An ACC draft shutout?

Could it be possible? Is there a chance that not a single ACC basketball player will be picked in the first round next week?

Sho'nuff.

In fact, we are looking at probably only four players being picked in the second round.

That would make this one of the worst drafts ever for ACC players. And considering that Miami, B.C. and Virginia Tech weren't around back in those past weak days, then this is probably the single worst showing ever for the conference.

Part of the blame must fall on UNC since they have two sure first-rounders on board next year with Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson. And then there are Ellington and Green to consider.

But the rest of the league? WTF, mate?

Here is my list of the players likely to be picked in the second round -- in my own order of importance.

J.J. Hickson, N.C. State
James Gist, Md.
Sean Singletary, Va.
DeMarcus Nelson, Duke

On the bubble: James Mays, Clemson

Hickson hurt himself by refusing to take part in the Orlando workouts -- and by the poor chemistry that affected the N.C. State team thanks to his arrival.

Yep, I said it.

He could have increased his visibility by playing well in the Orlando games, but was cocky enough to think he didn't need to play.

And he would have gotten more exposure in the NCAA tourney if he hadn't been one of the two biggest reasons the Wolfpack flopped so bad this year (the first was the huge absence of Engin Atsur -- one of the all-time underrated players in the ACC).

Yep, Hickson got the starting nod ahead of Ben McCauley, then got all the touches, too. Ben and Brandan Costner fell into a funk when they were being ignored.

The two Jameses (Gist and Mays) each has made a living off hard-nosed defense and out-of-zone rebounding. Both of those are needed traits at the next level, but Mays has the harder task because of his more limited reach and scoring ability.

Gist has a nice standing reach of 8' 11.5", plus he scored 16 pts. on 49.6% shooting and 74% FTs.

Mays gets putbacks and breakaways. He's about half an inch shorter and 2.5 inches less on standing reach, too. And he's as terrible at the free throw line as another former Tiger, Dale Davis.

DeMarcus Nelson is shorter than expected, but his long reach, tough defense and gritty offensive style could make him a good role player. Like Lindsay Hunter coming in for Chauncey Billups. I can see DeMarcus being a Lindsay-type of player. Not worthy of a 1st round pick, but a solid bench player.

Sean Singletary arrived at University Hall with lots of fanfare. Fans were telling each other to enjoy it while it lasts because he'll be gone in a year. Well, maybe after his sophomore year. Could he really be coming back for his senior year???

Sean never became the superstar type everyone expected, but he knows how to play one-on-one. What I've never been impressed with is his ability to make his whole team better.

Sure, he hasn't had good teammates, but his playmaking is at its best when he's doing the finishing, so is he really a good fit for a lot of teams? Maybe, maybe not. There could be a team looking for a spark off the bench who would like him.

Sean scored 41 pts. in a game against Miami, but only had 3 assists. He must have heard grumblings from his teammates or NBA scouts because after that he passed more. He had 6 or more assists in six of the next seven games to finish the season -- an average of 7.3 per game.
That's the kind of production I'd like to see out of him.

So, if he can pass and shoot, then why do I have him last of the five players?
Well, look at his body. He's short and doesn't have a great vertical leap.
He is 5'11" barefooted and only jumped 26 inches on the standing vertical.
He could have been hurt -- he didn't participate in the running vertical jump or in the two sprints -- but that doesn't help his chances.

By comparison, Ty Lawson is 5'11, too, but jumped 28.5" and a more impressive 34.5" with a running start. DeMarcus Nelson was even better at 34.5" and 38.5". All three guards showed their great strength by benching 185 lbs. at least 14 times.

Look Out for the Heels!

If you heard a loud ruckus Monday afternoon that sounded like the Brooklyn Bridge slumping under heavy weight, don't worry. It's just the rest of the ACC groaning after hearing that UNC would be getting all three of its players back from the diving board that is the NBA draft.

Rising senior Danny Green and juniors Wayne Ellington and Tywon Lawson will be back for one more spin on the merry-go-round. None of them were too pleased with the comments they were getting from the NBA teams.

Danny Green was too banged up to show his potential, and scouts want to see him take on a greater role for his team.

Ellington has been pretty mum, but it seemed from what few comments given to various newspapers that he had a better opinion of his workouts than the teams did.

Ty Lawson looked like a sure thing to leave. He said he wanted to go in the Top 20, but must not have gotten that assurance.

The weakest position on the Heels' roster has just been solidified. UNC was very close to not only starting a rookie PG, but playing Larry Drew huge minutes. Now they can bring him along more slowly. And the team doesn't have to rush Bobby Frasor back from knee surgery. I doubt we'll see Bobby on the court until the second semester.

Truthfully, I'm a little surprised Ty didn't go. Sure, you get a lot less money being drafted 30th instead of 20th, but you get to play for a quality team. So what if you come off the bench? You get to learn the position from a pro starter and have a strong chance of making the playoffs.

As for money, consider this. Michael Redd has scored a ton of points in his career, but a whole lot of people just don't know him because not only does he play in a smaller market (Milwaukee), but his team hasn't had any success in years.

Charlotte is a small market, too, but plenty of people knew who Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning were when the team was winning 50 games a year.

So, my point is this: getting your face on TV enhances your exposure, which in turn enhances your value to a team. David Beckham isn't the player he once was, but he created a real stir by coming here to play soccer.

Even if you're not star quality like that, exposure helps. Think Bruce Bowen would get so much attention (and still be playing at 37) if he weren't getting all the playoff coverage? Or Robert Horry getting the nickname Big Shot Rob?

It's good to be on a winning team -- and it can even pay off (literally) down the road.

That said, I'm a Heels fan, so Welcome Back, Boys!