The Final Four is almost two months away, but early debate has already begun about which current college player will be the No. 1 pick in June's NBA draft -- Greg Oden of Ohio State or Kevin Durant of Texas.
The attributes of both freshmen have been compared in national media outlets like The Sporting News and ESPN and fan message boards of potential NBA lottery teams like the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies.
Oden, who visits Happy Valley tomorrow night when the No. 2 Buckeyes (22-3, 10-1 Big Ten) play Penn State, entered his college career hyped as the probable top pick last summer had the NBA not established a one-year removed from high school rule.
The 7-foot, 280-pound center then had surgery to repair injured ligaments in his right hand during the summer and didn't crack the Ohio State lineup until November.
Since then, Oden has averaged 15.3 points per game, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and shot 62.4 percent from the field. He has attempted free throws with his left hand, but according to Ohio State coach Thad Matta, "His right hand is getting better every day."
Durant, meanwhile, a 6-foot-9 and 225-pound forward/guard, entered college with comparatively less national publicity than Oden, but has put up better points (25.1) and rebounds (11.4) averages. In doing so, Durant has proved, to some, that he is the better player right now.
Michigan State's Tom Izzo, one of two coaches to face Oden and Durant this season, weighed in on the discussion yesterday during his weekly Big Ten coaches' conference call.
"Oden is not as polished as Durant," said Izzo, who lost three starters to the NBA last year. "Durant is a freak of nature in a way. He's so long, he's so athletic, he's so active and he can shoot it from such great range. ... I'm not sure you can find a weakness. He can pass the ball. He's more multi-dimensional right now."
Durant has led the Longhorns (17-7, 7-3 Big 12) in scoring for 17 of 24 games this season and done so with uncanny guard skills for a player of his height. He's shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point land and 48.5 percent overall.
Yet Oden has made an astounding 103 of 165 shots taken, all of the two-point variety, and defensively, Durant's shot blocking numbers are not even close.
Which is why, Izzo said, while Durant may appear to be the better player at this time, the No. 1 selection will most likely be determined by what a particular NBA team needs.
"They really truly are on opposite ends of the spectrum," Izzo said. "One big strong, one long and not nearly as strong. One active, one not active. One that's hard to judge yet because of the hand."
He added: "A lot will come down to what a team is looking for because they are both phenomenal players. If I was Miami I'd probably be taking Durant. If I was Chicago, I'd probably be taking Oden."
The way the NBA standings are now, the Heat or Bulls aren't likely to garner the top pick, however, Izzo's main point is recognized and shared by Penn State sophomore forward Jamelle Cornley.
Cornley, who is a connoisseur of everything pertaining to basketball, watched Durant play on television earlier this year against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, and has seen plenty of Oden.
"If you look at it from an individual standpoint, Durant is a better all-around player," Cornley said. "But as far as the next level is concerned, Oden probably has a better shot."
