One of the things I enjoy tremendously as I watch college basketball (or any level) is seeing individual players improve from season to season, or even within a season. It speaks to attitude, effort and hard work. It serves as testimony to a player not being satisfied with his game and willing to do the work required to get more out of himself.
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| Check out that spin move. Longar Longar wouldn't have done that two seasons ago. (Getty Images) |
• Inevitably, when comprising lists, someone worthy is accidentally overlooked -- even when I have the name(s) in my notebook! For example, last week I omitted Tennessee from my column.
I've seen the Vols in person and think they are a team at the top of my "second tier" -- just behind Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina and UCLA. I wouldn't be surprised if Tennessee beats Memphis in a couple of weeks. The Vols are tenacious on defense, deep, unselfish, dangerous from behind the arc and full of spurtability.
Chris Lofton is starting to shoot like he has throughout his career and the return of Duke Crews to the rotation bolsters the frontline. I had them on my list, but suffered a brain fade when I wrote my column. My apologies Vols and Vols fans.
• Improvement can be qualitative and/or quantitative. In other words, it's not just about numbers. Sometimes improved stats are as much a function of increased playing time as improved skills.
On the other hand, a player could actually be "playing better" with a decrease in stats. I recognize coaches are typically best able to discern a player's improvement, especially as it relates to the qualitative stuff. Like playing hard all the time, talking on defense, making an effort to rebound, consistency in practice, confidence, understanding schemes, etc. But that won't keep me from offering my perspective. So here we go:
Wayne Ellington, UNC: Primarily a spot-up shooter last season as a freshman, he has made a noticeable effort to score off the dribble and to take the ball to the hoop. He took only 61 free throws last season and has already attempted 62. His minutes, field goal, 3-point and free-throw percentages are all up, too.
Jordan Hill, Arizona: Considered an athletic-but-raw frontcourt player with outstanding potential as a freshman, he is realizing some of that potential. He has gone from 4.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and 44.7 percent free throw shooting last season to 12.9 ppg and 8.0 rpg and 65 percent free throw shooting. As a starter, his minutes have increased significantly, but so have his confidence and offensive repertoire.
Darnell Jackson, Kansas: As a junior last season, Jackson was an energetic reserve who earned time with his defense and hustle plays. He averaged 5.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 15 minutes per game. Solid numbers. He worked himself into the starting lineup about a month into this season and has been impressive. In about 25 minutes per game he produces 12.5 points and 7.1 rebounds while making 65.3 percent of his shots. And they're not just layups and putbacks. He's making jumpers and moves off the dribble while still handling his business as an interior defender.
Longar Longar, Oklahoma: Two seasons ago he was primarily a shot blocker without much of an offensive game, but I made a note to myself to keep an eye on this kid. He's athletic and hardworking and could be a solid performer someday, I wrote. Well, looky here ... last season as a junior he posted averages of 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds on 55.3 percent field goal shooting. In the same amount of playing time this season, the rebounds and field-goal shooting are about the same, but he's averaging 13.2 points. In an early-season win over West Virginia he was the "go-to guy" down the stretch and in overtime, posting up and finishing in the paint with poise and confidence. And he still is an effective shot blocker. The only thing stopping Longar is the broken leg that will sideline him indefinitely.
A.J. Price, Connecticut: He has gone from near death a few years ago to one of the premier point guards in the country. Last season he seemed to be pressing, perhaps trying too hard to make up for missed time. He shot just 38.7 percent from the field and 27.3 percent on 3-pointers. His decision making as a point guard was spotty and inconsistent. Not anymore. Currently, no point guard is playing better for his team. His shooting percentages are up to 46.2 and 38.1, and his assist-to-turnover ratio is an excellent 2.5 to 1. He's averaging 14.6 ppg, making big plays when needed and playing solid defense.
DeShawn Sims, Michigan: This sophomore had a tough freshman season on and off the court at Michigan. The tragic murder of his brother made adjusting to big-time college hoops even more difficult than normal. He only played 9.4 minutes per game and rarely ventured out of the paint. He made no 3-pointers in seven attempts. As a starter this season he has already made 30 3-pointers and is averaging 12.7 ppg. At a powerfully built 6-feet-8, he is an excellent offensive rebounder and has shown the potential to be an outstanding inside/outside player.
Russell Westbrook, UCLA: His adjustment from high school scoring guard to college guard was a bit bumpy last season. But going against Darren Collison every day in practice and enduring the demanding-but-patient discipline of Ben Howland is paying off now. Last season, he averaged 9.0 minutes and 3.3 points, shot 45.7 percent from the field goal and 54.8 from the line, and had more turnovers than assists. Now look at him: 32.4 minutes and 12 points per game, 51.3 percent from the field and 70.5 from the line, and a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's extremely confident, an excellent defender, and an explosive finisher.
Others of note
Gerald Henderson, Duke: His roundball skills starting to approach ridiculous athleticism.
Damion James, Texas: Grande Glass Eater with perimeter game, too. He's shooting more than 50 percent from behind the arc and gobbling up almost 11 rebounds per game.
JaJuan Smith, Tennessee: Time spent this summer at a LeBron James skills academy has buoyed his confidence.
Sam Young, Pitt: Expanded range on the jumper has made him more than a banger and bumper.
