Road to The Final Four at Ford Field: Top Guards In The Nation

11. Senior Jack McClinton, 6'1'', Miami, ToG: Sharpshooter

There's one player in the ACC that will be on a team good enough to make him a serious challenger to Tyler Hansbrough as ACC Player of the Year and that's Jack McClinton. The former Siena Saint has turned into one of the most dangerous shooters in the country.

He's shot over 42 percent the last two years from three and has buried over 180 three-points the past two seasons combined. McClinton will make the Hurricanes contenders to finish second behind UNC in the conference.

12. Senior Marcus Thornton, 6'4'', LSU, ToG: Pure Scorer

There's probably only one superstar guard in the country that is as unknown as LSU's Marcus Thornton and that's the player listed next. Thornton returns to Baton Rouge as a guard who can and will score from anywhere. There's no shot Thornton won't take.

He may be a fearless shooter, but his shot selection is still his biggest knack. If he can improve his 43.6 percent shooting percentage, Thornton will be an All-SEC performer and even a third or fourth team All-American.

13. Junior Devan Downey, 5'9'', South Carolina, ToG: Floor General

There's no guard in this country that has gotten as little exposure as the Gamecocks' Devan Downey. The former Cincinnati Bearcat left the Queen City for Columbia, but hasn't found success in terms of wins and losses.

Downey has elevated his game to be one of the best in the SEC. The Gamecock should single handily win new coach Darrin Horn several key games all by himself. Downey returns as the conference's second leading scorer at over 18 ppg, but also shells out five dimes.

14. Sophomore Nick Calathes, 6'6'', Florida, ToG: Floor General and Pure Scorer

Not too often is your starting point guard 6'6''. Gator Coach Billy Donovan has a tremendous young talent in Nick Calathes who will take Florida back to the NCAA Tournament.

The SEC Co-Freshman of the Year is a triple-double waiting to happen after averaging 15 ppg, 6 apg, and 5 rbg. Calathes can also bury the three and is genuinely a jack-of-all-trades.

15. Sophomore Patty Mills, 6'0'', St. Mary's College, ToG: Pure Scorer

Perhaps the best player to come out of Australia since Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills is an incredible talent and force to be reckon with in the WCC. Mills will challenge fellow guard Jeremy Pargo for player of the year honors.

The sophomore struggled at times in the conference schedule, but made a name for himself during the non-conference slate. Mills dropped 37 points against Oregon in an upset of the Ducks.

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