All three bypassed NBA as projected first-round draft picks in 2006 to return in 2007, a big reason why Florida won back-to-back championships.

Corey Brewer, Al Horford and Joakim Noah composed the best frontline in college basketball the past two seasons.

All three bypassed NBA millions as projected first-round draft picks in 2006 to return in 2007, a big reason why Florida won back-to-back championships.

It's also a big reason why the three will likely go within the first 10 picks of Thursday's NBA draft in New York City.

The question remains, which one will go first?

Horford appears to be gaining the most momentum, because of his combination of strength and skills. At 6-foot-9, 245 pounds, Horford has the NBA-ready body to handle the constant contact that comes with scoring and rebounding in the low post. He also added a more consistent mid-range jumper to enhance his offensive game.

Horford has been projected to go as high as third overall to the Atlanta Hawks.

"Al Horford is probably the most NBA ready of the three," ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas said. "Taking need out the equation, I'd probably go Horford, Brewer, Noah in that order."

NBA senior director of scouting Marty Blake, a former general manager with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks in the 1970s, said he would take Horford ahead of Ohio State point guard Mike Conley Jr., another popular projection for the third overall spot.

"You could pick a power forward like Horford, who is the most complete player, or you could gamble," Blake said.

But some feel the speed and defensive ability of the 6-8 Brewer will translate best to the professional level. Brewer made a strong last impression by winning Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2007 Final Four. Brewer shot the ball well in the final two games, making 47.5 percent from the field and 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from 3-point range.

"I think Brewer is the best of the bunch," said a Western Conference scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He's a terrific athlete. He's shooting the ball better and is handling the ball better than last season. There are some questions about his frame, but I think he'll fill out."

Some NBA draft Web sites have projected Brewer as high as fifth overall to the Boston Celtics.

"Brewer is somebody that not a lot of people are talking about," Blake said. "If I'm a general manager and I'm not talking about someone, that means I want to grab him."

Brewer, the co-SEC defensive player of the year in 2006, was at times turnover-prone during his college career. He played more under control as a junior, but still had moments when his teammates dubbed him "The Drunken Dribbler."

"Brewer is the most versatile," Bilas said. "He can play multiple positions, at 6-8 with a long wingspan, he's an excellent defender. He needs to improve his passing and handling skills."

Then, there's Noah, the player who would have likely been taken first overall had he left school after the 2006 season. The 6-11, 232-pound Noah returned and his game was analyzed and scrutinized.

Noah acknowledged at a recent Boston Celtics workout that he was playing in late February with a partially torn rotator cuff, which explains some of the reason for his late-season funk.

"Joakim Noah I think is a very good prospect but he doesn't have the offensive game to translate to the NBA level," Bilas said. "He doesn't shoot as consistently from the outside and has kind of a funky release on that shot. He shoots from his forehead and it will be more blockable in that league."

Noah's strengths are his shot-blocking ability and his speed running the floor.

"He plays with such a high motor," Bilas said. "I have tremendous respect for the way he plays the game."

Blake compares Noah to Chicago Bulls forward Tyson Chandler and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao.

"He'll get you a lot of points on second effort," Blake said.

By most accounts, Noah has raised his stock with strong performances in private workouts this month. Noah has been projected as high as fifth to the Celtics and as low as ninth to the Chicago Bulls.

All three players get high marks on intangibles from scouts and talent evaluators. None of the three had disciplinary brushes throughout their college careers. All played a selfless style of basketball that helped Florida to become the first team since Duke in 1992 to repeat as national champions.

"They've showed that they understand what it's all about, that they get it, just in their commitment to the team and their commitment to come back," said Portland Trail Blazers scout John Gabriel, a former General Manager with the Orlando Magic. "I don't think staying has changed anything but just a little of the order of where they would have gone, anyway.

"In the big picture, which they seem to see, they are going to be long-life, longtime NBA players that will make money beyond what they think they might have lost in the draft order."