Alex Caruso is an accomplished player. The senior guard is so accomplished that it’s not a stretch to say he’s had one of the most impressive careers in Texas A&M basketball history. The active SEC leader in assists and steals has led the conference in both categories each of the past two seasons. That’s one heck of a career. But as this season tipped off, Caruso found himself playing alongside a new teammate who had dished more assists in his college career than even he had.
Alex Caruso’s touches are down but he’s remained productive (texags.com).
South Florida transfer Anthony Collins joined the program and brought his 569 career assists and a wealth of experience along with him. He became A&M’s primary point guard from day one and Caruso’s touches naturally dropped — as the table below shows, he’s using the fewest number of possessions and shots of his entire career. A new, reduced role would frustrate a lot of established players, but the senior has instead transformed himself into the grease on the wheels of a team charging toward March.
Caruso has transformed himself in his senior season (kenpom.com).
Luckily for the Aggies, Caruso’s new role as a key complementary player appears to suit him. He’s shooting 44.4 percent from three — up from a previous career best of 36.6 percent — and he’s still finding ways to create for others (31.1% assist rate) without having the ball quite as much. Furthermore, his hands on defense are as active as ever. When Seth Davis comes out with his All-Glue team, Caruso should be a headliner. His per-game averages don’t jump off the page, but the senior is a crucial part of what looks like a dangerous Texas A&M team. “I’d like to credit Alex Caruso,” Florida coach Mike White said after the Aggies’ 71-68 win on Tuesday. “[He] will just blow up a play. He kind of throws you off your rhythm offensively.”
Caruso deserves credit for a number of big plays late in the Aggies’ last three wins. Against Mississippi State, it was he who found Jalen Jones for the game-winning basket. Against Tennessee, the senior’s multiple steals and deflections fueled Texas A&M’s game-ending 18-4 run. And against the Gators, Caruso raced down the court to punch the ball out of Kasey Hill’s control on a breakaway layup attempt. Through plays both big and small, but always winning, the senior has reinvented himself and is a major part of the Aggies’ success this season.