Centers to watch in the 2015 NCAA Tournament

One in, four out. 

One fascinating aspect of NBA roster building in 2015 is the continued demise of teams playing two BIG players (power forward and center) at the same time. As the game trends toward more three point shooting, and teams playing with "one in" and "four out", we cannot help but wonder what will become of the inventory of basketball players 6'11" 250 lbs. and over. 

Of all the NBA Drafts we have made rankings for (this 2015 NBA Draft will be our 17th year), it is difficult to recall one with as many potential NBA Centers as the draft we will see this June. Maybe a second league of seven footers only will spring up. : ))

With the NCAA Tournament tip-off less than 24 hours away, we list the Center prospects that intrigue us the most...

Karl Anthony Towns - Kentucky 7'0" 250 lbs. freshman. ...Towns is the real deal. His defensive rating of 77.0 is the best among ALL NCAA players. He is a tremendous offensive rebounder, and he shoots 81% from the foul line. 

Myles Turner - Texas 6'11" 243 lbs. freshman. ...Turner led the Big 12 in blocked shots as a freshman. It is not common to see rugged shot blockers that shoot 83% from the free throw line but that is exactly what Myles Turner does. He runs a bit flat footed but he still gets the job done. 

Jahlil Okafor - Duke 6'11" 270 lbs. freshman. ...Okafor is the ACC Player of the Year, and consensus number one pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He has ability to score in the low post and his focus helps him shoot an incredible 66.9% FG. Okafor was one of five named to the USBWA All-America Team. 

Frank Kaminsky - Wisconsin 7'0" 234 lbs. Senior. ... He can make three point shots, owns a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, and he shoots 75% from the foul line. Kaminsky is a seven-footer with skill and shooting touch. He has a feel for the game of basketball.

Jakob Poeltl - Utah 7'0" 230 lbs. freshman. ...Hopefully Poeltl will return to school next year. He is still very raw but he does have potential especially on the defensive end. He also has a knack for offensive rebounding. 

Joshua Smith - Georgetown 6'10" 350 (listed weight) Senior. ...Smith is horribly out of shape but he has great hands. Smith scores near the rim and converts on 59% of his field goals. 

A.J. Hammons - Purdue 7'0" 251 lbs. junior. ...Hammons has blocked 258 shots in three seasons. He is still passive (in our opinion) on offense. 

Willie Cauley-Stein - Kentucky 7'0" 244 lbs. junior. ...Cauley Stein is a rim protecting BIG that is remarkably quick off his feet. He shoots only 50% from the line (career). 

Mamadou N'Diaye - UC Irvine 7'6" 290 lbs. sophomore. ...Seven feet, six inches tall! He shoots 67.9% from the field. 

Matt Stainbrook - Xavier 6'10" 270 lbs. Senior. ...Stainbrook is a great passer out of the post. He is fun to watch due to his high basketball IQ. 

Abodunrin Gabriel Olaseni - Iowa 6'10" 237 lbs. Senior. ...Olaseni has improved his scoring and shot blocking in each season. 

Daniel Ochefu - Villanova 6'11" 245 lbs. junior. ...Making big strides with improvement in both field goal and free throw percentage each season. 

Dakari Johnson - Kentucky 7'0" 255 lbs. sophomore. ...Excellent defender that also hits the offensive glass. 

Cameron Ridley - Texas 6'10" 285 lbs. junior. ...Big time rebounder!

See the list of Point Guards to watch.