Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Men's Basketball position breakdown: Point Guards
10/11/2017 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee is tasked with replacing a lot from its frontcourt last season, most notably because of the losses of JaCorey Williams and Reggie Upshaw.
The impact felt from the loss of leadership on and off the court from the graduated forwards could be lessened by good backcourt play, and that starts with the point guard position.
Freshman Tyrik Dixon was a surprise 34-game starter as a freshman at the point last season. While he was impressive, being named to the All-Conference USA Freshman Team, he has plenty to improve on going into his sophomore year.
"There's a big jump this year from being a guy that kind of surprised everybody by starting last season," MT head coach Kermit Davis said of his point guard. "He can't be satisfied by being on the all-freshman team and has to make a big jump. He still has a lot to improve on."
Dixon said this offseason he's tried to work on becoming more of a scoring threat, something Middle Tennessee may desperately need.
The southpaw was fourth on the team last season averaging 5.6 points per game, though he scored 8.1 per C-USA contest. He'll have to up that scoring output to help the Blue Raiders replace the subtraction of Williams' and Upshaw's combined 31.7 points per game.
If Dixon can mix more of a consistent scoring output with his 3.3 assists per game and 2.59 assist-to-turnover ratio from last season (24th in the nation), he could help make one of the most dynamic backcourt duos in the conference with senior conference player of the year candidate Giddy Potts.
"I'm just trying to score on all three levels," Dixon said. "I'm not trying to be like Steph Curry coming off screens and shooting ridiculous threes, but knocking down open threes and being better at midrange and finishing at the rim, that's really what I've been focusing on."
When Dixon isn't on the floor, Potts and fellow senior Edward Simpson will likely manage ball handling duties. Freshman Donovan Sims also could enter the fold to provide some depth at the point.
"Donovan has been a really good surprise for us," Davis said. "He's gained about 14 or 15 pounds and has really improved since being here.
"He's just a pure point guard. The ball gets in and out of his hands so easily to get to the next player, and he's just really well coached. He had a great coach, Barry Wortman, in high school … and it really shows."
No matter who's handling the ball for Middle Tennessee, they'll have to be the ringleaders of the show.
With the frontcourt lacking some of its stars from a season ago, scoring and leadership will have to come from different spots. An upgrade from Dixon at the point guard position could go a long way in helping the Blue Raiders get back to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
"We have a lot of post experience gone even though guys like Brandon [Walters] are back," Dixon said. "Giddy and I are looking to step up as much as we can to help lead this team."
Here's a breakdown of guys who'll get time at point guard:
Starter
0 Tyrik Dixon [6-1, 184, So.]
2016-17: Named to All-C-USA Freshman Team … started 34 of 36 games at point guard … averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and a team-high 3.3 assists per game and 8.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds per conference game … ranked 24th in the nation, second in C-USA with a 2.59 assist-to-turnover ratio
Others
20 Giddy Potts [6-2, 217, Sr.]
2016-17: Named the Conference USA Tournament MVP and to the All-C-USA Third Team … second on MT in scoring (15.3 points per game) and third in rebounding (5.3 per game) … led the team with 47 steals … shot 48.2 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from 3-point range and a team-high 80.8 percent from the free-throw line … Named to the Challenge in Music City All-Tournament Team … became the 33rd member of Middle Tennessee's 1,000-Point Club
11 Edward Simpson [6-2, 195, Sr.]
2016-17: Earned 24 starts and played in all 36 games … averaged 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game … third on the team with 78 assists … led the team 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio … Shot 37.8 percent from the field and from 3-point range … NABC Good Works Team nominee … voted to the C-USA All-Academic Team … member of the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
3 Donovan Sims [6-0, 165, Fr.]
Blackman High School: Played for head coach Barry Wortman … averaged 10 points, five rebounds and five assists as a senior … named All-District and All-Region as a senior and won District Tournament MVP … Helped Blackman to a No. 1 ranking in the state during his junior season and led the Blaze to the TSSAA Semifinals.
The impact felt from the loss of leadership on and off the court from the graduated forwards could be lessened by good backcourt play, and that starts with the point guard position.
Freshman Tyrik Dixon was a surprise 34-game starter as a freshman at the point last season. While he was impressive, being named to the All-Conference USA Freshman Team, he has plenty to improve on going into his sophomore year.
"There's a big jump this year from being a guy that kind of surprised everybody by starting last season," MT head coach Kermit Davis said of his point guard. "He can't be satisfied by being on the all-freshman team and has to make a big jump. He still has a lot to improve on."
Dixon said this offseason he's tried to work on becoming more of a scoring threat, something Middle Tennessee may desperately need.
The southpaw was fourth on the team last season averaging 5.6 points per game, though he scored 8.1 per C-USA contest. He'll have to up that scoring output to help the Blue Raiders replace the subtraction of Williams' and Upshaw's combined 31.7 points per game.
If Dixon can mix more of a consistent scoring output with his 3.3 assists per game and 2.59 assist-to-turnover ratio from last season (24th in the nation), he could help make one of the most dynamic backcourt duos in the conference with senior conference player of the year candidate Giddy Potts.
"I'm just trying to score on all three levels," Dixon said. "I'm not trying to be like Steph Curry coming off screens and shooting ridiculous threes, but knocking down open threes and being better at midrange and finishing at the rim, that's really what I've been focusing on."
When Dixon isn't on the floor, Potts and fellow senior Edward Simpson will likely manage ball handling duties. Freshman Donovan Sims also could enter the fold to provide some depth at the point.
"Donovan has been a really good surprise for us," Davis said. "He's gained about 14 or 15 pounds and has really improved since being here.
"He's just a pure point guard. The ball gets in and out of his hands so easily to get to the next player, and he's just really well coached. He had a great coach, Barry Wortman, in high school … and it really shows."
No matter who's handling the ball for Middle Tennessee, they'll have to be the ringleaders of the show.
With the frontcourt lacking some of its stars from a season ago, scoring and leadership will have to come from different spots. An upgrade from Dixon at the point guard position could go a long way in helping the Blue Raiders get back to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
"We have a lot of post experience gone even though guys like Brandon [Walters] are back," Dixon said. "Giddy and I are looking to step up as much as we can to help lead this team."
Here's a breakdown of guys who'll get time at point guard:
Starter
0 Tyrik Dixon [6-1, 184, So.]
2016-17: Named to All-C-USA Freshman Team … started 34 of 36 games at point guard … averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and a team-high 3.3 assists per game and 8.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds per conference game … ranked 24th in the nation, second in C-USA with a 2.59 assist-to-turnover ratio
Others
20 Giddy Potts [6-2, 217, Sr.]
2016-17: Named the Conference USA Tournament MVP and to the All-C-USA Third Team … second on MT in scoring (15.3 points per game) and third in rebounding (5.3 per game) … led the team with 47 steals … shot 48.2 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from 3-point range and a team-high 80.8 percent from the free-throw line … Named to the Challenge in Music City All-Tournament Team … became the 33rd member of Middle Tennessee's 1,000-Point Club
11 Edward Simpson [6-2, 195, Sr.]
2016-17: Earned 24 starts and played in all 36 games … averaged 3.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game … third on the team with 78 assists … led the team 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio … Shot 37.8 percent from the field and from 3-point range … NABC Good Works Team nominee … voted to the C-USA All-Academic Team … member of the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
3 Donovan Sims [6-0, 165, Fr.]
Blackman High School: Played for head coach Barry Wortman … averaged 10 points, five rebounds and five assists as a senior … named All-District and All-Region as a senior and won District Tournament MVP … Helped Blackman to a No. 1 ranking in the state during his junior season and led the Blaze to the TSSAA Semifinals.
Players Mentioned
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