Top 5 SGs in the Big 12

[DFWHoopster]

I always enjoy BigABD's threads and the various good basketball minds that contribute to those threads so I figured I would start the discussion on the top SG's in the Big 12 this year. Here's what I got:

1. Marcus Denmon- Missouri
2. J'Covan Brown- Texas
3. Rodney McGruder- KSU
4. Scott Christopherson- Iowa State
5. Steven Pledger- OU

Denmon- easy pick here. He averaged 17pts per game; 45% from 3 pt range; 50% overall; 75% FT. He's one of the favorites along with Perry Jones and Thomas Robinson for Big 12 player of the year.

Brown- he will likely be counted on to be the primary offensive option for the Horns after the early departures of Hamilton, Thompson and Joseph. The Horns also lost the scoring punch of Gary Johnson. In other words, expect lots of shot attempts from J'Covan Brown- he averaged 10 points last year but I expect that average to double. He's one of the best FT shooters in the country- North of 86% both seasons.

McGruder- Jacob Pullen was the primary scorer for KSU last year at 20 pts per game. But McGruder will likely pick up a lot of the offensive slack this year. He averaged 11 pts per game last year on 44% shooting (41% from 3). Spradling is a threat to score from the other guard position. I expect KSU to have one of the better backcourts in the big 12 with Spradling/McGruder.

Christopherson- one of the top bombers from 3 point land. He shot 44% from 3 last year and averaged 14 pts per game. How much will he miss the steady play of Diante Garrett? Will Chris Allen- Michigan State- transfer cut into his minutes and production?

Pledger- will be a junior this year. He averaged 11 pts per game last year. Lon Kruger is a solid tactician and I would expect him to design offensive gameplans around using the skills of Pledger, Cam Clark and Fitzgerald to get open looks.

Under consideration:

AJ Walton- Baylor- Walton led the big 12 in steals last year at 2.3 per game. I believe his game will benefit greatly from the presence of Pierre Jackson to take primary ball-handling responsibilities out of his hands. It will be interesting to see what Walton's role on Baylor becomes. Jackson looks to be the main ball-handler. Brady Heslip is the top scoring threat from the perimeter. Brady Heslip also deserves consideration here. He could fill a role for Baylor like Lee Humphrey filled for the Florida national championship teams. Humphrey shot 46% from 3 and averaged double figures for those back-to-back Florida national champions.

Chris Allen- ISU; he was a big time recruit before going to Michigan State. He transferred to ISU after repeatedly breaking team rules. I expect him to be productive. But I gave the nod to Christopherson.

Elijah Johnson- Kansas; he was a 5-star national top 25 recruit coming out of high school. He showed some flashes of elite play last year for Kansas. He will be a junior this year, I would expect a huge breakout year. One of 3 returning players that will likely do the bulk of the scoring.

Marshall Henderson- Texas Tech; was the second leading scorer at Utah at 12 points per game; transferred to TT and is eligible this year. He should be TT's leading scorer.

 

[LoveDemSooners]

If Pledger would drive to the hoop more and try to get open more, he would definitely move up the list

 

[BigTime]

sys/fatty/stevedave

What can we expect out of McGruder this year?

Hope you are correct with your Number 5, dfw. I think it COULD happen if Steve excels in LK's system.

 

[CoachTalk]

Cam Is our starting SG.(sarcasm) And cj is his backup! Let the debate begin!!!

 

[Sawyer]

I hate that Mizzou has arguably the best point guard and shooting guard in the Big 12, but the coaching situation is such a mess that it may not matter.

 

[WTSooner]

If Pledger would drive to the hoop more

That is the last thing I want Bird doing. Bird is a shooter. Like Michael Neal was. Shooters shoot. I think it's a big mistake to try and make them something they are not.

 

[thebigabd]

Nice work, DFW.

However, I must disagree!

1.) Marcus Denmon (Missouri)
2.) Rodney McGruder (K-State)
3.) Chris Allen (Iowa State)
4.) Markel Brown (Oklahoma State)
5.) J'Covan Brown (Texas)

Look for Markel to break out this year... Guy is about as freak of an athlete as they come, and has star written all over him.

 

[sys]

I hate that Mizzou has arguably the best point guard and shooting guard in the Big 12, but the coaching situation is such a mess that it may not matter.

i'm not sure that there's much argument. although i guess since everyone here picked pressey as mu's top pg instead of dixon, we could argue about that.

What can we expect out of McGruder this year?

i expect about the same as last year. great effort, good shooter. i know he's been working on his handles, but i still don't think he'll be able to do much off the dribble. i expect he'll play mostly as a 3.

speaking of which, i like walton as a 3 a lot more than as a 2. heslip at the 2, the juco at the point. if drew tries to play one of his bigs at the 3 with just the 2 guards - i don't think that will work out very well.

 

[HoHum]

Nice work, DFW.

However, I must disagree!

1.) Marcus Denmon (Missouri)
2.) Rodney McGruder (K-State)
3.) Chris Allen (Iowa State)
4.) Markel Brown (Oklahoma State)
5.) J'Covan Brown (Texas)

Look for Markel to break out this year... Guy is about as freak of an athlete as they come, and has star written all over him.

Of course, I'm compelled to agree about Brown. I couldn't justify putting him on any kind of list right now. But, he might be the best athlete in the conference. Was 180th in the nation in Blocked Shot %, as a 6'3" guard, and as all the athletic ability to be a defensive whiz.

 

[DFWHoopster]

Elston Turner from A&M deserves to be in this conversation. I think he will have good numbers for the Ags. Markel Brown was one I thought about. I just think Page and Nash take the majority of shots and Brown's numbers won't be that impressive but I like him a lot. As a junior, I bet he is a force.

 

[DFWHoopster]

speaking of which, i like walton as a 3 a lot more than as a 2. heslip at the 2, the juco at the point. if drew tries to play one of his bigs at the 3 with just the 2 guards - i don't think that will work out very well.

sys- that is crafty. Baylor has the best frontcourt in the league and you want them to play three guards. Well done! You might see that in spots but most likely Deuce Bello will be on the court with 2 of those 3.

I doubt you will see too many combinations without Perry Jones and Quincy Miller on the court together. And since Baylor also has Jefferson, Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones as options that have been in the program for at least two years each, I doubt you will see much 3 guards from Baylor this year.

 

[sys]

i hate bigs playing at the 3. fans always clamor for some 6'8" pf with a good shot to play as a sf, but unless the player is extremely skilled, it doesn't work well. no one plays with 3 guys in or near the paint, so you end up with a big sitting 20 feet from the basket, less skilled than everyone he matches up against and a step slower than the smaller players he needs to guard.

give me 3 guards any day. just because baylor has too many talented bigs is no reason to stick one in at the 3. if bello is a better 3 than walton, then fine. but that would surprise me.