Many of the teams in college basketball have played 10 games so far this season, which gives us a pretty strong indication of what we are going to see as the season moves forward. The conference season is right around the corner.
We wanted to give you a look at the top scorers in all of college basketball and see who is filling it up in the non-conference season.
6. Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama Crimson Tide
There was some big-time talk that Philon would head to the NBA a season ago. He is back and is giving Nate Oats some electric scoring at the guard position. Through nine games, he is scoring 21.4 points per game. The guard can slash to the basket and also hit the three-pointer. He is shooting 40.4 percent from downtown and also adding 5.4 assists per game. It has been quite the season, but he is just getting going. It is Final Four or bust for the Crimson Tide with Philon and the rest of the talent in Tuscaloosa.
5. Bruce Thornton Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes just took a home loss to Illinois, but it was not without the electric play from Thornton. The 6 foot 2 senior guard scored 34 points in the game. He played all 40 minutes and made 66.6 percent from downtown, and also added six rebounds and six assists. Through nine games, he is scoring 21.7 points per game. Ohio State is going to have quite the challenge when the Big Ten season starts, but expect Thornton to continue pouring it on offensively. Ohio State is 7-2 as they take on West Virginia in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown on Saturday.
4. Cameron Carr, Baylor Bears
What a stud this sophomore has been for Scott Drew and the Bears. Carr has played eight games and is playing 32.5 minutes per game. The guard is scoring 21.8 points per game and also recording nearly six rebounds per game. Carr is going to be in the NBA and make a huge difference in the league. The sophomore from Minnesota came into Wednesday scoring 21.8 points per game. In the blowout win over Sacramento State, Carr scored 25 points. His biggest game came in a loss, where he scored 27 against St. John’s.
3. Chad Baker-Mazara, USC Trojans
We knew this veteran from the Dominican Republic was a ton, but he has been the man for the 9-1 USC Trojans. Another Big Ten guard will see some big time challenges when the conference season starts, but he is ready. He is at 21.9 points per game as the Trojans take on former Pac-12 rival Washington State on Sunday. Baker-Mazara is coming off a 31 point performance against San Diego. He has gone four straight games with 21 or more points in each game. He is also averaging 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
2. Cameron Boozer, Duke Blue Devils
The 6 foot 9 freshman forward has been absolutely elite for the Duke Blue Devils. A season after seeing Cooper Flagg dominate the country and ACC, now Cameron Boozer is ready to do the same. He had 18 against Michigan State and 29 against Florida, which came after a 35 point game against Arkansas. He is playing more than 30 minutes per game and averaging 23 points per game. The big man is just a couple rebounds shy of 10 rebounds per game as well, putting him up with the best of the best in college basketball.
1. PJ Haggerty, Kansas State
Jerome Tang and his Kansas State Wildcats have gotten off to a slow start, but it does not have to do with Haggerty’s ability to put the basketball in the hoop. The 6 foot 4 junior is scoring 24 points per game, which leads the entire country. He has played 10 games and is averaging 32.8 minutes per game. Haggerty scored 28 in the win over Mississippi Valley State, which came in 24 minutes. The game earlier this season against Nebraska was another strong game, as he scored 27 points in that loss. Haggerty is another guy we are certainly going to see in the NBA.
Those six guys are headlining college basketball for their ability to score. The goal is to see these players progress and see if they are able to lead their team to the big dance in March. Stay tuned.