Luke Winn's Top 16 Backcourts

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 9, 2012

Luke Winn's Top 16 Backcourts

Memphis

Johnson is a high-risk, high-reward addition; the former top-100 recruit has had multiple brushes with the law but is also regarded as the top junior-college guard in the Class of 2012. Jackson has developed into a solid combo guard despite struggling to live up to high expectations early in his career.

Syracuse

Carter-Williams had to toil behind Scoop Jardine and Dion Waiters as a freshman but is expected to have a breakout year running the point. Triche, a senior who's been starting since he was a freshman, is a steady combo guard who'll help Carter-Williams make the adjustment from role player to primary ballhandler.

Kansas

Fans may have forgotten about McLemore, a former top-30 recruit who sat out his first season due to academic issues, but look for him to emerge as one of the better guards in the Big 12. Johnson and Releford are a strong defensive duo who played a big role in last year's run to the national title game.

Cincinnati

The Bearcats are a Big East darkhorse due to the strength of their guards. Kilpatrick is a volume shooter (he made 92-of-245 threes), while Wright is an underrated ball-hawk who helped Cincy finish 17th in the nation in steal percentage.

Ohio

The Bobcats' backcourt is what keyed their surprise run to the Sweet 16 last season. Cooper outplayed Michigan's Trey Burke in the first round of the NCAAs, and Kellogg (son of CBS commentator Clark) is a favorite drive-and-kick target who can knock down threes.

Indiana

Hulls, who made 49.3 percent of his threes last season, is the key long-range component of what will likely be the nation's most efficient offense. Ferrell is a five-star prospect who is expected to start at the point, while Oladipo is the Hoosiers' best perimeter defender.

VCU

The Rams may not have a clear star, but they have a surplus of high-quality guards who should help them earn, at very least, an at-large NCAA tournament bid in their first season in the Atlantic 10. Theus emerged late last year as a clutch playmaker, Weber led the nation in steal percentage, and Graham is primed for a breakout sophomore season as a wing scorer.

Baylor

Jackson is one of the most successful juco-transfer point guards of the past decade, and Heslip, who hit nine threes in second-round NCAA tournament victory last season, is an elite gunner.

North Carolina

Bullock is the best all-around player in a deep Tar Heels backcourt. They'll need Paige, a McDonald's All-America freshman, to fill in capably for departed star Kendall Marshall at the point.

Kentucky

Harrow is next up in John Calipari's point guard procession; while the slender N.C. State transfer may not be a Lottery Pick, he's still an elite college playmaker. Goodwin, a polished two-guard, could very well lead the Wildcats in scoring.

Michigan

Burke was the most underrated prospect in the Class of 2011, and is now regarded as a top-five point guard nationally. The addition of Albrecht will allow Burke to get valuable minutes of rest. The big question mark is whether Hardaway Jr., who's likely moving to shooting guard after playing the "three" for his first two seasons, will be more comfortable at his new position.

NC State

Brown, known in high school as an elite scorer, has blossomed into the ACC's best point guard, while Wood is as good of a "designated gunner" as you'll find in college hoops. McDonald's All-Americans Purvis and Lewis will have valuable auxiliary roles as the Wolfpack try to live up to massive expectations.

Louisville

Siva and Smith are ballhawks who helped the Cardinals have the nation's stingiest defense last season; if they become more efficient scorers, Louisville will have a real shot at a national title. Hancock was excellent as a point forward two seasons ago at George Mason, and should be a big offensive asset.

Ohio State

Craft is a turnover-creating machine -- and the best on-ball defender in the nation -- while Smith is an underrated defender in his own right. Ross, a former four-star prospect who saw very limited action as a freshman on a loaded roster, could have a breakout season as a wing scorer.

San Diego State

Franklin, the reigning Mountain West Conference player of the year, is the best-rebounding guard in the country, while Tapley is a lethal shooting threat and strong defender.

Missouri

The Tigers have the country's best pass-first point guard in Pressey and a high-efficiency combo guard in Dixon Jr. Transfers Brown (from Oregon), Ross (Auburn) and Bell (Pepperdine) are all capable scorers who'll give Mizzou unrivaled backcourt depth.