UCLA coach Ben Howland is hoping that Jordan Farmar goes in the first round. If not, Howland will be extremely disappointed for Farmar and will direct his ire somewhere, possibly at the media for its promoting of Farmar's first-round possibilities.
The problem is the NBA folks in Orlando all said Farmar was a first-round pick, but no one was willing to make a guarantee that the UCLA sophomore point guard indeed would go in the Round 1. As such, Farmar is taking a gamble.
He said he knows that, and kept referencing "they" on a conference call Sunday when asked who was giving him positive feedback. Who is "they?" Well, apparently it's the teams that Farmar worked out for so far. If Farmar indeed slips into the second round, then blame apparently could be directed at New Jersey, Sacramento, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.
The reality, though, is that only one person is at fault if Farmar slips into the second round and has to make a go of it without the guaranteed money -- himself.
Other early-entry decisions
UCLA: Got back Arron Afflalo to ensure scoring on the wing. Lost Farmar, but the Bruins' staff and players don't seem to be upset, with the quicker Darren Collison ready to take over the position.
Pitt: Getting Aaron Gray back was a must for the Panthers to be a Big East contender. Gray finally realized that being the BMOC for his senior season was worth waiting on the NBA. Smart move, since he would have been a likely first-round pick but just another Joe in the NBA for the foreseeable future. Now he has a shot to make a splash. Dixon said Gray's "a lock for the lottery" in 2007.
Texas: Losing Daniel Gibson was a foregone conclusion. He wasn't doing anything to show he wanted to come back to Texas. One NBA exec told ESPN.com Sunday that Gibson's camp didn't see him as a point guard next season with A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin there, so he wanted to make the jump. The Longhorns should be fine with Abrams and Augustin as playmakers and Damion James and Kevin Durant on the wing to make up for Gibson's scoring.
Arizona: Mustafa Shakur listened to his coach and advisors and discovered he wasn't a lock to be selected. Now, the Wildcats are deep at playmaker with Shakur, J.P. Prince and Nic Wise able to handle the ball. Shakur's decision means the Wildcats should be a preseason top-10 team.
Colorado: Richard Roby's return gives Ricardo Patton hope that the Buffs can be a contender. They needed an experienced player to bank on with one of the youngest teams in the Big 12. Roby made an informed decision that he wasn't ready to make the jump.
South Carolina: Renaldo Balkman was probably gone a week ago. Dave Odom knew it. Everyone in Orlando knew it. The Gamecocks will miss his activity around the basket. He was on the verge of being a breakthrough star in the SEC. This one hurts a team that could have been an NCAA squad next season but now, even with a stellar recruiting class, might not make the jump until 2008.
San Diego State: Getting Brandon Heath back was a must for the Aztecs. They already knew they were losing Marcus Slaughter, but now they can challenge for the MWC title again.
Rice: Morris Almond's decision to come back translates into the Rice Owls being Memphis' biggest nemesis in CUSA next season. He's a big-time scorer and a potential all-American to watch.
Memphis: Darius Washington didn't do anything, which means he's in the draft, for now. He could return, though, if he doesn't get selected (he didn't sign with an agent). The Tigers are set at guard if he doesn't come back with Andre Allen and Willie Kemp.
Loyola-Chicago: Remember the name Blake Schilb. NBA scouts will next season. Loyola has a chance to win the Horizon with him on the roster.
Cal State Fullerton: Bobby Brown was decent in Orlando but he wasn't a lock to be in the second round. His return means the Titans get the best playmaker in the Big West back and a chance at the title.
George Washington: The Colonials had to have Carl Elliott back to have a shot at challenging UMass and Xavier for the A-10 title. Losing Danilo Pinnock to the draft may make it harder, but Elliott was a must return.
Nevada: Bringing back Nick Fazekas means the Wolf Pack are a WAC and NCAA-bid contender. End of discussion.
Saint Louis: Ian Vouyoukas' decision to return to SLU bodes well for its fortunes in the A-10. SLU was 10-6 in the league last season and could be a major player again. Brad Soderberg needed an experienced player to anchor this team, and he has one now that Vouyoukas returned.
Andy Katz
