NCAA Eye for the NBA Guy: Midwest Regional, Day 2

As the March Madness 2010 begins, FanHouse's NBA team looks at the top prospects in each regional.

The second day of action in the Midwest regional is chock full of NBA talent, starting with top-5 picks Evan Turner of Ohio State and Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech. You'll also see prospects from Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Maryland, New Mexico State and Houston.

Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State
21 years old, 6'7, 205 lbs., Junior
Turner, a favorite for national P.O.Y, is locked into the top five of June's NBA draft. There are even some (questionable) murmurs he could leap John Wall to the No. 1 spot for some teams (Utah is the only team which would do that, and even then ...) and a strong chance he'll be selected before Derrick Favors and DeMarcus Cousins. DraftExpress currently has Turner at No. 2 to Minnesota (which makes so much sense it hurts), and if you tune into Turner's game against U.C. Santa Barbara, you'll see why. Basically, imagine Stephen Jackson lived in a land of munchkins, had a permanent sugar high and played pick-up basketball every day. That's Turner. -- T.Z.

Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech
18 years old, 6'10, 250 lbs., Freshman
Favors was ranked ahead of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Xavier Henry in many recruiting classes, and although his production hasn't been at that level (12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds), his talent level certainly is. A tantalizing prospect that has all of the natural tools to become an NBA star, Favors is worth the hype. At 6'9, he is a freak athlete and a perfect fit for the new age of dynamic forwards in the NBA (i.e. Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Andre Iguodala). Watch out because Favors could propel 10-seeded Georgia Tech into the Sweet 16 if he asserts himself the way he is capable of doing. -- Jordan Schultz

Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech
21 years old, 6'8, 230 lbs., Junior
Fellow Yellowjacket Gani Lawal is another kid oozing with potential. Lawal is a looonnnggg 6'8 and future four man who can be a very good next level player. With his aptitude to both score from the high post and with his back to the basket, Lawal reminds me of a smaller LaMarcus Aldridge when he came out of Texas as a freshman three years ago. He is an active kid who really gets after it and competes every possession. Like Favors, he has the tendency to disappear in games and lacks the polished game (turnovers, passing, footwork), but his upside is simply too high to dismiss, and he is a must-watch in the tournament. If he plays well, he should find himself shaking David Stern's hand on draft night. -- J.S.

James Anderson, SG, Oklahoma State
20 years old, 6'6, 195 lbs., Junior
When Anderson came to Stillwater two years ago, expectations were sky high for the former McDonald's All-American. But until this season, he hadn't lived up to the billing. Well, forget about that. In leading the Cowboys to a seven seed and a date with Georgia Tech in the first round, Anderson has been nothing short of sensational this season. At 6'6, he is a big shooting guard who can fill it up from distance with a beautiful shooting stroke, but also uses his size and strength very well to drive the lane and finish through contact. His consistently splendid play (23 points, 6 rebounds) has earned him Big 12 Player of the Year and a place in the lottery. -- J.S.

Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State
20 years old, 6', 180 lbs., Junior
If 2009 was the Draft of the Potential Star Point Guard, then 2010's stock will disappoint. But Lucas is a solid prospect who figures to be available until the back end of the first round, a tough-minded playmaker who isn't quite an ace shooter but can't be sloughed off either. Last year's Final Four run boosted Lucas into the conversation, and another one could lock him into the first round. -- T.Z.

And Six More ...

Troy Gillenwater, PF, New Mexico State -- Guys who are 6'8 with Gillenwater's type of versatility are pros. Gillenwater fits that bill. He provides instant problems with his size and immense skillset. The Aggies could beat Michigan State, and he is the main reason why. -- J.S.

Greivis Vasquez, PG, Maryland -- Aside from the fact that he gels his hair before games (never understood this), the Terrapin point guard is always worth watching. The only player in ACC history to have 2,000 points, 750 assists, and 600 rebounds. The Terps will go as far as their Venezuelan star can take them. -- J.S.

William Buford, SG, Ohio State -- Turner's backcourt mate will likely stay another season to expand his stock, though don't count out the possibility of riding Turner's coattails to the Final Four and parlaying that into a prayer for the back end of the first round. Buford's a good scorer and a much better shooter than Turner, but lacks the all-around game. Anthony Morrow made the NBA, though, and Buford could too. -- T.Z.

Raymar Morgan, SF, Michigan State -- Morgan isn't terribly versatile for a swingman, and that hurts his NBA potential. But he's a fine college player, and if NBA teams believe his defense can translate, he could get some second-round nibbles as the four-year Spartan. -- T.Z.

Aubrey Coleman, SG, Houston -- Coleman, a brilliant scorer, happens to also have a bit of an all-around game. He's a fine rebounder despite his size (6'4), so NBA teams wouldn't necessarily be afraid of trying him out at the two-guard. If he doesn't get picked or picked up in the bigs, he could be a very good player at the top levels of Europe. -- T.Z.

Iman Shumpert, PG, Georgia Tech -- The guard play of the Yellow Jackets has been much aligned this season, and typically for good reason. But Shumpert, provided he tightens up his long-range jumper, figures to be at least a Summer League or training camp option at the NBA level. His playmaking also needs work. -- T.Z.