Midway through the Big East Schedule, Bryce Hopkins is making a very real push for Player of the Year
A look at the candidates mid-way through the Big East schedule
We’ve become almost accustomed to it by now. Bryce Hopkins went for 20 points and 11 rebounds in Providence’s 75-64 win over DePaul on Saturday, and his performance almost went overlooked following the game.
Hopkins was efficient: 7-13 from the field, 5-6 at the free throw line, 1-3 from three, and just one turnover in 37 minutes. We saw him knocking down rainbow fade-aways from 18 feet, banking home leaners, going to his patented spin move in transition, bullying his way to the bucket on a straight line drive, and at one point he even flipped a behind-the-back pass to Ed Croswell for a layup.
Saturday marked the third straight game in which Hopkins finished with a double double.
In Big East contests, the Friar sophomore is leading the league in scoring (18.6 points per game) and he is second in rebounds (10.2). No one is grabbing more defensive boards in conference play (8.2). He’s shooting nearly 43% from distance in league play, and taking 8.2 free throws per game, which is well ahead of teammate Devin Carter, who is second in the league at 6.4.
At 7-2, Hopkins’ Friars are in third place in the Big East, half a game behind Marquette and a game back of 8-1 Xavier.
Much can change over the second half of the Big East season, but right now this is shaping up to be a race between Hopkins, UConn’s Adama Sanogo (the heavy favorite through December), and Xavier guard Souley Boum.
St. John’s big man Joel Soriano has been dominant in averaging 16.4 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this year, but the Johnnies are 3-6 in Big East play, which hurts his prospects.
There is a lot of basketball left to be played, but here’s a look at Hopkins’ competition at the midway point of the Big East schedule:
Souley Boum, Xavier: If Xavier finishes atop the league, Boum will have a very real case for Big East Player of the Year. The UTEP transfer has proven to be a perfect fit in Sean Miller’s first year back in Cincinnati, averaging 16.0 points per game in Big East games, while ranking third in the league at 6.1 assists. Boum is a 90% free throw shooter, who has taken 40 FTA in nine league games. He ranks 11th in both steals and three pointers made, sports a ridiculous 5:1 assist to turnover ratio, and he’s grabbing nearly five defensive boards a game from the backcourt.
His play has dipped a bit the past two games, as he scored a combined 14 points against Georgetown and DePaul, and shot just 1-12 in a surprising loss to the Blue Demons. Boum’s teammate, Zach Freemantle is quietly having a terrific season as well: 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 58% from the field and 61% from distance. Freemantle has four double doubles in Big East play, most recently going for 30 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists against Georgetown. Boum is surrounded by a very good supporting cast, with Freemantle, Jack Nunge (14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Colby Jones 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists) forming a lethal foursome.
Adama Sanogo, UConn: If we’re looking at all games, and not just those in the conference, Sanogo leads the league in scoring at 17.2 points per game. The Big East Preseason Player of the Year’s candidacy is currently hampered by the fact that the Huskies are 2-5 in their last seven games, after reaching #2 in the AP poll.
In league games, Sanogo is nearly three points shy of Hopkins (18.6 to 15.9 per game) and he is ninth in the league with 6.9 rebounds a game.
What may be hurting Sanogo even more is the growing perception that he may not even be the best post option on his team now that 7’2 freshman Donovan Clingan has emerged into an outstanding two-way weapon. Regardless, Sanogo gets the most paint touches in the league, and Connecticut has a string of winnable games ahead of them that could get Sanogo’s candidacy back on track.
Others who could still emerge…
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton: The Jays just might be rounding into form now that their 7’1 junior is back healthy. Kalkbrenner is tops in the league with three blocked shots per game in league play. He’s also second in field goal percentage, fourth in offensive rebounds, while putting up 13.7 points per game. Creighton is 5-3 in the Big East following back-to-back wins over Providence and Butler. They also narrowly fell at Xavier (90-87). Kalkbrenner is shooting 36% from three.
Joel Soriano, St. John’s: On pure numbers, Soriano will certainly have a case. He is dominating on the interior and has developed a face-up game this year. St. John’s will have to turn things around in a hurry for Soriano to be in the conversation, however.
Zack Freemantle, Xavier: Freemantle has returned to the form of his sophomore year, when he was viewed as one of the best interior options in the league. If he continues to produce at a high level he could find his way into the POY conversation.
Colby Jones, Xavier: Jones is the model of consistent production across the board. He is shooting over 61% from two from the wing in Big East games, while putting up over five assists and five rebounds per game on the year.
Kam Jones, Marquette: Jones is an explosive scorer who is letting it rip from long distance this year. Jones already has six 20+ point games, and if Marquette finishes atop the league he’ll have a case for 1st Team All League.
Tyler Kolek Marquette: The pace-setter for what is currently the best offensive team in the league, Kolek is averaging almost 2.5 assists more than anyone else in the Big East. Kolek is currently third in the nation at 7.8 assists per game.
Baylor Scheierman, Creighton: Scheierman’s rebounding numbers have translated to the Big East (8.5 per game), and he’s putting up 13.3 points per game while finding his offense on a team littered with guys who can fill it up. If Scheierman can bump his assist numbers into the 4.5 range and start scoring at around 15-16 a game, he’ll be in the conversation if Creighton continues to rise.
Jordan Hawkins, UConn: Hawkins is averaging over 15 points per game (15.2), while shooting just under 40% from three. He is UConn’s leading scorer in Big East games (16.0), is fourth in free throw percentage, and fifth in 3-pointers made per game.