Monday, April 20, 2009

Read If (and Where) A NBA Draft Expert Has Villanova Wildcats Cunningham and Reynolds in His 2009 Mock Draft

To the Villanova Wildcats faithful-

As we continue our speculation as to the immediate NBA futures of Villanova seniors Dante Cunningham (who will be graduating) and Scottie Reynolds (only a junior), I've found a very substantive site on the topic, published by an NBA draft expert, Matt Maurer - TheDraftReview.com.

On March 30, Maurer published his latest version of the 2009 Mock Draft. Of course, of primary interest to Villanova fans, is if and where Maurer projects Cunningham and Reynolds to appear. And it's the best possible news for us, as fans. Here's why:
  1. We can wish Cunningham well, as he's projected to be in the second round, as the 35th selection overall, by Minnesota. Ironically, with the Timberwolves, he could join former Villanova Wildcat teammate Randy Foye. They played together on the 2005-06 team, when Foye was a senior, and Cunningham was a freshman.
  2. Unfortunately for Reynolds, but fortunately for us- Maurer does not project Reynolds to be drafted in 2009.
Obviously, if Maurer's draft projections are correct, it's the optimal situation for all parties concerned:
  • Cunningham gets to play in the league, and Villanova can boast of yet another NBA player.
  • Reynolds would most likely return for his senior year, where he can help Villanova contend for another City Series title, Big East regular-season and tournament championships, and perhaps - dare I say it - another Final Four (or even a national championship.)
  • And presumably, Reynolds's NBA stock might rise if he has another superb season, and is just as visible in March Madness (and "One Shining Moment").
So, hopefully, the basketball gods will permit Maurer's scenario to take place...

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like everything he is predicting: Dante as a solid NBA pick (so well-deserved!); Dante getting to play with Randy Foye and Ed Pickney; and Scottie getting some good feedback and coming back to Villanova! This would be ideal should it all come to pass. GO CATS!!

Villanova Viewpoint Publisher said...

Hello-

Thanks for the comment...

I agree that it would be the optimal situation for all parties involved. Certainly, Dante Cunningham in Minnesota would be a Villanova reunion, as you mentioned...

Unfortunately, that particular site was the only one that has Cunningham in Minnesota. Subsequent posts I've made, surveying other draft sites, have him all over the place...

Nonetheless, there seems to be a growing consensus that Scottie Reynolds won't be drafted this year. He is undoubtedly looking at the mock drafts, too, and it would seem unlikely that he'd forfeit his last year if he won't be drafted at all...

Go Wildcats!