Its August, but all of us at White and Blue Review could not be more excited for the upcoming Valley basketball season. As we ramp up for the new year, we are going to try to project starting lineups and rank them within the Valley. Last week, we ranked the league’s point guards. Today, we continue our look at the depth of the 2011-2012 Valley with Shooting/Scoring Guards.
10. Justin Bocot – Southern Illinois – Senior
Justin Bocot could possibly share the scoring guard role with Wisconsin transfer Diamond Taylor. Bocot is a productive player who had a huge drop-off in production last year, after a promising sophomore campaign (9.1ppg-6.2ppg & 37.4% 3pct-27.4% 3pct). If he finds his shot, though, he is easily the Salukis most dangerous player on the wing.
9. Jordan Printy – Indiana State – Senior
Printy is lights out from behind the three point arc, and with Odum continually putting him in good positions there is no reason to think he won’t continue to average 7+ppg and 45+% from three point land.
8. Jahenns Manigat – Creighton – Sophomore
Manigat really came on strong toward the end of the year, and with Josh Jones, Grant Gibbs and possibly freshman Avery Dingman, this could be a spot up for grabs. But we like Manigat to get the starting nod because he can handle the offense which allows Antoine to be more creative and direct in going to the basket. Manigat is also a good three point shooter and long on defense.
7. Tyler Brown – Illinois State – Junior
Brown, a JuCo transfer from power-house Marshalltown IA, can light it up quick, as evidenced by his per-game average of 21 ppg last year. He also had several games with 40+ points during a stellar JuCo campaign. During the Redbirds trip to Canada he has already solidified his role as a starter, and with few other options on offense Brown should see plenty of shot opportunities.
6. Keith Pickens – Missouri State – Redshirt Sophomore
Keith Pickens is a stellar athlete who could play the Robin to Kyle Weems’ Batman. Pickens is a great defender and should fill up the stats in most categories. If he can stay healthy, a spot on the All-Valley team (2nd or HM) seems likely.
5. Anthony James – Northern Iowa – Junior
Anthony James, like the entire Panther team, benefited greatly from unbelievable point guard play last season. This season James will have to work a little harder to get the open looks he got in 2010-2011. He’s a good — though not great — shooter, but can get the bucket and score on anyone in this league. He also rebounds well for a player of his size.
4. Dyricus Simms-Edwards – Bradley – Junior
What else can you say about Simms-Edwards except simply, the dude is a beast. Last year, he was the only other scoring option for the Braves besides departing Senior Andrew Warren, and he capitalized. This year Simms-Edwards should have the green light from pretty much anywhere on the floor and averaging 18+ points on 30 shots a game seems like a reasonable forecast. Improving his three-point shot could see him elevate his game to a new level.
3. David Kyles – Wichita State – Senior
Kyles averaged nearly 9, 2, and 3 a game last year for the Shockers and should continue to average that for *maybe* the most talented team in the league. Coach Gregg Marshall will deploy Ragland, Kyles and Murray in the backcourt and create a speed/size nightmare for every team in the Valley. Kyles’ athleticism is unmatched for his position in the MVC, and stopping him from imposing his will is going to be difficult.
2. Rayvonte Rice – Drake – Sophomore
Rumors swirled this off-season that Rice was leaving Drake for a BCS program, and while many of those rumors have been put to rest (by Rayvonte getting a Drake Bulldog tattoo, if you believe Message Board speak), Rice is certainly ready to play in a stronger league. He’s built like a tank, yet has the moves and the hands to play with finesse when needed. Drake will only go as far as Rice carries them.
1. Colt Ryan – Evansville – Junior
With Andrew Warren gone, Colt Ryan takes the crown as the league’s most talented scorer. Simply put, if you leave Ryan alone he will kill you. The entire Purple Ace offense is designed to bring Ryan off a number of screens for just a peek at the bucket, which is usually all he needs to make you pay.