BIG EAST TOP TWO-GUARDS 2008-2009: CINCINNATI

November 11, 2008


When trying to build a program, the most important factor in increasing your NCAA Basketball Odds of winning is finding a dominant guard to control the game. At Cincinnati, Mick Cronin and the Bearcats have learned to rely on Deonta Vaughn to carry the burden offensively, at times it may seem like they rely on him too much, but Vaughn has proven to be up to the challenge.

As a sophomore, the 6-foot-1, 195 pound Vaughn averaged over 17 points a game. Helped by Jamual Warren's presence as the full-time point guard, Vaughn was able to move off the ball and do what he does best, score points.

Vaughn is vesatile enough to flip-flop between guard positions, but his ability to score points and the relatively lack of ability of the rest of the Bearcats to do so has pushed him to a scoring guard roll. Vaughn still averaged a team-best 4.2 turnovers, as well as a team-high 3.2 turnovers a contest as the ball ends up in his hands often for him to score or create for the team. Sometimes, it does lead to him forcing the issue offensively and causing turnovers.

Last year Vaughn hit a solid 44% of his 408 shots attempted (that volume of shots will get anyone termed a 'shooting' guard) and 40% if his 244 attempts from beyond the arc. In the 18-game Big East schedule, Vaughn eclipsed 20 points on seven occassions with a high coming against UConn with 34. Vaughn also pored in 30 in an impressive outburst against Pittsburgh in the Big East Tournament.

This year the Bearcats looks to add help to Vaughn's cause with an improved frontcourt that will be both bigger and deeper this year. However, the question that has developed at point guard because of Cashmere Wright's knee injury might add more duties to Vaughn's plate. Will this impact his scoring opportunities? We shall see...