One by one they fell, and as each went down, the longest-running tournament myth crumbled more: Sherron Collins … John Wall … Evan Turner … Jacob Pullen/Denis Clemente. All elite point guards — the key this time of the year, we’re always told. All sitting at home.
Instead, the Final Four features two teams playing without their starting point guards and a third that lacks an elite player. At least Duke has Jon Scheyer, a converted point guard like Turner. Here’s how the other three teams have thrived minus a top point guard:
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Michigan State » Though Korie Lucious has played well in place of Kalin Lucas, forward Draymond Green has become the leader, and he made a terrific decision on the pass to Raymar Morgan at the end of the region final win over Tennessee.
“He’s a do everything kind of guy,” CBS analyst Clark Kellogg said.
West Virginia » Joe Mazzulla was terrific in Truck Bryant‘s absence vs. Kentucky, and he’s a better defender. It helps that Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks can handle the ball and play point guard in a pinch.
“If you have other skilled ballhandlers and playmakers, then you have a chance to compensate for losing a point guard,” Kellogg said.
Butler » Top player Gordon Hayward is not a point guard, but he projects to a big guard or small forward in the NBA, which means he can handle the ball. Also, Shelvin Mack is a talented guard as well. So the burden on point guard Ronald Nored is lessened. Mack and Hayward have combined for 173 assists this season.
