Looking Towards 2012: Guards
While we may or may not have an NBA season in 2011-2012, there is no doubt we will have college basketball this winter. As we look forward to the upcoming NCAA men’s basketball campaign, here is a look at the top guards in the college ranks next season.
Point Guards:
Tu Holloway, Xavier, Senior – When Jordan Crawford opted to forego his final two seasons at Xavier and enter the 2010 NBA Draft, Tu Holloway took the reins of the Xavier men’s basketball program. As a junior last season, the 6-0, 185 lb., point guard quickly became one of the most versatile and explosive players in the country while leading the Musketeers to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and being named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year. Holloway averaged 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists while posting two triple-doubles this season. In the last week of January, he was named ESPN.com’s National Player of the Week and one month later garnered the same honor from thehoopsreport.com.
Ashton Gibbs, Pitt, Senior – One of the top shooters in the country, Ashton Gibbs emerged as the Pittsburgh Panthers top scoring threat, helping coach Jamie Dixon’s team to the top of the national polls for the first time in school history back in January. The long distance marksman ranked third in the country in three-point shooting (.490) and fifth in three-point field-goals (3.3 made per game) as a junior last season. The 6-2 Gibbs gives Pitt quality minutes at both guard positions and was an Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection as well as a Wooden Award nominee as a junior.
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin, Senior – Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor became a household name when he scored a career-high 39 points, including 17 straight in the second half, in a 77-67 win at Indiana on March 3rd. The Cousy Award finalist led the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.83:1 and led the Big Ten in the same category with a ridiculous 4.63:1 in conference play. Taylor averaged 18.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting .429 from behind the three-point line. An impressive two-way player, the 6-1 point guard was also named to the 2011 All-Big Ten Defensive Team.
Marquis Teague, Kentucky, Freshman – The next in a long line of top point guard recruits to sign with a John Calipari-coached team, Marquis Teague comes to Kentucky with much fanfare. The lightning-quick and extremely athletic point guard excels in the open court and prefers to operate a fast-paced offensive attack. Much like the majority of lead guards who have played under Calipari before Teague, he can get into the paint seemingly at will, putting pressure on opposing defenses and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. While he is still maturing as a basketball player, Teague’s physical tools will make him a difficult match-up at the college level even as his decision-making catches up with his outstanding athleticism. {AUTHOR_BOX}
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina, Sophomore – After coming off the bench for the first 17 games of the season, Kendall Marshall was inserted into the starting lineup following a 78-58 loss at Georgia Tech which dropped North Carolina to 11-6. With Marshall running the point, North Carolina finished the season as winners of 17 of its last 20 games, advancing to the Elite Eight of the 2011 NCAA Tournament. A dynamic playmaker, Marshall’s steady hand helped the Tar Heels offense blossom into one of the nation’s best and elevated North Carolina back amongst the nation’s elite programs.
Names to Watch: Ray McCallum, Detroit, Sophomore; Terrell Stoglin, Maryland, Sophomore; Myck Kabongo, Texas, Freshman; Jesse Sanders, Liberty, Senior; Casper Ware, Long Beach State, Senior
Shooting Guards:
Bradley Beal, Florida, Freshman – An outstanding shooter, Bradley Beal ranks among the top players in his class. At 6-4, Beal’s size should afford him the opportunity to play in an already crowded Florida backcourt that already includes Kenny Boynton (6-2) and Erving Walker (5-8). Beal is solid athletically and shows tremendous maturity on the basketball court, rarely forcing bad shots or passes. He is effective shooting the ball in both spot-up situations and off the dribble and is equally deadly shooting from behind the three-point line and in the mid-range. Beal is also a competitive player on the defensive end where he has the versatility to guard multiple positions.
Austin Rivers, Duke, Freshman – Arguably the top recruit in his high school class and the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers arrives at Duke with an outstanding feel for the game and even more hype surrounding him. The 6-4 shooting guard is a natural scorer with terrific range (he hit a USA Basketball record nine straight three-point shots in the FIBA Americas U-18 Championships) on his jump shot as well as the ability to finish around the rim. His quick first step, terrific athletic ability and solid ball-handling skills make him extremely difficult to defend.
Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut, Sophomore – After a slow start to his freshman year with the Connecticut Huskies, Jeremy Lamb emerged as an integral piece of head coach Jim Calhoun’s national championship puzzle. The 6-5 swingman scored in double figures in 20 of his last 26 games, including a 24-point performance (on 9-11 shooting) in a 74-67 win over San Diego State in the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Tournament, after cracking the 10-point plateau just five times in the Huskies’ first 15 contests. With Kemba Walker now off to the NBA, Lamb will have a much bigger role in the UConn offense as a sophomore.
Will Barton, Memphis, Sophomore – Despite a somewhat disappointing freshman season at Memphis, there is no doubt Will Barton is one of the top shooting guards in the country heading into his sophomore year. He is more of a scorer than a shooter, but Barton has the physical profile of the prototypical NBA shooting guard, standing 6-6 with long arms and terrific athletic ability. Barton has a tendency to try to do too much, which leads to bad passes and errant shots. Regardless of the fact he still has some improving to do, particularly on the mental side of basketball, Barton is one of the premier shooting guards in the country.
John Jenkins, Vanderbilt, Junior – Not projected as a top NBA prospect, there is no doubt John Jenkins is one of the best shooting guards in college basketball. Since his arrival on the Vanderbilt campus two years ago, more than 61 percent of the 6-4, 215 lb., Jenkins’ shots have come from behind the three-point line, where he has converted 44 percent of his tries. The junior-to-be averaged 19.5 points per game last season, leading the Commodores in scoring while helping the team to 23-wins and its second consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Names to Watch: Doron Lamb, Kentucky, Sophomore; William Buford, Ohio State, Senior; Jeremy Green, Stanford, Senior; Kenny Boynton, Florida, Junior; Marcus Denmon, Missouri, Senior
Obviously, not everyone who deserves mention could make this list. Be sure to let me know who I missed in the comment section below.
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