The first three months of the college basketball season have given us some incredible performances and awesome moments to remember. Suddenly we’re far closer to March Madness and the end of the season and it might be time to start looking back at the season as a whole. We’re only weeks from that month and awards season to follow and today we’re thinking about top shooting guards.
Each year, the Jerry West Award is given to the player considered the top shooting guard in the nation. That award just announced ten names for their midseason watch list and it’s truly a crew of talented backcourt names. We’re going to take some time here to run through those players and their seasons and figure out just who most deserves that honor right now in early February.
10. Solo Ball (Connecticut)
It’s been a great run for Ball at UConn and year three has been just as productive for the former national champion. He’s playing a major role in the Huskies’ success while averaging 14.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Frankly, Ball’s shooting numbers are down quite a bit from last season beyond the arc but he’s still found a way to be a major contributor for a UConn team that looks like one of the true national contenders this season
9. Isaiah Evans (Duke)
After satisfactory work off the bench as a freshman, Evans has stepped into a major role for the Blue Devils this season. The former Top 15 recruit is putting up 14.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and making important plays for a Duke team among the nation’s best. Evans is another impressive weapon whose long-range shooting has taken a slight decline but he’s still among the most notable scorers and game wreckers, especially in the ACC.
8. Duke Miles (Vanderbilt)
Surely Miles doesn’t regret landing at Vanderbilt this offseason, as he’s put up some brilliant figures at his fourth school. He’s averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game and has become a real stat stuffer for the Commodores. Miles has been emergent and a major part of his team’s hot start all while leading the SEC in steals and becoming a reliable weapon on offense.
7. John Blackwell (Wisconsin)
A few iconic performances throughout his time in Wisconsin have shaped Blackwell into this brilliant backcourt weapon. In year three with the Badgers his numbers have increased again, now averaging 18.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while knocking down 37% of his long-range attempts. Blackwell is a fantastic shooter from multiple levels and his entire game has taken a step forward, allowing Wisconsin to be in decent shape here in February.
6. Brayden Burries (Arizona)
Burries arrived in Tucson as a Top 10 recruit and has showed those expected signs of brilliance for the Wildcats this season. The freshman has been good for 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, evolving into a leadership role for an Arizona team that remains perfect into February. His efficiency figures are great, he’s making 37% of his 3-pointers, and he’s not at all looking like a freshman on a team that just might be the national title favorites.
5. Emanuel Sharp (Houston)
The fourth season on the court for Sharp with Houston is unsurprisingly looking like his best yet. The senior averages 16.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while knocking down 37% of his 3-pointers. He’s a vital piece on a Cougars squad among the top teams in the nation while also providing important veteran leadership. Sharp’s shooting figures may not be as impressive as last season but his overall value has skyrocketed for Kelvin Sampson’s program.
4. Cameron Carr (Baylor)
A former backup at Tennessee, Carr landed at Baylor this season and has really shined given the opportunities with the Bears. While the Baylor team as a whole has struggled, Carr has emerged while averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. The team’s struggles rest elsewhere, as Carr has made 40% of his 3-pointers and is greater than 60% inside the arc. He’s become one of the Big 12’s most productive athletes this season and the hopes of the Bears clearly rest on him.
3. Darryn Peterson (Kansas)
As he’s missed nearly half of the season, it’s really hard to know just how to judge Peterson and his performance. When he’s on the court, Kansas is clearly a better team, as he’s putting up 21.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game through twelve appearances to date. Peterson has knocked down 43% of his 3-pointers and has really showed up in some impressive wins for the Jayhawks in recent weeks. One of the nation’s top recruits, clearly Bill Self hopes he can stay healthy and on the court through the season’s end.
2. Richie Saunders (BYU)
Saunders decided to return to BYU for his senior season and likely doesn’t regret that choice. He’s a major part of a very talented Cougars team all while averaging 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds a game. Saunders remains a dynamic shooter, hitting 40% of his 3-pointers, and also ranks among the Big 12 leaders in steals and true shooting percentage. While BYU has hit some struggles recently, Saunders remains an impressive weapon and is fresh off a 33-point game at Kansas.
1. Keaton Wagler (Illinois)
The freshman from Kansas who has truly burst onto the scene this season, Wagler looks like one of the best players in the entire country thanks to his recent week. He’s averaging 18.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while his 44% mark from outside the arc leads the Big Ten. Wagler was unheralded out of high school but now leads a Fighting Illini team that’s ranked nationally in the Top 5. We also can’t forget his recent 46-point outburst at Purdue or his veteran-like presence on the court.