A10's Best: Dayton's Johnson leads the way at small forward
Ian Nolan, Columnist
We continue ranking the top five players at each position in the Atlantic 10 --today reviewing the league's top small forwards.
For those of you who missed the Point Guard and Shooting Guard pieces, click the links below to be taken to Secondary Break, College Chalktalk's Blog:
http://secondarybreak.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/a10s-best-top-5-shooting-guards/
http://secondarybreak.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/a10s-best-top-5-point-guards/
Be sure to check back for the best power forwards in the league midweek, before we wrap up the series on Friday with the top centers. As always, share your thoughts with us on twitter @cchalktalk.
1. Chris Johnson, Dayton - Johnson garners the spot as the league's top three man despite seeing only a limited increase in sheer numbers last season. A versatile and athletic player who does many things well on both sides of the ball, the senior averaged 11.9 points for the second straight year and six rebounds per game. Johnson is a credible three point shooter at 38%, and is an excellent free throw shooter (83%, fourth in A10). Dayton will lean heavily on Johnson offensively as the Flyers adjust to a new style of coaching and become familiar with new point man, Kevin Dillard, who arrives via transfer from Southern Illinois. Expect Johnson to have more room to operate and be given lanes to attack (with the graduation of Chris Wright), which should result in him floating less around the perimeter. It's his team now.
2. Scootie Randall, Temple - Temple fell by four points in the league final last year at the hands of Richmond; Scootie Randall had to watch from the Owls bench as he nursed a foot injury. Randall averaged 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds last year after averaging 1.9 points in 2009-10 while logging just seven minutes a game. In 30 minutes a contest last year, Temple found themselves a real player at the small forward position. Randall scored in double figures in Temple's final eight games, including a 28 point effort at Xavier and a 27 point game against Rhode Island. On Boardwalk Hall, Randall's injury status became a weekend storyline as many understood how important he was to the Owls' chances of winning a fourth straight tourney title. With a healthy Randall back in the fold for Temple, Fran Dunphy's club sports the best 1-3 trio in the conference.
3. B.J. Monteiro, Duquesne - Much like Johnson, Monteiro didn't leap forward statistically last season as his numbers across the board remained close to that of his sophomore year (11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists). But, just like Johnson, expect a significant jump this year. Monteiro will be expected to lead the Dukes in scoring and should find himself with plenty of good looks because of terrific up-and-coming point guard T.J. McConnell (who was sixth on my point guard list & will be top three next year), who does an excellent job delivering the ball to teammates in prime scoring spots. Monteiro attempted 44 more three pointers last year than in 2009, but didn't exactly see great improvement in accuracy despite becoming a more selective shooter (31% to 34%). Monteiro is best at using his 6-5, 205 pound frame, taking defenders off the dribble, and moving without the ball to free himself for good looks.
4. Nikola Malesevic, Rhode Island - Malesevic exploded last year going from benchwarmer to near Most Improved Player (edged by Randall after lifting his scoring average from 0.9 points to 10.3 points). A 6-7 sharp-shooter (45.8% from three; 19th in the nation) with a high basketball I.Q., Malesevic is a heady player who doesn't beat defenders off the dribble often but does an excellent job running off screens and reading opposing defenses. The import must improve his free throw percentage (53% on just 54 attempts) and find ways to score between six and 12 feet to continue in his development. The Rams will rely heavily on Malesevic early before transfers Billy Baron (Virginia) and Andre Malone (Auburn) become eligible to help him fill the scoring void left by the graduation of Delroy James and Marquis Jones.
5. Dwayne Evans, Saint Louis - Evans earns the final spot on this list by edging out Demitrius Conger of St. Bonaventure. Evans put together an All-Rookie Team freshman year in 2010-11 by averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds for Saint Louis in just over 23 minutes a game. Evans will be the Billikens second best offensive player this season behind Kwamain Mitchell, and has beefed up in the off-season adding 20 pounds to his 205 pound frame from a year ago. Expect Evans to find himself with better opportunities to score the ball thanks to Mitchell, who is an excellent dribble penetrator. The sophomore shot nearly 50% from the floor last year and 33% from deep, displaying the ability to take high quality shots within SLU's deliberate offensive flow. Conger may wind up averaging more points and minutes this year, but Evans is the better up-and-coming player so I'm going with him here in the final position.
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