Krutwig has the ability to put the ball down and drive to get good looks. He has a really good touch around the basket and makes it look easy. Further, he is very smooth with the ball and is great in pick and roll situations as well as handoffs. Also, his mid-range jumper is very solid as well. He’s solid in ball screen action defensively, but he can struggle to guard out towards the three-point line. In addition, he is very solid around the basket as he gets in a really good position to contest shots.
12. Oscar Tshiebwe West Virginia
Tshiebwe has very good size and physicality inside for West Virginia. His ability to rebound the basketball is very good, but he must improve his finishing ability around the basket to be more effective. Furthermore, he has very good athleticism and can run the floor very well in transition. Also, he is very effective in ball screen action getting in position after sealing his defender. Tshiebwe’s finishing ability and skill set to finish more consistently is key to his growth as an offensive player. Next, defensively he brings very good energy around the basket as a rebounder and provides rim protection. Also, he moves very well which allows him to get out on shooters if need be and contain the ball at times. Tshiebwe should develop into one of the best bigs in the country if he improves more offensively.
13. David McCormack Kansas
McCormack has really good size and moves pretty well sealing off his defenders consistently. He utilizes jump hooks effectively and has a decent touch around the basket, but he must get better. Furthermore, he has good hands and is in good control of the ball. Also, he needs to improve on his overall ability to be a focus and improve his skill around the basket. He rebounds the ball well but could take the next level to be a really good rebounder on both ends. McCormack’s mobility and size give him the ability to improve but he needs to really take the next step offensively to be a force for Kansas. Now defensively, his athleticism and mobility are key with his capabilities of guarding out on the perimeter. Also, he has the ability to show on screens and recover around the basket very well and he’s active off the ball as well. McCormack’s offensive development will be key for his success in his junior season.
14. Balsa Koprivica Florida State
Koprivica is very big and has really good athleticism with the ability to grow into one of the best bigs in the country over time. He does a great job of running the floor and getting post position, sealing off his defender for easy opportunities. Furthermore, he has a very good ability to finish through contact and has solid strength already to his game. He has the ability to finish second chance opportunities on a consistent basis. Additionally, he is always looking for basketball and his activity is very good. The area in which he could improve is his skill work in the post and to be able to face up his defenders. At the defensive end, he can struggle to get out the perimeter initially but does a solid job once he is there. Around the basket, he can be a force with his size and exceptional length. With further development, Koprivica will become a very impactful force for Florida State inside and be one of the best bigs in the country.
15. Derek Culver West Virginia
Derek Culver and Tshiebwe combine for an extremely tough frontcourt for West Virginia. Culver is really good on the glass on both ends of the floor. He needs to improve his skill around the basket to become a more consistent threat. Next, he has really good athleticism with the ability to go by defenders who are slower. When he gets two feet in the paint he will finish very aggressively and be a dominant force. His size and toughness are great but he also needs to improve the ability to make mid-range jumpers. Defensively, he has the ability to get out on the perimeter and contain drives and shots. He is also a major factor at the rim altering shots and rebounding very well. Culver will be a part of one of the most effective frontcourts in the country with the help of Tshiebwe.
16. Jay Huff Virginia
Huff has the ability to be stretch the defense effectively with his shooting the three and he is very efficient around the basket. Additionally, he’s very solid in ball screen action with the ability to dive to the rim strong and pop out to the perimeter. Furthermore, he has the ability to flash to the high post and is an effective mid-range shooter. Also, an area in which he could improve is to make plays off the dribble and drive to the basket more consistently. Huff and Sam Hauser will be a very good duo in the frontcourt for Virginia offensively. Now, defensively he moves well and does a good job with hedging on ball screens and recovering. He could improve his strength to defend back to the basket bigs better. Huff will be a very productive player for Virginia in his senior season.
17. DJ Funderburk NC State
Funderburk brings very good effort and energy on both ends of the floor, playing extremely hard. Next, his athleticism and ability to rebound the basketball is very good. He brings good mobility on the offensive end being very solid in ball screens diving to the rim. Furthermore, he’s really effective in the high post when he flashes and can make the mid-range jumper consistently. Now, he must become more skilled with the basketball to be a more well rounded offensive player. His skill set is limited but the athleticism and effort do make up for some of his limitations with the ball. Defensively, he brings very solid effort and moves well to be in position. He must improve his strength to be even more effective on post-ups defensively. Funderburk will be one of the best bigs in the ACC next season.
18. Jordan Brown Arizona
Brown has supreme athleticism and should have a major impact on Arizona during the season. His mobility on the offensive end will be used heavily in ball screen action and activity around the basket. Furthermore, his back to the basket activity is pretty good, as he has the ability to use a jump hook with his right hand. His potential is very good and he will develop into a dynamic player and be extremely versatile on the offensive end. The rebounding ability of Brown will be very good on both ends of the floor. Defensively, his mobility will be key in guarding the perimeter in ball screen action especially. Also, his length will provide good rim protection as well. Jordan Brown is a terrific addition for Sean Miller and Arizona who will have a great season next year.
19. Armando Bacot North Carolina
Bacot is a very good rebounder and is extremely active around the basket in high low opportunities with Garrison Brooks. He’s got good hands and around the basket has a pretty good touch with good activity cutting open for looks around the rim. Next, he must be stronger with the basketball at times so he can finish through contact more often. Also, he must improve his shot to extend his range to the mid-range and finish with a bit more skill around the basket. Bacot has major potential around the basket and athleticism but needs to be more consistent and improve his skill. Now defensively, he brings good activity with mobility to get out on the perimeter. He gives very good rim protection with his ability to alter shots. The combination of Armando Bacot and Garrison Brooks should be one of the best interiors in the country next season.
20. Mark Williams Duke
Williams will bring really good mobility and athleticism to the frontcourt for Duke next season. Furthermore, with that mobility, he is capable of guarding multiple positions. His athleticism gives him the ability to evolve into an offensive threat in time. The size and versatility will be key for a Duke frontcourt losing all its returning players and he’ll be joining Patrick Tape the graduate transfer from Columbia, and recruits Jaeym Brakefield and Henry Coleman in Duke’s frontcourt.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles written by other great TGH writers along with James!