In fact, having watched Oladipo one several occasions this season, he is one of the finest guards in the country when it comes to rebounding. Many nights Oladipo looks like the most important Hoosier on the court for Tom Crean. With the ability to knock down spot up 3s with deadly accuracy, drive to the basket, or run in transition Oladipo is showing his game translates to the NBA.
There is no denying Zeller is very bright and has flashed glimpses of improvements to his game, including his jumper, with increased range. However, watching his struggles against Minnesota and Michigan State highlight the concerns about Zeller in the NBA on the defensive end.
Every draft cycle there is always a prospect whose stock slips because of lofty expectations. Cody Zeller has not disappeared like Tony Mitchell or James McAdoo, but considering he has fallen short of expectations and no longer is in the discussion to be the first overall pick this season, he has been disappointing. Defenders of Zeller will point to the stats and size but the film does not lie, this is not a prospect on tape that warrants being selected first overall.
As for Oladipo, I currently have him projected higher in the Mock Draft than Zeller, and while Nerlens Noel still is regarded as the top prospect on the Big Board. Oladipo’s meteoric rise continues, and he is starting to challenge Ben McLemore and Shabazz Muhammad to be the top perimeter player in the draft.
MORE FROM JOE KOTOCH:
Top 20 Picks: Pre-March Madness
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Centers
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Power Forwards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Small Forwards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Point Guards
Top 2013 Draft Prospects: Shooting Guards
Joe Kotoch is the Editor-in-Chief of Pro Basketball Draft, a leading scouting service in the world of professional basketball. Before Joe created PBD, he served as an NBPA & FIBA certified agent and scouted players all across the world. Born and raised in Cleveland, Joe also contributes to Fox Sports Ohio and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. You can follow Joe on Twitter @Probballdraft.