Point Guards to watch in the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

The top 15 players at each position in the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, from an NBA scouting perspective. - By Bobby Gerould - March 17, 2009

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 2009 NCAA Tournament.

1. Ty Lawson - North Carolina. - 5'11" 195. Jr. ...2008-09 ACC Player of the Year is a real maestro. He orchestrates the Tar Heels with his fantastic decision making. This year his ACC assist-error ratio was (3.32 to 1). From a strictly efficiency standpoint - Lawson is FAR, FAR, and AWAY the best Point Guard. It is not even close. 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. ...Some question his size and shooting ability as a future pro - to which I say - Lawson is more efficient in college than Jameer Nelson was. ...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. Jonny Flynn - Syracuse. 6'0" 172. Soph. ...Flynn is a strong willed Point Guard that was most recently named MVP of the 2009 Big East Tournament. ...Quick. Uses a ball screen extremely well. …Likes to go-go-go - which can lead to some shaky decisions - particularly when his team has the lead. On the flip side - you love him when behind because he can bring you back with his aggressive play. ...Averaged 8.5 ppg.,3.8 rpg., a team-high 5.3 apg. and 1.8 spg.at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men in San Antonio, Texas. ...Will Flynn turn pro?

3. Jared Quayle - Utah State. 6'1" 180. Jr. ... In his first year at Utah State - Quayle owns a two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio - while averaging 13 points, six boards, and nearly four assists per game. "He can score, pass, and handle the basketball", says Stew Morrill - Utah State Head Coach. Quayle is hitting 38% from three point range. ...Rebounds very well for his size. Quicker than he looks. ...He played JUCO ball last year in Wyoming and was 5th in the nation in scoring at 24 ppg. ...Gets after it defensively - and gives honest effort. ...Quayle is 23 years old, and married. (ps - remember you heard about Quayle here at BasslineSpin.com - nobody else seems to be talking about this kid yet)

4. Grievis Vasquez - Maryland. 6'5" 195. Jr. ...Vasquez is a fiery Venezuelan Point Guard and passionate leader. ...Has a versatile overall game that netted him triple doubles at Maryland. He is not a great athlete so he relies on crafty moves to score or set up teammates. I like him because of his desire. He plays hard. ...Coach Gary Williams says, "Greivis has a South American and European approach to the game. He brings explosiveness and is a well-rounded guard who is a good ball handler, but also rebounds and defends well." ...Played in high school with Kevin Durant of Texas at Montrose Christian.

5. Eric Maynor - VCU. 6'2" 165. SR. ...Maynor is a real Point Guard with a solid assist-to-turnover ratio. Two-time CAA Player of the Year. He understands the game. A leader that involves others. Len Elmore calls him the best Point Guard prospect in the NCAA. ...Maynor became just the second player in Colonial history to lead the league in scoring (22.4 ppg) and assists (6.2 apg) in the same season and he is one of only two players in Division I to be ranked among the top 20 nationally in scoring and assists. ...He can knock down the three-ball although it does not look pure. He is at his best when penetrating the lane to set up teammates or drop in his tough floater. ...79% FT. ...Could be a more effective player if he turned down a few shots. He also has a tendency to get himself turned around on defense - losing momentary sight of the ball. Right handed.

6. Terrence Williams - Louisville - 6'6" 215. SR. ...He has everything but a consistent jump shop in his game. ...A player I enjoy watching. He is enthusiastic, competitive, and he has good hands. ...Helps team rebounding by snatching boards away from bigger players. ...Williams has worked very hard to change his shot with coach Rick Pitino as the teacher. His historical percentages as a shooter are not worthy of the NBA. However - he has shown signs as a Senior that he has truly corrected his perimeter jumper. ... Can get to the basket with the 'blow-by'. …Has improved his shot selection with age. …Poor free throw shooter. ...First Team All Big East 2008-09. In college he is a 'point forward' but I see him as a 6'6" PG at the next level.

7. Kemba Walker - Connecticut. 6'1" 172. Frosh. ...Pressed into the spotlight when Jerome Dyson went out with a season ending injury - Walker has responded with gusto. He has a feel for what is a good shot combined with skill and athleticism. He can get to the basket on the dribble-drive. ...Rare is the Freshman that has one and a half assists for every turnover. ...Selected to the Big East All Rookie team.

8. Tyrese Rice - Boston College. 6'0" 183 SR. ...Rice is a lefty combo-guard that I really like. He can score in bunches - as evidenced on March 1, 2008 when he scored 46 against powerhouse North Carolina. He has quick hands and good - but not great - speed. ...Excellent ball handler that has ability to knife through defenders and get his shot off. ...Excellent foul shooter at 82% for his career. ...Rice made the ACC's all-freshman team in 2005-06, the all-ACC second team in 2006-07 and the all-ACC first team in 2007-08. ...High School: Earned 2004-05 Associated Press (Virginia) Co-Player of the Year honors.

9. Ben Woodside - North Dakota St. 5'11" 188. SR. ...Woodside is the highest-scoring player in the tournament, ranking ninth among major-college players with an average of 22.8 points along with 6.3 assists. ...On December 12th, 2008 - he put up 60 points in a one point loss to Stephen F. Austin. …Not just a scorer - Woodside also gets teammates involved. As a Senior - he owns a better than 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Career 46 % FG, 82% FT. ...Scored over 2,000 points while dishing out 600 assists in his career. That is a lot of buckets! ...A great story as NDSU is in their first year of eligibility for the big dance.

10. Willie Warren - Oklahoma. 6'4" 207. Frosh. ...2008-09 Big 12 Freshman of the Year. ...Cocky kid believes he can make every play. ...Plays well on the road. ...Can hit the three or set up his teammates on penetration. Good size for a Point Guard at 6'4" but could just as easily be listed as a Shooting Guard. …He can effectively use his change of pace dribble to 'blow by' defenders. ...2008 Texas High School Player of the Year.

11. Jermaine Dixon - Pittsburgh. 6'3" 195 Jr. ... Another reason why Pitt has been so good is Jermaine Dixon - the younger brother of Maryland's Juan Dixon. …Jermaine is bigger and thicker than Juan. …Jermaine played JUCO ball last season in Florida where he was First Team Junior College All-America selection by The Sporting News as a sophomore. …Lefty that can do all that is expected of a Point Guard. He penetrates, and knocks down shots. ...He owns a better than two-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio - yet does not shy from looking for his own shot. ..63% FT is worrisome - but it is a small sample size.

12. A.J. Price - Connecticut - 6'2" 181. Jr. ...Price came back from suffering a torn ACL in the 2007-08 season. ...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. ...Fantastic ball handler that can shake defenders. ...Price's turbulent existence at U-Conn is documented well in this article.

13. E'Twaun Moore - Purdue - 6'3" 180. Soph. ...The floor leader for Purdue is a sophomore who has exploded for four games of 20+ points since February 2nd, 2008. ...Shoots an impressive 44% from three point range. ...Scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half, as Purdue rallied to beat Ohio State, 65-61, in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Tournament championship. Matt Painter, Purdue Head Coach said. "E'Twaun is an unselfish player who can be one of the top guards in the country when he allows the game to come to him." ...In high school he led his team, East Chicago, to the 2007 4A State Championship.

14. Scottie Reynolds - Villanova. 6'2" 195 Jr. ... Right handed point guard that can score. …Has deep range on his jumper. ...A talented guard who can play at the point or off the ball ... Can also use his quickness to get to the basket and finish in the lane. …A 2006 McDonald's All-American. ...Participated in 2005 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, where he helped USA White Team to a gold medal.

15. Tyshawn Taylor - Kansas. 6'3" 180. Frosh. ...Impressively shot 52% FG as a Freshman while displaying good court vision. Quick. …A willing defender. …Seems to be playing better and better which leads us to believe he can offer even more. …Considering his high school pedigree (Led Saint Anthony of Jersey City, N.J., to a 32-0 record and the USA Today's mythical national championship in 2008), Taylor is a promising prospect.

The after party...

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. ...I question his ability to finish in the paint.

Derwin Kitchen - Florida State. 6'4" 197. Soph. ...Can add some scoring punch.

Sherron Collins - Kansas. 5'11" 200. Jr. ... An explosive Point Guard from Chicago who has great shooting range... An exciting player who earned McDonald's and Parade All-American honors in high school... Can beat teams many different ways... Recruited in three sports - basketball, baseball and football.

Lavance Fields - Pittsburgh. 5'10" 190. SR. The leader of Pitt's great team. Small yet thick and sturdy Point Guard that knows how to run a team. As a Senior - he has played with a 4 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Carlon Brown - Utah. 6'5" 205. Soph. ...Explosive and powerful.

Isaiah Thomas - Washington. Frosh. 5'8" 170. Frosh. ... The Pac-10 Freshman of the Year helped Washington to a regular season conference title. Super speedy with tremendous ability to break defenders down off the dribble.

Kalin Lucas - Michigan St. 6'0" 180. Soph. ...Strong right handed Point Guard was a high school football player.

Jerome Randle - Cal. 5'10" 160. Jr. ...Randle is a player I like. He has handles! He continues to improve but his shot selection is suspect. Great free throw shooter at 86%.

See the TWO guards list / Small Forwards list / Power Forwards list / Centers list

Sources include: DraftExpress.com / USAToday / ESPN.com / The Daily Campus / Sporting News / SI.com