The triple-double is a rare accomplishment in NCAA Basketball, but several returning players will be threats to check all the boxes next season.
Despite the shortened NCAA Basketball season, the 28 triple-doubles across the sport was actually better than the average over the prior five years (26.6). Compared to the NBA, however, which had 127 triple-doubles in 2018-19 (94 so far this season), these statistical feats are quite rare. Fortunately for college hoops fans, however, there are several returning players that are capable of accomplishing the improbable next season.
(Credit to sports-reference and KenPom for statistics and Loyola Ramblers for GIF)
Last Season’s Triple-Doubles
The 28 triple-doubles in 2019-20 were completed by 26 different players. Only Western Carolina’s Mason Faulkner and North Carolina A&T’s Kameron Langley checked all the boxes twice. Of these 26 players, five graduated (Markell Johnson, Jordan Bruner, Grant Riller, AJ Brodeur and Luke Knapke) and two (Tyrese Haliburton and Kira Lewis) are likely to turn pro.
All of the returning 19 will be triple-double threats. Notables include Loyola Chicago’s Cameron Krutwig (averaged 15.1-8.1-4.2), a potential transfer in Utah’s Both Gach (10.7-3.6-2.9) and Nebraska’s Cam Mack (12.0-4.5-6.4).
Cameron Krutwig
Although Faulkner and Langley should be considered front-runners, Krutwig has a chance to be the nation’s top triple-double threat next season. At 6-9, he gobbles up rebounds on a nightly basis, but it’s his passing ability that makes him unique. Only one returning players 6-7 or taller had an assist rate better than Krutwig’s last season (52nd nationally): Winthrop’s Chandler Vaudrin (9.3, 5.8, 5.8).
Plenty of guards/forwards are capable of racking up 10-plus assists on a given night but can’t get close to double-digit rebounds. Given Krutwig’s size and rebounding prowess (8.1 per game), it’s possible no player next season will be better suited for the triple-double.
Per Game Averages
Looking at per-game averages can help identify additional triple-double threats. There are five players with eligibility remaining that averaged at least 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists last season.
Of the five, Haliburton (15.2, 5.9, 6.5) will almost surely be turning pro, and Ohio’s Jason Preston (16.8, 6.4, 7.4) already made an appearance on the prior list. There are three new threats to add, however: Minnesota’s Marcus Carr (15.4, 5.3, 6.5), Louisville’s Carlik Jones (20.0, 5.1, 5.5) and Coastal Carolina’s DeVante Jones (17.4, 5.8, 5.7).
Marcus Carr
Carr is testing draft waters, but given he’s regarded as a borderline second-round pick, could realistically return. He came extremely close to securing a triple-double in a February 5th home victory over Wisconsin, coming just a rebound short (12-9-10). His statistical profile was highlighted by his 22nd-ranked minutes percentage and 24th-ranked assist rate in the nation (per KenPom).
Carlik Jones
Carlik Jones excelled at Radford last season but will be suiting up for Louisville as a graduate transfer. Like Carr, he also came just a rebound short of a triple-double, posting a 23-9-10 in a December 4th home win over James Madison. Jones’ 33rd-ranked usage rate provided him plenty of opportunities to put up numbers.
DeVante Jones
Coastal Carolina’s DeVante Jones came closest with a 17-12-8 line in a November 30th road victory over Delaware St. His 33rd-ranked assist rate made double-digit assist performances realistic on a nightly basis.
There will surely be freshmen to add to the ‘triple-double watch list’ as well. With the combination of returning threats and the healthy number of triple-doubles this past season, there’s plenty of reason to hope for many of these statistical feats in 2020-21.