Texas Basketball: 3 players turning a corner in Big 12 play

Marcus Carr, G

For those who were waiting for the coming-out party of the former Minnesota Golden Gophers and Pitt Panthers senior transfer guard Marcus Carr this season, it looks like that time has come now. Carr is really on a hot streak lately for the Longhorns, helping to contribute in a big way to each of the first two wins in Big 12 play.

Throughout most of last month, Carr was not playing well at all. In December, he averaged around 8.5 points per game, one rebound, 2.5 assists, one steal, and no blocks while shooting just 38 percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc.

Yet, Carr is picking up his play of late. Through the first two games in January, Carr has averaged around 20 points per game, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. And he’s shot 52 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.

As is the case with many volume scorers that are high-usage guards in the NBA, the efficiency will come and go from Carr. What we need to see a consistent basis from him, though, is a sustained effort to play energetic and smart basketball on both ends of the floor. Shot selection and defensive awareness are two key factors that will make Carr an All-Big 12 caliber guard this season.

A major factor for the Longhorns’ success throughout Big 12 play will be the level of efficiency that Carr brings to the table. He’s registered box plus/minus ratings of 16.5 and 13.2, respectively, in the last two games. Meanwhile, Carr registered box plus/minus ratings below zero in the two losses on the season so far for Texas.