Point guards. You’ve got to love them. At their best, they represent an intersection of two of the most exciting components of the game. Playmaking and sharpshooting.
Yes, the centers often boast a higher field goal percentage. But when you’re 7’4 and standing four feet from the rim, how hard is that really?
March Madness is soon upon us. As you decide how to bet on college basketball in a way that makes sense for you, look at teams with strong point guards. No, this single position will not solely influence the trajectory of the tournament. Yes, it will make a big difference.
The bigger the stakes, the more important the point guard becomes. It’s their job to set the team’s offensive rhythm. Throughout the tournament, you’ll watch great point guards create and convert, while their less-worthy counterparts throw the ball away.
With it, exciting matchups led by enchanting point guards. Who should you keep an eye out for this postseason?
Best College Basketball Point Guards This Season
What is it about point guards?
Point guards assume a sort of leadership role on whatever team they are on. The very best can move the ball seemingly anywhere—be it the net, or the hands of a nearby teammate. In many cases, a good point guard can go unnoticed by the untrained eye. Their job is not necessarily to make logo bombs—even if we all love it when they do. Their duty is to bring the ball up and put it where it needs to be.
Often referred to as “floor generals” or “coaches on the court,” they’re responsible for executing the team’s offensive strategy with exceptional court vision and basketball IQ. In that way, a point guard’s greatness isn’t always fully apparent on the stat sheet.
Here’s what is true—it’s very difficult to go far without a great point guard in your corner. You’ll notice that as we get into the thick of things with March Madness. The position requires a unique blend of selflessness and assertiveness, knowing when to create for others and when to score. During tournament play, this becomes even more crucial as defensive pressure intensifies. Teams with great guards will move the ball seamlessly on both ends of the court. Teams without them will probably find their way out of the tournament by way of turnovers.
Kameron Jones
Kameron Jones of the Marquette Golden Eagles transitioned into the point guard position only this year. Though he came in a little cold, Jones has warmed quickly to the role. With more than eighteen points per game, Jones is contributing significantly to his team on the offensive end.
He’s also shown himself to be a good playmaker. Jones clocks six assists per game, showing that he can move the needle in more ways than one.
Braden Smith
Braden Smith of Purdue has been a steady presence this season. At sixteen points per game, he has made pretty considerable contributions as a scorer. However, it’s his playmaking ability that really stands out.
Smith makes almost nine assists per game on average.
Tamin Lipsey
Tamin Lipsey at Iowa State doesn’t produce fireworks, but he does put up steady numbers. Averaging ten points per game with three assists, he’s helped his team through a respectable season.
The Cyclones aren’t projected to win this March, but they have qualified for the tournament.
Paige Bueckers
Paige Bueckers entered her 2024/25 season with an almost Caitlin Clark-worthy level of attention. The UConn point guard nearly entered the draft portal last year. At the time, she was the projected top WNBA draft pick, surpassing even Clark herself.
Bueckers instead decided to return for one final season with the Huskies. Since then, she’s had an incredibly steady, if competitive year.
Averaging almost nineteen points, with 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, Bueckers has been an asset to her team all season long.
UConn will enter March Madness ranked third in the country, with a very real chance of going the distance.
After that, you can expect to see Bueckers begin her pro career in Dallas with the WNBA franchise, The Wings. While the draft will not officially take place until April, Bueckers is overwhelmingly presumed to be the first pick.
Olivia Miles
Olivia Miles is an incredibly talented point guard playing at Notre Dame. On average, Miles puts up sixteen points per game and adds 6.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists to her team’s tally. Notre Dame enters the tournament ranked sixth nationally. Less likely, perhaps, than UConn, to go the distance, but still in a good position for some interesting play.
Miles, by the way, is also on track to make her professional debut this summer. Some analysts have gone so far as to speculate that the Dallas Wings will choose her over Bueckers. More likely, the Notre Dame point guard will begin her career in Los Angeles as the second overall pick.
Main Image: © Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
