'09-'10 Preseason Player Rankings: Point Guards

The madness of March has come and gone as another season is in the books. But as one season ends, the next begins, starting with naming the best remaining players in the nation and who might lead their team to the promise land.

Today marks the beginning of the new "Preseason Player Rankings" series. Here is a rundown of the top five point guards who already announced their intentions of returning to their respective school.

1. Sherron Collins

Collins had a break out sophomore season after being used mainly as a spark plug on the national title-winning 2008 Jayhawk team.

Collins improved in every single aspect of his game and statistically more than double most of his numbers.

His 18.9 points along with 5.0 assists last season makes him a dual-threat lead guard with the ability to do many different things on the basketball court. Collins, 5'11" 200 lbs., is a superb slasher, using his unparalleled strength to muscle his way to the basket, and makes very crisp passes.

Scoring 10+ points in 33 of 35 games this season, consistency is what sets Collins apart from the rest of the point guards across the nation.

With all the pieces returning for the Jayhawks next season, all 13 scholarship players returning, it seems as though Collins will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills.

2. Jeff Teague *

Perhaps no one showed more maturity and improvement last season than Jeff Teague.

The Second-Team All-American stepped up his scoring by 4.9 points (13.9 - 18.8), his field goal shooting by 5.1% (.434 - .485), and his three point shooting by 4.6% (.395 - .441).

Teague, like Collins, showed amazing consistency last season for Wake Forest. He scored in double figures in all 31 games that he played, though he did not consistently take care of the basketball.

These drastic improvements show me the kind of dedication it takes to take your game to the next level from one year to the next. Teague demonstartes that he knows how to improve on his game during the off season, so I expect even more improvements.

Teague also has Al Farouq-Aminu returning to help shoulder some of the responsibility of the Demon Deacons team. This will be a dangerous 1-2 combo in the ACC and will lead to very good press for Teague in particular.

3. Kalin Lucas

Lucas firmly established himself as a blossoming superstar throughout Michigan State's memorable run to the national title game last season.

Lucas averaged 14.3 points and 5.7 assists per game in his six tournament games, playing beyond his years in many key situations, including a game-winning jumper to beat Sherron Collins and Kansas in the Sweet 16.

Lucas was pretty solid in the regular season too. He actually averaged more points with 14.8, while averaging 4.2 assists prior to the NCAA tournament.

Lucas will be surrounded by a great core of players who all participated in last season's finals run. Durrell Summers and Raymar Morgan both will be returning for another season and will help contribute to the development of the young point guard.

Lucas goes into 2009-2010 with all the tools to become an elite guard. He has the speed, athleticism, and the uncanny ability to make the right decision in every situation. With a developed jump shot there is no reason why Lucas can not be sitting atop this list.

4. John Wall

Ok, I know. 'Wall has not even played in a college game yet so how could I have him as a top 5 point guard?'.

Well, he is just that good.

Wall, a 6'4" Raleigh, North Carolina native, is considered by most recruiting experts as the consensus number one overall prep player in America.

To go along with mind-boggling speed, Wall has a vicious crossover and Rajon Rondo-like rebounding abilities. Wall is able to get into the lane at will and has done it against the best players in the world (Nike Hoop Summit).

It is being reported that he has narrowed his school list down to Kentucky or Miami, although I firmly believe Duke and North Carolina are still in the mix. If he chooses Kentucky it appears all the necessary pieces to help him succeed and show off his skills are already in order.

Wall participated in the 2009 Jordan Brand Classic, and competed for the amateur Team USA team within the past three months.

5. Toney Douglas

Like Kalin Lucas, who was mentioned earlier, Douglas became a household name after the regular season with dominating performances in the ACC Tournament and NCAA tournament.

Douglas is a natural scorer, averaging 21.5 points last season, and has the size, 6'2', to compete with any guard in the country.

Douglas proved he is legit against some of the best teams in the country last year. 

In three meetings against Duke, Douglass tallied 18, 27, and 28 points. In two meetings against North Carolina he dominated with 32 and 27 points.

Next season with five-star recruit Michael Snaer helping with the scoring load, Douglas can improve upon his point guard skills and has a chance to be considered as an elite player, not just an elite scorer.

*Assuming he returns to school