IUBB Point Guards - Then & Now

[Class of '66 Old Fart 80,940]

We started letting TJD's thread get derailed with discussions about point guard play and some questioning Rob's ability.  I make no bones about it that I think he's going to have a fabulous career.  It's easy to remember point guards of the past based upon their entire IU career or how they may have played in their 3rd or 4th season, but I don't think any one of us could readily recall how they played as freshmen.  So, let's take a look back and if there's any other names you'd like me to include, just let me know.

1st Yr. IU Stats
		GP	Pts.	FG's	FG %	3-Pt	3-Pt %	FT's	FT %
Buckner '72'-'73		28	301	130-318	41%	n.a.	n.a.	41-69	59%
Thomas '79-'80		29	423	154-302	51%	n.a.	n.a.	115-149	77%
Lewis '96-'97		33	189	45-122	37%	12-38	32%	87-109	80%
Hulls '09-'10		31	197	63-155	41%	47-117	40%	24-30	80%
Ferrell '12-'13		36	272	91-226	40%			67-84	80%
Phinisee '18-'19		8	52	21-45	47%	5-15	33%	5-9	56%
		Reb	Reb/Gm	Asst	TO	Ast./TO	Stls	PPG	Min/Gm
Buckner '72'-'73		134	5	82	99	0.8	n.a.	10.8	25
Thomas '79-'80		116	4	159	137	1.2	n.a.	14.6	34
Lewis '96-'97		71	2	95	n.a.	n.a.	28	5.7	n.a.
Hulls '09-'10		66	2	45	37	1.2	18	6.4	25
Ferrell '12-'13		100	3	147	75	2.0	28	7.6	28
Phinisee '18-'19		17	2	30	15	2.0	10	6.5	27

 

[Honkyman 1,670]

Statistics aren't necessarily the most important indicator of how valuable point guards are to a team. Quinn Buckner led IU to a Final Four his freshman year. He joined the team after starting as a defensive back on IU's football team. His leadership was indispensable to that team's success as it was to the 1974-75 team and the 1975-76 undefeated team. Isaiah Thomas led IU to a Sweet Sixteen his freshman year. Isaiah is one the top five best players in IU history. Yogi Farrell's IU team also went to a Sweet Sixteen, a disappointment since they were ranked Number 1 a good part of the season. But he was critical to that team's success.  Vernon Payne was an All American point guard at IU during the Lou Watson years, ranked 9th in IU scoring, and led IU to a Big Ten Championship. Freshmen weren't allowed to play then (1964-68). Vernon Payne was a truly great point guard and often overlooked. In my opinion, he was as good or better than any IU point guard not named Isaiah Thomas or Quinn Buckner.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 80,940]

8 minutes ago, Honkyman said:

 Vernon Payne was a truly great point guard and often overlooked. 

Absolutely correct.  I had to pick a starting point and it just happened that Buckner's freshman year was the first year that freshman became eligible to play.  And yes, you can manipulate numbers but it does give us some means of comparison as imperfect as it may be.

[AKHoosier 6,559]

We need a guard in the 2019 class so badly.

Carton would have been a massive get.

[yogisballin 2,288]

We need a guard in the 2019 class so badly.
Carton would have been a massive get.

I agree here. Is our best option Al Durham right now?


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[JustWinWoody 3,259]

15 hours ago, Honkyman said:

Quinn Buckner led IU to a Final Four his freshman year. He joined the team after starting as a defensive back on IU's football team.

I didn't know this.  Interesting!

[tyappleg 2,844]

Indiana fans and judging a 4 year player 8 games into his freshman season... name a more iconic duo. 

[woodenshoemanHoosierfan 6,100]

Indiana fans and judging a 4 year player 8 games into his freshman season... name a more iconic duo. 

This ! First few games he was being fawned over. Now he isnt the answer.

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[biteoftheapple 4,115]

I didn't know this.  Interesting!

He gave football up after the soph season

[Class of '66 Old Fart 80,940]

9 minutes ago, biteoftheapple said:

1 hour ago, InArchWeTrust said:

I didn't know this.  Interesting!

He gave football up after the soph season

As I recall the story, it was an either/or from The General

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

As I recall the story, it was an either/or from The General

Thats my memory as well. I would have stated it as an urgent request.

 

[cthomas 5,917]

That he played two years of football and basketball at this level is a testament to what a great, tough athlete Buckner was. To this day, Buckner and Wilkerson were the best defensive backcourt I have ever seen in college.