ASU hoops’ Mitchell, UA’s Jackson-Cartwright among top glue guys
Oct 26, 2017, 5:01 PM
Some are calling this Arizona team the best yet under Sean Miller. That could be argued.
At Arizona State, the expectation is it’s the best team so far led by third-year coach Bobby Hurley is more certain.
Both were picked in the top half of the Pac-12 because they have known commodities leading the way.
Arizona will be led by junior guard Allonzo Trier and expected 2018 NBA lottery pick Deandre Ayton. The Sun Devils have their perimeter trio of Shannon Evans, Tra Holder and Kodi Justice returning.
But who on each team will be the glue guy, the one who doesn’t get enough credit for bringing it all together?
FanRag Sports’ Jon Rothstein named a Wildcat and a Sun Devil to his list of the 10 best glue guys to watch this upcoming college basketball season. At Arizona, point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright will be tasked with leading a team with plenty of firepower around him, and for Arizona State, it’s Ohio State transfer Mickey Mitchell.
Mitchell will be competing with highly-rated freshman small forward Kimani Lawrence for playing time.
The Ohio State transfer won’t be eligible until December 10, but he’s going to have a major hand in everything that goes on with the Sun Devils. Skilled, cerebral and always under control, Mitchell can rebound, initiate offense and hit an open man when he’s ready. His presence could very well be the veteran influence Bobby Hurley needs to get Arizona State in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid.
The 6-foot-7, 210 pound Mitchell may have to fight for his playing time before he can become the glue guy. In 2015-16, the 4-star high school prospect struggled for the Buckeyes, playing 12.8 minutes per game while shooting 35 percent. He averaged 2.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.
For the Wildcats, Jackson-Cartwright’s role seems more locked in.
With only freshman guard Alex Barcello and 6-foot-7 freshman Emmanuel Akot also expected to play the point guard spot, the starting role is Jackson-Cartwright’s.
He should fit in with a starting lineup that will need distributing from his spot.
Jackson-Cartwright will defer to Trier, Ayton, center Dusan Ristic and others after averaging 5.9 points, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His shooting will also help space the floor for an NBA-sized starting lineup, writes Rothstein.
The most underrated thing about this senior point guard? How well he takes care of the ball. Jackson-Cartwright averaged just one turnover every 18.9 minutes last season while shooting a reliable 42.3 percent from 3-point range. All Sean Miller needs this season is from Jackson-Cartwright is to run his team and set the table — something he’s already proven more than capable of.
