Top Small Forwards in the Big East

By: Josh Cooper

Last week we went over the top shooting guards and now it’s time to go over the top small forwards in the Big East. Small forwards are usually the guys that are your wingmen and who can finish on the break. They are also the guys that can score a lot of points. Now, let’s get right to it.

Kris Joseph- Senior Syracuse

Last year: 14.3 ppg  5.2 rpg 1.5 spg

The numbers speak for themselves. Kris Joseph as a senior will be one of the go-to guys on his team and he should be a great leader for the season. Also, being one of the leaders, expect his numbers to get better and he has a chance to lead Syracuse back to first place in the Big East and lead them deeper in the NCAA Tournament. The most entertaining part of his game is ability to finish on the fast break and his ability to use his quickness to fly to the rim. He should be an entertaining player to watch this year as he will try to impress NBA scouts for the 2012 Draft.

Top 5 Shooting Guards in the Big East

By: Josh Cooper

I started my top 5 rankings with the Big East who had the most teams in the NCAA Tournament last season. This time we take a look at the top five shooting guards in the Big East. A shooting guard is a guy that is usually the team’s top scorer and the guy that is willing to take the last shot in the game. With that being said, let’s get the ball rolling.

1. Ashton Gibbs Pitt Senior

Last season: 16.8 ppg

Ashton Gibbs is most definitely my top choice in shooting guards in the Big East. He was just chosen to play on the USA squad in the World University Games and rightfully so. He is a guy that can destroy any defense with his quickness and his shooting ability. Last season, he was on fire from the field as he shot an outstanding 49% from three-point land. This is the type of thing that you wish for a shooting guard to have; a guy that can drive it inside and want the ball outside when it matters most. With a player like that, expect him to lead Pitt deep into the NCAA Tournament this season.

Big East Point Guard Rankings

By: Josh Cooper

Over the next several weeks, I will be looking at the top five players at their respective positions in each conference. This week because the national champion came out of the Big East, we start out with that conference. The Big East this coming season will once again be one of the more interesting conferences in college basketball. Right now, we start of with the top five point guards in the Big East.

1. Scoop Jardine Syracuse- Senior

Last Season: 12.5 ppg 5.9 assists- tied for 1st in Big East

The most important thing for a point guard is to be able to spread the floor and to make your teammates around you better. Jardine is that type of point guard in the Big East who can do just that. He is that type of guard who can light up the highlight reel and make the fans go on their feet. Last season, there was a reason why his team won twenty-seven games because the team went 19-2 whenever Jardine dished five our more assists in a game. That in itself shows the importance of Jardine to that team. Also, he gained a lot of experience as he led his team to the Sweet Sixteen and learned from the loss to Marquette. Expect Jardine to use that as motivation as he starts his senior year at Syracuse.