NBA scouts in attendance will surely evaluate with intense detail every shot, dribble and decision North Carolina freshman Harrison Barnes makes in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off this week -- fair or not.
There's no player in the country under a bigger microscope to start this college basketball season than Barnes, a 6-foot-8 wing from Iowa. It's understandable, because the one-time Gophers' target is the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
Barnes isn't the only player with an opportunity to help or hurt his draft stock in this tournament, starting Thursday. Gophers sophomore wing Rodney Williams is the second-best NBA prospect in the Puerto Rico field (projected as a first-round pick by nbadraft.net).
The high-flying 6-7 Williams is getting a second chance on a big stage to prove he deserves the attention he has received despite inconsistent play so far in his career. Last season, Williams got off to a quick start by averaging 15 points a game in his first three games. But after Tubby Smith started the then-freshman, Williams scored just three points combined in the next four games, including three games in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.
Williams added weight and strength to his athletic frame in the offseason. He also appears to be more aggressive attacking the offensive boards and on defense. The former Cooper standout might not have a breakout offensive game this week, but he should provide enough highlights to keep scouts praising his improving game and potential.
This tournament would have provided a great chance for junior guard Devoe Joseph to continue to establish himself as a player to watch for at the next level. But Joseph's indefinite suspension puts more focus on the paint with juniors Ralph Sampson III, Colton Iverson and Trevor Mbakwe.
Sampson's effectiveness as a scoring and shot-blocking threat makes him appealing. Iverson's physical play and size (7 feet, 265 pounds) and Mbakwe's athleticism and rebounding prowess (averaging 10.5 rebounds a game in two games) should get them serious looks as well.
There could be a surprise player who draws interest in Puerto Rico this year. In the 76 Classic last year, Iverson created a buzz after his back-to-back double-doubles, including a 13-point, 11-rebound, two-block performance in a signature win over Butler.
One player who might take people by surprise here is freshman Austin Hollins. Though he is far from ready for the highest level, he has the pedigree and versatile skill set to eventually be a pro prospect. Of course, NBA reps are already familiar with Hollins' name as his father, Lionel, coaches the Memphis Grizzlies. Gophers fans know what Hollins can do after he scored 12 points in his first start Monday in a 76-69 win over Siena.
-- Anybody else a bit fearful of Thursday's Western Kentucky game? The Gophers overpowered Wofford and Siena with their inside play the first two games, but it won't be as easy against the Hilltoppers, especially with 6-6, 220-pound power forward Juan Pattillo. The former University of Oklahoma player is averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds through two games. He also had a 31-point outing during the exhibition season.
Pattillo's battle in the paint with Mbakwe and Iverson will be exciting to see in the opener. That well could be the biggest key of the game.
Another Western Kentucky player who might give Minnesota trouble is wing Sergio Kerusch, who had 31 points, including six three-pointers against St. Joseph's to open the season.
-- Gophers assistant Vince Taylor no doubt will be eager to get a victory over Western Kentucky, which hired former Texas assistant Ken McDonald over Taylor to take over as head coach for the 2008-09 season. McDonald has done pretty well, though. He had 46 wins in his first two seasons, including 25 victories and an NCAA tournament second-round appearance in 2009.