Our midseason Top 25 series here at CFHI rolls on with the Big East. Let me say, I left off a lot of good players. You could probably be very competitive in a league with guys like Gerard Coleman, Hollis Thompson, Jason Clark, Dion Waiters, Jack Cooley, Nasir Robinson, Kris Joseph and Eli Carter. You can note that the #1 ranked team in the country have exactly zero players on this list. This happens when you’re as balanced as the Orange are. Also note that USF was the only team not to even have a player considered. I apologize to all six Bulls fans. I’ve decided to switch up a bit and start my rankings at #25. Enjoy!
25. Andre Drummond, center, UConn
The freshman is starting to put together. He has double-doubles in three out of the Huskies’ last four games including a dominating performance against West Virginia last night.
24. Yancy Gates, forward, Cincinnati
Gates is averaging eight points and seven rebounds in his three games since returning from suspension. His career numbers always gravitate toward ten and six, so expect something similar to that the rest of this season.
23. Eric Atkins, guard, Notre Dame
Atkins has been logging some serious minutes lately. In the team’s three conference games, he has played every minute. That includes Notre Dame’s double- overtime win against Louisville last Saturday.
22. Jerian Grant, guard, Notre Dame
Grant’s numbers are very similar to Atkins. I gave Grant the edge since he averages an assist more per game and is a better shooter. If you prefer Atkins though, I won’t fight you very hard.
21. Sean Kilpatrick, guard, Cincinnati
The sophomore has been the Bearcats’ best three-point shooter while averaging 16.4 points. With their depleted front court, Kilpatrick’s rebounding totals have gone up (4.9 rebounds).
20. Darryl Bryant, guard, West Virginia
While his rebounds and assists have stayed largely the same throughout his four years, the man they call “Truck” has seen his scoring spike. He is averaging almost 18 points a game. That total is up from just 11 a year ago. Since the Mountaineers are so young in the back court, Bryant should continue to dominate minutes and shots.
19. Jeremy Lamb, guard, UConn
The sophomore received a lot of hype after last year’s NCAA Tournament and U19 World Championships, and he has lived up to it. Still, the lack of rebounds and assists keeps him from being an elite fantasy option.
18. Darius Johnson-Odom, guard, Marquette
DJO remains one of the best pure scorers in the Big East. He can do damage from anywhere on the court.
17. Ashton Gibbs, guard, Pittsburgh
Gibbs’ scoring output is virtually identical to last year. His shooting percentages have gone while his usage rate has increased. He has returned to earth a bit after his ultra efficient 2010-2011 season. His assist numbers have gotten a slight bump with the injury to Travon Woodall.
16. Mouphtaou Yarou, center, Villanova
Yarou has steadily improved during his time at Nova. He is rebounding as well as he did last year, and his FG percentage numbers are up along with the amount of shots he is taking.
15. D'Angelo Harrison, guard, St. John’s
He has really come on since the announcement that Nurideen Lindsay would transfer. In the six games since, he is averaging 20 points, 5.8 rebounds, and three assists per game.
14. LaDontae Henton, forward, Providence
Henton has been the anchor on the front line for a team completely bereft of depth. He has recorded no less than six rebounds in every game this season.
13. Fuquan Edwin, guard/forward, Seton Hall
You might be looking at my favorite player in the conference. Not only does he have a name that rhymes with my favorite piece of furniture, he is a very good basketball player. With a usage rate of less than 20%, he still manages to score 14 points a night. He also grabs 6.5 rebounds which is no small feat when sharing the same floor with Herb Pope. If that’s not enough, he is first nationally in steals averaging a little over three per game.
12. Maurice Harkless, forward, St. John’s
Harkless gets the honor of being the highest rated freshman on the list. He keeps plugging along for the undermanned Johnnies. He has recorded five double-doubles including a 32 point- 13 rebound performance against Providence.
11. Shabazz Napier, guard, UConn
For a guy averaging almost 14 points, four rebounds and a 6.3 assists, I should probably have him higher. However, his latest shooting woes knock him down a couple spots.
10. Gorgui Dieng, center, Louisville
With the Cardinals offensive struggles, it’s not surprising that Dieng is Louisville’s only representative on this list. The sophomore is averaging 10.3 points and 9.4 rebounds while changing the game defensively with his ability to block shots (3.3 blocks). Most years, he would probably be the best center.
9. Cleveland Melvin, forward, DePaul
Melvin is the conference’s second leading scorer averaging 18.9 points. It should be noted Melvin is trying to expand his game by taking more perimeter shots this season. He has attempted 46 threes compared to just one last year. He has achieved modest success shooting just 21%.
8. Henry Sims, center, Georgetown
He is the most all-around productive center this year in college basketball. A 6-foot-10 center that averages almost four assists per game doesn’t come down the pike that often. The 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks are nice too.
7. Jae Crowder, forward, Marquette
Crowder is another player who can stuff a statsheet. Along with his 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds, he kicks in almost two assists and two blocks per game. There isn’t much he can’t do well on a basketball floor.
6. Brandon Young, guard, DePaul
In college basketball, it is said that players improve the most their sophomore season, and that is certainly true with Young. He is shooting percentages are up, improved his assist rate, and is turning the ball over less. The future remains bright for a once proud DePaul program with their sophomore studs Young and Melvin.
5. Maalik Wayns, guard, Villanova
Wayns is a dynamic scoring guard that runs the show for the Wildcats. While not the most efficient shooter, he can still get to the basket almost anytime he wants to. For better or worse, the ball will be in his hands.
4. Vincent Council, guard, Providence
After I snubbed him in my preseason top ten, Council comes in at number four midseason. His advanced stats are still ugly (bad eFG%, high TO rate), but it is hard to argue with his per game line (16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists).
3. Jordan Theodore, guard, Seton Hall
Theodore has been the best point guard in the conference this season. He won’t light teams up with his shooting, but he does a great job distributing the ball (7.2 assists), he defends well, and is adept at getting to the free-throw line.
2. Herb Pope, guard, Seton Hall
Pope is finally fully healthy this season and putting it all together. Already known as one of the league’s most fearsome rebounders, he has improved immensely offensively making 51% of his twos. That is up from 44% last season. He has recorded ten double-doubles. That would be a good season total for most guys, and we haven’t even hit MLK day yet. He would be number one, but….
1. Kevin Jones, forward, West Virginia
This guy in Morgantown is having a pretty good season as well. Jones is doing everything Pope does offensively while using fewer possessions. He has been just as beastly on the glass and does it while almost never fouling. He even has one more double-double than Pope. When I sat down to do these rankings, I had a hard time picking between Jones and Pope for the top spot, but after a while it became evident Jones was the guy.