2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #5 Brad Beal

Today's Impact Freshmen is the best shooter and possibly scorer in the class. The Florida commit is a 6'4 offensive assassin that can score from virtually anywhere. Brad Beal is ranked number 7 by Rivals and ESPN. Beal has drawn comparisons to the new 3 point record holder Ray Allen for his insane 3 point game and quick release. Beal will be an instant success in Florida's 3 point offensive attack with SEC Player of the Year Chandler Parsons graduating. Beal's defensive ability is often overlooked because of his offensive repertoire, but he has the ability to man up on any guard at the collegiate level.  Beal is the real deal.

UCONN Misses One First Place Vote

Today the final AP Coaches Poll came out for college hoops and one coach didn't vote UCONN as number one. The man was Northern Arizona's Mike Adras. The man was quoted in USA Today with his reasoning.

"I voted for who I thought was the best team in the country based on the entire body of work during the season ... I believe it is Ohio State. I want to congratulate Connecticut for winning the NCAA tournament. They deserved it."

Some people may think Mike Adras is an idiot. Others may think he's trying to steal the attention from UCONN. People could think he just hates UCONN. I think he's brilliant. Bring Ohio State or Kansas (Ardas put both ahead of UCONN) to Storrs and see how the score ends. No one stops the Morris Bros but themselves. You think Alex Oriakhi can stop boy wonder Jared Sullinger. I think not! March Madness is great but I got a better idea. Lets just have the winner of the tournament play the top say two to four teams from the regular season final AP Poll. If they win them all, we'll give them the championship, if not whoever beat them by the most is the new champion. Let's get real, winning six games in a row is nothing so many teams do that during the season. Why are the last six games more important than the first six? Whatever happened to a win is a win. Adras nailed it when he said we should be looking at the "body of work".

Get Bruce Arthur to Write for NSHL Now!

Bruce Arthur has been writing for the National Post since 2001. When talking about last night's game the guy was just spitting fire. He was covering the game via Twitter last night, and here's some of his tweets.

If Gus Johnson was calling this game, he'd probably have already dropped the mic and walked away.


This game is almost enough to change my opinion that NCAA athletes should get paid.


For once, One Shining Moment overstates the number of shining moments in the national championship game by one.


This guy is great and because of this I'm going to extend an unbelievable opportunity to him. The league is willing to name the championship trophy in honor of Bruce Arthur if he writes for the blog. That Just Happened!

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #6 Lebryan Nash

Todays player is the 6'7 Oklahoma State signee Lebryan Nash. Nash is ranked at the number 4 spot by Rivals, and ESPN has him at 6. He is the most athletic player in this class. The only thing that stops him from being ranked higher is that he doesn't play with the sense of urgency that some of the guys higher than him play with. Also his long range game is good, but not elite. Nonetheless, Nash is possibly the best slasher in the class and is the only person that can dunk harder than Adonis Thomas. He won the McDonald's All American Dunk Contest last week. Nash is very similar and often compared to Ron Artest with the Lakers. Nash will put Oklahoma State on the map next year.

What an Awful Game

This is what happens when all the behemoths choke in the tourney. You get a team that plays phenomenal defense but can't throw a rock into the ocean from the beach, and a team that has relied on one man to maintain almost half the team's scoring every game. Matt Howard I like the way you play, but taking three bombs when you're the only guy on your team that can move people down low. You just shattered my heart. I was hoping Butler would win, and when Mack hit the trifecta to end the half I thought they had a good chance. Instead this game was like watching No armed kids barely losing to the Perkins School of the  Blind. People enjoy good defense, but it is unbearable to watch terrible offense. I had homework due at midnight so I went upstairs two minutes into the second half. I came back down with three minutes left. I don't think I missed much. Man I hope next year's game can at least eclipse a combined 100 points. That's all I ask for.

Shaka Smart Can Coach for Me Any Day!

Listen I'm all for coaches being professional and trying to set an example to the
viewers that coaching is a job and not a hobby. But let's get real acting like a robot during pre-game with your suit jacket on and not talking to anyone just makes you look like an ass. Bobby Knight never wore a suit, and I think he panned out pretty well. Just look a Shaka setting the tone with his team. You wanna be respected? Throw yourself in the fire. That's where the men separate from the boys physically and mentally. Guarantee when Shaka was on the court his plus minus was like plus 30, the guy is just an animal. Hey Missouri great job getting Miami's Frank Haith the coach of the ninth placed team in the ACC. Hey Tennessee good job with Cuonzo Martin, you just hired the poor man's version of Shaka Smart. Maybe Shaka didn't want to leave VCU, he just signed an extension with them. But if I was Missouri or Tennessee I would have pushed hard for this game. You can't coach effort BABY!

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #7 Marquis Teague

Number 7 for Impact Freshmen is the first of three Kentucky commits on the list. Marquis Teague is the most physically gifted Point Guard in this class. Rivals has Teague as the number 2 player while ESPN has him at number 8. The big question with Teague is his motivation and leadership in his play which is vital for running the point. Without a doubt Teague is the top Point Guard, but I think his rank will slide on Rivals. Even though Brandon Knight has done a great job at Kentucky, he is more of a shoot first Point Guard. Teague on the other hand, has exceptional ball handling and acceleration will make him a menace in Calipari's dribble drive.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #8 Khem Birch

Today's impact Freshmen is penis the second Canadian that we've seen. Khem Birch spent this year in the same state is the NSHL for a prep year at Notre Dame Prep. The 6'9 Canadian Colossus is the best defensive big man in this class hands down. Rivals put Birch in the 2012 rankings for some reason and have him as number 4 there. ESPN has him at the 11 spot. Birch is an absolute animal on defense and a beast on the boards. The Pittsburgh signee will flourish in the transition game and is extremely effective cutting to the hoop. I picture Birch as a smaller Hasheem Thabeet that actually has skill on offense to back it up. I just hope Khem won't foul anyone off a free throw with a second left in the game and the lead.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #9 James McAdoo

Today's Impact Freshmen was about to take an accelerated track to graduate last year but instead opted to wait of. James McAdoo the 6'8 Power Forward is sitting at my number 9 slot. The UNC commit is ranked 8th by Rivals and ESPN put him as 5th. McAdoo is a great shot blocker and rebounder. He also finishes extremely well in the paint. The big man runs the court like he's on a mission and is great playing with his back to the hoop. McAdoo was the 2009 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.

2011-2012 Impact Freshmen: #10 Adonis Thomas

Number Ten in our countdown is Adonis Thomas. Adonis chose to stay in his hometown and play for Memphis next year. The 6'6 swing man has blown recruiting services away with his improvement in his long range game. Adonis was already highly touted due to has slashing ability and overall athleticism. Rivals ranked him as 15th while ESPN put him as 10th. Josh Pastner will have a very strong team next year if Barton decides to stay and not test the waters. I think Thomas could be the hardest dunker in the class. This kid is going to be instant offense in Conference USA and will probably only last a year with Memphis.