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NCAA: Top 5 Frontcourts

By Steve Lee

Mar 22, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) reacts in the second half of a men
Mar 22, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) reacts in the second half of a men /
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Mar 29, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (center) shoots the ball against Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) and forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the second half in the finals of the west regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (center) shoots the ball against Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) and forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the second half in the finals of the west regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

4.  Arizona – Even with placing stud recruit Stanley Johnson as part of the Arizona backcourt (although he could easily slide into a wing/forward spot), the Wildcats front line will be extremely deep and dangerous this season.

Despite the loss of Aaron Gordon to the NBA in June, coach Sean Miller returns juniors Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley along with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.  All three members of the Wildcats front line could have made a bid for the NBA draft last summer, but with some seasoning this year, stock will be much higher for each.

Ashley returns as the team’s leading scorer with 11.5 points per game, while Tarczewski’s 6.3 rebounds is the most out of any returning player.  Two freshmen, Craig Victor and Dusan Ristic are relatively unknown on a national level, but figure to play valuable roles off of the bench this season.

Mar 22, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jonathan Holmes (10) shoots a jump shot over Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) in the first half of a men
Mar 22, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jonathan Holmes (10) shoots a jump shot over Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) in the first half of a men /

3.  Texas – When a team that reaches the third dance in March returns all of their key players AND adds in the nation’s No. 2 ranked recruit, oddsmakers get giddy with predictions of something big going down in Texas.  Leading scorer Jonathan Holmes returns for his senior season, while Cameron Ridley, who led the team in rebounds and blocked shots with 8.2  and 2.2 per game, returns for his junior year.

Add in another season from key reserves Prince Ibeh and Connor Lammert and the quartet of players who stand between 6’8″-6″10″ present a very dominant front line on both ends of the court.  The funny thing is, the most talented member of the Longhorns front line this season has yet to step on the court for coach Rick Barnes.

Standing at 6″11″, with the ability to put the ball on the floor and hit the midrange “J”, Myles Turner, like Duke’s Okafor, will more than likely head to the NBA in June.  The biggest problem for opposing teams is also the Longhorns biggest problem, as there is only so many minutes available to be distributed for such a talented front line.