The Case for Tyger Campbell
By Riley Saxon
Bill Walton calls him The Lion. John Rothstein calls him one of the most under-appreciated players in America. California Head Coach Mark Fox said he deserves player of the year recognition in the PAC 12.
And I call him something I expect everyone will by the end of the season: One of the best point guards in the nation.
Tyger Campbell’s career started with a torn ACL about a month before his freshman season. He spent the year rehabbing, and then the Bruins fired Steve Alford, and before he had even played a game, Campbell was technically on his third head coach at UCLA.
Campbell got better as his freshmen year went on, averaging over 35 minutes a game over the last 10 games and growing more comfortable on offense and defense. As a freshman, he led the Pac 12 in assist-to-turnover ratio, something he would continue to excel at. Campbell’s sophomore year started with some perceived struggles (I remained a staunch defender), but again he led the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Despite his penchant for not turning the ball over, Campbell still struggled shooting from three, shooting 30% as a freshman and then 25% last year.
Now, in his junior year, Campbell is still taking care of the ball, ranking first overall in assist-to-turnover ratio amongst power conference players, and third overall in the nation. After a 26 day lay-off, Campbell came back with a double-double against Long Beach State, scoring 11 points and dishing out 10 assists. Most importantly, he had 0 turnovers. When told about the zero turnovers, Campbell said “Really? That’s what I am happy about!”
Perhaps, even more impressively, Campbell has made 50% of his three pointers this season. Among conference players with at least 48 attempts, Campbell is first in three point attempts and he’s the leader in the Pac 12 in three point percentage.
But the stats don’t tell the whole story – Campbell has a unique ability to stop opposing team’s runs. With the exception of the Gonzaga game, UCLA has been in control of every game. When teams threaten to get back into the game and make a comeback, it is Campbell who usually calls his own number and stops the opposing team’s runs.
Available on Amazon. (click Link)
While it normally is a play or two down that stretch that rightens the Bruin ship, Campbell has shown he can do it for an entire game as well. Playing in Haas Pavilion on Saturday, Johnny Juzang and Jules Bernard went a combined 3 for 16 for 13 points.
With two of UCLA’s best scorers having rare off nights, it was Campbell who led the team in scoring, keeping the Bruins undefeated on the road and in the conference.
The scary part for other teams? Campbell has gotten better at the end of the season each year of his career. In 2020, UCLA finished 8-2 in their last ten games, with Campbell averaging 11.4 points, 7 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a steal per game. Last year during UCLA’s Final 4 run, Campbell averaged 10.1 points, 1 steal and had a 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in the Big Dance. Currently, Campbell is averaging a career high in points, steals, and rebounds, and is shooting at his best clip from the three point line, free throw line and everywhere in between.
And if he’s going to get better at the end of the season? The PAC-12, and the entire nation, better be ready.
College Hoops Breakdown appears twice a month at JoeTorosian.com
Riley Saxon can be reached at:
Email: rileymsaxon@gmail.com
Twitter: @CHoopsBreakdown
