There is no more important position in basketball than the point guard spot. The point guard is like the quarterback of the offense. This is the guy who has to make sure the team is in the right spot at all times. It’s no coincidence that teams with the best point guards often end up making a run in March. Who are the best point guards in the nation in 2012? Let’s take a look.
Top Five Point Guards in College Basketball
5. Phil Pressey (Missouri) If you are looking for a pure point guard, Pressey fits the mold nicely. He is undersized at 5’11, but he uses his quickness to drive opponents crazy. Pressey is great at driving and dishing it out to open shooters. He is also a terrific defender who averaged almost two steals per game last year. Pressey is at his best in the open floor, where he finds windows that most would never see. The only real knock on him is that he sometimes plays too fast.
4. Trey Burke (Michigan) Burke burst onto the scene as a freshman last year at Michigan. He was the team leader in a ton of key categories despite being the new man on campus. Burke is only 6’0, but he has a wingspan of 6’5. The best news for Michigan fans is Burke has a ton more help this year. He won’t have to do it all himself this year, and I expect we’ll see how good of a true point guard he can be.
3. Aaron Craft (Ohio State) There isn’t a better on the ball defender in the country. Craft changes games with his defensive intensity. Craft was a quarterback in high school, and he is one of the best floor generals in the country. Craft isn’t one of the best offensive guards in the nation, but he does all the little things it takes to win basketball games. He is a great passer, and he leads his team both vocally and by putting forth amazing effort every minute he is on the floor.
2. C.J. McCollum (Lehigh) You probably know C.J. McCollum best for leading Lehigh past Duke in March last year. McCollum surprised a lot of people (myself included) by sticking around for his senior season at Lehigh. He is probably the most offensively talented guard on this list. McCollum has a legitimate chance of leading the nation in scoring this year. At 6’3, he has plenty of height to see over the defense. If he improves as a passer, he could be a star in the NBA.
1. Isaiah Canaan (Murray State) Remember when Murray State made their impressive run last year during March Madness? Canaan was the engine running the show for the Racers. He is great at running the pick and roll offense, and his toughness cannot be questioned. Canaan has a great combination of strength and speed for a point guard. He is absolutely capable of scoring 25 points per game, but he is also one of the best passers in the country.
Sources:
ESPN.com “Phil Pressey Stats”
Scout.com “Aaron Craft Profile”
