Young guns of Pac-10 clash
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LOS ANGELES - Some of the nation's best young college basketball talent will fittingly face off not far from where stars are born - Hollywood.
Arizona's Jerryd Bayless and USC's O.J. Mayo will meet Thursday at the Galen Center in a battle of freshman phenoms, and UA sophomore Chase Budinger and the Wildcats will try to stop freshman big man Kevin Love of UCLA on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.
The four are among the league's top eight in scoring, as is ASU freshman James Harden, who faces UCLA on Thursday.
"I think all those guys will be in the NBA (at some point)," said UA interim coach Kevin O'Neill.
Still, the former NBA coach warns, if a player goes pro before being ready, "you're going to get flushed out in two years, no matter where you are picked."
USC's O.J. MAYO 19.9 ppg, 4.7 rpgSkills: Super-talented ball handler who can play point guard and shooting guard without any drop-off.
Needs to work on: His shot selection and defense, but the 6-foot-5 rookie improved the latter. Tries to do too much sometimes.
Compares to: Former UA player Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards
What Kevin O'Neill says: "He's a big numbers guy. He's got good ability and doesn't mind taking big shots. He's an aggressive scorer. He's everything he said he was coming out of high school."
KEVIN LOVE, UCLA 17.3 ppg, 11.3 rpgSkills: At 6-10, he has great hands for a big man. He anticipates and sees the floor well. He can shoot 3-pointers (37.9 percent) and is well-schooled in fundamentals.
Needs to work on: His physique and quickness. Imagine how hard he would be to stop then.
Compares to: Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers)
What Kevin O'Neill says: "A guy who is quickly becoming the heart and soul of that team, even as a freshman. He is solid, tough, hard-nosed; great competitive spirit."
JERRYD BAYLESS, UA 19.9 ppg, 4.6 apgSkills: The 6-foot-3 guard from Phoenix has a winner's mentality. He's fearless and tough-minded, strong with the ball, pushes the tempo and usually knows his limits.
Needs to work on: Becoming a more consistent jump shooter.
Compares to: Chauncy Billups, Detroit Pistons
What Kevin O'Neill says: "His value to our team is very obvious. When he's not there, we struggle. He's as competitive a guy as I have ever been around - at any level."
CHASE BUDINGER, UA 17.7 ppg, 5.3 rpgSkills: Smooth and nonchalant. His instincts rival those of ex-UA star Luke Walton. The 6-7 forward passes and runs the court well. His jumper is near flawless.
Needs to work on: His defense and his killer instinct. He's improving with each, but his aggressiveness has been questioned.
Compares to: Rip Hamilton (Detroit Pistons)
What O'Neill says: "Chase is a guy who is elevating his game week by week. His conditioning is better and his aggressiveness is better."
What a wimpy way to bet on a game.
keep hedging your bets ed.
So may we assume that you will be crying about the officiating after we beat you? :-) :-) :-)