What if 1 and Done... Wasn't?

With the NBA draft approaching, Sean and I have had many discussions about potential moves and picks for our Celtics and Sixers. Both teams have assets and draft picks and a lot of room for improvement ('76ers probably more than anyone in the NBA which Sean actually talked about) but the one thing that stuck out to us when talking about these young prospects is just how many have left early, especially from teams like Duke and Kentucky. I started thinking (which isn't a normal occurrence): what if the rule was the same as football and these players were forced to give a damn about the college experience and school pride, staying around at least three years? What would the landscape of talent look like across college basketball?

The Sixers: Frustrating Fanhood

To the 12 readers that have been asking: I am still a Sixers fan even though they got rid of the genius that was President of Basketball Operations, Sam Hinkie.

Since I became a Philadelphia fan roughly two years ago, we have struggled mightily. We drafted Joel Embiid with all of the promise along with overseas wonder Dario Saric, neither of which have played a single minute. Is it frustrating that two of our top picks during Hinkie's Era have not played? Yeah it is frustrating, very frustrating, but it is all about collecting assets folks.

Status Update: FSU Basketball

First off, I want to apologize to my mother and the other eight people who read this blog as our posts about this team being "different" and "tournament bound" misled our readers. To say this year was a disappointment is an understatement. Yeah, I know, let's blame Leonard Hamilton. I believe we can, but we have to put the blame on the players as well.

When it comes down to it, their effort on the defensive end for the majority of the season was terrible. That is on the players because Hamilton has a proven record on the defensive side of the ball. We focused our complaints on Boris (rightfully so) but, plain and simple, our defense sucked because our on ball defense and off ball defense on opposing guards was terrible. Basketball is a guard driven game right now and there was nobody on this team who was an elite defender. Devon Bookert was a good defender because he paid attention to player tendencies and gave his all on every position, something I cannot say about any other player on the team. During our four straight years to the tournament every player on our team bought into the defensive scheme of Leonard Hamilton. We used to have great on-ball defenders like Toney Douglas, Deividas Dulkys, and even Michael Snaer. The closest thing we have had to this on the perimeter in the last four years was Aaron Thomas but that was a short stint. The biggest issue with this team over the last four years is its lack of toughness and that has to be what bugs Leonard Hamilton the most.

Potential Breakout 'Noles for 2016

With FSU spring practice in full swing, the thoughts of what 2016 could be are fresh in Seminole fans' minds. Pictures and videos are constantly being tweeted out from the scarce amount of time media is allowed to peak into practice and it gets fans giddy about the future. I'm one of those fans. This team has real talent, real depth, and some scary-real potential. We already know about key pieces returning to the team from 2015 that will keep the team towards the top of the ACC, but what players will emerge to take the Seminoles to that next step? Here are 8(ish) players currently participating in spring practice that haven't seen much playing time but could be big names by the end of the season.

Sophomore DT, Walvenski Aimé
Meet JUCO transfer Walvenski Aimé. Walvenski Aime is a bad dude. As a 6'4", 289 early enrollee, Aimé could find his way onto a loaded defensive line for the Seminoles come fall. Out of JUCO he was rated as the 3rd best defensive tackle prospect and the 30th best prospect overall. With other players Derrick Nnadi and DeMarcus Christmas already on the depth chart - with experience - it may be another year until Aimé sees considerable playing time, but if he is able to break into the starting lineup it will be because he has earned it and is the real deal. If not, that's okay too, Aimé comes into FSU with three years of eligibility.

Sweet 16 Preview

By now there is a solid chance that your bracket resembles a dumpster fire with the crazy amount of upsets that took place in the first two rounds. The madness will continue tonight through Sunday as we find out who will get a trip to the Final Four.

South

The South Bracket will be in action tonight starting with (3)Miami and (2)Villanova before (1)Kansas vs (5)Maryland. 

Miami is led by point guard Angel Rodriguez who is averaging 26 points in the tournament including a huge 3-point dagger to hold off Wichita State. Villanova has coasted to the Sweet 16 with two 20+ point wins. Miami will have their hands full tonight with the Wildcats.