NCAA Basketball: Ranking the top 25 team backcourts for 2022-23 season
. . Cavaliers . 25. team. 446.
One of the best backcourt duos is Reece Beekman and Kihei Clark, two small but elite defensive playmakers and passers. Clark’s reputation has been known for the past four years, averaging around 10.0 ppg and 5.0 apg in the past three years. Although the 5’9 guard may be limited as a scorer, the veteran still warrants respect heading into his 5th season.
Beekman was the guy who broke out as a sophomore to average 8.2 ppg and 5.2 apg and took over the lead guard duties over Clark. That included a couple of games of double-digit assist totals this past season, even more impressive considering that Virginia plays the slowest pace in NCAA Basketball. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the sport as well and if his offense becomes more consistent next season, could be a true NCAA Basketball star.
The starting wing is likely again Armaan Franklin, a steady double-digit scorer and second on the team with 11.1 ppg. And there’s more depth coming in sharpshooting combo guard freshman and top-50 prospect Isaac McKneely, likely to become the team’s 6th Man.
The Cavaliers’ backcourt has a high floor but the ceiling is what limits both the backcourt and the team’s NCAA Tournament chances. Still, it’s good enough to start out the list at 25.