College Basketball's All-"Do Everything" Team: Forwards

Daniel  Damico by Correspondent Written on January 20, 2009

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Every team needs them. Every team wants them. These players typically do not average a ton of points, but can score when they are needed and step up when their team needs a boost.

They dive on the floor, grab the important rebound, or make the defensive play to save the game. Their teams win or lose depending on how these players play.

There are many players who are in the double-double category, but I will highlight some players who do a little bit of everything with less name recognition.

The players may be hard to label—i.e. small forward, power forward, shooting guard, etc.—but no matter what you call them, they get the job done.

Tyler Smith, Tennessee

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Smith is the heart and soul of Bruce Pearl’s struggling Volunteer team, but times would be even more difficult without the Iowa transfer. Smith is the team's leading scorer, averaging 17.8 ppg, and is one of only three players who gets more than four rebounds a game with 6.1 rpg.

In the last four games, against Kansas, Gonzaga, Georgia, and Kentucky, Smith averaged 35 minutes a game. Pearl turns to the 6′7″ junior late in games when the team needs a basket, which is the only time the coach calls set plays.

Smith recorded this season's only triple-double—12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists—against everyone’s favorite punching bag, UNC Asheville.

Danny Green, North Carolina

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The Tar Heels' loss at Wake Forest could have been much worse if not for Green. But the senior guard was making plays all over the court and finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and five steals.

The 6′6″ defensive hound has a solid stat line this season; 13.2 points, 4.5 rebound, three assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks a game. Plus he is shooting 47 percent from the three-point line and is a career 83 percent shooter from the foul line.

Unlike Smith, Green rarely gets offensive plays run for him, but he's always around the ball. Green always knows how and where to find open spaces on the floor, and he has a quick trigger from deep.

Evan Turner, Ohio State

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After playing a supporting role last season, sophomore Turner is now the leader on this young Buckeye team, and he has stepped up his game to fill the role.

In a nationally televised game against then No. 7-ranked Notre Dame, Turner broke out with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, and played all 40 minutes.

Turner has always been a solid defensive player, but his offensive numbers have improved with more shots. Turner increased his scoring from 8.5 points a game last season to 15.7 this season. He has gotten better defensively, as the 6′7″ long-armed winger is averaging 2.3 takeaways a game, up one steal from last season.

Robbie Hummel, Purdue

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At 6′8″, Hummel is the leading rebounder in the Big Ten. Enough said. Well, almost enough.

Hummel also leads the Boilermakers in scoring with 14 points a game. But like everyone on this list, he helps out in every way possible. Hummel averages 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals a game while shooting 40 percent from distance.

Hummel is not just a “scorer”; he is an extremely efficient shooter. He shoots 87 percent from the foul line and 48 percent from the floor. Of his conference-leading 7.9 rebounds a game, two a game are on the offensive end.

Terrence Williams, Louisville

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The super-athletic Williams is the leader of the Louisville Cardinal team that seems to have righted the ship. Williams is the Cardinal leader with 9.3 rebounds and five assists per game—that is two more assists a game than any other Louisville player.

Williams is more of a scorer than a shooter; he does not shoot a high percentage. Williams is one of the best finishers in the country, and he gets a lot of his buckets using a combo of strength and jumping ability. He is able to shoot over shorter defenders and go around bigger opponents.

Williams leads the Cardinals in rebounding, assists, steals, and turnover to assists ratio (2.4:1), and is third in points.

Even though Williams is a thief on the court, he has not fouled out of a game all season and has only committed four fouls once.

Kyle Singler, Duke

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Singler is the busiest player wearing a Blue Devils uniform. Coach K asks him to be everywhere at every moment: from setting screens to offensive rebounding, from shooting threes to guarding post players.

Singler does not have the efficiency of others on this list, but he finds ways to contribute.

Singler leads Duke in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game, but he has been struggling this season from the perimeter.

Sam Young, Pittsburgh

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After a slow start, Young is playing at a high level. With PITT's schedule, they need him producing.

While he currently is not in the top five in any major statistical category, Young does lead the Panthers in scoring with 18.4 ppg.

Young is a difficult matchup for most team because he is such a strong player, who never looks rushed. He uses his athleticism to create and make difficult shots and is a career 49 percent shooter from the field.

Chase Budinger, Arizona

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Budinger is one of my favorite players in college basketball. Why, you ask? He rarely looks uncomfortable on the court and is very capable of finding shots in the natural flow of the Wildcat offense.

Like many of the players on this list, Budinger is a tremendous leaper, but his all-around game is more refined. He shoots 44 percent from distance, 48 percent from the floor, and 83 percent from the foul line.

Budinger was considered a lottery pick out of high school, and while his draft status may have dropped, he should prove to be an asset to an NBA team.

DaJuan Summers, Georgetown

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At 6′8″ and 236 pounds, Summers is a major physical presence, and ever since his arrival at Georgetown, his production has increased.

His freshman year, Summers averaged 9.5 points a game and shot 42 percent from the floor and 33 percent from distance. So far this season, he is scoring 15.5 points a game, shooting 54 percent from the floor and 44 from distance.

Summers is the leader of a balanced Hoyas team and sets the tone for this young squad. While not as athletic as Young or Williams, he is an overpowering player and a tough defender.

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written on January 20, 2009 Rankings/List

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