Big 12 basketball: Ranking backcourts in the conference
By Doug Winkey
Jan 26, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11), guard Bryce Dejean-Jones (13), and guard Naz Long (15) talk on the court during their game against the Texas Longhorns at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones won 89-86. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
2. Kansas
I hate to admit it, but Kansas has what I think is the second-best unit in the Big 12. Frank Mason III, Wayne Selden Jr., and Devonte Graham combine for around 26 ppg and 8 apg. They all also shoot quite respectably from any range and are a dangerous, if mildly inexperienced, group.
They aren’t the best squad in terms of distribution, but I’m never going to sleep on Kansas players and neither should you. KU is a team that always has potential stars as every position and their guards this year are no exception, despite some less-than-stunning performances to date.
1. Iowa State
Yeah, yeah, I am a homer by putting ISU at number one, but hear me out. Can you point out a deeper back court in the conference, that produces at the top level, and has yet to reach it’s full potential? Didn’t think so.
Monte Morris is the unquestioned leader of the Cyclone guard corps. He averages 10.0 ppg and 5.4 apg and is leading the nation yet again in assist-to-turnover ratio at a rate of 5.75. This is even better than his record setting numbers last year and he is only a sophomore.
He is joined by Bryce Dejean-Jones, Naz Long, and Matt Thomas. All three do something different, but all three are vital pieces of a Cyclone back court that helps a team rank in the top-20 of points per game, assists per game, and team field goal percentage. In case you were wondering if the depth ended there, Clay Custer and transfers Hallice Cooke and Deonte Burton are waiting in the wings.