I'm on the record: 6' 9" Payne is NBA draftable by next season. Bank it, bet it, book it.
He's made tremendous improvement this season. Look at what he's doing.
17 points at Indiana (7-8 FG), 10 rebounds (a double-double), 5 blocks, a steal, FT 3-8 argh!
Against Michigan State his good playing isn't fully showing up in the stats but had 7 rebounds, 2-3 FG shooting, 4-8 FT!, planted a "W" in coach Izzo's guts by tearing off his head and spitting out a W.
He's getting better at what he does with the ball inside. That helps the outside game. It all connects together. Sometimes it doesn't show up in the stats except for a W and lots of players doing well.
Against Northwestern, 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks. He's a sophomore making strides.