Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Top small forwards for 2016-17 season

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) drives to the basket defended by Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Malcolm Hill (21) drives to the basket defended by Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Malcolm Hill, Illinois

2015-16 Season
18.1 PPG
6.6 RPG
3.3 APG

Malcolm Hill has been an outstanding basketball player on a sub-par Illinois team. Little about that statement can be argued, even by the most ardent Illini fans.

During Hill’s first three seasons at the University of Illinois, his teams have posted a combined 54-48 record, never finishing better than eighth place in the Big Ten Conference. Little of that though, if any, can be blamed on Hill.

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The 6’6” senior out of St Louis, Missouri has been the one constant for a team that hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since the season before he arrived. Since that season, Illinois has struggled to remain relevant in the Big Ten Conference and missed on big recruits to conference rivals Michigan State and Wisconsin, among others.

As a junior, Hill averaged 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He played in each of the team’s 34 games and averaged over 35 minutes per contest. He never played less than 23 minutes in any game. He scored 20 or more points on 16 occasions last season, collecting seven double-doubles. He failed to score double-digit points only three times.

Hill is currently tied for 27th on Illinois’ all-time scoring list with 1,243 points. If he could duplicate the season he had last year, he would finish as one of the top three scorers in school history.

Also worth noting is Hill’s character. As good of a basketball player as he has been for the Illini, he’s been an even better person. Through great adversity, including personal health issues, Hill has remained dedicated to the University of Illinois and its fans.

While Hill is a great scorer and all-around basketball player, he’s too often forced to take bad shots or create his own offense due to his team’s ineptitude.

In 2015-16, he shot only 43.6 percent from the floor and 31.4 percent from long-range. Many of those shots were taken out of desperation or when attempting to mount a comeback.

Big Ten Player of the Year honors aren’t out of the question for Hill, though it’s often awarded to a player on a championship-caliber team.

Regardless, Hill will definitely be an All-Big Ten selection in 2017 and one of the top shooting guards in the country.

Next: 2. Trevon Bluiett

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