With conference play heating up, it seems like it would be a perfect time to take a look at the top five players at each position. The first position we will take a look at is the all important point guard position. Our list is comprised of perennial All Americans, experienced seniors, and a fantastic freshman. Let’s take a look at the top five point guards in college basketball.
5. Aaron Craft
Aaron Craft will never be a stat-stuffer, but that’s not his game. Craft is everything you want out of your point guard and more; he never takes a play off, plays tenacious defense, is very unselfish, and is the leader of the Buckeyes. Sadly, we only have another couple of months to appreciate one of the greatest college players in, not only Ohio State history, but in all of college basketball history.
4. Tyler Ennis
There may not be a freshman more important to his team than Tyler Ennis, and he certainly hasn’t disappointed. Ennis is Syracuse’s only true point guard and has been vital in the Orange’s 17-0 start to this season. Ennis has averaged 11 points, six assists, and nearly three steals a game so far this season. Prior to the season, many experts were concerned at how Syracuse would fill the void left at point guard by, Sixers rookie, Michael Carter Williams; Ennis has proved to fill that void perfectly. Going forward, the Orange are going to need the same kind of play out of Ennis if they want to cut down the nets in March.
3. Shabazz Napier
The senior from UConn is in the midst of another successful season where he has averaged 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists a game. He can truly do it all and he was the main reason the Huskies started the season 9-0. UConn has stumbled as of late, they recorded back-to-back losses to Houston and SMU, and Napier will have to keep on going in order for the Huskies to make a deep run in March.
2. Marcus Smart
Smart shocked the basketball world when he decided to return to school for his sophomore campaign. He hasn’t disappointed either; the sophomore is averaging 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game. He exploded onto the scene this season with a tremendous 39 point performance against Memphis. Smart has been in a scoring slump until these last two games when he broke out and scored 22 and 24 points. Look for Smart to be in the All-American discussion at seasons end.
1. DeAndre Kane
Yes, DeAndre Kane is the number one point guard in the country as of now; who would have thought that in the preseason? Kane has been terrific for Iowa State and was the main catalyst in their terrific start this season. He has averaged 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists per game so far this season, and has really been scoring well before his recent ankle injury. We’ll have to see how much that ankle slows him down going forward, and it would be a travesty to see such a talented player’s career season cut short because of an injury. Hopefully Kane can get healthy and have a chance to lead his Cyclones to a deep March run.
