Rowsey - Best MU offensive PG season ever?

[MarquetteDano]

The OP post asked if AR is having the "best MU offensive PG season ever."

Few have answered that question as, in typical Scoop fashion, we have gone off in other directions (myself included).

So far, his season certainly is among the top few offensive performances ever for a Marquette PG, I think most of us would agree to that. If he stays at this pace, he will have the second-highest scoring average ever for an MU point guard (behind Tony Smith's 23.8), so that alone has to rank him high in this discussion.

A lot will depend upon how folks value shooting and/or scoring from the position vs. being a team's facilitator (making teammates better).

Rowsey is averaging 22.4 ppg, 4.1 A (vs 3.1 TO) and shooting .466-.450-.891.

In 1989-90, Smith averaged 23.8 ppg, 5.8 A (vs 3.9 TO) and shot  .494-.414-.856.

In his injury-shortened (23 games) 2004-05 season, Diener averaged 19.7 ppg, 7.0 A (vs 2.5 TO) and shot .420-.405-.838.

For our 28-1 team in 1970-71, Dean averaged 21.2 ppg, 3.6A and shot .509-.736 (no 3s obviously).

Those seasons by Smith, Diener and Dean were the only ones in which the PG scored anywhere near Rowsey's 22.4 ppg. So one would really have to highly value Walton's floor game to say he was in the same offensive discussion.

Right now, gun at my head, I'd have to go Smith, Diener, Rowsey, Dean as the answer to the question.

I was surprised by Dean's relatively low assist total, and I wonder if official scorers were stingier with assists back then.

I don't remember seeing him play for Marquette (I was only 10 when he was a senior, but I was a big Knicks fan and I loved him). So I can't speak to how he directed the MU offense overall. I do know he was a hell of a defender and leader, so I very well might take a "Dean in his MU prime" over any of the others.

If Rowsey's numbers continue let's remember he will have played a more difficult schedule than Smith and probably a more difficult schedule than Diener as well.  I am not necessarily advocating that Rowsey will have had the best offensive season as a point but when you look at some of the competition they have had to face hard to compare strict statistics.

[Eye]

HM to Hutch, whose first 10 games before he got hurt in '97-98 were All-American worthy.

[UNC Eagle]

Andrew Rowsey is a very good shooter and scorer. I am not sure I would put his performance so far in the same league as the other names mentioned in this thread, as they were far more complete players offensively who got others involved. Rowsey has the potential to be a very good distributor of the ball when he wants to.

If Rowsey played in a more balanced fashion I think his points would go down and his assists would go up. Yet he would still be a very strong offensive performer.    The Vermont game is a good example of this. He played under more control and had 13 points  and 10 assists and Markus ended up with 34.

In the greater scheme of things , Rowsey is a very entertaining player and I am glad he transferred to MU.

[Newsdreams]

Got to remember the introduction of the three point shot changed offense. Hard to compare players prior to after think what Thompson, Lee etc. could have done with the 3 point shot.

[4everwarriors]

Rowsey can't load Dean's, Lloyd's, JB's, Sam's, Hutch's, Tony's, or Travis' jockstrap. Plus, he's a punk, ai na?

[Lennys Tap]

Rowsey can't load Dean's, Lloyd's, JB's, Sam's, Hutch's, Tony's, or Travis' jockstrap. Plus, he's a punk, ai na?

Rowsey is a great shooter and a really good offensive player, but you're right, Doc - he's not as good as any of those guys.

[MU82]

Lotsa good points made here, especially by JB (eFG%), Dano (schedule), Eagle (Rowsey not assister), News (trey effect) and 4ever (other great PGs).

We've been fortunate to have some great ones, even if they didn't score like Rowsey!

[bilsu]

People forget that Rowsey is a shooting guard who is learning to play point. I think he has showed a lot of improvement at point over the last few games. They are comparing him to the greatest true point guards in MU history. Is he as good a point guard as those players? No, but why use those comparisons to diminish Rowsey's game? None of those point guards scored 30 points in a Big East game.

[PGsHeroes32]

I am starting to think that this team might be better than next year, unless they find a point somewhere.  Do not like Howard as a point.  Rowsey can do so much with
the ball and creates many openings.  Next year not sure how they are going to score,  Howard will have to grow up.  Sure they will be stronger inside but it college is
a guard game right now.

Next years team would be better with Rowsey on it then it will be without him obviously.

But next years team is definitely gonna be better then this years.

And if we do find a PG it could be way better.

Far more experience. Loads of size. Loads of options.

[MU82]

Next years team would be better with Rowsey on it then it will be without him obviously.

But next years team is definitely gonna be better then this years.

And if we do find a PG it could be way better.

Far more experience. Loads of size. Loads of options.

With the many scoring options and height that next year's team will have, it would be perfect for a Lucky Lloyd kinda PG. Control the flow, beat pressure, look to set up others first, score when necessary. Would be even better if he could be a little taller so he could D up taller guards, too.

Is that guy out there as a grad transfer and can we get him?

[brewcity77]

I am not sure I would put his performance so far in the same league as the other names mentioned in this thread, as they were far more complete players offensively who got others involved. Rowsey has the potential to be a very good distributor of the ball when he wants to.

Rowsey has a 27.3 assist rate. That's 6th in the Big East. He's averaging 4.1 apg. Can we please stop this false narrative that he doesn't get others involved?

[forgetful]

With the many scoring options and height that next year's team will have, it would be perfect for a Lucky Lloyd kinda PG. Control the flow, beat pressure, look to set up others first, score when necessary. Would be even better if he could be a little taller so he could D up taller guards, too.

Is that guy out there as a grad transfer and can we get him?

Or could they maybe go JUCO to get one.  No idea on the level of competition, but Ricky Torres for Missouri State-West Plains is a potent passer and shooter.  From his videos looks to be long, athletic and has a solid handle.

[77ncaachamps]

Rowsey is a diminutive SG who looks like he should be playing PG.

Diener was a PG who can score.
Hutch was the same.

The latter two looked to set up their teammates first and run the offense while AR happily takes any good look.

Though AR leads the team in APG, Howard is a more natural PG who sets up his teammate.
It seems like a good number of AR's assists occur when he's in scoring mode.

It's really moot though trying to differentiate if he is a PG or SG as he is having one of the best offensive GUARD seasons in MU history.

[mileskishnish72]

While looking to score first, second and then third, he is managing to lead the team in assists.
Not sure if Markus could be a true point (suspect handle). Would feel more comfortable with a decent grad transfer, although if Woj landed a boffo frosh I wouldn't complain.

[Marcus92]

Rowsey has a 27.3 assist rate. That's 6th in the Big East. He's averaging 4.1 apg. Can we please stop this false narrative that he doesn't get others involved?

This. And with an eFG% of 60.7%, Rowsey should be looking to score first, second and third. All that while using almost 40% more possessions than a year ago. Incredibly efficient offense. If he can cut down on the turnovers a bit — look out.

[jsglow]

Let's not try to convert AR into something he's not.  While hero ball and turnovers didn't work and Wojo got on him, he is most certainly a shoot first PG.  Exactly as he should be.  A good, in rhythm Rowsey 3 is perhaps our very highest eFG% shot.

[GGGG]

People for some reason don't like PGs that look for their own shot first.  Even though they may be the best shooter on the team.  Really against Georgetown, did you really want him to shoot less?  Why?

Look he isn't Travis Diener - there is no doubt about that.  But he's on par with Hutch right now.  Go look at Hutch's stats and tell me how "he got others involved" and then claim that Rowsey doesn't. 

[brewcity77]

Rowsey is definitely a shoot-first point guard. That's pretty indisputable. But anyone pretending he doesn't also provide for others is either being willfully ignorant or deliberately dishonest. The numbers simply don't support that fallacy. Yes, he takes more shots than assists provided, but no one on this team is producing more assists than he is or doing it at a higher rate, and very few players in the league are either.

[bilsu]

It also matters who you are teamed with. Our all-time assist leader had McIllvanie, Key, Eford and Anglavar to pass to. All four players could make a basket. Essentially Rowsey only has Markus and Sam to pass to. I am just listing starters.

[Class71]

Dean M. was a great driver, passer and defensive player with no outside shot. Andrew is one of the best outside shooters ever at MU but no where close to Dean on defense, ball handling or passing. Having said that, the competition day in and day out is at a higher level today than in Dean's day.

I still would go with "The Dream" but we are fortunate to have Rowsey. He is one tough guy that shoots lights out.

[MU82]

While looking to score first, second and then third, he is managing to lead the team in assists.
Not sure if Markus could be a true point (suspect handle). Would feel more comfortable with a decent grad transfer, although if Woj landed a boffo frosh I wouldn't complain.

Coming into this season, I thought Markus could be a decent PG.

We now know he can't - not unless he improves his ballhandling and decision-making significantly.

That also will keep him from playing at the next level. How many sub-6-foot shooting guards who are mediocre ballhandlers have there been in NBA history?

Guys do improve. I hope Markus can improve there.

[Knight Commission]

I conclude Yes.