The SEC has been dominated by the hot hand this season and #20 Arkansas seems to be the latest team to catch fire. Can LSU steal a victory on the road and put themselves back in the tournament conversation?
Trendon Watford: In his two years at LSU, Watford has certainly contributed to the success of the program and should continue to do so as this season moves forward. As an NBA prospect, Watford’s stock and potential come with various flags. Physically Watford has a ready made NBA body and would have no problem adjusting to the next level in a stretch four role or even slotting in occasionally at the three. The problem with Watford, in my opinion is almost everything else. The league only continues to get bigger, faster and more skilled as basketball development evolves at lower levels. Watford, while he has the size to compete physically, touts heavy feet and lacks the lateral quickness that will be necessary to defend the pick and roll. A player who finds himself playing “under the rim” athletically, Watford isn’t going to be able to develop the physical tools to become an above average defender at the next level. When the game speeds up expect him to struggle, which could cost him valuable development minutes. Offensively, he will need to become a more efficient player to survive at the next level. Even though he has improved his free throw percentage year over year it has not translated into a better field goal percentage from the floor. Watford especially struggles from deep which is an essential tool at the next level and could make or break his ability to play in the NBA. Shooting below 30% from deep in both of his years at LSU, on only 2.2 attempts per game, should not elicit confidence from teams at the next level. The hope would be for Watford to develop his shot but no amount of isolation scoring or being able to create your own shot, both of which Watford does well, will allow him to earn the development minutes he would need to improve. I expect him to test the NBA waters but can’t imagine him being selected until the bottom of the draft, if at all. MIP Projection: Late Second (55-60)/Undrafted
Cameron Thomas: Cam Thomas burst on the scene at LSU and has not looked back. The freshman guard took the nation by storm and put NBA teams on notice in the same two week stretch. Earlier in the season LSU was on fire and sky rocketed up the standings because of their freshman guard and it is easy to see why. Thomas is a certified bucket, he can score anywhere on the floor and he welcomes contact around the rim having no problem with beating you at the free throw line attempting a whopping 7.7 free throws a game on 88%. It is hard to watch Thomas’s game and see something you don’t like. As mentioned he isn’t shy about going to the rim and also has no problem hurting you from deep shooting 30% on about eight attempts per game. Physically his size and speed, especially the way he utilizes a quick first step, should lead teams to believe he will have no problem transitioning to the speed of the next level. In my opinion, even though he has been gaining national attention Thomas still carries the title of an “under the radar guard” in a deep draft class. With so much talent on the board it is hard to pin exactly where Thomas will fall in the lottery but he should have an immediate impact on whoever is lucky enough to draft him. Obviously there are areas of improvement for Thomas as well. Ideally he would continue to improve on his ability to shoot the basketball and become a more efficient player both from the floor and from three. While he is a bucket he is also the type of player that has never seen a shot he doesn’t like which is common for a young player. When he moves to the next level I expect his basketball IQ to continue to rise and the team he is drafted by will help develop his three point shooting and decision making. Overall, I am high on Cam Thomas because of his abilities as a scorer and I believe NBA teams will be too. MIP Projection: Lottery Pick (10-15)
Arkansas Razorbacks: The new team to beat in the SEC is the Arkansas Razorbacks. After winning their last five games the team has barreled into the AP Poll at #20 with no plans of falling out anytime soon. They, like many other teams in the SEC that have experienced success this year, have the talent and coaching to make a deep tournament run. With three games left the team will likely need to win out with a little help to steal the SEC regular season crown from Alabama but anything can happen in March.
Moses Moody: I have already mentioned that I am high on Cam Thomas but I am even higher on Moses Moody. In my opinion, Moody is the type of player that frustrates teams in hypothetical redrafts and has fans saying “why didn’t we draft that guy?” every time they play him. A 6-6 guard with a 7-0 wingspan, Moody has great length and size for his position which aids in his ability to be on of the best three point shooters in the country. In the half court, Moody has the ability to burn opposing teams on catch and shoot opportunities. Even in tight space, Moody’s wingspan allows him to effortlessly put up shots with a defender in his shooting space. Outside of the catch and shoot, Moody has the ability to convert midrange jumpers and finish around the rim. His touch from outside forces teams to commit to his shot allowing him to create space driving after a pump fake or poor closeout. Simply put, on offense Moses Moody is a weapon. Defensively, his height and length allow him to be a good rebounder and his effort on the defense end, putting pressure on ball handlers and disrupting passing lanes, helps create transition opportunities for the team. As he continues to grow, Moody should continue to work on his body to compete at the next level. When the speed and physicality of the game increase the ability to put on muscle and add strength is essential. A body transformation won’t happen overnight and we have seen thinner guards have success in the NBA, but based on Moody’s frame and skillset added muscle could help him become an All-Star level player instead of a high level 3-D guard. MIP Projection: Lottery (7-12)
Prediction: LSU 75 – Arkansas 78