2002-2003 Total Offensive Efficiency (Small Forwards)
Part 3 of 5 in the series on the 2002-2003 basketball efficiency rankings, small forwards.
1. Alan Anderson, Michigan State
2002-2003 TOE: 0.108
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 9th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.040
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 71st
COMMENT: Exploded during the Big Ten season to become close to an elite level player. Plays essentially a point forward spot for MSU which results in a very high turnover total (relative to small forwards). Anderson is a good passer and has improved his overall shooting. Though he isn't a great perimeter shooter he gets to the line quite a bit to offset this weakness. I wasn't a fan, but have quickly become one.
2. Mike Bauer, Minnesota
2002-2003 TOE: 0.088
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 19th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.075
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 33rd
COMMENT: Bauer just continues to steadily improve despite coming off the bench for part of the year. His overall shooting percentage is still a bit low as I think he is too content to fire from beyond the arc, but he puts some points on the board and has an underrated floor game. I love his energy. Needs a haircut.
3. AJ Moye, Indiana
2002-2003 TOE: 0.085
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 24th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.097
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 14th
COMMENT: A small forward in a big guard's body. Moye is a tremendous rebounder for a player his size. As he received more time, he played better (or was it the other way around). Just a tough player who doesn't hurt you and can get you some tough baskets inside.
4. Kirk Penney, Wisconsin
2002-2003 TOE: 0.081
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 26th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.073
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 35th
COMMENT: Another step up this year for Penney. What is most impressive is that his AST/TO ratio used to be his big bugaboo. This year, his ratio is over one and he leads the Badgers in assists, helping him become a more complete player. Kirk has done a nice job of not forcing things which has resulted in limited shots at times. He didn't shoot as well from long range as I thought, but is still a terrific collegiate player.
5. Matt Kiefer, Purdue
2002-2003 TOE: 0.075
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 31st
COMMENT: Kiefer is a bit player that simply had a very solid all around season. He isn't as good as his TOE would indicate, though he is still a valuable bench player.
6. Bernard Robinson, Michigan
2002-2003 TOE: 0.072
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 33rd
2001-2002 TOE: 0.062
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 46th
COMMENT: Very active player who has always struck me as being better than his overall numbers showed. However, I think it is now safe to say that he is what he is, a streaky skilled player that simply doesn't play under enough control to be considered an great player. He brings a lot of energy to the floor, but just has too many weaknesses (perimeter shooting and decision making) to rate much higher. Excellent defender.
7. Glen Worley, Iowa
2002-2003 TOE: 0.061
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 48th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.070
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 38th
COMMENT: I have never been a fan of Worley's...big time body...so-so game. His overall game is decent, except for the fact that he is a turnover machine, robbing his team of valuable possessions. Still could be a good player if he could clean this aspect of his game up.
8. Jason Burke, Northwestern
2002-2003 TOE: 0.061
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 50th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.008
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 88th
COMMENT: Was an almost total zero last year, so improving to average is a step up. Is a fairly versatile player. Could help a good team off the bench. He is a good passer and if he improves his perimeter shot, will be pretty good.
9. Kyle Hornsby, Indiana
2002-2003 TOE: 0.055
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 56th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.070
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 36th
COMMENT: I listed him at SG last year, but is playing the small forward position in a 3 guard offense, much like Penney. Only difference from last year to this year is that he isn't shooting as well from behind the arc. Physically looks like Penney and began his career as a similar player, but Penney broadened his game. Hornsby has not.
10. Jimmy Maley, Northwestern
2002-2003 TOE: 0.047
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 60th
COMMENT: Fairly promising player who didn't like sitting on the bench , probably pouted a bit, didn't play as well, and then quit the team.
11. Melvin Buckley, Purdue
2002-2003 TOE: 0.045
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 61st
COMMENT: Bit player who does a little bit of everything except pass (4 assists in 260 minutes) .
12. DeForrest Riley, Penn State
2002-2003 TOE: 0.036
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 70th
COMMENT: Welcome to the Big Ten. Like many young players, had an outstanding non-conference season but discovered just how tough the Big Ten can be. He is another good looking freshman though. He has good range on his jumper and is a solid passer for a young swing player.
13. Steve Esselink, Minnesota
2002-2003 TOE: 0.036
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 71st
COMMENT: We are now getting into the range at which players cease to become useful. There are still players below that I would consider good players, but that is due to their production. Guys who aren't overly productive (like Esselink) AND have marginal TOE ratings don't have a ton of value. He is one of those active players who appears to be doing something to help you...until you look at the box score.
14. Matt Sylvester, Ohio State
2002-2003 TOE: 0.022
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 80th
COMMENT: Shooting was marginal from the perimeter. Doesn't help out enough anywhere else to boost his rating.
15. Winston Blake, Northwestern
2002-2003 TOE: 0.013
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 85th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.056
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 56th
COMMENT: Garnered league mention last year which was totally undeserved in my opinion. However, his game totally fell apart this year. He has to be on drugs or having girlfriend problems or something (just kidding as I have no idea if he has any personal issues...could be playing through injury). Just doesn't shoot the ball well enough to be considered anything more than below-average in my book. Someone tell him to move in.
16. Stan Gaines, Minnesota
2002-2003 TOE: -0.007
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 87th
COMMENT: Not ready to play yet.
2002-2003 TOE: 0.108
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 9th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.040
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 71st
COMMENT: Exploded during the Big Ten season to become close to an elite level player. Plays essentially a point forward spot for MSU which results in a very high turnover total (relative to small forwards). Anderson is a good passer and has improved his overall shooting. Though he isn't a great perimeter shooter he gets to the line quite a bit to offset this weakness. I wasn't a fan, but have quickly become one.
2. Mike Bauer, Minnesota
2002-2003 TOE: 0.088
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 19th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.075
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 33rd
COMMENT: Bauer just continues to steadily improve despite coming off the bench for part of the year. His overall shooting percentage is still a bit low as I think he is too content to fire from beyond the arc, but he puts some points on the board and has an underrated floor game. I love his energy. Needs a haircut.
3. AJ Moye, Indiana
2002-2003 TOE: 0.085
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 24th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.097
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 14th
COMMENT: A small forward in a big guard's body. Moye is a tremendous rebounder for a player his size. As he received more time, he played better (or was it the other way around). Just a tough player who doesn't hurt you and can get you some tough baskets inside.
4. Kirk Penney, Wisconsin
2002-2003 TOE: 0.081
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 26th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.073
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 35th
COMMENT: Another step up this year for Penney. What is most impressive is that his AST/TO ratio used to be his big bugaboo. This year, his ratio is over one and he leads the Badgers in assists, helping him become a more complete player. Kirk has done a nice job of not forcing things which has resulted in limited shots at times. He didn't shoot as well from long range as I thought, but is still a terrific collegiate player.
5. Matt Kiefer, Purdue
2002-2003 TOE: 0.075
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 31st
COMMENT: Kiefer is a bit player that simply had a very solid all around season. He isn't as good as his TOE would indicate, though he is still a valuable bench player.
6. Bernard Robinson, Michigan
2002-2003 TOE: 0.072
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 33rd
2001-2002 TOE: 0.062
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 46th
COMMENT: Very active player who has always struck me as being better than his overall numbers showed. However, I think it is now safe to say that he is what he is, a streaky skilled player that simply doesn't play under enough control to be considered an great player. He brings a lot of energy to the floor, but just has too many weaknesses (perimeter shooting and decision making) to rate much higher. Excellent defender.
7. Glen Worley, Iowa
2002-2003 TOE: 0.061
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 48th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.070
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 38th
COMMENT: I have never been a fan of Worley's...big time body...so-so game. His overall game is decent, except for the fact that he is a turnover machine, robbing his team of valuable possessions. Still could be a good player if he could clean this aspect of his game up.
8. Jason Burke, Northwestern
2002-2003 TOE: 0.061
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 50th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.008
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 88th
COMMENT: Was an almost total zero last year, so improving to average is a step up. Is a fairly versatile player. Could help a good team off the bench. He is a good passer and if he improves his perimeter shot, will be pretty good.
9. Kyle Hornsby, Indiana
2002-2003 TOE: 0.055
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 56th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.070
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 36th
COMMENT: I listed him at SG last year, but is playing the small forward position in a 3 guard offense, much like Penney. Only difference from last year to this year is that he isn't shooting as well from behind the arc. Physically looks like Penney and began his career as a similar player, but Penney broadened his game. Hornsby has not.
10. Jimmy Maley, Northwestern
2002-2003 TOE: 0.047
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 60th
COMMENT: Fairly promising player who didn't like sitting on the bench , probably pouted a bit, didn't play as well, and then quit the team.
11. Melvin Buckley, Purdue
2002-2003 TOE: 0.045
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 61st
COMMENT: Bit player who does a little bit of everything except pass (4 assists in 260 minutes) .
12. DeForrest Riley, Penn State
2002-2003 TOE: 0.036
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 70th
COMMENT: Welcome to the Big Ten. Like many young players, had an outstanding non-conference season but discovered just how tough the Big Ten can be. He is another good looking freshman though. He has good range on his jumper and is a solid passer for a young swing player.
13. Steve Esselink, Minnesota
2002-2003 TOE: 0.036
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 71st
COMMENT: We are now getting into the range at which players cease to become useful. There are still players below that I would consider good players, but that is due to their production. Guys who aren't overly productive (like Esselink) AND have marginal TOE ratings don't have a ton of value. He is one of those active players who appears to be doing something to help you...until you look at the box score.
14. Matt Sylvester, Ohio State
2002-2003 TOE: 0.022
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 80th
COMMENT: Shooting was marginal from the perimeter. Doesn't help out enough anywhere else to boost his rating.
15. Winston Blake, Northwestern
2002-2003 TOE: 0.013
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 85th
2001-2002 TOE: 0.056
2001-2002 Big Ten Rank: 56th
COMMENT: Garnered league mention last year which was totally undeserved in my opinion. However, his game totally fell apart this year. He has to be on drugs or having girlfriend problems or something (just kidding as I have no idea if he has any personal issues...could be playing through injury). Just doesn't shoot the ball well enough to be considered anything more than below-average in my book. Someone tell him to move in.
16. Stan Gaines, Minnesota
2002-2003 TOE: -0.007
2002-2003 Big Ten Rank: 87th
COMMENT: Not ready to play yet.