College Basketball's Top Ten Point Guards

By Jonathan Edwards

There’s something all top teams have in common: a dynamic point guard. They come in different styles, from elite scorers to precise passers to crafty defenders, but they all make the team go. Here’s the list of this year’s top ten point guards.

AP Photo/ Keith Srakocic

1.     Aaron Craft – Ohio State – Craft isn’t your typical point guard, as he doesn’t light up the score sheet. But he does absolutely everything else you could want from your point guard. Craft is the best on-ball defender in the nation, and can single handedly affect games on the defensive end. He’s a tremendous passer, with a great feeling of where the open guy is. His role will expand this year, as the Buckeyes lost a great deal of scoring from their graduating seniors, and Craft will be needed to produce more on the offensive end.

2.     Isaiah Canaan – Murray State – Whether he’s a point guard or a shooting guard in the future is to be determined, but Canaan will handle the point for the Racers this season. He wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line. He’s extremely quick on the defensive end, but takes big chances, leading to easy points for both teams. Canaan would be a good bet to lead the nation in scoring.

3.     Phil Pressey – Missouri – Pressey is the motor that keeps the Tigers running, as they play at such a fast pace. He is your typical point guard that does everything well. He gets their fast-paced offense out and running, is a very solid defender, and can knock down the jumper. Missouri will finish near the top of the SEC in their first year, and Pressey will be a big factor.

4.     Trey Burke – Michigan – Burke made the right decision by deciding to return to school, as he wasn’t quite ready for the NBA. He plays at a fast pace, which leads to both good and bad things for the Wolverines. He’s often out in front of the pack for easy buckets, but turns the ball over more than he should. Burke has a legitimate shot to lead Michigan to a Final Four appearance.

5.     Pierre Jackson – Baylor – Jackson is the do-it-all player for the Bears, and last year proved his transition from the Junior College ranks was a smooth one. He is an explosive player who likes to have the ball in his hands. He loses the athletic big man Perry Jones to the NBA, but gets Freshman 7-footer Isaiah Austin to step right in. Jackson leads Baylor as a top Big 12 team.

6.     Peyton Siva – Louisville – Siva gets the benefit of having an incredible amount of talent surrounding him, but he isn’t a slouch by any means at the point. He has the ability to completely take over games on the offensive end; he just needs to figure out when to pick his spots. His life is made easier by being able to dump the ball to big men Chane Behanan and Gorgui Dieng, and guard Jerry Smith, but it’s Siva that makes the Cardinals go.

7.     Matthew Dellavedova – Saint Mary’s – Dellavedova really came alive in last year’s NCAA Tournament, and should lead Saint Mary’s to another conference title this year. The best part of his game is how he handles the pick-and-roll. He’s a lights-out shooter if you go under the screen, and is an extremely talented passer when he looks for the open man. The Gaels will go as far as Dellavedova takes them.

AP Photo/ Nam Y. Huh

8.     Kyle Anderson – UCLA – Anderson isn’t a traditional point guard, as he’s better suited for the 2 guard spot. He’s just too talented not to succeed under Ben Howland’s direction, though. Tremendously athletic, and having a real feel for the game, Anderson and fellow freshman Shabazz Muhammad will help the Bruins dominate the Pac-12 and go deep into the Tournament.

9.     Michael Carter-Williams – Syracuse – Not yet known much outside of the Big East, Carter-Williams will make sure he’s known by everybody by the end of the season. He fits into Coach Boeheim’s 2-3 zone system well with his length, and has made tremendous strides on the offensive end. He can score with ease and is a good distributer, which will come in handy with the Orange’s overall ability to hit the 3 point shot.

10.  Tim Frazier – Penn State – Hardly known because of the Nittany Lions’ inability to turn out winning seasons, Frazier is one of the best out there. He had dominating numbers last season, and should continue to improve on them this year. Only 6’1’’, Frazier does a tremendous job of attacking the boards and is one of the most complete point guards you will find. His quickness lets him excel at the defensive end as well, where he notched over 2 steals a game last year.