Because college basketball does not have a uniform opening day and a staggered first couple of weeks, it is difficult to get a handle on some of the surprises across the country. There are some fantastic one-game performances, but many early-season games are flukes and will certainly not continue over the courts of the entire season. However, with almost a month under our belts, trends begin to develop and we can spot surprises with a modicum of confidence. Here are some of the bigger individual surprises in the ACC and Big East so far this season:
ACC
Guard Reggie Jackson, Boston College Eagles
With the departure of Tyrese Rice, someone from the Eagles would have to step up and replace his production. Many expected that to be Rakim Sanders. However, Sanders was suspended the first two games, then suffered an injury in his first game back. BC has been fine, though, mainly as a result of Jackson. He has scored at least 15 points in five of the team’s seven games, and is also averaging 8.0 rebounds. Moreover, Jackson has had at least four assists in each game, averaging 5.3 per contest. He had back-to-back games in which he averaged 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, but he has since bounced back with 17.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the last two.
Guard Sean Mosley, Maryland Terrapins
The most noticeable statistic for Maryland this season has been the decrease in production by Greivis Vasquez, but don’t overlook Mosley’s start. The 6-foot-4 guard has scored double-figures in every game but one, and is also rebounding well and contributing in the assist category. On the season, Mosley is averaging 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He is shooting nearly 61% from the field and 43% from three-point range, and he is also averaging 1.7 steals per game. Moreover, he had three games in which he did not have a single turnover. Vasquez is likely to get back to his normal scoring levels soon, but Mosley will still produce.
Forward Tracy Smith, North Carolina State Wolfpack
Smith was a solid performer last season, averaging 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game. With increased minutes, many expected his numbers to get better. I’m not sure if anyone saw this coming, though. Smith is becoming a double-double force on the inside and is one of the more productive forwards in the ACC so far. He has scored at least 16 points six times, and has three games of at least 11 rebounds. Overall, Smith is averaging 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds, but his scoring has gone up to 21.5 per game in the last two contests. Smith is a high-volume shooter from inside the arc, so he needs to get over the 50% threshold from the field.
Guard Ishmael Smith, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
While Smith has been a factor in fantasy college basketball before – when he averaged 6.0 assists during his freshman season – he has been almost a must-own so far this season. Smith’s scoring has nearly doubled since last season, his rebounding has increased and his assist numbers are still solid. On the season, Smith is averaging 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. However, if you take out the first game of the season, those numbers are even better – 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He is still terrible from behind the arc, shooting just 19% from three-point range, but his ability to get into the lane for points and assists makes him worth watching.
Big East
Guard Jason Clark, Georgetown Hoyas
A highly-touted guard coming out of high school, Clark has really come on strong in his sophomore season. He played about 18 minutes per game as a freshman, but has increased his production drastically now that he is averaging 33.4 minutes. This year, Clark is shooting better than 48% from three-point range, and he has already knocked down 13 trifectas this season – he only hit 17 all of last season. He has scored at least 12 points in every game but one, and is also contributing solid numbers in rebounding and assists. His averages for the season are 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Clark is going to need to keep these numbers up if the Hoyas will contend.
Forward Jimmy Butler, Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette was a huge fantasy question mark heading into the season. The Golden Eagles had Lazar Hayward … and not much else. We all knew someone was going to have a big season as the second option – but Butler might not have been the most popular pick. Either way, Butler has been a fantasy find so far this year. He is averaging 16.0 points and 7.6 rebounds, and is also throwing in 1.9 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks. He is shooting nearly 64% from the field and even knocked down five of his seven three-point attempts. With his efficiency and consistency, it is hard not to want to get him on your fantasy team.
Forward Jamine Peterson, Providence Friars
The Providence frontcourt was a mess before the season; multiple perimeter options returned and several more were coming in as freshmen. However, the biggest key to the Friars’ 5-2 start has been the play of Peterson, a 6-6 forward from Brooklyn who has blossomed after sitting out last season. Nicknamed “Greedy” back home, Peterson is averaging 16.6 points and 10.3 rebounds, while also getting 1.6 steals per game. Over the past four games, Peterson has been even more impressive, averaging 20.0 points and 9.8 rebounds. Things could get more difficult in Big East play, but Peterson averaged 21 points and 12.5 rebounds against Alabama and Boston College.
Forward Augustus Gilchrist, South Florida Bulls
If this article was written before South Florida’s victory over Hampton on Wednesday, Gilchrist’s start would have been even more impressive (he scored just nine points). As it stands, though, Gilchrist has still been one of the best big men in the Big East. He is averaging 20.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, while also blocking nearly two shots per game. Gilchrist opened the season with 23 points and nine rebounds against SMU, and he has not slowed down since. He is an athletic big man who is difficult to defend due to his skill set. Even in the Big East, he will be a tough match-up. An interesting stat: Gilchrist is hitting 80% from three (8-for-10).