Big-time scorers? 16 who could top 60
Pick your favorite scoring outburst from 2008-09. Was it Ryan Toolson hitting 63 against Chicago State? Or Ben Woodside’s 60 vs. Stephen F. Austin? Or Jodie Meeks dropping 54 against Tennessee?
Meeks passed Dan Issel in the Kentucky record books, while the last time two players passed the 60-point mark in the same season was 1977. It may be years before we see something like those performances again.
Then again, maybe not.
Any one of the following 16 players could go for 50 on a given night. Or even 60. Some, like Meeks, are efficient players who don’t need a lot of shots. Others are volume scorers. But all of them can fill it up.
Brody Schmidt/AP |
James Anderson
|
James Anderson, Oklahoma State
That Anderson only averaged 18.2 ppg last season was an indication of the Cowboys’ scoring depth, not Anderson’s ability. He scored 35 against Texas, 33 vs. Rhode Island and 37 at Oklahoma. He’s deadly from anywhere on the floor (41 percent beyond the arc) and is awfully efficient. His 119.5 ORtg even topped Blake Griffin.
Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia
When Butler dropped 43 on ‘Nova last season, he was the first Mountaineer to top 40 in 31 years. Expect even more from the 6-7 swingman this season. His versatility makes him a nightmare defensive assignment and he’s not overly reliant on any one aspect of his game.
Denis Clemente, Kansas State
OK, so Clemente’s good at the trick shots. He’s also good at scoring. He blew up during Big 12 play, averaging 18.4 ppg, including a 44-point night against Texas. The 6-1 guard shoots better than 41 percent from beyond the arc and isn’t afraid to keep shooting once he heats up.
Aubrey Coleman, Houston
Here’s all you need to know about Coleman: Memphis was No. 1 on kenpom.com’s defensive efficiency last season, but the 6-4 guard went for 35 against the Tigers. The JUCO transfer isn’t a threat from outside, but he’ll overpower defenders on his way through the lane and hit his free throws. If he’s feeling it, he’ll keep shooting.
Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech
The ACC’s most talented guard isn’t in Durham or Chapel Hill. He’s in Blacksburg. Delaney’s 18.1 scoring average was nearly double from his freshman year and his 113.4 ORtg was better than Jeff Teague, Gerald Henderson and Greivis Vazquez. Delaney gets to the line frequently and rarely turns in a bad game. Just ask Clemson, which got torched for 37 points.
Devan Downey, South Carolina
Don't be fooled by the senior guard's size. He's just 5-9, but he'll score on anyone. He averaged 19.8 ppg last season, including a 37-point outbursts against Clemson. He topped 20 points 15 times and few players get more easy buckets off steals. The biggest factor? Shot selection. His eFG% was 48.8 last season.
Tony Ding/AP |
Manny Harris
|
Manny Harris, Michigan
The 6-5 junior can struggle with his jumper (he’s never been better than 33 percent from beyond the arc), but when you can split defenses and get to the free-throw line and hit FTs like Harris (86 percent from the line), you’re a good bet to rack up the points. If he ever starts hitting from beyond the arc, his numbers will shoot up in John Beilein’s offense.
Ricky Harris, UMass
Harris averaged 18.2 ppg last season, hitting nearly 39 percent of his 3-pointers. He dropped 35 during a loss to BC and topped 20 nine more times. "We know he's going to score 18 to 20 a night; you can pencil that in the book," says UMass coach Derek Kellogg. "The question will be 'How effective are those points?'"
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall
The 6-5 guard topped 30 points six times last season, including a pair of 35-point nights. And, despite being the Pirates’ only reliable scoring option, he didn’t need a ton of shots to reach 22.7 ppg. Seton Hall has more guys to pick up that scoring slack this season, but Hazell remains a good bet to pop for a monster game.
John Holland, Boston
The 6-5 junior swingman had a 10-game stretch last season where he averaged nearly 24 points a game. He's capable of hitting from outside, inside or getting the free-throw line, which explains his solid 116.9 ORtg. The only thing keeping him from hitting 50? The Terriers have plenty of other scorers as well.
Anthony Johnson, Montana
The Big Sky scoring leader (17.6 ppg) is also an efficient scorer. His 110.7 ORtg on kenpom.com is the best among returning guards who used at least 28 percent of their team’s possessions, mostly because he rarely misses a free throw. The 6-2 junior hit 18-of-19 FTs in a 32-point night vs. Northern Arizona last year, reminiscent of Woodside's monster night.
Afam Muojeke, Wyoming
Set the Mountain West's freshman scoring record last season (13.8 ppg), and that was with Brandon Ewing hogging most of the shots. Now, the 6-7 wing "has a good chance to lead this league in scoring every year he's here from here on out," Cowboys coach Heath Schroyer told Blue Ribbon Yearbook.
Chris Carlson/AP |
Roburt Sallie
|
Roburt Sallie, Memphis
In case you forgot, Sallie – who averaged just 4.5 ppg last season – hit 10 3-pointers and dumped 35 points on Cal-State Northridge in the NCAA tournament last season. Coming in cold and hitting 10 3s? That’s just ridiculous. And now, with Memphis losing 4 starters, Sallie’s going to play a much more prominent role in 2009-10. Imagine all the 3s.
Klay Thompson, Washington State
The 6-6 wing can create his own shot or pull up from just about anywhere, which will be frequently under new coach Ken Bone. The Cougars won't be a grind-it-out team anymore, which benefits Thompson. He made 41 percent of his 3-pointers last season. He’s a threat to score 40 any night.
Willie Warren, Oklahoma
In the words of Sporting News writer Mike DeCourcy, Warren is simply the most dynamic scorer in D-I. Warren was an efficient, explosive player as a freshman when he often had to play point guard. As a sophomore, he’ll be able to do even more ‘cause he won’t have to play point. That prospect should scare opponents.
Jahmar Young, New Mexico State
If anyone's capable of replicating Meeks' monster game, it's Young. The 6-5 guard topped 30 points twice last season and averaged nearly 18 ppg thanks to this sweet shooting stroke (42 percent from beyond the arc). He's an efficient (116.7 ORtg) scorer who doesn't do too much (he took just 12 shots a game last year) -- numbers almost identical to Meeks'.
Follow me on Twitter and get more college basketball news at NBCSports.com.
