http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5925927ESPN.com pick: Jacob Pullen, G, Kansas State
Grade: C
Status: Shaky
Skinny: Pullen entered the 2010-11 season riding a wave of individual expectations. He was one of only two players listed on all 10 ESPN.com first-team All-America ballots. The other one? Returning Final Four MOP Kyle Singler. In the context of those expectations, Pullen has thus far been disappointing. He's averaging more rebounds and assists than last season, but his turnovers are up, his points are down, and his shooting percentages are disconcertingly flagging. Pullen shot 40 percent from 3 last season; so far this year, he's hitting just 33 percent of those shots. His effective field goal and true shooting percentages have also taken a noticeable hit.
Whether these numbers are the cause of a fluky drought or a complication from the loss of point guard Denis Clemente is hard to tease out with two-thirds of the season left to play, but the answer will reveal itself soon enough. Pullen hasn't been bad, but he hasn't lived up to last year's breakout performance. We may have a soft spot for the ebullient, bearded playmaker, but with so many guards elevating their games in November and December, Kansas State's star isn't shining quite so bright.
Deserving replacements: Kemba Walker, G, Connecticut; (a healthy) Kyrie Irving, G, Duke; Nolan Smith, G, Duke
4. Kansas State (Current ranking: 6)
Grade: B
Think we all expected the Wildcats to be slightly more competitive in their show-me game against Duke, particularly in their own backyard. Still, we haven't been terribly far off about Kansas State.
