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College Basketball's 2006 Unheralded Team February 13, 2006 by Tim Adams With well over 300 teams in Division I college basketball it becomes a tad difficult for many talented kids to get their publicity. It's especially hard for those quality players who aren't in the Big East, ACC, Big Ten, etc. So I thought I'd shine a lil' spotlight on some players who are (past) due some love. I came up with a starting five of some of the best players the average college basketball fan hasn't heard of, or at least enough of. There's no J.J.s or Dees here folks. Just good quality players who combined have never seen a tenth the national accolades Reddick or Brown have recieved, but might just be able to give those Wooden Award boys a game. What we've got here is a great point man who can throw helpers like nobody's business, two ultra versatile wingmen, and two big fellas who are show stoppers down low. Jose Juan Barea - 6'0" - PG - Senior - Northeastern Barea is a native of Puerto Rico who is not only leading the nation with an absurd 9.3 assists per game, but also is a top ten scorer at 23.9 ppg. He has helped Northeastern jump out to a 6-1 record, with the lone loss a seven point defeat at California. He also has had plenty of success on the international scene playing the lead role for the Puerto Rican junior national team the past few years. Don't be surprised to see him having a role on the senior team at this summer's World Championships, and on an NBA squad next season. If ever there were a poster boy for the unheralded collegiate (non) star, it is a point guard named Barea. Blake Schilb - 6'7" - SG - Junior - Loyola (Chicago) Schilb is simply a great all-around talent, a six foot seven dynamo. He led the Ramblers in scoring (17.9 ppg), rebounding (5.5 rpg), assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.7 spg) last year. His combination of height and skills are reminiscent of another Chicago baller; Scottie Pippen. Schilb is again leading the way for Loyola, who are off to a good start and should challenge for a Horizon League title. For his diversity of skills he's an irresistible candidate for anybody's starting five. You may never hear his name called by David Stern on Draft night, but he's sure fire on the college level. Steven Smith - 6'9" - SF - Senior - La Salle Ok, I know Smith plays in the Atlantic 10 so he gets a little publicity, but he's a big time talent. He's a major threat offensively from anywhere on the court. He's averaging a double double so far and has La Salle heading in the right direction after controversy depleted the team and coaching staff last year. Smith will hopefully be able to have a coming out party at the tournament this year to cap off a great college career and vault into the NBA. Paul Milsap - 6'7" - SF/PF - Junior - Louisiana Tech Here's a guy who's earned his keep. He's led Div. 1 in rebounding two years running and will challenge for the top spot again this year. Milsap could possible be the first player ever to lead the nation three years in a row. Oh, and he's only a junior. He's considered slightly undersized for the next level, but look at what Barkley, Rodman and Ben Wallace have accomplished. He's the type of player any coach would love to have in the trenches banging for boards. He can also put a lot of points up as well as he averaged 20 plus last year. Yemi Nicholson - 6'11" - C - Senior - Denver A relative late comer to basketball, Nicholson has blossomed at Denver and in his third season of action is leading the team in points (17 ppg) and rebounds (10.7 rpg). He's also a defensive force who's averaging 3.3 blocks a game. He nearly put up a triple double the hard way with 8 blocks against Illinois-Chicago. Having played only one season of high school ball Nicholson could be considered a raw talent, but he has really started to come into his own. He's helped Denver to a promising start to the season and maybe, just maybe he might get a little national exposure in March if the Pioneers can get to the big tourney. Top seeds be warned! Tim Adams
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