2011-2012 Season Preview: Top 25 Shooting Guards

All week, we'll be breaking down the top players at each position in the college games. A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Positional Rankings: PG, SG, SF, PF, C

To browse through the rest of our Season Previews, click here.


1. Ashton Gibbs, Sr., Pitt: For my money, Gibbs is the best shooter in all of college basketball. We've already written twice about his ability to shoot, however, so we are going to focus elsewhere for this post. Like any college hooper, Gibbs wants to play in the NBA when he's at Pitt. But to make it to the next level, he will likely have to make the move to the point. As good of a shooter as he is, 6'1" two-guards with below-average explosiveness don't survive long in the league. In an effort to prove his ability to play as a lead guard, Gibbs wants more reps at the point this season. What kind of effect will that have? Well, its worth noting that Gibbs had the lowest assist-to-field goal attempt of any potential lead guard that Luke Winn had in his power rankings this week. He's the most efficient shooter, and the most dangerous coming off of a down-screen, in the country. If he embraces it, its the best thing for him and his team.


2. John Jenkins, Jr., Vanderbilt: For a guy that scored 19.5 ppg as a sophomore and has made himself into an all-american heading into this season, Jenkins is entering the year without all that much hype. The scary part is that he still has room to grow as a scorer. As a freshman, Jenkins excelled as a spot-up shooter, hitting 48.3% of his long-range shots. His efficiency dropped his sophomore year, but that was largely a result of an expanded role in the offense. He's gotten better at shooting off the dribble and attacking a close-out, but he can still get better when it comes to finishing in and around the paint. His shot selection can be iffy at times, as well. He'll never be an overwhelming athlete, but as he continues to develop ways to despite the physical limitations he may have, don't be surprised to see his name climbing up NBA Draft boards.

3. Marcus Denmon, Sr., Missouri: I'm expecting an enormous year out of Denmon. He's an incredibly efficient scorer, notching an offensive rating of 127.9 and scoring 16.9 ppg despite using just 20.6% of Missouri's possessions when he's on the floor. After being used as an offensive sparkplug in his first two seasons in Columbia, Denmon thrived as the Tiger's go-to option as a junior. He's a terrific shooter with an even better understanding of what a good shot is. He doesn't commit turnovers, he makes his free throws and he's an excellent on-ball defender to boot. With Laurence Bowers tearing his acl and Kim English being forced to play as more of a four-man, expect Denmon to become more of a focal point for the Tiger's offensively.

4. Austin Rivers, Fr., Duke: Talent isn't going to be the limiting factor for Rivers heading into this season. The kid has every skill that you look for in a collegiate guard -- he can shoot with range, he's athletic and he has the handle to beat his man and get all the way to the rim. The issue with Rivers is going to be whether or not he can buy into the concept of being on a team. Doc's son comes into Duke with a reputation for being a bit too cocky, and while confidence isn't a bad thing by any means, it will be interesting to see if he is willing to work in the flow of the offense, particularly on his off-nights. Are his bad games nights when he goes 2-7 with four assists or 3-15 with six turnovers?

5. Darius Johnson-Odom, Sr., Marquette: DJO is one of my favorite players in the country to watch. A 6'3" lefty, Johnson-Odom was strictly a spot-up shooter as a sophomore, but he developed into much more of an all-around scorer as a junior. His scoring went from 13.0 ppg to 15.8 ppg, but shooting numbers took a hit -- he went from being a 47.4% shooter from beyond the arc to 36.3%. How much of that was the result of being forced to take more contested shots and more shots off the dribble, and how much was simply the fact that he's not an elite shooter? The bigger question -- which shooter shows up this season?


6. William Buford, Sr., Ohio State: Believe it or not, Buford has a very real chance of becoming Ohio State's all-time leading scorer this season. It will require an outstanding year -- he needs to score 673 points, which would mean that he has to average 18.2 ppg if the Buckeyes play 37 games again this season -- but its not out of the realm of possibility, especially when you consider the fact that he no longer has to share perimeter shots with Jon Diebler and David Lighty. The most impressive part of Buford's game is how he has redefined himself from a mid-range shooter of the Rip Hamilton variety into a guy that hit 44.2% of his threes as a junior.

7. Jorge Gutierrez, Sr., Cal: Gutierrez is the kind of player that every coach loves to have. Offensively, he is incredibly well-rounded -- he can hit an open three, he's can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, he finds assists without turning the ball over, he draws fouls and make free throws, he rebounds the ball. He's also one of the best on-ball defenders in the country. Throw in the fact that he plays with his heart on his sleeve and is an emotional leader for his team, and there is a lot to like about Gutierrez. Unless he's guarding you.

8. Doron Lamb, So., Kentucky: John Calipari said that Lamb would be the best player on his team in the preseason. I think we can all agree that was Coach Cal-speak, but the point he was trying to make still stands -- Lamb is being underrated heading into this season. Playing on a team with gunners like Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones made it difficult for Lamb to get a ton of opportunities to score, but he made the most of it. He's far and away the best shooter on this year's Kentucky team and is one of the most efficient perimeter players in the SEC. He'll still be in a complimentary role this year, but he is capable of carrying the Wildcats for games at a time.

9. Orlando Johnson, Sr., UC-Santa Barbara: I would normally say that Johnson is one of the best scorers in the country you've never heard of, but I'm going to assume that the BIAH readership knows about this guy by now. The reigning Big West Player of the Year, Johnson is unlike a lot of mid-major scorers in that he has the size and the physical tools to make him an intriguing NBA prospect. He's a deceptively athletic 6'5", with three-point range on his jumper and the offensive repertoire to score with having to rely on physical tools.

10. Jared Cunningham, Jr., Oregon State: Its a shame that Cunningham plays in the worst major conference in the country for a team that is only relevant nationally because of who the coaches brother-in-law his, because this kid is something special. At 6'4", Cunningham is a physical specimen, a sensational athlete with an ideal physical profile. The best news? While averaging 14.2 ppg last season, he got the majority of his points off of open jumpers, layups due to his hustle on the glass or cutting to the basket and on dunks in transition (he's a terror in passing lanes, averaging 2.8 spg). He's got tons of room to grow as he develops more ball-handling skills and the ability to score in isolations.


11. Allen Crabbe, So., Cal: Crabbe averaged 8.4 ppg in the 13 games that he played with Gary Franklin. After Franklin transferred to Baylor midway through the season, Crabbe averaged 16.9 ppg, even tossing in a couple of 30 point outbursts to boot. Expect more of the latter this year.

12. Tim Hardaway Jr., So., Michigan: Hardaway has all the makings of a star at the college level -- height, skill level, athleticism, pedigree. But how much of his success last season was derived from the playmaking of Darius Morris? It will be interesting to see how well the sophomore thrives in John Beilein's system as the go-to guy for a full year.

13. Rodney McGruder, Jr., Kansas State: McGruder is a kid that I'm expecting a big year from. Kansas State will be entering the A.P. era (After Pullen) looking for a leader, and McGruder has apparently embraced that role. A 6'4", do-it-all guard, McGruder is an efficient player and a guy that should thrive as he gets more opportunities this year.

14. Kevin Foster, Jr., Santa Clara: How about this for a stat: Kevin Foster shot 67 more threes last season than Jimmer Fredette did. And while he only made them at a 36.8% clip, that was enough to notch an average of 20.2 ppg. When he gets into a rhythm, he's as dangerous as any shooter in the country. With Marc Trasolini out for the year with a torn acl, Foster will be counted on even more offensively.

15. CJ McCollum, Jr., Lehigh: McCollum is the most productive guard in the country, and that is an inarguable fact. Last year, he averaged 21.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg while notching 2.5 spg and handing out 2.1 apg. The problem? He's all that Lehigh has. If he can improve on his 6.4% offensive rebounding percentage (which will be difficult as he takes 35.4% of his team's shots when he's on the floor), there is a chance this 6'2" guard can average 20 and 10 this year.

16. Brad Beal, Fr., Florida
17. Kenny Boynton, Jr., Florida
18. Sean Kilpatrick, So., Cincinnati
19. Trent Lockett, Jr., Arizona State
20. Brandon Paul, Jr., Illinois
21. Durand Scott, Jr., Miami
22. Anthony Marshall, Jr., UNLV
23. J'Covan Brown, Jr., Texas
24. Jason Clark, Sr., Georgetown
25. Kyle Kuric, Sr., Louisville
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2010-2011 Season Preview: Top Shooting Guards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 8th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured its about time to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am putting the freshman in a separate list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment compared to the rest of college basketball until I see them play at this level. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

By Position: PG, SG, SF, PF, C

Hit the jump for the shooting guards:

1. Nolan Smith, Duke, Sr: Smith has slowly and steadily developed as a basketball player, from a promising freshman to the kid that started over Greg Paulus to Kyle Singler's all-american sidekick. You would be hard-pressed to find a better all-around back court player than Smith. He's probably more of a point guard than he is a shooting guard, but sharing a back court with Kyrie Irving, Smith is going to spend most of this season playing off the ball. Smith doesn't have one skill that sets him apart from the crowd, but rather is one of these kids without a weakness in his game, the kind of player whose fundamentals and basketball IQ more than make up for relatively average tools. He can shoot with range. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or create for a teammate. He's a crafty ballhandler that under stands how to change speeds. He gets after it on the defensive end. And most importantly, he is willing to play a role for this Duke team. Why are the Blue Devils so good this season? Because their third option offensively is the best two-guard in the country.


2. Austin Freeman, Georgetown, Sr: Freeman looks more like a tight end than he does a shooting guard, but make no mistake, this kid is as good as anyone in the country. His game centers around his jump shot, which is deadly on a bad day. When he gets hot, its over. Ask UConn, who saw Freeman score 28 in a half, or Louisville, who got 24 in a half from Freeman. Both of those games saw Georgetown trail by double figures in the first half. As a senior, he'll be counted on to attack the rim more often and to be more aggressive looking for his shot as the offense will run through him. Perhaps the biggest reason Freeman is so dangerous is that he is the perfect guard for John Thompson III's offensive system. He understands when and where his shots will come from in their sets, and he knows that if he is patient, he will be put in a spot to succeed.

3. LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor, Sr: Dunn is a 6'4" scoring guard that will make an appearance on quite a few first team preseason all-american lists. In a league full of talent, Dunn may just be the potent scorer in the Big XII. His offense centers around his jump shot, which he can hit with range and under pressure. In fact, his ability to hit contested threes may be his biggest fault; he tends to force jumpers early in the shot clock. He's not great when he puts the ball on the floor, but if he is able to beat his man, Dunn is very good at drawing contact and getting to the line. With Tweety Carter and Ekpe Udoh both gone, he will be relied upon even more for scoring as a senior.

4. E'Twaun Moore, Purdue, Sr: Moore is an interesting player. He's almost been the forgotten man for the Boilermakers during this run to prominence. Robbie Hummel, when healthy, was probably Purdue's most important player. JaJuan Johnson is the best NBA prospect. But I think I'd argue that Moore was the best player of the three. He's not the best three point shooter, but he'll make you pay if you leave him open. He's not a slasher per se, but he can get by you and finish in the paint if you crowd him. He's not Steve Nash, but he'll find the open man. He's smooth, he's intelligent, and he is a well-rounded player.

5. Isaiah Thomas, Washington, Jr: Thomas is unique in that he is listed at 5'8"; not many major college shooting guards are 5'8". And while he may be diminutive in stature, Thomas can certainly score with the best of them. He's at his best when he is putting the ball on the floor and slashing to the basket. He's very good with his short-to-mid-range game, and he's a crafty finisher around the rim. Where Thomas get into trouble is when he starts settling for jump shots. He's a good shooter and can get hot and knock down a few in a row, but he also takes some tough, quick, ill-advised shots from deep. You don't want a sub-33% shooter taking 200 threes in a season. If he can improve his shot selection while not losing any of his aggressiveness as a scorer, Thomas -- and Washington -- will be that much more efficient.


6. William Buford, Ohio State, Jr: This season will be a pivotal one for the development of Buford as a player. Thus far in his career, he's been basically a catch-and-shoot player, a guy that has thrived in the mid-range, coming off of screens, and knocking down the open jumpers created for him by Evan Turner. With Turner now out of the picture, we will get a chance to see the rest of Buford's repertoire. He will be the primary offensive weapon on Ohio State's perimeter, with Jared Sullinger roaming the paint. Without a proven point guard on the roster, it will be interesting to see if Buford can pick up some of that slack left by Turner's departure. It he does become a better scorer and creator in isolation, then this ranking looks smart. If he doesn't, it will look high. I think he will develop. Keep in mind, were talking about a guy that averaged 14.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg for a Big Ten tri-champion last year.

7. Durrell Summers, Michigan State, Sr: Summers has all the talent in the world. He has all the tools you like for in a two guard. He's athletic. He can get to the rim. He can finish above the rim. He has good size and strength. His problem is that he has never been able to put it all together for an entire season. So the question will be with Durrell Summers shows up this season. Is it the one that averaged 18.8 ppg in the NCAA Tournament, carried the Spartans to the Final Four, and was named the Midwest Regional MOP, or the one that scored in double figures just once in the last eight regular season games?

8. Kim English, Missouri, Jr: With the number of players that the Tigers are going to have in their rotation this season, it may be difficult for English to put up the same numbers as some of the other guys on this list. But don't think that doesn't mean English is just as good. At 6'6", English has excellent size for a guard, which allows him to get off his excellent jumper just about any time he wants too. He was strictly a jump shooter when he got to college, but has since expanded his repertoire offensively. I expect to seem him improve even more as a slasher and a finisher this year. He's also very good defensively, which you have to be playing in Mike Anderson's 40 minutes of hell system. I expect English to have a big year in 2011 as the best scorer on an underrated Missouri team.

9. Klay Thompson, Washington State, Jr: Thompson put up absolutely fantastic scoring numbers early last season, but as the year wore on, teams started to figure out that the Cougars didn't really have another viable option offensively. As defenses were geared more and more to slowing him down, he got fewer and fewer good looks. That should be less of an issue this year, as DeAngelo Casto and Reggie Moore will have gotten better over the summer. Don't let that fool you, either. Seeing defenses blanket Thompson should only reinforce how potent of a scorer he truly is.


10. Alec Burks, Colorado, So: In high school, Burks was largely ignored by the major scouting services. As a freshman as Colorado, he made those scouting services look foolish for not ranking him. Burks averaged a cool 17.1 ppg as a freshman, and he still has quite a bit of room to develop. He was at his best last season when he was able to put the ball on the floor. He's an excellent shooter in the mid-range, and has the size and athleticism to finish in and amongst the trees. As his perimeter shot continues to develop, he is only going to become a more complete player.

11. Tre'Von Willis, UNLV, Sr.
12. John Jenkins, Vanderbilt, So.
13. Kenny Boynton, Florida, So.
14. Ashton Gibbs, Pitt, Jr.
15. Randy Culpepper, UTEP, Sr.
16. Maurice Creek, Indiana, So.
17. Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette, Jr.
18. Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, Sr.
19. Charles Jenkins, Hofstra, Sr.
20. Cory Higgins, Colorado, Sr.


Top Five Freshman

1. Will Barton, Memphis: Barton is a lanky, athletic wing that can do a lot of different things on the basketball court. He has range on his jumper, he can run the floor, he rebounds the ball well, he can lead a break, he's a good passer. Perhaps most importantly, he is going to get a chance to make an impact immediately at Memphis.

2. Dion Waiters, Syracuse: Waiters is a 6'3" combo-guard that can really shoot the ball. While Fab Melo, the Orange's seven foot freshman center, is the guy getting a lot of the hype in this freshman class, Waiters might turn out to be the best of the bunch. Jim Boeheim isn't a guy to mince words when talking about his team. He said that Waiters was the most talented freshman guard they've had in "a long time." Take that as you will.

3. Reggie Bullock, UNC: While Harrison Barnes is off being named a first team all-american and the preseason national player of the year, Bullock, like Waiters, is flying a bit under the radar hype-wise. But hype or not, Bullock will be filling an important void in UNC's lineup. He's a 6'6" guard with a deadly perimeter jumper, a role that was missing from last year's Tar Heel team.

4. Vander Blue, Marquette: Blue played with the the U-19 national team this summer and started alongside Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers, which should give you an idea of this kid's talent level. He's a tough, physical two guard that defends, runs the floor in transition, and attacks the rim. If he improves his jump shot, I see Blue being the second coming of Jerel McNeal.

5. Doron Lamb, Kentucky: Lamb is kind of a throw back player. He doesn't survive on raw athleticism and he doesn't live and die with the three ball. He's a smooth guard that thrives in the mid-range.

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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Shooting Guards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.
These are the shooting guards.

Best Freshman:

• Avery Bradley, Texas
• Kenny Boynton, Florida
• Xavier Henry, Kansas
• Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati

Best of the Rest:

• Elliot Williams, Memphis
• Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall
• Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State
• William Buford, Ohio State
• Steven Gray, Gonzaga
• Denis Clemente, Kansas State
  

Top 10

• 10. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas: Taylor is not on this list for the numbers he is going to put up. That would be impossible playing on a team as talented as Kansas this year. But Taylor may be the best team player in the country. He's no stranger to talented teams - his St. Anthony's High School team sent seven kids to D1 schools. Taylor's biggest strength is his intelligence on the court. He makes good decisions with the ball, is an excellent passer (especially feeding the post), and is as good of a defender as you will find at the position. Offensively, he has yet to really show the country what he can do. He picks his spots well, so don't be surprised if Taylor has a couple games where he goes for 25 this year.
  


• 9. Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati: At 6'1", 195 lb, Vaughn is built like a running back, but it isn't his physical tools that make him special. Vaughn can flat out score the ball. He is a streaky shooter, but when he gets hot he can go for 30 on a given night. Vaughn also has the quickness and the handle to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Simply put, Vaughn has all the skills you could ask for in a scoring guard. The problem the last two seasons has been his supporting cast, as Vaughn was not only asked to be the team's point guard, but to also be the team's only true perimeter threat. With Cashmere Wright back from injury and Lance Stephenson joining the team, he now has that. Don't expect Vaughn's scoring numbers to shoot through the roof, as the addition of Wright and Stephenson will reduce his shots, but do expect to see a better Cincinnati team and a much more efficient Deonta Vaughn.
  


• 8. Jerome Dyson, UConn: Dyson was the overlooked guy on the UConn Huskies last season. With Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet inside, and AJ Price running the show, people forgot about Dyson. It didn't help that he missed the end of the season with a knee injury either. But Dyson is a star in the making. With athleticism to burn, Dyson is at his best when he is slashing to the rim and making plays in the full court. He can knock down a three when he is left open, but his slow release makes it difficult for him to get his shot off at times. The faster tempo that UConn is going to play at this season will fit in perfectly with Dyson's skill set as he is a terror in the passing lanes and always a threat to posterize a defender on a break.

Jerome Dyson will make quite a few posters this season.
(photo credit: daylife)

• 7. E'Twaun Moore, Purdue: Moore isn't a flashy player. He isn't going to wow you with cross overs or dunks. He isn't going to take over games on the offensive end. What Moore does is play a very controlled game. He isn't going to blow by his defender every time down court, but when it is there he can get to the rim. He isn't a gunner, but he is a good enough shooter that you have to contest it (although his shooting numbers dipped quite a bit last season). He's a good passer, a good rebounder, and a very good defender. And to top it off, he has led Purdue in scoring in his first two seasons. He may not be the most athletically gifted at the position, but you would be hard-pressed to find a two guard in the country better suited for the system they play in.
  


• 6. Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga: I love Matt Bouldin's game. He is such a heady, fundamental player. Playing on Gonzaga's most talented team last season, Bouldin was forced into a bit of a complimentary role. But that was more of a result of his all-around ability than a lack of ability. Bouldin can shoot, he can handle the ball, he can penetrate and kick, he can defend - there really isn't a weakness to his game, except for maybe a lack of ideal explosiveness out of a two guard. We shall see this season if he can develop into a star. If he does, don't be surprised if he wins a WCC player of the year award and Gonzaga makes another NCAA Tournament.
  


• 5. Terrico White, Ole Miss: The Rebels caught a devastating case of the injury bug last season, as they had three back court guys go down early with season ending knee injuries. While it put quite a damper on their season, the blessing in disguise was it allowed Andy Kennedy to see what he had in freshman Terrico White. White is an athlete, but he relied a bit too much on that athleticism a year ago. He also had trouble with shot selection and decision making on the offensive end, but a big reason for that was the fact he was forced to play a lot of minutes in a de facto lead guard role with Chris Warren out. Now that Warren is healthy, White will be able to move off the ball, where he shined this summer with the U19 team.
  


• 4. Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech: Delaney has put up impressive numbers during his first two seasons with the Hokies, but playing behind guys like AD Vassallo and Deron Washington kept his profile to a minimum. Don't doubt him though, because Delaney can play. He will likely handle the ball quite a bit this year for Seth Greenburg, but Delaney's at his best when he is looking to score. He is a dead eye three point shooter when he is open, but he has a tendency to force it a bit, although some of that is a result of Tech having a limited number of playmakers. If he can mature a bit in his decision making and shot selection, Delaney has the potential to be a lethal scorer this year.

Malcolm Delaney is a name you will hear a lot of this season.
(photo credit: flickr)

• 3. Isaiah Thomas, Washington: Thomas played a lot of minutes as Washington's point guard last season, but with the addition of Abdul Gaddy to run the show, Thomas will slide over to the off guard spot. Off the ball is where Thomas should be more effective as he is a natural scorer. He is at his best when he is using the bounce to penetrate. He has a tight handle and a tremendous first step, which makes him a nightmare to try and defend. That ability will be magnified as he will be playing in a Washington system that will allow him countless opportunities in the open court. Thomas's diminutive size is his biggest weakness. Standing just 5'9", he was inconsistent as a perimeter shooter when he had a hand in his face, but in the lane it is less of an issue as he has an advanced in-between game - he has an excellent floater and knows how to uses body contact to create space between himself and his defender.
  


• 2. James Anderson, Oklahoma State: Anderson is first and foremost a shooter. His entire offensive repertoire is based on his catch and shoot ability from deep. An excellent athlete, Anderson is also able to use one or two dribbles and elevate over defenders in the mid-range. Where he struggles is with his ball-handling. He is very much a straight line dribbler without the ability to change direction or change speed. While it may be tough to top the 18.2 ppg he posted last season, if he improved this aspect of his game in the off-season, Anderson will be a much more complete player.

Willie Warren and James Anderson will compete for the Big XII scoring crown.
(photo credit: kfor.com)

• 1. Willie Warren, Oklahoma: Warren struggled at the beginning of his freshman campaign, but by the end of the year many considered him a lottery pick. Warren is a fantastic athlete, but what makes him so dangerous is his exceptional scoring instincts. With a quick first step, the ability the change gears and change directions, great body control in the lane, and the explosiveness to finish above the rim, it isn't hard to see that Warren was built to score. The fact that he can handle the ball (he played a lot of point last season for the Sooners) and shoot it from deep (he struggled to start the year, but shot 38% in Big XII play) only makes him more dangerous. With Tommy Mason-Griffin headed to Norman, Warren will be allowed to move off the ball where he can focus on, what else, scoring.
  

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