As always, it’s time for another edition of…
The Weekly Fives
This week, we tackle the ever popular statistic of points per game. Often, athletes are defined by this stat, and receive attention because of it. In most scenarios, scoring points correlates most directly to moving onto the next level. Take for example, Wilt Chamberlain, an NBA great regarded by many as one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. Even though he played in a different era, Chamberlain was the king of points, averaging over 30 points over his career! While most of his games were astonishing in their own right, his undisputed best performance came on March 2, 1962, when he scored an NBA record 100 points on 36 field goals while sinking 87.5% of his free throws. The final score that night was 169-147, with Chamberlain’s Philadelphia Warriors taking down the ever-present New York Knicks in one of the highest scoring games ever played.
Overall, Wilt holds the record for points per game over a single season, at 50.4. Currently, Russell Westbrook is leading the NBA is this stat, at an even 31.0 PPG. LeBron James, unanimously considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, is currently averaging just over a 25 point clip, adding to his already illustrious career, defined across just about every statistical category.
Locally, in the NCAA, Creighton’s Marcus Foster and Nebraska’s Tai Webster top the area, averaging just over 18 PPG over the course of the season. This has led to continued success for both programs. For Omaha, Marcus Tyus continues to shine, averaging an even 16.0 PPG for the year. As these three programs shine, their success is attributed to these men, who have shown that the points that they have scored consistently over the season have led to successful seasons. Although Nebraska (9-11) and Omaha (11-10) have had their share of struggles, these scorers have at least kept them in games that would have otherwise gone much poorer. Creighton, on the other hand, with only three losses at this point, is one of the top rated teams in the nation.
In the NSAA, Teddy Allen of Boys Town has continued to impress, scoring close to 30 points per game. This has led the Cowboys to a 10-5 start, who continue to rise in the state rankings weekly. Meanwhile, Charlie Easley is leading the number one ranked Thunderbolts of Pius X to an impressive 10-1 start. With as much parody as Nebraska High School hoops has, these proficient scorers sure are doing their best to propel their respective teams to top.
- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (31.0 PPG)
- Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics (29.1 PPG)
- James Harden, Houston Rockets (28.6 PPG)
- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans (28.1 PPG)
- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings (28.0 PPG)
- Marcus Foster, Creighton (18.1 PPG)
- Tai Webster, Nebraska (18.1 PPG)
- Marcus Tyus, Omaha (16.0 PPG)
- Glynn Watson Jr., Nebraska (14.6 PPG)
- Justin Patton, Creighton (14.0 PPG)
Teddy Allen, Boys Town (29.4 PPG)
- David Wingett, Winnebago (25.3 PPG)
- Payton Wick, Banner County (25.3 PPG)
- Shereef Mitchell, Burke (24.1 PPG)
- Ben Moxness, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (23.4 PPG)
(Stats as of 1/27/17)
As always, Home Court Advantage is your place for basketball at all levels.
Logan Skrabal
Senior App Associate, Nebraska
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, COJMC
Home Court Advantage 