At Big Ten Media Day in Chicago on Thursday, I had a chance to sit down with coach Tubby Smith and chat with him about the apparently lively point guard competition. Five days from the team's opening exhibition game, Smith said he still had no idea who would have the starting role. Listening to him reason about this – as he flip-flopped and oohed and ahhed about all three candidates – Julian Welch, Andre Hollins and Maverick Ahanmisi – the indecision is believable.


  • Some of what he said:
    "One guy does one thing better than the other and the other guy does something else. So we're trying to figure out who is the most complete point guard and that's what we're trying to get to. And even in the past, we've had the good defender, the good passer, and the scorer. But now … but each person maybe has a gift that they have that's better than a gift that maybe the other guy has."
  • "Now, I guess a guy like Julian, because his experience and maturity probably comes closest … but then again Andre Hollins … and Maverick, of course has the element of knowing the system."
  • "I think Maverick has been very consistent – but he hasn't shot the ball well in practice … Andre Hollins probably shot the ball as well as anyone else, as far as that's concerned."

Essentially: It's still up in the air. Smith looked genuinely pleased with every player he mentioned. It may be that JUCO transfer Welch is the smart pick – perhaps indeed, the best player, but it is clear that Smith has a real liking and excitement for Hollins. He can't help but smile when he talks about the freshman. Right now, Ahanmisi seems to be the odd man out. Smith won't say that, but he doesn't gush about him the way he does the other two, and Ahanmisi is the only point guard who he's really criticized in some way (turnovers and shooting).
"If I had to start one today, I'm not sure who I'd start," Smith said. "I'd have to look at the stats … that's how close it is. I would have to look at it because I've been very impressed with, when each guy is running the offense or playing on the gold or maroon team, they all are playing extremely well. And they're trying to do all the things we're asking them to do. And that's the most important thing. But it's good. They're making it tough on each other. And they're making it tough on me to make a decision."