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Big East Basketball: Ponds, Paschall and Powell top exciting players in 2018-19

By Zac Voynow

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 21: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot between Davonta Jordan #4, Jeremy Harris #2, and Montell McRae #1 of the Buffalo Bulls in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 21: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles attempts a shot between Davonta Jordan #4, Jeremy Harris #2, and Montell McRae #1 of the Buffalo Bulls in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 30: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John’s Red Storm reacts in the first half against the Xavier Musketeers during their game at Carnesecca Arena on January 30, 2018 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 30: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John’s Red Storm reacts in the first half against the Xavier Musketeers during their game at Carnesecca Arena on January 30, 2018 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s

Shamorie Ponds is an incredible all-around point guard that’s leading the Johnnies to a successful season with a definite NCAA tournament appearance coming in March. Watching Ponds live is like watching poetry in motion. He has a way with the basketball, a certain X-factor that’s unteachable, that mesmerizes you as you watch him flow down the court and either score himself or set up a teammate for a bucket.

Ponds is third in the Big East in scoring at 19.5 points per game, tied for first in assists at 5.2 per game (Also has a ridiculous 2.35 Ast/TO ratio), and leads the Big East in steals at 2.58 per game. I think Markus Howard is a great basketball player, but Shamorie Ponds will be the best NBA player from the Big East currently. His affects the game in more ways than any other player in the conference.

In the first St. John’s-Seton Hall matchup in Newark, Shamorie Ponds didn’t score in the first half. He finished with only eight points in the game due to having an off shooting night. However, he still finished with seven assists, six rebounds, and five steals. It’s easy to say that Ponds is a great player because of his great games, but the true greats have good games even when it’s an off day at the office. He couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn but still contributed in every other way imaginable. That’s the sign of true greatness and mental toughness.

Ponds is the next Mike Conley, and that’s a big compliment. 99% of good collegiate point guards don’t work out in the NBA, but Ponds ability to defend at a high level, dish the ball better than anyone in the Big East, and still go out and drop 30+ points in a game is the reason why he’s such an amazing and exciting basketball talent.

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