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January 17, 2006
Some don't-miss prospects;
They might not be household names, but they're worth price of admission
(By Desmond Conner)
They may not get the national attention they deserve, but they're going to get some here today.
Here's a look at some of the best men's college basketball players in the country by position that you don't hear too much about:
Jose Juan Barea
Pos: Point guard
School: Northeastern
Class: Sr. Size: 5 feet 11, 170 pounds
The vitals: 22.8 points, 8.7 assists
The deal: Northeastern exhibits our point perfectly. It has launched a website, goBarea.com, pumping its tough, passionate guard from Puerto Rico. As of Jan. 12, Barea was leading the nation in assists and is the only player ranked in the top 10 in scoring and dishes. He did the same as a junior.
Barea has 1,999 career points and 599 career assists.
He's a great scorer and a great passer, but his passion can get the better of him. Last season in the America East Final against Vermont, with the teams battling for a loose ball, bodies landed on the floor. In the melee, television replays showed Barea had thrown a couple of punches at a Vermont player.
Barea would be wise not to try that in the NBA, a place he could end up. Right now, he has to be considered for the Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to the nation's best player under 6 feet and the Cousy, dished out to nation's top point guard. He had 14 dimes against Howie Dickenman's Central Connecticut Blue Devils on Nov. 19.
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