Big Ten 2015/16, The year of the Combo Guard? Opinion Piece

[DanL53]

With all respect to Yogi Ferrell, 2014/15 ended with the top two teams in the Big Ten being Wisconsin and Maryland, at least accord to regular season results.

Wisconsin, after losing Traevon Jackson to injury, enjoyed the services of Bronson Koenig at point guard. Koenig stands 6'4" and I think by anyone's definition is a combo guard.

Maryland started a freshman already CALLED a combo guard in high school named Melo Trimble, 6'3"

Before I go further, let's say that my definition of a combo guard is someone usually taller than 6'2", that could be a scorer first, especially one that can hit the three. But also has the handles, passing, and smarts to handle the ball not only up the court, but running the offense. Example of someone NOT a combo, Ferrell, who at 6'0" and as talented as he is didn't get much but sniff's from NBA scouts. His future past college is at point.

Both Wisconsin and Maryland see their starting combo guards returning.

Mentioning Ferrell. If he sits his sub is Robert Johnson, 6'3" and if a combo, it is after being a shooting guard first.

If Michigan can avoid the injury bug they'll have two point guards in Albrecht and Walton. Last season with both hurt combo guard freshman Abdur Rahkman 6'4" started at point.

Mich St. has Nairn at point, 5'10" but there is speculation that transfer Eron Harris 6'2" could run the team, and he was a high scoring shooting guard before transferring. Currently, he is suspended for a DUI

Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska all look to have more traditional point guards running their teams. Now, how well they are going to do in the Big Ten remains to be seen.

Northwestern frankly WILL be combo guards at all times, they haven't a point guard to point to.

(I won't link, but I'm using Verbal Commits as a reference.)

Ohio State is interesting. I'd say JaQuan Lyle 6'5" can call himself anything he wants. Which fits the definition. Combo guard.

Penn State? Rutgers? I don't care.

Purdue is in an interesting spot. Three bigs and one assumes they'll all play. So do you try to make a combo guard out of Kendall Stevens? Frankly they have many players to pick from but the problem is the point guards may not measure up to the talents of the shooting guards and small forwards. I'll call this one, inconclusive.

And of course our Hawkeyes. We like to call Mike a combo. But at this point after three years, he's a point guard.

So by my count, at least four teams will be starting a combo guard at point. Maybe up to half the league. And plenty of subs that can play the one or two. What I find most interesting, is the "elite" point guards in the league? Ferrell, Koenig, Trimble, probably Lyle, not in that order of course. Somewhere respectably close behind is Gesell.....and following that, mostly traditional point guards.

 

[blockm2]

I would not call Koenig or Trimble "combo" guards. To me they are pure PGs in that they are looking to drive the ball in the lane and set up shots for their teammates.

And Michigan didn't start Muhammed Ali Abdur-Rahkman at PG once last season. Albrecht started every game that Walton missed. MAAR was the starting 2 guard when Walton and LeVert went down. Michigan's backup to Albrecht was walkon Andrew Dakich.


When I think of a "combo" guard, I think of a SG trapped in a PGs body or a SG forced to play PG by necessity on the roster. I don't think somebody's height makes them a combo guard, or at least to me it doesn't. If solely looking at style of play, I think how often they shoot can make them a combo guard and Yogi Ferrell probably comes closest by that definition as he took 23.9% of his team's shots while on the floor last season.

 

[Besthawkfan]

I liked Marble as a combo guard. It doesn't hurt to have your shortest guy at 6' 5".

 

[nu2u]

Combo guard is an interesting term. I don't think height is the main distinguishing factor though. I don't think you can call yourself a combo guard unless you have excellent, or (at the very least) well above average, ball handling skills and very good passing ability as well.

In other words, with good shooting/scoring ability you get past the first consideration to join the club. If you are not an excellent ball hander, however, you're not invited back for a second interview.

I would say if that player has both dimensions and is also taller, say 6ft4 or above, you put yourself in rare company. Add a couple intangibles like mental toughness and leadership skills and you have a ticket for a pro paycheck

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Combo guard is an interesting term. I don't think height is the main distinguishing factor though. I don't think you can call yourself a combo guard unless you have excellent, or (at the very least) well above average, ball handling skills and very good passing ability as well.

In other words, with good shooting/scoring ability you get past the first consideration to join the club. If you are not an excellent ball hander, however, you're not invited back for a second interview.

I would say if that player has both dimensions and is also taller, say 6ft4 or above, you put yourself in rare company. Add a couple intangibles like mental toughness and leadership skills and you have a ticket for a pro paycheck

Of the players mentioned, Nairn is probably the closest to a pure PG because he can't shoot. Mello and Koenig could play either position, but function mostly as PGs, unless circumstances dictate scoring. I don't think size is the main consideration, although SGs tend to be taller. Although some fans have criticized Gesell, he is closer to a pure PG than most teams start.

 

[RocknRollface]

I've always considered combo guard a term for a utility player who is a serviceable back up to either position but not a true fit at either.

The way I look at it is if you're a pg that's what you are regardless of height and scoring ability a 2 is generally either a good shooter or "scorer" regardless of height and in rare occasions a defensive first player.

A combo, to me, has always been a player that doesn't fit either role but can handle well enough to bring it up and can score well enough to get some time at 2.

 

[DanL53]

It's fun seeing all the definitions. Here's the wiki definition:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combo_guard

For myself, I'm going to stick with a combo guard being someone who can play the one or two roughly equally as well. My height requirement is pretty much just because most shooting guards in the Big Ten seem to be taller than point guards. But, I'm going to be careful to just avoid the term and say a particular player could play the one or two.

For example, it looks to me like Christian Williams could play the one or two, and even Andrew Fleming would be roughly equal at both if his skills with his left hand improve.