Sports
Spotlighting college basketball's most potent guard-big duos split into tiers – 247Sports
We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the Denver Nuggets to a NBA Championship and provided a roadmap for ideal roster construction on the way. Jokic and Murray turned into an unstoppable offensive duo because of an impossible-to-guard two-man game they developed over the years. Jokic and Murray are phenomenal offensive hubs on their own, but they turned into basketball’s best duo because of the way they worked together so flawlessly. Jokic and Murray have everything mastered. Their pick-and-roll prowess is outstanding, but the handoffs, backcuts, slips and dives are hard to keep up with. It’s a basketball clinic with roles that constantly switch. One possession, Jokic can be the quarterback. The next time down, it’s Murray operating as the prime decision-maker.
Coaches throughout the world are always trying to find a way to run as many actions where their best two players can work together. It can put much more stress on opposing defenses when Jokic and Murray are bobbing and weaving across the court compared to a 10-dribble, isolation possession with every other player standing and watching.
No one in the college game can match the brilliance of Jokic and Murray, but there are some high-level, big man-lead guard combinations that will be showcased next season.
We split them up into three tiers:
Let’s dive in.
Jahmir Young and Julian Reese, Maryland: Young’s first-year brilliance and Reese’s growth as a roller were at the epicenter of Maryland’s rise back to competence at the dawn of the Kevin Willard era. Young is a tough-nosed, gritty point guard whose jumper can be a little streaky but when he’s rolling, you’re cooked. Reese is ready to flex his muscles as one of the premier big men in the sport. Maryland outscored opponents by more than 15 points per 100 possessions when Reese was on the floor, per hoop-explorer. He’s vital to everything.
Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton: Alexander averaged 0.925 points per possession in 146 pick-and-roll possessions last season, according to Synergy. With Ryan Nembhard off to Gonzaga, Alexander’s volume of pick-and-roll reps should spike, and he’s got his big fella back, too. Kalkbrenner has developed into one of the best rollers in the country. Kalkbrenner averaged 1.5 points per possession as a roller last season, per Synergy. Kalkbrenner is a huge target with a gargantuan wing span. But his soft, glue-like hands help him separate from the rest of the pack. Kalkbrenner can haul in dimes despite facing heavy traffic, and he’s an elite finisher around the rim. Kalkbrenner’s elite defensive profile and Alexander’s slithery, relentless drives are the anchors of everything Creighton wants to be on both sides of the floor. Baylor Scheierman and Steven Ashworth are fantastic complimentary pieces, but Creighton will go as far as Kalkbrenner and Alexander take it.
Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodoro, Marquette: Everyone is so connected in Marquette’s brilliant offensive attack. Kam Jones’ aerial shooting display is a sight to behold, but Kolek and Ighodoro are at the center of everything. Kolek skitters in and around screens and is exceptionally hard to stay in front of. Ighodoro has adopted some of the tactics that make Draymond Green excellent. Ighodoro owns a fantastic IQ and uses it to become one of college basketball’s best off-ball screeners and cutters. But it’s his passing that makes him absolutely special. Ighodoro is a strong decision-maker who averaged 3.3 assists per game last season. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound center owned Marquette’s second-best assist rate (19.1), per KenPom. Ighodoro was tied for the third-best assist rate of any starting center in the Power 6 ranks last season, only behind Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis and Florida’s Colin Castleton.
Kolek, the reigning Big East Player of the Year, is hungry for more. With Ighodoro’s help, Marquette can accomplish all of its lofty goals.
Max Abmas and Dylan Disu, Texas: It won’t take long for Abmas to put his stamp on Texas basketball. The Oral Roberts transfer is one of college basketball’s most prolific scorers. Texas can set ball screens for Abmas at the logo, just inside center court, because of his ability to pull the trigger from well beyond NBA range. It changes the geography offensively and forces opposing defenses to account for more space. But Abmas is also a fabulous passer and astute decision-maker. Disu – who was arguably Texas’ best player down the stretch last season before an untimely injury in the NCAA Tournament – stands to benefit. Disu’s work in the mid-post speaks for itself, but the pick-and-pop game between Abmas and Disu should play from Day 1. Abmas and Disu are both strong First Team All-Big 12 candidates.
DaJuan Harris and Hunter Dickinson, Kansas: Even without a dominant post presence, Kansas still managed to get over 41% of its shots at the rim last season when Harris was on the floor, per hoop-explorer. Now, think about how deadly it will be with Dickinson coming aboard. Harris’ pure presence means Kansas’ point-of-attack defense will remain ridiculously good. Dickinson’s pure presence should give Kansas a ridiculously high floor offensively. Harris enters his senior season with 106 career games (77 starts) under his belt. Dickinson counters with 94 career games, including 89 starts. Kansas’ best players are so old and have seen every trick in the book. It won’t take Harris and Dickinson long to develop some real chemistry in Kansas’ two-man actions.
Tyrese Proctor and Kyle Filipowski, Duke: Proctor and Filipowski are tough covers on their own. Together? It has a chance to be college basketball’s best two-man combination. Proctor is widely expected to be one of the top guards in the sport next season. Proctor’s Year 2 surge could look very similar to what Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray and Johnny Davis all accomplished. But what does a Year 2 jump look like for Filipowski after averaging 15.1 points and 8.9 rebounds on his way to winning ACC Freshman of the Year? It’s a terrifying thought for the rest of the ACC. Proctor’s development only makes Filipowski’s life easier and vice versa. The sophomores got a ton of reps together last season, and it should pay off in a massive way for Jon Scheyer in 2023-24.
Zach Edey and Braden Smith, Purdue: The best play in college basketball right now is an Edey post-up. It’s Smith’s job to make it happen. Purdue will enter 2023-24 as one of the Big Ten favorites thanks to the return of Edey. But the reigning National Player of the Year needs his supporting cast to be better. A sophomore leap from Smith includes cutting down on turnovers and improving the in-between game, but the heady point guard is an absolute grinder who lives in the gym. Purdue’s player-development program is on point, so it’d be stunning if Smith isn’t a ton better in 2023-24 (and he was really excellent as a freshman). Edey makes everything go, but Smith’s impact on winning is impossible to ignore.
Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier, Miami: The ‘Canes can absolutely make a third-straight Elite Eight appearance thanks to the return of Pack and Omier. Transfers like Jalen Pickett (Penn State) and Kolek (Marquette) transformed into superstars in their second year at their new home. Both Pack and Omier can follow that path, too. Pack is primed to take over as the alpha in Miami’s free-flowing offense and he can flirt with 100 3-pointers in 2023-24, but he can’t do it without Omier. The Arkansas State transfer forward uses his brick house (and bouncy) frame to set great screens, devour rebounds and protect the rim admirably against ACC centers who sometimes are five inches taller. Omier is a flat-out stud. Both Pack and Omier have First Team All-ACC upside.
Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike, Gonzaga: Mark Few is relying on some transfers to quickly assimilate. Good thing both Nembhard and Ike are old and really talented. Nembhard is a plug-and-play starting point guard who showcased at Creighton that he can be a dominant on-ball creator and off-ball floor-spacer. Ike has to knock off the rust, but the Wyoming transfer was one of college basketball’s best interior offensive hubs in 2021-22. He can get back to that in the West Coast Conference.
RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, North Carolina: It’s bounceback season for Davis, Bacot and UNC basketball. Even in a year when seemingly everything went wrong, Davis still graded out as one of college basketball’s most-efficient scorers in ball screens. With Caleb Love out of the picture, Davis’ volume of pick-and-roll reps should spike. Bacot will continue to be a dominant stalwart, and UNC’s much-improved cast of snipers should pay immediate dividends for both Davis and Bacot.
Denver Jones and Johni Broome, Auburn: Broome helps Auburn form an absolute wall with wary “do not enter” signs around the rim. He’ll also be one of the SEC’s best offensive rebounders next season. But he’s got some help on the way. Jones, a FIU transfer, is phenomenal. He has to prove he can survive in the athlete-laden SEC, but Jones has all the traits to be one of Bruce Pearl’s next great guards.
Jordan Dingle and Joel Soriano, St. John’s: Soriano, quietly, was one of college basketball’s best big men last year. He just flew under the radar because St. John’s had a disaster year. But Rick Pitino has reshaped the roster in a New York second. Dingle choosing to transfer from Penn to St. John’s is enormous. Dingle is a proven bucket-getter who ranked second in the country in scoring last season. The seniors should immediately raise the floor for the Johnnies.
Aidan Mahaney and Mitchell Saxen, St. Mary’s: Mahaney’s star-like capabilities already was on center stage last season, and the sophomore should be one of the top players in the WCC next year. But Saxen is a ridiculously underrated big man who helps St. Mary’s have a nasty defensive presence. Saxen averaged 1.023 as a roller in St. Mary’s ball-screen heavy attack.
Devo Davis and Trevon Brazile, Arkansas: The idea of what Davis and Brazile could be is tantalizing. Of course, Brazile has to be fully healthy. If so, the freaky big man will immediately put himself back on the map as a legitimate 2024 NBA Draft pick thanks to his blend of size, shooting and posterizing dunks. But Davis is the key to everything. The hard-playing Arkansas guard is the lone familiar face for a new-look Hogs backcourt. Can he outlast the rest of the stiff competition to be Arkansas’ lead guard?
Donovan Clingan and Tristen Newton, UConn: Clingan is going to be awesome. Full stop. The 7-foot-2, 265-pound center is impossible to handle and could be the next version of Edey. Maybe UConn’s top guard will be five-star freshman Stephon Castle or Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer, but Newton’s fingerprints will be all over UConn’s chase to defend its crown. Newton’s highs were high. His lows were low. Finding a blend of consistency mixed with improved efficiency on 2s and a lower turnover rate could help Newton flex his muscles as one of the best triple-hunting guards in America.
Aaron Estrada and Grant Nelson, Alabama: Estrada and Nelson both have to answer questions about how their respective games will translate to the SEC, but both are set up to be heavily-featured pieces in Nate Oats’ pace-and-space scheme. Estrada’s rim pressure combined with Nelson’s knack for getting buckets off post-ups should add a different, unique flavor to Alabama’s “3s and layups” shot chart.
Justin Moore and Eric Dixon, Villanova: Villanova outscored opponents by 16 points per 100 possessions in more than 500 total possessions last season when Moore and Dixon were on the floor together, per Pivot Analysis. The veterans are pillars of the Nova program, and a healthy offseason should help Moore get back to being one of the top guards in the Big East.
Dylan Andrews and Adem Bona, UCLA: The Bruin sophomores are brimming with talent. Bona battled injuries all throughout his freshman year, but he was terrifying when healthy. Can he compete for Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year? It’s in the range of potential outcomes. Andrews went to “point guard school” last season behind Tyger Campbell. The uber-talented sophomore is ready to take the reigns and go. Growing pains? Expected. Sky-high potential? Oh yeah.
Vladislav Goldin and Johnell Davis, FAU: Literally any of Florida Atlantic’s stable of guards could qualify. But Goldin is quietly one of the pieces that just holds everything together for the Owls. FAU had a spectacular 90.1 defensive rating with Goldin on the floor, per hoop-explorer. FAU can play so many different styles because of talented, unselfish guards like Davis. It can defend anyone because Goldin is an incredible anchor.
Terrence Shannon Jr. and Coleman Hawkins, Illinois: Hawkins is as versatile defensively as any player in the country. He can hang with point guards on the perimeter, chase shooters around screens, hold up against big wings and pester traditional centers. Improved shot selection should help Hawkins’ shooting splits rise. But his value as a secondary playmaker is featured even more next to a steam-rolling tornado like Shannon who is the best wing in the Big Ten. Shannon and Hawkins are indispensable for everything Brad Underwood wants to accomplish on both ends of the floor.
Tylor Perry and Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Kansas State: Perry has been tutored by Grant McCasland. Jumping to the Big 12 will be no sweat for the North Texas transfer. Perry should stack counting numbers in Kansas State’s up-tempo offense, and Tomlin should have every opportunity to showcase more of what he can do. Albeit on lower volume, Tomlin averaged over 1.3 points per possession as a roller last season, according to Synergy.
Xavier Johnson and Malik Reneau, Indiana: The addition of Kel’el Ware has earned the lion’s share of the spotlight, but Reneau might end up being Indiana’s best big man next season. When he was healthy, Johnson was one of the Big Ten’s best pick-and-roll weapons. Reneau’s sharp decision-making on short rolls should make the Johnson-Reneau pick-and-roll a massive piece of Indiana’s offensive repertoire.
Caleb Love and Oumar Ballo, Arizona: With Azuolas Tubelis off to the NBA, Ballo is primed to be a Pac-12 Player of the Year frontrunner. Love’s rocky UNC tenure has been well documented. But there’s still so much talent there. Can a fresh start unlock some semblance of consistency for the talented Love? That’s one of Tommy Lloyd’s biggest offseason objectives.
Wade Taylor IV and Henry Coleman III, Texas A&M: Taylor is one of the top point guards in the SEC who absolutely lives at the foul line. Coleman has proven to be a strong pick-and-roll partner for Taylor, and he’s a bruising weapon on the glass and on the defensive end. Texas A&M’s floor remains so high with Taylor and Coleman.
Chase Hunter and PJ Hall, Clemson: Hunter is one of the ACC’s sneaky-good point guards, and everyone knows how dominant Hall is when he’s 100% healthy. Don’t sleep on his pick-and-pop potential, either. Clemson’s Big Three of Hunter, Hall and Syracuse transfer Joe Girard III should be outstanding on the offensive end.
Boo Buie and Matthew Nicholson, Northwestern: Buie transformed into one of the best guards in the country last season, and Nicholson was a key reason behind it all. The bruising 7-footer is a fantastic screen-setter and anchors everything for Northwestern on the defensive end. Nicholson won’t put up enormous offensive numbers, but he’s a phenomenal role player who embraces the dirty work.
Malachi Smith and DaRon Holmes II, Dayton: Smith has to get healthy, but it’s impossible to forget his fabulous freshman season when he had the third-highest assist percentage of all freshmen. Holmes is one of the best big men in the country. If Smith can find his form again, Dayton can make up for a really disappointing 2022-23 campaign.
DJ Wagner and Tre Mitchell, Kentucky: Mitchell’s willingness to be unselfish and Wagner’s readiness to move without the basketball should pay early dividends. The five-star guard and well-traveled big man can generate high-level looks together at Kentucky.
Noah Fernandes and Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers: Omoruyi should be in the mix for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and Fernandes has been a reliable source of shot-creation at every level. But is the UMass transfer going to get back to full strength? And can he hold up over the long, rugged Big Ten schedule?
Ajay Mitchell and Yohan Traore, UC Santa Barbara: After flaming out at Auburn, Traore is hoping to get his career back on track at UC Santa Barbara. The five-star forward should thank the Lord daily that Mitchell stayed out of the transfer portal. The 6-foot-5, Belgian point guard will be in the mix to win Big West Player of the Year for the second-straight season.
Jameer Nelson Jr. and JaKobe Coles, TCU: Kansas transfer Ernest Udeh is going to be a monster weapon for TCU, but Coles is an excellent winning piece as well who finishes everything around the basket and is a strong pick-and-roll partner. Nelson, a transfer from Delaware to TCU, has to fill Mike Miles Jr.’s big shoes, but he’s one of the top-rated transfers in the country. His first step is deadly, and Nelson is a phenomenal scheme fit for Jamie Dixon and Co.
Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin: It’s not inconceivable for Hepburn and Wahl to jump into Tier II or even Tier I. They both are smart players who make good reads and have deep bags. But we haven’t seen them click together. They can change that in Year 3.
Jahvon Quinerly and Jordan Brown, Memphis: Both Quinerly and Brown have showcased spurts of dominance. Can they find that rhythm as the headliners of a new-look Memphis squad?
Kerr Kriisa and Jesse Edwards, West Virginia: Edwards is one of the most impactful big men in the country. The ground he covers on defense is remarkable, and he’s developed into a fantastic offensive hub. But West Virginia’s guard play is still a question. If Kriisa can become a reliable defender and improve his decision-making, WVU will be just fine after the Bob Huggins debacle.
Pop Isaacs and Warren Washington, Texas Tech: Isaacs showed plenty of moxie in his freshman year at Texas Tech. There’s no reason why he can’t be a go-to piece for McCasland’s new era. Snagging Washington has flown under the radar a bit. The Arizona State transfer helps every single team he’s played on become a fantastic defensive squad that limits easy looks at the rim.
Javian McCollum and John Hugley IV, Oklahoma: Is McCollum able to pack more weight onto his frame to hold up in the Big 12? Is Hugley locked in and ready to go? If so, Oklahoma could have a tantalizing duo. McCollum’s ball-screen navigation at Siena was a delight. Hugley was one of the ACC’s top big men in 2021-22. There’s more than enough talent here to succeed.
© 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc.