Top NBA prospects in Carrier Classic 

November, 11, 2011
11/11/11
9:01
AM ET

I don't know whether NBA scouts will have access to tickets to the inaugural Carrier Classic game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Michigan State Spartans being held on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on Friday. If they do, they'll be watching the Tar Heels' all-lottery pick front line. If not, they will have plenty of opportunities during the season to see it -- on dry land.

Here is a breakdown of the potential draft picks playing in the game.

North Carolina

Harrison Barnes, F, sophomore, 6-foot-8
NBA scouts are falling in love with Barnes again after the consensus No. 1 high school player in the country finished his freshman season so strong. It's hard not to envision his being chosen among the first four picks in June.

I was among the many concerned about him at the beginning of last season because I saw a player who was not able to create separation from defenders, forcing him to take contested perimeter jump shots. And, he was not finishing drives to the basket nor getting to the foul line with any regularity despite having an NBA-ready body. In the first 19 games, he averaged 11.8 points and shot well under 40 percent from the field.


Become an ESPN Insider and read Fran's analysis of UNC's and MSU's top prospects, plus get access to our NBA draft coverage all season long.

Fran Fraschilla is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. He formerly was the head coach at Manhattan, St. John's and New Mexico.

SPONSORED HEADLINES