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The top 15 players at each position in the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - By Bobby Gerould - March 17, 2008
Each year we look at the top 15 players at each position from our own NBA scouting perspective. Keep in mind that the positions listed for each player are based on what we feel will be their most likely NBA position. Obviously - some of that is subjective as several prospects are true 'tweeners'.
Since most experts agree that great guards win college basketball games - let's start with our list of the best 15 Point Guards in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
1. Ty Lawson - North Carolina. - 5'11" 195. Soph. ...Lawson has great speed combined with a thick, sturdy frame. He can get to the basket seemingly at will. Right handed. He has the ability to get into spaces others cannot. ...Last year - was named to All ACC Freshman Team. ...High School: Led Oak Hill Academy to a 42-1 record as a senior (won their first 42 games), First-team USA Today All-America selection. Participated in McDonald's All-Star Game, Jordan Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. Most Valuable Player at World Juniors Tournament in France in June 2005.
2. Jerryd Bayliss - Arizona - 6'3" 182. Frosh. ...Probably more of a TWO at this stage of his career but he has the tools to be a point guard in the NBA. When he was hurt - Arizona missed him desperately - losing three of four games. ...He is a versatile guard that can score, and set up teammates. ...Gets good elevation on his jumper but will need to improve his consistency with the shot to excel in the NBA.
3. Derrick Rose - Memphis - 6'4" 180. Frosh. ...2007-08 Conference USA Freshman of the Year. ...Super athletic point guard plays with world class speed and precision. Not a great shooter but not horrible either. 70% FT. His assist-to-turnover ratio is not that great so far. …Named to First Team All C-USA 2007-08.
4. Mario Chalmers - Kansas - 6'1" 190. Jr. ... Great defender. Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year 2006-07. ...Great speed. He finishes strongly. Right handed. He can knock down the three-ball. Has a great court sense and can play either guard spot. ...78% free throw shooter with a positive assist to turnover ratio. …MVP of the 2005-06 Big 12 Tourney.
5. Chris Lofton - Tennessee - 6'2" 197. SR. ... Deadly outside shooter that drains threes consistently. Another guy who really is on the floor to shoot more than distribute. He does not need much space to get his shot off. Right handed. Struggles to create his own shot - being much better when playing off the ball. …Excellent free throw shooter at 85% for his career. …High School: Earned Kentucky's Mr. Basketball honors as a senior in 2004.
6. D.J. Augustin - Texas - 5'11" 175. Soph. ... A pure point guard that runs a team. ...Named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the year. ...Has a great change of pace dribble. Uses the glass well to finish a variety of drives to the hoop. Unselfish. …He will take a charge. Outstanding student. …McDonald's All-American in 2005-06. Was a victim of Hurricane Katrina which destroyed his family's home in the heart of New Orleans along with the school he'd attended from eighth grade through his junior year. His family moved to suburban Houston and Augustin chose Texas over LSU.
7. Kyle Weaver - Washington State - 6'5" 185. SR. ... Good speed. Plays defense. He is the Mr. Do Everything Man. Author of the first Triple Double in Washington State history. ...From Beloit, Wisc. Among the Pac-10 leaders in assists, steals, blocks and rebounds. Weaver is the first player in Pac-10 history to reach 300 points, 125 assists, 125 rebounds, 50 steals and 35 blocks in the same season.
8. Darren Collison - UCLA - 6'0" 155. Jr. ...Super quick point guard. Gets into the lane and creates for himself or teammates. Superb free throw shooter at 85% for his Bruins career to date. …The NBA three-ball is too deep for him at this stage. ...A huge key in UCLA's comeback win over Gonzaga in the 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
9. Jamont Gordon - Mississippi State - 6'4" 230. Jr. ... Among the best rebounding guards you will find. Not a classic point guard - as he is often out of control and overly aggressive looking for his own shot. Strong guard. Lefty. Unselfish. Plays hard. Named to First Team All SEC. ...Scored 26 points and grabbed ten rebounds in a big SEC Tourney win over Kentucky 03/09/07. …Registered a triple-double in a win over Vanderbilt on 02/21/07.
10. A.J. Price - Connecticut - 6'2" 181. Jr. ...Owns a 2.4 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio this season. He scores 15 points a game, dishes six assists per and then grabs 3.5 rebounds per game for good measure.
11. Dominic James - Marquette - 5'11" 175. Jr. ... I like this kid! I wish he had a more reliable perimeter shot. A real point guard that competes on every possession. Good speed. Explodes into the passing lane. Will finish with a dunk at 5'11". ...He is an Indiana kid that was runner-up for Indiana's Mr. Basketball as a high school Senior. …He is a small guard at 5'11" but he has speed, skill, and heart. He will dive on the floor for a loose ball. ...Only shoots 66% from the FT line. ...Busted 29 points at De Paul on January 17, 2006. ...Hit two clutch free throws to win an impressive game at Pitt 01/21/07.
12. Patrick Beverly - Arkansas - 6'1" 172. Soph. ...An NBA athlete, Beverly was the 2007 SEC Freshman of the Year. He scores 12 points per game and grabs nearly seven boards per contest - making him one of the best rebounding PG's in the NCAA. He shoots 74% FT, and better than 38% from beyond the college arc.
13. E'Twaun Moore - Purdue - 6'3" 180. Frosh. ...The scoring leader for Purdue is the freshman who has exploded for four games of 20+ points since February 2nd, 2008. ...Shoots an impressive 44% from three point range.
14. K.C. Rivers - Clemson - 6'6" 200. Jr. ...Posted junior year averages of 14 points, six boards, and two assists per game. …Had a fantastic game of 32 points in 29 minutes in a romp at Virginia (02/07/08).
15. Terrence Williams - Louisville - 6'6" 215. Jr. ... Enthusiastic point guard with good hands. Scores eleven points per game, while grabbing seven boards and dishing 4.5 assists. ...Really snatches rebounds. Can get to the basket with the 'blow-by'. …Has improved his shot selection with age.