6. Junior Wayne Ellington, 6'4'', UNC, ToG: Sharpshooter
If North Carolina is going to win a national title, Wayne Ellington is going to need to step up and hit the outside shot. In UNC's three losses, Ellington shot an abysmal 3-22 from three including 1-9 in the National Semifinal game against Kansas.
Ellington provides the range the Tar Heels generally lack, hitting 40 percent of his attempts from long range. The junior drilled 78 treys last year en route to averaging almost 17 points per game.
7. Sophomore Jonny Flynn, 5'11'', Syracuse, ToG: Floor General
One college player reportedly outperformed every amateur player and even many pros at LeBron James' Camp over the summer and that player was Jonny Flynn. The Big East Co-Rookie of the Year not only put points on the board last season (15 ppg), but also dished out his fair share of assists (5.3 apg).
With several scorers back from injury, Flynn will be able to return to his more natural role of floor general. Flynn told Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News that the 'Cuse guards' goal for the upcoming season was to average at least 8.0 assists per game. It's a lofty goal, but when you're as talented as Flynn and have the type of scorers he has around him, it's definitely a realistic goal.
8. Senior A.J. Price, 6'2'', UConn, ToG: Floor General
An ACL injury is the only thing keeping A.J. Price from ranking above Flynn as the top point guard in the Big East. There's a lot of uncertainly about injuries as serious as Price's, but if he can return to his 2008 form, he'll be in the running for Big East Player of the Year honors.
Price led the Huskies back to the NCAA Tournament after a disastrous 2007 season. The senior provides a nice scoring touch (14.5 ppg), but distributes the ball even better (5.8 apg).
9. Senior Jerel McNeal, 6'3'', Marquette, ToG: Slasher and Lockdown Defender
The first true slasher to make the list of top guards in the country is Marquette's Jerel McNeal. After testing the waters of the NBA, one of the nation's premier defenders is back to shutdown opposing guards. McNeal picked up over two assists per game and enters his senior season as the school's third all-time leading thief.
The senior is also adept at getting to the basket better than any other guard in the country. His ability to finish greatly improved from his sophomore to junior year and is evident in his increase in shooting percentage (41.7 percent to 45.6 percent). One more step forward and McNeal can become a big time scorer in a loaded Big East.
10. Senior Jeremy Pargo, 6'2'', Gonzaga, ToG: Floor General
The reigning West Coast Conference Player of the Year is back and poised to take the Zags to Final Four for the first time in school history. Pargo has no problem passing the ball, dishing out six helpers a game, but it's his shot that needs some work.
After shooting 38 percent from three-point territory his sophomore year, Pargo regressed significantly, shooting just 26 percent last year. If the senior can figure his shot out, he'll repeat as WCC Player of the Year and will have a shot at being an All-American.
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