Whitest Teams of 08-09

celticdb15

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Ill start this off with mentioning my home state favorite Wisconsin Bagers! They have consistently reached the tourney and have success once in it. Looking at their roster it is about 50\50 white\black. They always pump out white big men and even have a white guard this year in Jason Bohannon. They also have Joe Krabbenhoft(lock for pt), Keaton Nankivil, Tim Jarmusz, Jon Leuer all vying for playingtime Along with the two black starters Trevon Hughes and Marcus Landry the Badgers will be majority white this year!


http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/wbg/roster


Feel free to add whatever other teams you like!!
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Lee Cummard

BYU Cougars: BYU went 27-8 a season ago led by juniors, center Trent Plaisted and guard/forward Lee Cummard. Plaisted tried his luck with the NBA, which leaves now-a-senior Cummard to once again lead the Cougars to success. Cummard suffers from both West Coast and white-skin bias, because he's invisble from most pre-season award lists. However, the high-rising, uber-productive wing is as good as anyone in the nation.

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Cummard dominates on both ends of the court

BYU will likely start 4 whites all season. Brazilian sharp shooter Jonathan Tavernari returns to create match-up problems with his unique skill set. Sophomore combo guard Jimmer Fredette is poised to break out this season. Junior forward/center Chris Miles finally gets to emerge from Plaisted's shadow, and his play will likely determine BYU's level of success.

Freshmen James Anderson, Matthew Pinegar, and Noah Hartsock are unknown commodities.

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Jonathan Tavernari

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Jimmer Fredette

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Chris Miles
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Drake Bulldogs: Drake never gets much respect, but they win a lot of games and seem to scare every big school they play. This year the Bulldogs will be starting an experienced but very small lineup featuring three white forwards. They aren't very deep and will struggle if they get in foul trouble.

Senior Jonathan Cox might be the best athlete in the Missouri Valley COnference. At 6-8, he is the active conference leader in rebounds and blocked shots. An unselfish player, Cox is dangerous from long range but usually gets noticed for his efforts on the glass. Junior Adam Templeton is a scoring range on the wing. Senior Brent Heemskerk is a solid all-around role player.

Senior guard Jacob Baryenruch is a designated long-range sniper off the bench.

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Jonathan Cox
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Duke Blue Devils: Love 'em or hate 'em, the Dukies are always a contender for postseason success, and this year should be no different. Led by versatile sophomore forward Kyle Singler and tremendous all-around junior guard Jon Scheyer, Duke is a preseason Top 5 team. Senior point guard Greg Paulus has had a turbulent career at Duke, but he is tough as nails and a rare true point guard.

Junior 7-footer Brian Zoubek has been plagued by foot injuries during his career, but he has tremendous talent if he can put them (and the resulting lack of conditioning) behind him. High-flying, emotional, and tenacious junior guard Martynas Pocius has long been a favorite of mine, but he suffered two ankle injuries that disrupted his career the past two seasons. He's said to be healthy, and if so should his return should be very exciting for Blue Devil fans.

Freshman forwards Miles Plumlee and Olek Czyz re highly anticipated additions who should both see plenty of action. Plumlee is similar to former Dukie Josh McRoberts, in that he is an athletic, face-the-basket big man who can really run the floor. Czyz might be the nastiest dunker in college basketball, but he is very raw.

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Kyle Singler

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Jon Scheyer

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Greg Paulus

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Brian Zoubek

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Martynas Pocius
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Florida Gators: A very young Florida team went 24-12 a year ago, so expectations are high this season. Three white athletes should start for the Gators, including the dynamic sophomore duo of point guard Nick Calathes and guard/forward Chandler Parsons. Calathes and the high-flying Parsons were both named to the All-SEC Freshman team last year. Unheralded junior forward Dan Werner can play either forward spot. The enforcer for the Gators is a strong 3-point shooter and an agressive, physical rebounder and defender.

Sophomore forward Adam Allen should get time off the bench.

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Nick Calathes

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Chandler Parsons

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Dan Werner
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Gonzaga Bulldogs: No longer a Cinderella team, Gonzaga has become a perennial force in college basketball. However, they have been disappointments in the postseason the last few years and no longer target as many "under the radar" white players as they did in creating the dynasty, preferring to bring in "athletic" blacks and mixed race players. Is their a connection? This year, however, Gonzaga should once again feature several talented white ball players.

One of my favorite players, Josh Heytvelt returns and, if the senior is fully recovered from the injury that plagued him a season ago, should be a dominant player. Phenomenally athletic, Heytvelt has the ability to control a game on both ends of the floor. Junior combo guard Matt Bouldin led the Zags in scoring last year, and in my opinion is a better all-around player than his more highly totued black backcourt mate. A very strong guard at 6-5, Bouldin is a matchup nightmare on the offensive end. The uber-athletic 6-7 guard/forward Micah Downs has intrigued me for years. Clearly the most athletic player in the WCC who can score from anywhere on the court, the former McDonald's All-American also has the skills to be an All-Star in the NBA. Yes, that's right. I said it. However, the problem with Downs is between his ears. He has never put that talent and skill set into effect on a consistent basis come gametime.

The only other white player expected to play this season is 7-5 center Will Foster, who is
still very much a project in his junior year. So you can see, Gonzaga is much darker than in years past. Mixed players Austin Daye and Steven Gray get a lot of pub.

Two highly regarded freshmen, guard Grant Gibbs and forward Andy Poling are expected to redshirt.

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Josh Heytvelt

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Matt Bouldin

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Micah Downs
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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North Carolina Tarheels: With Tyler Hansbrough once again suiting up in Carolina Blue, the Tarheels are the preseason favorite to cut down the nets in March. However, the reigning Naismith Player of the Year is out indefinitely with a stress fracture. That means highly touted 7-foot freshman Tyler Zeller gets the chance to shine early.

Point guard Bobby Frasor, now a senior, had a promising career disrupted by injuries, but he is back and hoping to contribute. No other white players are on scholarship.

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Tyler Hansbrough
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Possibly the most talented Notre Dame team since head coach Mike Brey took over, the Fighting Irish are lead by All-American, and Big East Player of the Year, Luke Harangody and Big East First-Team combo guard Kyle McAlarney. Versatile senior forward Zach Hillesland is an excellent ball handler, defender, and passer at 6-9 and does a lot of the dirty work for the Irish.

Senior center Luke Zeller provides more size off the bench and should see his playing time increase with the departure of Rob Kurz to the NBA.

Sophomore forward Tim Abromaitis is an excellent shooter but must improve his defense if he wants to increase his minutes.

Note: Mike Brey has created a monster in the Big East by recruiting white players, virtually the only team in the conference to do so. This also includes white kids who weren't fitting in at their old college. Talented transfers Scott Martin and Ben Hansbrough will be eligible to play for the Irish next season.

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Luke Harangody

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Kyle McAlarney

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Zach Hillesland
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Purdue Boilermakers: Led by freshman Robbie Hummel, Purdue surprised most people by going 25-9 last year.

Expectations are even higher this go round thanks to the presence of the do-everything sophomore guard/forward Hummel and defensive phenom Chris Kramer at guard. Nemanja Calasan is a physical garbage man.

Freshman guard Ryne Smith should see plenty of action off the bench.

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Robbie Hummel leaves opponents in awe

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Chris Kramer
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Washingon State Cougars: The Cougars "shocked the world" again last year, going 26-9. Youthful head coach Tony Bennett keeps plugging in white athletes, and WSU keeps winning, yet the pundits keep dismissing the Cougars' talent. You'd think they'd learn, but you'd be wrong.

Led by point guard Taylor Rochestie, who is the Pac-10's best point guard in my opinion, and powerful Australian center Aron Baynes who would lead the Pac-10 in dunks if they kept such a stat, the Cougars play a well-balanced, unselfish brand of basketball on offense and a physical man-to-man defense. Senior forward Daven Harmeling is a premier long-range bomber. Athletic two guard Nikola Koprivica should be explosive again two years removed from tearing his right ACL.

Senior forward Caleb Forrest gets a lot of minutes off the bench as a solid role player. Redshirt freshman forward Charlie Enquist has talent, is very long at 6-10, and put on much-needed weight last year. Fellow redshirt, guard Abe Lodwick, has tremendous size at 6-7 and is looking to make an impact after adjusting to college ball a year ago.

Several freshmen will get the chance to earn significant playing time, though some may redshirt if they won't be prominent contributors. Combo guards Mike Harthun and Nick Witherill can score in bunches. Talented shooting guard Klay Thompson, who looks white thanks to his mom but is actually half-black, is expected to make an immediate impact.

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Taylor Rochestie

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Aron Baynes

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Daven Harmeling

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Nikola Koprivica
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Wisconsin Badgers: Wisconsin has emerged as a dominant team in the Big Ten. Hopefully that will continue this season, as once again Bo Ryan comes to play with an unheralded bunch of "unathletic overachievers."

Senior guard/forward Joe Krabbenhoft might be the most underrated player in the country. A

versatile athlete who can defend 4 positions, Krabbenhoft also has good springs, is a terror on the offensive glass, and arguably the team's best passer. Sharp-shooting junior Jason Bohannon was the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year last season, but Badger fans hope he plays even better as a starter. Sophomore forward Keaton Nankivil is a human pogo stick, and the former Wisconsin Mr. Basketball is expected to break out as a rebounding force this season.

Off the bench, sophomore forward Jon Leuer should be an impact player. At 6-10, Leuer is a phenomenal long-range shooter. 6-6 sophomore guard/forward Tim Jarmusz is yet another versatile athlete for the Badgers off the bench who will get a lot of playing time. Athletic enough to guard on the perimeter, yet long enough to guard bigger men in the post, the former Wisconsin Gatorade POY is a solid outside shooter.

6-10 freshman Jared Berggren and 7-foot freshman Ian Markolf will both likely redshirt.

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Joe Krabbenhoft

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Jason Bohannon

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Keaton Nankivil
 

celticdb15

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Great job Jimmy!! I really enjoy the the pictures along with your an overview of the teams!
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Drake just signed one of the best players in Michigan for next year, 6-7
shooter Ben Simons.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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guys, feel free to add any other teams that feature several prominent white players. i just thought i'd get the thread off to a good start.
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also, i'll be starting another thread soon that talks about individual players on teams that are mostly black.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Southern Illinois Salukis: Even with the loss of three starters, including its top two scorers last year, Southern Illinois was picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Salukis have eight newcomers on the roster, but one player who is back is senior guard Bryan Mullins. Mullins has been named to the All-Defense team in the MVC every year he's played at SIU, and he is a first-team all-conference pick this season and favorite to win conference POY honors. Mullins is on pace to become the career leader in steals and assists at SIU, as well as being among the league's elite 3-point shooters. Senior forward Tony Boyle has been a regular sub in his career, and the hardnosed role player now gets the chance to emerge as a starter. Sophomore Carlton Fay is a potential superstar. Came off the bench in every game last season, and he shouldn't disappoint in his first year as a starter. A dynamic scorer, Fay is an excellent defender in the SIU tradition, leading the team in charges taken last season.

The Salukis may have found a true gem in freshman 6-11 center Nick Evans. Evans didn't play organized basketball until 11th grade, and is obviously still very raw. But he improved tremendously during his redshirt year, and is expected to contribute heavily this season, especially on the defensive end where he has shown flashes of tremendous shot blocking ability.

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Bryan Mullins

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Tony Boyle

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Carlton FayEdited by: Jimmy Chitwood
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Miami (Ohio) Redhawks: Led by super-athletic guard/forward Michael Bramos, the Redhawks are picked to finish 2nd in the East Division of the MAC.

An all-conference pick, Bramos is an incredible, and versatile talent. A true two guard, he enters the season already #4 on Miami University's all-time blocked shots list and is just two 3-pointers away from cracking that career top-10 chart. Bramos led Miami in scoring (16.3 ppg) and blocked shots (42) and ranked among MAC statistical leaders in five categories a season ago.

Joining Bramos in the starting lineup are the Redhawks big men. Tyler Dierkers is a bit more of a threat on the offensive end than teammate Adam Fletcher, but both play good defense and are solid role players.

Off the bench, the versatile Eric Pollitz is still around, though his twin brother has graduated. Pollitz is a physical guard who is a post-up threat and is Miami's best defender.

6-foot freshman guard Kramer Soderberg was the 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri. With his tremendous scoring and playmaking ability, he should get plenty of burn.

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Michael Bramos

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Tyler Dierker skies for the block

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Adam Fletcher scores
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Xavier Musketeers: After winning a program-record 30 contests and advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Xavier has been tabbed as the team to beat in the Atlantic 10. Of course, this may be premature considering the Musketeers lost 3 senior starters AND the new trio of fourth-year players who assumed their starting spots played terribly in the season-opening exhibition against lowly Findlay. Who? Exactly. XU squeaked out a 79-76 win. Ouch!

The only white players on the team are all freshmen. All should immediately compete for prominent roles, but it is the two black freshmen that are getting media attention. No surprise there.

7-foot Kenny Frease is the only true low post presence on the team. "Deceptively" agile and with good hands, expect the Ohio first-team All-Stater to become a starter very early on. He had 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 16 minutes of action in the exhibition game, but he must take better care of the ball. 6-0 combo guard Brad Redford enters college as arguably the best high school shooter in the nation. The Michigan Mr. Basketball has nearly unlimited range, either off the dribble or spotting up. He had 7 points in just 8 minutes in XU's opener, but he is expected to focus on point guard duties this fall. Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year last season, Brian Walsh possesses all-around talent on the wing, but he is currently buried on the depth chart.

Hopefully head coach Sean Miller will unleash the youngsters early on, especially if the affletes continue to under perform.

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Kenny Frease

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Brad Redford

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Brian Walsh
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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Davidson Wildcats: Davidson burst onto the scene early last season, and made an even bigger splash in the NCAA Tourney. While sweet-shooting two guard Stephen Curry got literally ALL the media's attention, the rest of the Wildcats were quietly going about playing damn good basketball. Point guard Jason Richards, who set up Curry for many of his buckets, led the nation in assists, and the rest of the team played good defense, rebounded well, and hit open shots.

That recipe is expected to work again this season, as the only key ingredient who is missing is the graduated Richards. Curry will now handle the point guard duties in addition to shooting the ball more than the rest of his teammates combined. Will it work? I guess we'll see.

Other than the light-skinned Curry, the only other black player to see significant action is starting forward Andrew Lovedale. That leaves the 3 "gym rat" starters and 3 "over-achievers" off the bench in Davidson's normal 8-man rotation.

6-7 junior forward Steve Rossiter, 6-6 senior guard Max Paulhus Gosselin, and 6-4 junior guard Bryant Barr all are good shooters, good rebounders, and good defenders, though you're not likely to see any highlights on Sportscenter because they play fundamental, under-the-rim basketball.

Off the bench, 6-0 point guard Brendan McKillop, a sophomore, is expected to spell Curry and pick up the slack running the offense. 6-6 junior forward Will Archambault is interchangeable with Rossiter and Lovedale as a solid all-around player. 6-9 freshman forward Ben Allison, from England, redshirted last year. He was the MVP of the United Kingdom's Under-20 team before coming to Davidson, and is expected to be a significant contributor this season.

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Jimmy Chitwood

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The starting backcourt features two former walk-ons who are now on scholarship. Seniors Sean Haluska and Bryan Peterson are usually referred to as "over-achieving gym rats," but are better athletes than given credit for. They are undersized, and despite being seniors have only played 1 year of Division I basketball. They run the offense of an incredibly young team, so expect ISU to take some lumps as the perennial bottom-dwelling program rebuilds.

Three new faces start the year coming off the bench in Iowa State's 8-man rotation. German 6-5 sophomore guard Lucca Staiger lost his freshman season when the NCAA ruled him ineligible. However, the point forward was all-everything in the German junior basketball scene, including being named the MVP of the Dirk Nowitzki all-star camp at age 15. A complete player on the offensive end, once Staiger gets healthy his only issue will be his unselfishness. He shares the ball so much, coaches have to constantly urge the sharpshooter to pull the trigger. 6-3 freshman guard Wes Eikmeier is one of the greatest scorers in Nebraska prep history, Eikmeier was a two-time Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year (2007 and 2008). Expect Staiger and Eikmeier to play heavy minutes, even if they don't crack the starting lineup.

6-11 junior power forward Jamie Vanderbeken is a ju-co transfer who carried his junior college team to its best season in over 20 years, a season ago. A sweet shooter who is a match-up nightmare, Vanderbeken comes to ISU shooting 57% from the floor and leading his team in made 3-pointers (40), while averaging better than 14 points and 9 rebounds a night.

All three of the newcomers had solid outings in ISU's season opening win, led by Vanderbeken's team-highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

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Sean Haluska

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Bryan Peterson

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Wes Eikmeier
 
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