The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, who I really respect as a draft analyst, put out a mock draft on the site this morning that has Brice Sensabaugh as a projected lottery pick (14th overall to Portland):
Sensabaugh is a fascinating process versus results study. On a production basis, Miller is basically the only freshman to have outperformed Sensabaugh so far, as the Florida native is averaging 16.7 points on 52 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line. And a lot of those shots are tough shots that he’s self-creating in the midrange and knocking down over a tight defender. But … a lot of those shots are tough shots, and that’s a really hard way to make a living at the next level. The process is hard. Only the best of the best can do it. So far, Sensabaugh has been that. But what happens if the midrange shot starts to fall at a lesser clip? He’d still be a great 3-point shooter who can create shots, but the package becomes less enticing when also paired with his defense, which is really poor. Purdue relentlessly attacked him in the second half of a recent game that the Buckeyes couldn’t hang onto late. But on some level, the results are just too good to pass up at a certain point. That point right now for me is here. It could end up being much higher or lower at the end of the season. But Sensabaugh has firmly established himself as a potential lottery pick.
As Vecenie notes, a lot can change between now and March but it's looking like, as with Malaki Branham, OSU may have another surprise one-and-done on their hands.
theathletic.com
Sensabaugh is a fascinating process versus results study. On a production basis, Miller is basically the only freshman to have outperformed Sensabaugh so far, as the Florida native is averaging 16.7 points on 52 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line. And a lot of those shots are tough shots that he’s self-creating in the midrange and knocking down over a tight defender. But … a lot of those shots are tough shots, and that’s a really hard way to make a living at the next level. The process is hard. Only the best of the best can do it. So far, Sensabaugh has been that. But what happens if the midrange shot starts to fall at a lesser clip? He’d still be a great 3-point shooter who can create shots, but the package becomes less enticing when also paired with his defense, which is really poor. Purdue relentlessly attacked him in the second half of a recent game that the Buckeyes couldn’t hang onto late. But on some level, the results are just too good to pass up at a certain point. That point right now for me is here. It could end up being much higher or lower at the end of the season. But Sensabaugh has firmly established himself as a potential lottery pick.
As Vecenie notes, a lot can change between now and March but it's looking like, as with Malaki Branham, OSU may have another surprise one-and-done on their hands.
NBA Mock Draft: Cam Whitmore, Brandon Miller emerge; Wemby, Scoot are 1-2
Injuries have brought questions for many of the top players, but evaluators still believe this lottery group is a strong one.
theathletic.com
