March 23, 2012
March Madness with NBA Head Scout
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March Madness with NBA Head Scout
If you love basketball, you love the month of March where college basketball reigns supreme. We love the passion and purity of college basketball. Here are some insights from our head NBA scout, Ryan Carr about tournament time.
What teams do you like best for the tournament?
The best teams in my opinion are Kentucky, North Carolina and Syracuse. What we all love best about the NCAA tournament though is that the best teams don't always win it all. Upsets happen every year which makes the tournament so exciting.
What two sleeper teams do you recommend keeping your eyes open for?
I really like New Mexico and St. Bonaventure.
Gonzaga or Western Virginia?
I think it's a pretty even match. WV has the home court advantage but Gonzaga has the discipline of the tough pre-season. I think it will be a good game.
What did you think of UW not getting in?
I was a bit surprised as it's the first time in my knowledge a PAC 12 team who won the conference didn't get in. I can see the reasoning though, they just faltered in the tournament and didn't take care of business.
What players are you watching?
Sorry, I can't share that information. (We understand!!!)
What role do fouls play during tournament time?
The more intense the games, the more crucial fouls become. If I were coaching, I would be very clear how to handle any breakaway situations. A team can't afford intentional or technical fouls in the closing moments of the games. Big men especially need to be extra savvy not to get into foul trouble. Having top players on the bench during the final moments are killers for teams.
You are ready to head on a recruiting trip to Europe, do you think the league is really interested in overseas players?
This last season wasn't a strong draft for International players, but the year before was really strong. I personally really like international players because of several reasons, first they are often more team-minded and unselfish which is very attractive to me. I also like the skill level and team concept I see when watching International play. I don't like stereotyping but there is tendency for International players to play smarter on the court though they are often less athletic.
What's your thoughts on Jeremy Lin?
I think Jeremy Lin is a powerful example of determination and faith. I remember scouting him when he was at Harvard and with the different NBA teams he played for. He's athletic, has good size but was one of those emerging players who needed time to develop. In fact, the Knicks were ready to cut Lin but an injury required him to stay. Their open offense gave him the opportunity to show himself. I love this story because Lin is a reminder when you show up everyday and put in the time, when you never give up and keep your belief strong, and you have the grace for the big moment, great things can happen.