2012 Preseason Top 50 point guards
1. Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
Is he a point or a two-guard? We're not quite sure, but he's just one heck of a guard. He can really shoot the ball, he makes shots with the game on the line -- and he leads his team to victories. That's enough for us to have him atop this list.
2. Phil Pressey, Missouri
He's the straw that stirs the drink, the engine that makes Mizzou go. He did it last year and he'll do it again this season with a different cast in Columbia. Pressey is the consummate point guard.
3. Trey Burke, Michigan
Burke wisely returned to school because he could've easily slipped into the second round of the NBA Draft. That wouldn't have been good. But leading Michigan to a possible Final Four this season will be really, really good.
4. Aaron Craft, Ohio State
He may not score the ball like some others on this list, but he's the best perimeter defender among this group, he leads, competes every possession and also makes his teammates better.
5. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
Is he a natural point guard? Probably not, but Smart is a born winner, is willing to do anything to help his team win, and is a top-notch leader. Sounds enough like a point guard to qualify.
6. Kyle Anderson, UCLA
He's not a natural point guard, but he's a phenomenal talent. If Ben Howland figures out how to use him, watch out.
7. Pierre Jackson, Baylor
Jackson had a mostly smooth transition from junior college to the Big 12. He and Isaiah Austin make a nice inside-outside -- or maybe outside-outside, depending on the possession -- combo.
8. Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary's
Not blessed with incredible athleticism, Delly is a master at his craft -- which is using angles and ball-screens. He shoots it well, passes it and has been the primary reason why the Gaels ended Gonzaga's streak and won the WCC a year ago.
9. Peyton Siva, Louisville
Siva has never established himself as a star but he has moments when he looks like one. If he looks like one this season consistently, Rick Pitino might get another national title.
10. Lorenzo Brown, N.C. State
Brown is a fantastic playmaker with the ball in his hands. He knows how to beat his man off the dribble in order to get into the lane. Once there, he can finish or dump off to a teammate for an easy bucket.
11. Mark Lyons, Arizona
"Cheeks", as he is called, is a talented scoring guard who has played off the ball for his college career. Lyons spent the first four years (he sat out as a freshman) at Xavier, but the key will be how he adjusts in Tucson to running the team.
12. Ray McCallum Jr. , Detroit
Little Ray chose to play for his dad at Detroit over the big boys (i.e. Arizona and UCLA) and while he hasn't received the national attention, he's thriving in the Horizon. Terrific command of the game and blends the ability to score, distribute and lead.
13. Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse
He's still somewhat of an unknown to the general college hoops fan, but MCW is long, talented and can both score and distribute. The NBA scouts love him for his versatility and length.
14. Elijah Johnson, Kansas
KU fans will tell you this is too low for Johnson. I admit, they might be right.
15. Tim Frazier, Penn State
There is a case to be made he should be top-10 on this list, because his production the past two years on a nondescript Penn State squad has been fantastic. Don't be shocked if he earns All-American Third Team or honorable mention come March.
16. Myck Kabongo, Texas
Struggled out of the gates last season in Austin, but has terrific speed and leadership qualities. Now it's his team with J'Covan Brown gone, and that should make it easier for the talented Canadian.
17. Shabazz Napier, UConn
He had great games -- and brutal ones. Napier can really shoot the ball from deep, but needs to learn how to consistently get his teammates easy shots -- and also become a quality leader. Also capable of being a terrific perimeter defender.
18. Vincent Council, Providence
Ultra-productive at his position, Council has a chance to rank among the Big East's leaders in both points and assists. Throw in the fact he barely ever comes off the court, and he deserves more attention nationally.
19. Ryan Harrow, Kentucky
He's not Derrick Rose or Tyreke Evans or John Wall or Brandon Knight, and I don't even think he's Marquis Teague. But Harrow is still good enough to help UK repeat.
20. Rotnei Clarke, Butler
There's no better shooter in the country. No one. Clarke proved that in his first three seasons at Arkansas, but now he'll make the transition to playing the point for Brad Stevens in his one season at Butler. Clarke is also healthy for the first time in years.
21. Joe Jackson, Memphis
The former McDonald's All-American has struggled with consistency, but there are moments -- most notably in the past two C-USA tournaments -- when he reminds everyone of his potential.
22. Anthony Marshall, UNLV
He won't put up huge offensive numbers, especially with all the talent in Vegas, but Marshall can score when needed. He averaged 12.2 points as a junior last season, locks down on the defensive end, runs the team and rebounds the ball well for his position.
23. Nate Wolters, South Dakota State
Will probably do more for his team than any guard on this list. Is more than just a point guard, even if that's his classified position. Has potential to be a March mini-star if SDSU reaches the Big Bracket.
24. D.J. Cooper , Ohio
He's undersized but not under-skilled. Cooper is one of the best pure 1s in the game, and with him returning for his senior season, Ohio has a chance to get back to the NCAA tournament despite losing coach John Groce to Illinois.
25. Chaz Williams, UMass
It's easy to love watching the diminutive guard get up and down the court. Williams knows how to make plays at both ends of the floor, and is the perfect player to jump-start Massachusetts' up-tempo system.