How we doing Nooners!

It’s a new week of NBA Hoops but we are entering the prime month of college basketball, March.

But I'll be real here watching regular season college basketball isn’t something I spend a whole lot of time doing. With my primary focus on the NBA, outside of some top marquee matchups and my alma mater (Go Sooners), I haven’t done too much in depth coverage of the upcoming bubble watch.

But there are some names that intrigue me not just for conference tournaments and the big dance, but as possible future NBA players.

I’m trying to avoid the obvious, the Cooper Flaggs and Ace Baileys of the world and focus on guys that fit the true noon ethos: flying under the radar but finding ways to demand attention.

Oh, and of course, it’s a new week, so that means a new Noon video, right?

This latest one might be my favorite yet: THE BIRTH OF RING CULTURE

Had a blast editing and putting this together. I think I’ve said it many times, but I truly don’t think anyone is telling stories around the game like we are.

Check it out: https://youtu.be/CJTfUP8CDXI?si=YB3VC-wv351NUV8a

St. Joes * Rasheer Fleming

Will Rasheer and St. Joseph’s make it to March? Right now, it’s a long shot, but a successful conference tournament can change everything.

Rasheer caught my attention as one of the highest ranked mid major prospects projected for this year’s draft. Currently, he’s projected as the 19th overall pick on NBADraft.net.

At 6’9 230, Fleming is a modern hybrid forward big enough to disrupt the paint, agile enough to get to his spots, and skilled enough to let it fly.

An athletic freak, he’s the only player in Division 1 with 20 dunks and 20 threes this season a true unicorn and a pick and roll, pop, drop, shot threat.

He’s a modern Blake Griffin in my opinion, and someone I’ve increasingly grown obsessed with as an NBA prospect.

He may not make it to the tournament, but him and St. Joseph’s are worth a watch.

Auburn * Tahaad Pettiford

We go from a guy who might not make the tournament to a guy we’ll undoubtedly be watching go deep into it the engine behind Auburn’s dominance: Tahaad Pettiford. The point. The frosh. New Jersey’s own.

Auburn has a multitude of great players, and if I were blindly throwing darts at a board, they’d be my pick to win it all.

A big reason? Their freshman point guard. He’s gotten some recognition, but not the same level of hype as other freshman guards in this draft.

And it’s all about size at 6’1, you’re taking a risk. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Sure, he’s a bit streaky, and his playmaking still needs work, but he’s a raw 19 year old with elite athleticism.

Explosion and shiftiness are his middle names. If we were still in the mixtape era, his high school tape would go platinum.

He’s prone to an off night, and maybe he doesn’t have the upper body strength to fully succeed in the NBA paint right now, but a great offseason can make all the difference for Tahaad.

Duke * Khaman Maluach

If you’re going to go viral, throwing up on the court in crunch time is one way to do it. But that moment overshadowed the season Khaman Maluach is having.

Another guy we should see go deep into March with Duke, Maluach spent his summer doing something no other freshman did playing in the Olympics for South Sudan.

The 7’2 beast has all the tools to succeed at the next level. Shot blocking, rebounding, footwork he can cook in the paint.

We’ve seen glimpses of a much needed outside shot, and this is a guy who, 20 years ago, would be at the top of the draft board.

Now? He’s barely ranked outside the first round.

Still, I’ve got a lot of belief in this kid.

He has the raw intangibles to be a difference maker at the next level. It’s all about development. If he’s given the right tools to modernize his game, he could be scary.

Michigan * Danny Wolf

There’s nothing I love more than watching a big man distribute the ball.

It’s a unique skill set for a seven footer. Most work on footwork, post moves, even the outside shot. But passing? That’s innate.

And no big man in college basketball this season does it better than Danny Wolf.

I know, I know you can’t just compare someone to Nikola Jokic, right? That would be blasphemy. But I don’t know. There’s something a little Jokic like here with this kid.

Michigan has a duo of seven footers, and Wolf’s game is extremely intriguing. Will it work at the next level? Eh, not so sure.

But given the opportunity, this offensive jack of all trades could develop into a solid role playing big.

And with that offensive versatility, you’d expect a glaring hole on defense, right? Not really.

Wolf is a solid defender quick for his size, able to track even smaller players well in the paint.

A versatile big who can do it all? Sign me up.

SDSU * Miles Byrd

If you’ve watched San Diego State play basketball under Brian Dutcher, you know they pride themselves on defense.

They suffocate teams, create extra opportunities, and grind out wins. Offense? Always a struggle, but they make it work. And this year, the half court attack is run by redshirt sophomore Miles Byrd.

Byrd has everything you want defensively prototypical size, quick hands, quick feet.

He’ll excel as a spot up defender at the next level. But for him to truly be a threat, the offensive game has to come along.

Byrd might stay another year or take his shot at the combine, but as a below average three point shooter, he’ll need to develop that stroke to stick in the NBA.

Look, I don’t want to sound negative here. Let me be clear I think Byrd is one of the best defensive guards in college basketball.

And defense is hard to teach. If that shot comes along, he’ll be a high quality role player at the next level.