If there is one thing I've learned this holiday season, it is don't save that trip to mall for the last minute. However, more germane to this article is the lesson I learn every holiday: that it is better to give than receive. On the basketball court, this lesson is often overlooked as we prefer the big-time scorers to the guys who pass the rock. Well, I am going to give the facilitators of offense their due in this week's version of the SEC/Pac 10 roundup. I've covered some of the conferences' best point guards in prior editions (including the freshman at Kentucky who shall not be named again and again). OK, John Wall deserves all of the praise, but you get the point.
Pac-10
Derek Glasser, Arizona State Sun Devils
In his four years in Tempe, Glasser has improved from a fantasy non-entity to a relatively decent fantasy producer for the Sun Devils. The 6-foot-1 senior has provided a solid bump in production, including most importantly 11.1 points and 5.3 assists. Because he knew he would have more offensive opportunities, Glasser apparently worked on his shot during the offseason, and he is converting at a higher rate than in his three previous seasons (45.3% from the field, 47.6% on threes, 88.7% from the line). He is still not a consistent scorer and has scored seven or fewer points four times. You can rely on him to garner his fair share of assists, as he has not dealt out fewer than five assists in the last eight games. The Sun Devils open play with a trip to Los Angeles, so Glasser and his cohorts will be tested early.
Jarrett Mann, Stanford Cardinal
After an initial year of moderate success, Cardinal coach Johnny Dawkins is getting to put his paws all over the Stanford program. Mann did not play much as a freshman, but he has been given the keys to Dawkins' offense in his sophomore year. While you can consider the 6-foot-3 point guard a work in progress, there is evidence he is becoming a better player under Dawkins. Mann is providing 8.1 points and 5.6 assists. He doesn't shoot much (5.2 shot attempts in 29.2 minutes per game), but he converts at a high rate (47.4%). Like most new starters, Mann tends to turn the ball over too much (3.5 turnovers per game), and he is not a good free throw shooter (an even 50%). Eventually, Mann will need to take on more offensive responsibility, but he can lean on Landry Fields for the time being.
Reggie Moore, Washington State Cougars
Prior to the season, it looked as if new coach Ken Bone would have a freshman starting at point guard. He had to choose between Xavier Thomas and Moore, but the 6-foot-2 Moore has made the competition a non-issue. Moore has started all but one game and seems to be morphing into the offensive facilitator the team needs. In a pair of home games against Air Force and Portland State, the freshman had a combined 22 assists. Yet, he isn't afraid to shoot and has scored 12.6 points to go along with 5.1 assists. Moore has only been held to single-digit scoring twice and produced a season-high 17 points in the one game he did not start, on Nov. 25 against Alaska-Anchorage. Moore and Klay Thompson, should he stick around, should provide the Cougars with one of the best backcourts in the nation for the next few years.
Jerome Randle, California Bears
One could consider this burying the lead, but the fact is Randle is producing fewer assists (the second straight season of five assists) than his three above conference-mates. The 5-foot-10 senior is far outstripping the others in scoring at 19.2 points (fourth in the Pac-10 behind the aforementioned Thompson and Fields as well as Quincy Pondexter). Randle's shot has slumped in December, and he has yet to hit 50% of his shots in any game this month. Last year, Randle hit 50.1% of his shots, but his field goal percentage is down to 42% (including 38.2% on threes) this year. He is one of the best free throw shooters in conference at 92.3% and has been getting to the line 5.6 times per game. Now that Theo Robertson has returned from a right foot injury, the Bear offense should be more diverse and Randle's efficiency should improve.
SEC
Julysses Nobles, Arkansas Razorbacks
There are a number of reasons not to like Nobles right now. The 6-foot-1 freshman opened the year like a seasoned veteran. He ran the Razorback offense and piled up assists - 40 in his first five games. Since that fast start, Nobles has provided 19 assists in his last seven games. He continues to start but has played 16 minutes or less in three of his last four games. Add to the fact that Courtney Fortson is practicing with the team and could be reinstated any day now, and you have a freshman whose best games are behind him. Nobles is still averaging 4.9 assists (good for fourth in the conference behind Wall, Mikhail Torrance, and Dee Bost), but just 6.2 points on 39.6% from the field. If Fortson is brought back, there's not much reason to keep Nobles around. Even in a dynasty league, you have to remember Fortson is just a sophomore.
DeWayne Reed, Auburn Tigers
This is Reed's third year as a starter for the Tigers, and he is making the most of his senior year. The 6-foot-1 Houston native is providing 16.0 points and 4.4 assists for the Tigers who have six wins and six losses. For the first time in his collegiate career, he has brought his field goal percentage above 40% even as his three-point percentage has dipped south of 30%. Reed has been especially consistent of late in the scoring department with 17.8 points over his last five to go along with 5.4 assists. The Tigers aren't likely to do much damage in the SEC this year, but that doesn't mean Reed can't produce for your team. He may approach 20 points in many games, and if he can continue to set up his teammates, he'll be a worthy fantasy player.
Eniel Polynice, Mississippi Rebels
Like his more highly touted teammate Chris Warren, Polynice has his 2008-09 season cut short by a knee injury. Now the Rebels are stocked with guards, and it has become the 6-foot-5 Polynice who is serving as the team's point. The junior is averaging a team-high 4.4 assists to go along with 10.3 points and 1.6 steals. With Warren, Terrico White, and Zach Graham filling out the backcourt, Polynice should be glad to see the ball at all. His scoring has been up marginally over the last five games that have seen him score a combined 60 points to go along with 27 assists. It's hard to see how Polynice will get too many more scoring opportunities with the glut of perimeter weapons on the roster. Keep an eye on him nevertheless because he is a versatile performer and can score when asked.