Syracuse Basketball: Ranking Carter-Williams' Top 5 Highlights This Season

Super sophomore Michael Carter-Williams is one of the top point guards in the nation and has led Syracuse to a 18-3 (6-2) record. After averaging 2.7 points a game and 2.1 assists as a freshman, he has really taken a step forward in his second season with the Orange.

Carter-Williams is averaging 12.6 points a game with 4.9 rebounds. His 8.6 assists per game lead the nation.  He has shown the ability to both score and lead the Syracuse offense with his ability to find an open teammate.

Throughout the current season, Carter-Williams has had many highlights, from great passes to incredible steals and even some monster dunks.

As Syracuse heads into the final part of its schedule, let's take a look at some of Carter-Williams' best moments this year. The highlights were ranked using two factors: how game-changing was the play and simply how impressive the play looks.

5. 16 Assists vs. Monmouth

Though it's not just one highlight, this compilation had to be on the list. In the December 8th contest against Monmouth, Carter-Williams proved why he is the nation's leader in assists.

Against the Hawks, he made a career-high 16 assists, helping the Orange to a huge 108-56 victory.

The sophomore showed why he has to be considered one of the top point guards in the nation. His ability to drive the lane and kick to the open man is one of the top reasons that Syracuse has been so successful this season.

Though this highlight focuses on his assists, it also shows a steal that leads to a dunk, something that Carter-Williams seems to do in every game.

4. Steal and Dunk vs. San Diego State

Syracuse fans got an early glimpse of how special Michael Carter-Williams can be. In the first game of the year, against San Diego State, he showed his all-around skills as a scorer, passer and defender.

Against the Aztecs, the sophomore point guard finished with 17 points, four assists and five steals.

While there were several highlight moments for him in this game, some of which are included at the end of this clip, the sequence to watch comes right at the beginning. Carter-Williams jumps in front of a pass, collects the steal and drives the lane for a break-away dunk.

The steals, great passes and dunks that Carter-Williams had in this game were a sign of great things to come for the 2012-13 season.

3. Three-Pointer at the End of Half Against Louisville

This was a pivotal play at the end of the first half in a huge road game against the then No. 1 Louisville Cardinals. While usually the one doing the passing, Carter-Williams decided to take the big shot in this one.

In a back-and-forth contest, the Cardinals were looking to take a three-point lead into the break. With time winding down, Brandon Triche looked like he was going to fire up a three, but opted to pass to an open Carter Williams.

Though he was just two of seven from behind the arc for the game, this one was huge for momentum. Instead of being down, the Orange went into the half tied, setting them up for an upset victory.

2. One-Handed Jam vs. Cincinnati

Against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Carter-Williams one again showed his quickness and ability to drive the lane. He took the ball at midcourt and decided to do the work himself on this one, taking it right into the heart of the Bearcat defense.

This monster dunk is one of the top highlights of the season for the sophomore point guard. He started his takeoff just inside of the foul line and finished with a spectacular one-handed slam.

For the game, Carter-Williams finished with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

This was the Orange's second-straight victory over a ranked opponent, as they defeated the No. 21 Bearcats 57-55.

1. Steal and Dunk Finishes off Louisville

Was there any doubt that this one would be number one? The play itself was great, but the moment in which it happened makes it awesome. With 30 seconds remaining in the game and 'Cuse down by one point to the top-ranked Cardinals, the defense needed to come up with a stop.

Carter-Williams took care of that. He picked off Peyton Siva's pass and took it the other way, finishing with yet another monster jam.

This game was back and forth the entire time and Carter-Williams struggled for most of it. For the game he committed a season-high eight turnovers. However, he took over in the second half, scoring 11 of Syracuse's final 13 points.

Aside from the play shown in this highlight, the sophomore helped seal the victory with a huge defensive rebound with 15 seconds remaining and another steal when Louisville had one final chance at a game-tying shot with seven seconds remaining.