Big 12 basketball: Ranking backcourts in the conference
By Doug Winkey
Jan 5, 2015; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Devaugntah Williams (0) shoots over West Virginia Mountaineers forward Jonathan Holton (1) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. West Virginia defeated Texas Tech 78-67. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
We are several games into the Big 12 basketball season and there have already been nail biters, upsets, and a blowout or two. It’s just another sign that the Big 12 is among the nation’s toughest conferences top-to-bottom and that no team will escape the season unscathed.
With all that in mind, let’s go through each of the conference’s 10 teams and rank their backcourts. This will be based largely on individual performance and potential, but also on the unit as a whole as I perceive it. Also, where it will go from the current season.
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One note to anyone double checking these players, I am going by their official position listed on ESPN as well as my own discretion. So some players that might be considered guards, but whom I consider a forward or are listed as one, will be excluded.
10. Texas Tech
Somebody has to be at the bottom of the list and unfortunately, Texas Tech is it. Their best guard is Devaugntah Williams, a freshman, who leads the team at 10.9 ppg. Robert Turner, Toddrick Gotcher, and Randy Onwuasor round out the rest of the guard rotation and combine for around 20 points per contest.
The Red Raider team only combines for 11 assists per game, so the guards aren’t doing much in terms of distributing and nobody shoots particularly well from outside. Williams is best at 39%.
Outside of Williams, there isn’t a lot to write home about for Texas Tech. Unless they recruit someone, things aren’t looking good in Lubbock.
Next: Where does Anderson and TCU land?