellent statistical resume' is even more impressive when you factor in that
every opposing team's main focus was to stop him. Siena's star was named to the
All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference First Team and will be a favorite to win
the league's Player of the Year honor next season.
TONY MITCHELL - Not often is a Sun Belt Conference player projected to be an
NBA Lottery pick, but Mitchell garnered that much attention last season as a
freshman at North Texas. The Mean Green's star forward averaged a double-double
consisting of 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest after becoming eligible
at the start of the second semester. Mitchell was slated to play his college
ball at Missouri, but transferred to North Texas due to academics. An
extraordinary athlete who can score from anywhere on the court, Mitchell has
the body (6-8) to cause matchup problems for just about every opponent. Despite
being projected as an early first-round draft pick, a coaching change in Denton
was enough to convince him to return for his sophomore season to mature as a
player. As a result, keep an eye on UNT as it could develop into one of this
year's surprise teams.
ROBERT COVINGTON - Tennessee State was the only team to beat Murray State
during the regular season in 2011-12, and Covington was the catalyst of that
upset. The Tigers' talented forward produced 17 points and eight rebounds to
help end the Racers' reign as the last undefeated team in Division I.
Covington's strong performance against MSU was consistent with his season
averages of 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures
in every game after being held to nine points in the season opener against
Saint Louis. His relentless play guided TSU to a 20-13 overall record and an
invite to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Covington is once again
poised to help make the Tigers a team most opponents should fear next season.
TREVOR MBAKWE - Minnesota's chances of a trip to the NCAA Tournament took a
huge hit when its star forward suffered a season-ending ACL injury in just the
seventh game of the 2011-12 season. Luckily for coach Tubby Smith and his
squad, Mbakwe was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA which will
make Minnesota a much better team at both ends of the court this season. The
6-8 forward averaged a double-double consisting of 13.9 points and 10.5
rebounds per game during his junior season, and was leading the Golden Gophers
in scoring and rebounding last year before being sidelined. Mbakwe, who will be
entering his sixth season of college basketball, originally began his career
with Marquette and then spent a season playing at Miami Dade Community College.
MIKE MOSER - After failing to crack UCLA's lineup as a freshman in 2009-10,
Moser became a fixture for the 26-9 UNLV Runnin' Rebels last season. The 6-8
forward wasted no time in making a splash as he scored 20 points and grabbed 20
rebounds in his debut in the desert. Moser thrived in Dave Rice's up-tempo
system and finished the season as one of only two players in the Mountain West
Conference to average a double-double (13.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg). His strong
sophomore campaign landed him a spot on the All-MWC First Team and helped him
win the league's Newcomer of the Year award. UNLV had one of the best
recruiting classes in the nation this year, which will take some pressure off
Moser and allow him to continue his development.
Honorable Mention - Arsalan Kazemi (Rice), Jarnell Stokes (Tennessee), Andre
Roberson (Colorado), Jamelle Hagins (Delaware), Cleveland Melvin (DePaul), Jack
Cooley (Notre Dame), Erik Murphy (Florida), Alex Oriakhi (Missouri), C.J.
Leslie (NC State), Christian Watford (Indiana), Anthony Bennett (UNLV)
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