Which Point Guards Improved Their Three-Point Shot and Which Didn't

I posted an article before the season including four point guards that I felt like needed to shoot the three better. Three of the four are done for the season now. I felt I needed to say who shot better and who didn't.

Briante Weber, VCU- Last Season: 22.5 percent from three. This Season: 24.4 percent

Weber is possibly the nations best on-ball defender. The captain of the VCU Havoc defense averaged 3.5 steals per game. But the rising senior simply doesn't have a reliable offensive game. His defense can give him a chance in the NBA, but to be fully effective, Weber needs to have a 35 percent or higher senior season. Weber improved slightly, but he is still unreliable from deep. He will be asked to lead the team again, but this time without sniper Rob Brandenberg by his side to hit shots. VCU will need another shooter, so Weber has to step up in his senior season.

Marcus Smart, OSU- Last Season: 29 percent from three. This Season: 29.9 percent

Marcus Smart started this season simply on fire. He was knocking down three after three in the non-conference season, including five over Memphis in Stillwater and four over Purdue. Smart is gone to the NBA this season, and the scouts all know Smart doesn't have a mid-range jump shot or a three-point shot. Smart is no doubt a top ten pick still, because his defense (3rd in the nation in steals) and driving ability. Smart's percentage from three stayed almost exactly the same as last year.

Keith Appling, MSU- Last Season: 32 percent from three. This Season: 37 percent

Keith Appling had a shot to be the Big Ten Player of the Year until a nagging wrist injury hit. His shot, and game in general, took a step back after the injury. Appling scored 20 points or more seven times before sitting out three games. He has not scored more than 12 points since. Appling was 32 of  77 from deep before the injury, and only 2 of 13 after sitting out. Appling had vast potential for his senior season, but a wrist injury destroyed his chances for a POY award.

Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, Indiana-Last Season: 30.3 percent from three. This Season: 40 percent

Yogi killed it this season for Indiana. He stepped up for the depleted Hoosiers and upped his scoring average by ten points (7.6 to 17.2). The sophomore was one of only three threats from deep, along with NBA bound Noah Vonleh and senior guard Will Sheehey. Ferrell also added ten percentage points onto his three point percentage. Ferrell has a huge junior year coming up, and he looks like he is ready for any challenges. Ferrell has a nice future at Indiana.

NBA Prospects in the Sweet Sixteen

1-10

1.Julius Randle-Kentucky
2. Aaron Gordon-Arizona
3.Gary Harris-Michigan State
4. Willie Cauley-Stein-Kentucky
5. Zach LaVine-UCLA
6. James Young-Kentucky
7. Aaron Harrison-Kentucky
8. Adreian Payne-Michigan State
9. Nik Stauskas-Michigan
10. Montrezl Harrell-Louisville

11-20

11. Kyle Anderson-UCLA
12. Shabazz Napier-UConn
13. Glenn Robinson III-Michigan
14. Russ Smith-Louisville
15. Chris Walker-Florida
16. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-Arizona
17. Andrew Harrison-Kentucky
18. Alex Poythress-Kentucky
19. Dwight Powell-Stanford
20. Isaiah Austin-Baylor

21-30

21. Branden Dawson-Michigan State
22. Cory Jefferson-Baylor
23. Dakari Johnson-Kentucky
24. Jarnell Stokes-Tennessee
25. Xavier Thames-San Diego State
26. Jordan Adams-UCLA
27. Patric Young-Florida
28. Keith Appling-Michigan State
29. Jordan McRae-Tennessee
30. Nick Johnson-Arizona

31-40

31. Kasey Hill-Florida
32. Marcus Lee-Kentucky
33. Kaleb Tarczewski-Arizona
34. Sam Dekker-Wisconsin
35. Joe Harris-Virginia
36. Akil Mitchell-Virginia
37. Chris Jones-Louisville
38. Casey Prather-Florida
39. Melvin Ejim-Iowa State
40. DeAndre Daniels-UConn

41-50

41. DeAndre Kane-Iowa State
42. Monte Morris-Iowa State
43. Josh Richardson-Tennessee
44. Kenny Chery- Baylor
45. Frank Kaminsky-Wisconsin
46. Dorian Finney-Smith-Florida
47. Derrick Walton Jr.-Michigan
48. Gabe York-Arizona
49. Winston Shepard-San Diego State
50. Terry Rozier-Louisville

51-60

51. Dustin Hogue-Iowa State
52. Caris LeVert-Michigan
53. Ryan Boatright-UConn
54. Malcolm Brogdon-Virginia
55. Mangok Mathiang-Louisville
56. Amida Brimah-UConn
57. Vee Sanford-Dayton
58. Ben Brust-Wisconsin
59. Jon Horford-Michigan
60. Traevon Jackson-Wisconsin

5 "What Ifs?" From The 2013-14 College Basketball Season

What If..... Stevie Clark Wasn't Arrested Twice?

Who was Stevie Clark? If you watched Oklahoma State early in the season, you know that Stevie Clark was Marcus Smart's 5'11" freshman backup. Clark was no ordinary backup point guard. Clark shot the ball very well, and Clark probably could have started on most teams. Clark was a star in the making for the Cowboys, but he was arrested for possession of marijuana on January 1st, and was later arrested for public indecency on February 2nd. Clark was eventually dismissed from Oklahoma State. Clark was soon wanted, as he missed five of the seven games during the Cowboys losing streak. Clark would've also had the opportunity to start later in the year due to Marcus Smart's suspension. Clark's brother Deondre is now trying to get Stevie to play at LSU. Clark was sorely missed by Oklahoma State down the stretch.

What If..... Robert Hubbs III Didn't Spend the Whole Season Injured?

Robert Hubbs III was supposed to be a double-digit scorer for the Tennessee Volunteers this season. The Vols didn't have a third reliable scorer behind stars Jordan McRae and Jarnell Stokes. Hubbs III was supposed to fill a scoring void, but he seemingly never showed up. He spent all of the twelve games he played with a nagging shoulder injury that held the athletic freshman from making much of an impact. His game-high in points was a 13-point game against a mediocre Citadel team. Hubbs averaged only 5 points per game on 28 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Hubbs had season-ending surgery after Tennessee's blowout win against Virginia. Hubbs, a rising sophomore, will hopefully be able to make an impact for a Tennessee team which could lose its three leading scorers. Hubbs has a future as a spectacular athlete and three-point shooter for the Tennessee Volunteers.

What If..... Brandon Ashley Hadn't Gotten Injured?

 Brandon Ashley was a beast for the Arizona Wildcats. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22 games. In the twenty-second game against Cal, Ashley broke his foot two minutes in. Seemingly, Arizona lost the game, 60-58. The Wildcats lost four games without Ashley at the power forward position. Ashley gave the Wildcats something that his replacement, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, couldn't. Ashley shot 38 percent from beyond the arc, compared to Hollis-Jefferson's 20 percent. Ashley was also third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding before the injury. Brandon Ashley was dearly missed by the Wildcats, who may have gone perfect with Ashley healthy. Ashley should have a stellar junior season next year.

What If..... Michigan State Had Stayed Healthy?

Branden Dawson missed nine games with a broken hand. Keith Appling missed three games with a wrist injury. Adreian Payne missed seven games, Gary Harris missed three, and even backup point guard Travis Trice missed two games. It has been said time and time again that Michigan State is the best team in the nation when they are healthy, but they are seemingly never healthy. They are the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament this year with all five as the players listed above healthy. With hopefully the whole team healthy, Michigan State should be a team to watch in March.

What If..... Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood Stay?

No one wants to think about this. If Parker and Hood stay, we are looking at possibly the deadliest starting lineup ever. Parker has talked about staying, and hopefully he can convince Hood to do so as well.bDuke is bringing freshmen Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor to Tobacco Road. Hood will be a junior, and Parker will be a sophomore. Add that with rising junior Rasheed Sulaimon, and we could be looking at the real 40-0 team. Parker and Hood should have motive to stay after an embarrassing second round loss to Mercer in the NCAA Tournament. If this somehow happens, point guard Tyus Jones, who is already a tremendous distributor, can average double-digit assists. Sulaimon can knock down uncontested threes with the defense locking down on Parker and Hood, who will be the lead scorers. Center Jahlil Okafor will be the anchor inside, protecting the rim and snatching rebounds. Duke will also have Quinn Cook, Matt Jones, and Semi Ojeleye along with incoming freshman Grayson Allen coming off the bench to score as well. Duke can be the best team to ever play next year, if Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood can stay.

5 Potential Lower Seeded Bracket Busters

Oklahoma State-9 seed-West Region-Second Round Matchup vs. Gonzaga


Oklahoma State is not a 9 seed. They have top 5 potential. The likely reason for their 9 seed was their 7-game losing streak, 3 of which were played without Marcus Smart. The Cowboys are a stronger and more talented team than Gonzaga. They should be able to get an easy win, and then play Arizona. If they take down Arizona, they will likely play San Diego State. The magical streak will not end there. They will most likely play Nebraska the Elite 8, a beatable team. The Cowboys will lose in the Final Four to eventual champions Louisville.


Nebraska-11 seed-West Region-Second Round Matchup vs. Baylor


Nebraska is possibly the must underrated team in the nation. Forward Terran Petteway is the Big 10's leading scoring. Petteway has led the Cornhuskers to wins over Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. Nebraska will beat Baylor and the winner of Creighton- Louisiana Lafayette. They will most likely play Wisconsin again in the Sweet 16. Their run will end in the Elite 8 when stopped by the Final Four bound Oklahoma State Cowboys.


Louisiana Lafayette-14 seed-West Region-Second Round Matchup vs. Creighton


The Ragin' Cajuns are a two-man wrecking ball. The two players are star point guard Elfrid Payton, who is an NBA prospect, and forward Shawn Long, who is averaging a double-double. Long will be given the responsibility of guarding Creighton's Doug McDermott. Look for McDermott to underachieve, leaving the Blue Jays with no help. Payton will take care of the scoring on the offensive end. Unfortunately, the Ragin' Cajuns will be knocked out be Nebraska in the Round of 32.


Kansas State-9 seed-Midwest Region-Second Round Matchup vs. Kentucky


Many experts are picking Kentucky to knock out 1 seed Wichita State in the Round 32. Wichita State will fall in the Round of 32, but to a totally different group of Wildcats. The Kansas State Wildcats do have a star freshman in Marcus Foster, but the rest of the team is relatively experienced. Foster will lead the charge for Kansas State. Look for Foster to score 25+ vs. Kentucky. After that win, Foster and forwards Thomas Gipson and Wesley Iwundu will take down the Shockers. Kansas State will lose in the Sweet Sixteen to eventual champions Louisville.


Tulsa/Stephen F. Austin- 13/12 seeds-South Region- Second Round Matchups vs. UCLA/VCU


Both Stephen F. Austin and Tulsa will beat their matchups in the second round of this year's tournament. Tulsa and Stephen F. Austin will end up playing each other in the Round of 32. The teams are about evenly matched. The winner will unfortunately be knocked out in the Sweet Sixteen by overall number 1 seed Florida.


Other Possible Bracket Busters: Harvard (12 seed, East Region), N.C. State/ Xavier (12 seed, Midwest Region), Iowa/Tennessee (11 seed, Midwest Region), Stanford (10 seed, South Region)

5 Most Impressive Performances of the Season

5. Christophe Varidel Scores 42 on Baylor

D-2 Chaminade Silverswords matched up with Baylor during the Maui invitation on November 25 earlier this year. Varidel hit ten of sixteen threes en route to a 42-point game. The Silverswords lost, 93-77.

4. Chaz Williams Drops 32 and 15

The 7-0 Massachusetts Minutemen came up against the BYU Cougars in Amherst on December 7th. 5'9" star Williams played 34 minutes, scoring 32 points on 9 of 14 from the field to go along with 15 assists. The Minutemen came away with a 9-point victory, 105-96.

3. Michael Frazier Hits 11 Treys

On March 4th, the Florida Gators traveled to South Carolina, who had another upset set in their minds. Michael Frazier II had different plans. Frazier set a Florida record with 11 threes on 18 attempts. Frazier ended the game with 37 points and Florida won, 72-46.

2. Roscoe Smith Snags 22 Boards

UNLV's Roscoe Smith is one of the best rebounders in the nation. On November 15, the Running Rebels met up with Nebraska-Omaha for a gimme victory. Nebraska-Omaha almost pulled off an upset, but 17 points and 22 rebounds from Roscoe prevented that. The Running Rebels won 73-70.

1. Melvin Ejim Breaks the Big 12 Scoring Record

No one played a better game this year than Iowa State Cyclones senior Melvin Ejim did on February 8th. Ejim dropped a whopping 48 points and pulled down an eye-popping 18 rebounds. Ejim shot 18-22 from the field and 2-2 from three. He broke Michael Beasley's record of 44 points to set the record for most points scored by a Big 12 player. Ejim also set 8 other records on the night as the Cyclones won 84-69.