Sports Illustrated Picks 5 breakout Sophomores

[Dr Z]

SI Article by Luke Winn

PS This should make Statistical D.I.G happy, all data is from kenpom.com.

1. Terrell Stoglin, PG, Maryland

Freshman points per game: 11.4

Percent minutes played in 2010-11: 53.8

Percent of team possessions used: 26.9

Offensive Efficiency Rating: 105.2

2. Deshaun Thomas, SF/PF, Columbus State

Freshman points per game: 7.5

Percent minutes played in 2010-11: 34.9

Percent of team possessions used: 27.3

Offensive Efficiency Rating: 115.0

3. Josh Smith, C, UCLA

Freshman points per game: 10.9

Percent minutes played in 2010-11: 52.3

Percent of team possessions used: 26.3

Offensive Efficiency Rating: 110.2

4. Javon McCrea, PF, Buffalo

Freshman points per game: 11.8 ppg

Percent minutes played in 2010-11: 53.5

Percent of team possessions used: 28.5

Offensive Efficiency Rating: 111.1

Following in the footsteps of Faried, McCrea looks like the next undersized, Newark-bred forward

who'll make a huge impact in a smaller conference. He didn't turn 18 until Nov. 5 of last year and

is just 6-foot-6, but his per-minute numbers in the MAC were amazing. McCrea had an excellent

efficiency rating despite his elevated usage, plus ranked fifth nationally in offensive rebound percentage (17.0)

and 50th in block percentage (8.5). Had McRea cracked the U.S. Under-19 roster for the FIBA world

championships -- he was one of the final cuts from the camp in Colorado Springs -- he wouldn't be

so far under the radar heading into his sophomore year.

5. Sean Kilpatrick, SG, Cincinnati

Freshman points per game: 9.7 ppg

Percent minutes played in 2010-11: 51.2

Percent of team possessions used: 24.2

Offensive Efficiency Rating: 112.4

[Zip Watcher]

But will Reggie start him and play him in crunch time?

[Blue & Gold]

McCrea is a stud.

[Let'sGoZips94]

McCrea is a stud.

Agreed.

[Captain Kangaroo]

But will Reggie start him and play him in crunch time?

Valid question.

[Dave in Green]

Even DiG didn't need to see McCrea's stats to know how good he is. He aced my eyeball test last season. McCrea will provide a serious test for the Zips' aspiring young forwards. The coaches should give copies of all of McCrea's game tapes to Tree and tell him if he can stop McCrea, he'll be in the running for MAC defensive player of the year as a freshman.

[johnnyzip84]

McCrea is a big reason why I think the MAC East will be hotly contested regardless of the improvement I expect from the Zips this year.