Mar 9, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Georgetown Hoyas forward Otto Porter (22) dribbles up court during the first half of the game against the Syracuse Orange at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Austin: Otto Porter has got to be up there on best players in this years draft. His pure talent, while still a little raw, makes him one of the most coveted draftees this year. The fact that he improved so much from his freshman year to his sophomore year shows what kind of talent this kid is. He has never been a big injury risk, though he did wear a knee brace after banging knees last year for the last several games. That said, he rarely missed time in his college career, which is something teams look for in a guy. Let’s face it: Nerlens Noel would have been a sure lock for #1, and I hate to say that because I am not much of a fan of Kentucky or John Calipari, but with the ACL injury, I feel like he is way too big of a risk to go top two this year. If Otto falls to three of four, some team is going to get an absolute steal this year.

Ricky: There might not be a clear-cut favorite in the 2013 NBA Draft, but there is one player that is the most NBA ready. That player is Indiana’s Victor Oladipo. In my mind, Oladipo is the most NBA ready player in the draft and is one of two players I’d feel comfortable drafting (the other is Cody Zeller). I know I sound like an Indiana fan boy right now, but I truly feel that Oladipo is the best player in this draft. I feel he should be a top five pick in the draft and I have him going to the Phoenix Suns at 5th overall in the draft.

Ryan: This is a very tricky question, because in this draft there is no sure fire, top end, can’t miss yearly All Star level player. Virtually every outlet lists Nerlens Noel #1 overall because of his size and potential, but he has injury concerns, and for me, that would be enough to keep him from being the best player in the draft. Of all the players available, I’d be most inclined to take Victor Oladipo as the best available player at this time, in a slight edge over Otto Porter. Aside from the litany of awards he garnered this season, Oladipo brings a slightly higher level motor than Porter to the table as a player. Statistically, they are somewhat similar, but it’s Oladipo’s ability to post similar stats, including a better offensive rebounding average while being 5 inches shorter, that has ultimately won me over.

As a junior, Oladipo shot 59.9% from the floor on the season, including 64.4% from 2 point range, and 44.1% from 3 point range. Defensively, he averaged 2.2 steals per game and generally was very disruptive in the games that I had the opportunity to watch. He also showed the ability to hit the glass on both ends of the floor en route to averaging 6.3 rebounds per game. When the question is best player available, I am looking for a player who will fill up the stat sheet in as many categories as possible and a player who knows what it takes to win. Victor Oladipo more than meets that criteria.

What do you think, Illini Nation? Who is the best player in the 2013 NBA Draft?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

Follow Ricky on Twitter @RickyWidmer.

Follow Austin on Twitter @AustinJabs85.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @RPKraemer.

Like the us on Facebook at Writing_Illini.

Mar 24, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Illinois FIghting Illini guard Brandon Paul (3) reacts against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at the Frank Erwin Center. Miami beat Illinois 63-59. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky: Some are predicting that Brandon Paul will be selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the NBA Draft at 49th overall. As a Bulls fan, I would love BP3 on the Bulls, but it depends on who they take in the first round. Right now, nbadraft.com has the Bulls going shooting guard in the first round in Tony Snell, but that is if he is still there. Personally, I wouldn’t mind taking Paul in the second round, but not if we go SG in the first. I’m hoping Shabazz Muhammad falls to the Bulls and then we can take BP3 in round #2.

Austin: Brandon Paul, or BP3 if you are nasty, would be a perfect fit in Chicago. Why? They need a guy that can space the floor and can shoot well to compliment Derrick Rose. That said, Paul showed last season that he can space the floor, and if a shot needs made, the guy has ice water in his veins (Just ask Minnesota and Hawaii).

If Chicago had Rose and Paul going together game in and game out, assuming Paul got a little more consistent, they would be a pretty hard team to beat. Paul showed that he can compete with the best in basketball, and he showed that he can help any team achieve success. Chicago would be no different.

Ryan: There’s no reason Brandon Paul wouldn’t fit with the Chicago Bulls as a potential bench scoring option. As it stands now, the Bulls could possibly lose Nate Robinson, Marco Belinelli, and Daequan Cook who will all be Unrestricted Free Agents this off season. If the Bulls lose all 3 they will certainly be looking to back fill those roster spots with viable scoring options, and they could do worse than taking Brandon Paul with their 49th overall pick in the 2nd round.  I do not see Paul as a fit for them in the 1st round at #20 overall, but taking a shot at #49 certainly seems feasible.

What do you think, Illini Nation? Would Brandon Paul fit with the Chicago Bulls?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

Follow Ricky on Twitter @RickyWidmer.

Follow Austin on Twitter @AustinJabs85.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @RPKraemer.

Like the us on Facebook at Writing_Illini.

Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky: Yes, I know Trey Burke was last season’s National Player of the Year, but I don’t think he is the best Big Ten player in the 2013 NBA Draft. That honor goes to Victor Oladipo. As an Illinois fan, one thing I loved about Oladipo (besides saying his last name) was his high motor. Dude is a fighter and the play never stops with him. Just look at the game against Illinois at Champaign. Oladipo turns the ball over to Brandon Paul, but hustled down the court to get the swat on Paul’s “easy” layup.

Honestly? I’d love to see Oladipo on my Chicago Bulls, but that’s a pipe dream. He will be a top five pick this year and will most likely go at #5 to the Phoenix Suns. New head coach Jeff Hornacek said he wants to build through the draft and why not start with Oladipo?

In a weak draft year, he’s a can’t miss.

Austin: I know the popular answer is Trey Burke or Cody Zeller, and for rightful reasons. However, if I were drafting this year, I’m taking Victor Oladipo. Hands down,  he is so hard to defend, and when he is defending you, he is a brick wall. Oladipo is so athletic and strong, and at 6’5″ he can bring down anything in his range off the glass. He has a decent jump shot, but his passing needs a little refining.  That is about the only downside I have on him. He has the potential to be a perennial All Star, and if put in the right situation, he could be a guy a team could build around for the future.

Victor is a floor general, a workhorse on both ends of the court, and he should be a top 5 pick, but I’m assuming the other two Big Ten guys go first.  Someone in this year’s draft is going to get a bargain.

Ryan: The best Big Ten player available in the 2013 NBA Draft comes down to two players. On one hand you have Trey Burke, who played well enough to lead Michigan to the National Title game this past season, and along the way collected the Big Ten Player of The Year Award, the Naismith Player of the Year Award and the National Player of the Year Award from the AP, Sports Illustrated, and the NABC.

With so many accolades, it’s really hard to say there is anyone better coming out of the Big Ten than Burke, but I strongly feel that Victor Oladipo has just as good of a chance as Burke does at having a rock solid, lengthy NBA career. Oladipo is bigger at 6’4″, and can guard both the PG and SG in the NBA. He also collected his own catalog of awards by bringing home the Sporting News Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, the National Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and he was also named a First Team All-American. In my book, these two players should be listed 1 and 1A. If you are an NBA GM selecting between these two I doubt you could go wrong either way, but personally, I’d probably draft Oladipo ahead of Burke, if only because of his superior defensive capability.

What do you think, Illini Nation? Who is the best Big Ten player in the 2013 NBA Draft?

The Writing Illini staff includes lead editor Ricky Widmer along with staff writers, Austin Jabs and Ryan Kraemer.

Follow Ricky on Twitter @RickyWidmer.

Follow Austin on Twitter @AustinJabs85.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @RPKraemer.

Like the us on Facebook at Writing_Illini.