NCAA First Round Recap: Thoughts on Colorado/UConn

Every one was picking UConn to win this game going in, myself included. It was hard to choose against the Huskies after what they did in their conference tournament. They also had several highly touted players on their roster that were worth them being a preseason top 25 team. Colorado's perimeter players were just too outmatched by the collective length and taken that UConn throws at teams in the backcourt. Here are a few of the prospects from each team that stood out.

2016 NBA Draft

Daniel Hamilton, SF, Connecticut

17 points, 6-12 FG, 0-2 3FG, 10 rebounds

Hamilton is only a sophomore and Draftexpress doesn't have him in their 2016 Mock Draft but in their 2017 Mock. Hamilton might be a guy who should consider leaving this year after improving his stock with a solid conference tournament showing and great first round game against Colorado. Hamilton was by far the most superior athlete on the floor, which is saying a lot given the type of personnel that UConn has on their entire roster. He is a blur in transition, changing speeds and blowing past everyone in the open court. There wasn't any Colorado guard that could keep him out of the lane. He has nice feel for the game and when he penetrates, he makes good things happen. Even though he didn't have an assist in this game, he made passes to wide open shooters spotting up when he would drive and create an advantage. He also showed off the ability to take and make tough shots in the lane; runners, layups, and awkward jumpers.

Defense is the end where Hamilton really excels. He locks up whoever he is guarding. He plays hard on that end, using his length to bother guys on the ball and even fighting to front the post the few times he was matched up on Josh Scott and Wesley Gordon, the Buffalo's two starting big men. He crashes the glass, defends, and makes plays for others while also being the best athlete on the floor. If he could become a more consistent jump shooter, this guy would be a borderline first round pick this year. Without that, he is more likely a second round pick this year. When you watch him, you say to yourself, "That's an NBA player," regardless of whether he leaves this year or next.

Josh Scott, C, Colorado

23 points, 5-10 FG, 13-18 FT, 11 rebounds

Scott was pretty underwhelming in this game, especially when you take into consideration UConn's lack of talent in their front court. Despite Scott being a big body at 6-10, 245 lbs, he was only able to get solid post position when either Daniel Hamilton or Amida Brimah was guarding him. Other UConn bigs were able to make him uncomfortable posting, something shouldn't happen since UConn doesn't have anyone near his size on their roster. He was forced out of his comfort zone quite a bit, not just in the post, but on the perimeter as well. UConn's bigs are athletic and their length gave Scott trouble whenever he would try and pop out for a jumper or put it on the deck. UConn perimeter players did a good job slanting and throwing Scott multiple looks when he caught the ball on the block as well.

Scott plays hard on both ends, which is why he was able to get 11 rebounds and still get 23 points. The refs bailed him out a lot, hence the large amount of free throws, but he worked hard, even when the Huskies would frustrate him. He isn't the most mobile big man athletic wise but his activity helped him flat show and recover to his man in time. His 7-2 wingspan helped him contest and make shots tough at the rim as well. His jumper isn't broken and it goes in, even though his form is slow and ugly. My guess is that Scott will end up on a Summer League team and either spend next year in the D-League or making good money overseas where the bigs aren't as long and as athletic as NBA big men.

2017 NBA Draft

Amida Brimah, C, Connecticut

4 points, 1-4 FG, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks

All the good and bad of Brimah showed up in this game. He isn't strong and doesn't move well for a big man. He blew several UConn pick and roll coverages due to his lack of foot speed. He couldn't hold his own against either Gordon or Scott defending them in the post, constantly getting backed under the rim by both. Offensively, he has no feel, no hands, no jumper, and no bounce. He kind of hurts their team when he is on the floor on that end, which is probably why he lost his starting spot this season. He dropped rebounds and passes and couldn't dribble or back down guys in the post. He has no touch around the rim either, missing a hook shot and a layup.

The only thing that Brimah really brings to the table is his length and height, which is good to grab rebounds by default and protect the rim. Most of his blocks come from weak side help and not on the ball or in a scheme. He can't contain a ball handler in front of him, getting exposed in the pick and roll at times. Other than his help defense, there isn't much to Brimah that would make you think that he is an NBA player. He was getting buzz at the beginning of this year of maybe being a second round pick, but his flaws are starting to get exposed. Hopefully he can bounce back his senior year.

Wesley Gordon, PF, Colorado

9 points, 4-8 FG, 1-4 FT, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks

Gordon is an interesting player. He probably won't get a shot in the NBA, but he will make some money somewhere after he graduates. He plays hard on both ends, even though he is undersized at the power forward spot. He isn't overly athletic, but he doesn't get exposed, even switching onto Hamilton and containing him a few times. He could deter shots at the rim and is deceptively strong backing down guys in the post and crashing the glass. His upside as a switching power forward is there.

Offensively, he hit a nice turnaround J in the post but outside of that, there wasn't much. He could back guys down and make nice reads out of the post but he couldn't create his own offense. His jump shot is ugly, proven by the 1-4 free throw clip in this game. He is a nice energy guy at the college level, but that doesn't get very far in the league unless you can be elite at a few skills. Gordon will probably try the D-League then end up going overseas.

Rodney Purvis, SG, Connecticut

19 points, 7-13 FG, 2-5 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Purvis is an under the radar prospect and he probably doesn't get drafted next season, but this kid can definitely play in the league. He has the NBA athleticism and quick first step for a perimeter player. He could create whatever shot he wanted; off the dribble, spot up, off screens, floaters, and getting to the rim in transition. That athleticism also translated on the defensive end, where Purvis did well trailing screens and also jumping into passing lanes for steals. He got over aggressive at times and committed a few fouls because of it, but he was stifling the Colorado wings. I may have just caught him on one of his better games of the season since he isn't generating much in the way of draft buzz, but just by aesthetics and physical tools, Purvis looks like a guy who could work his way into a training camp invite from someone.

Keep an eye on…

Jalen Adams, PG, Connecticut

9 points, 3-8 FG, 1-2 3FG, 3 assists, 2 steals

Adams probably doesn't start at point guard because Hamilton does a lot of offense initiating for the Huskies but Adams also just makes freshman mistakes at times. He shows a nice feel in ball screens but for the most part, he is late on his reads to the open guys. He flashed some nice passes here and there, so he will improve in that area. He is a pesky defender, even if he does die on screens too often. He is fast and shifty, which helps him get in the lane on offense and bother his man on defense. His jumper is smooth, and I believe he can become a knock down shooter, even if he shot a putrid 24.4 percent from three this year. Developing a jumper and getting better at reading the floor will boost Adams draft stock. Definitely the next in a long line of successful UConn point guards.