Updated Rankings for College Basketball's Best Point Guards in 2014-15

Before this season, I wrote that shooting guard is the deepest position in college basketball. After trying to determine the best 20 points guards this week, I'd like a mulligan.

Point guard is the deepest position in the country. 

Simply take a look at some of the honorable mentions who didn't make it. When my editor told me to limit that list to 10, even that was a chore. 

Ranking the top players at each position is something I've done before each of the last few seasons, and my editors got the grand idea of giving it another shot over the next five weeks, ya know, so I can see all the mistakes I made in the preseason. 

First of all, I had to switch a few guys based on their roles this year. So Notre Dame's Jerian Grant is no longer a shooting guard and will appear on this list. Louisville's Terry Rozier and Duke's Quinn Cook will now be with the shooting guards. And I offer my heartfelt apology to Big Blue Nation for dropping Andrew Harrison from his preseason third spot into the honorable mention list with Tyler Ulis. (Can I still be president of the Tyler Ulis fan club?) 

The rankings are based on production, team value, team success and the (always-subjective) eye test.

Just missed the cut: Sterling Gibbs, Seton Hall; D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, Georgetown; Kenny Chery, Baylor; Isaiah Taylor, Texas; Andrew Harrison, Kentucky; Tyler Ulis, Kentucky; London Perrantes, Virginia; Briante Weber, VCU; Shaquille Harrison, Tulsa; Travis Trice, Michigan State

20-16: Goss-Rodriguez

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Nigel Williams-Goss, Washington

20 

Preseason rank: 17

Before Christmas, Williams-Goss would have ranked much higher on this list. His Huskies were 11-0 and the biggest surprise in the country. They're 3-5 since and some of that falls on Williams-Goss, although he'd be a better fit surrounded by great scorers. On the Huskies, he's miscast in the role of go-to scorer.  

Tyus Jones, Duke

19 

Preseason rank: Unranked

Jones has been a great setup man and shown up as a scorer on big occasions when his team needs him. His two best games have been on the biggest stages—dropping 22 points at Wisconsin and then leading Sunday's comeback for Coach K's 1,000th win with 22 points and six dimes against St. John's at Madison Square Garden.

T.J. McConnell, Arizona

18 

Preseason rank: 10

His numbers (9.0 points and 5.9 assists per game) will never blow you away, but McConnell is one of the best leaders and best perimeter defenders in the country. He's also been clutch in Arizona's two biggest wins—scoring all six overtime points for the 'Cats against Gonzaga and putting up 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting to go along with six dimes against Utah. 

Marcus Paige, North Carolina

17 

Preseason rank: 1

Paige hasn't been as good as expected this season, but he has played most of the year with plantar fasciitis. He does get some credit for UNC's team success. The Heels—winners of 11 of their last 12—are currently one of the hottest squads in the country, and part of that has to do with Paige's shot starting to come around. He's made 15 of his last 28 three-point attempts.  

Angel Rodriguez, Miami

16 

Preseason rank: Unranked

Rodriquez has made the 'Canes relevant again, as they are likely headed back to the NCAA tournament. When he's on, like he was against Duke two weeks ago, he can carry an offense. 

15-11: Moore-Dunn

USA TODAY Sports

Nic Moore, SMU

15 

Preseason rank: 11

It would have been nice to have Emmanuel Mudiay, but SMU isn't hurting for a top-tier point guard. Moore has been the rock for the Mustangs, a program that has had plenty of distractions this year yet is still 16-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play. He's averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and shooting 46.6 percent from deep.

Juwan Staten, West Virginia

14 

Preseason rank: 5

Staten hasn't been quite as good offensively as he was a year ago, but Bob Huggins has put a better team around him and employed a full-court press that is giving opposing guards nightmares. And it's not like Staten is putting up pedestrian numbers. He's still averaging a solid 14.9 points and 4.4 assists per game. 

Fred VanVleet, Wichita State

13 

Preseason rank: 2

VanVleet's numbers are slightly down from last season, which is surprising considering it was expected that more of the scoring load would fall on him with the loss of Cleanthony Early. But he's still one of the best floor generals in college basketball with a stellar assist-turnover ratio (3.86) and a lot of wins—WSU is 18-2—to show for it. 

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

12 

Preseason rank: 8

Ferrell has led the small-ball Hoosiers to a surprising 5-2 start in the Big Ten. He's making better decisions as a playmaker this season and putting up impressive numbers—16 points per game, 4.9 assists and 43.6 percent shooting from deep.  

Kris Dunn, Providence

11 

Preseason rank: Unranked

Finally healthy, Dunn is showing why he was one of the top-rated point guards coming out of high school three years ago. He leads the nation in assists per game (7.6) and has also been a nuisance on the defensive end, ranking ninth nationally in steals per game (2.6). 

10. Ryan Boatright, Connecticut

USA TODAY Sports

Preseason rank: 9

Ryan Boatright's biggest flaw is that he doesn't have another Ryan Boatright playing next to him. That was a luxury that Shabazz Napier had last season. 

Boatright is putting up comparable stats to Napier's senior season (advanced stats via KenPom.com): 

• Napier (2013-14): 18.0 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 51.7 eFG%, 115.8 offensive rating
• Boatright (2014-15): 16.5 PPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 49.8 eFG%, 109.6 offensive rating

Unfortunately for Boatright, he's not experiencing the same kind of team success. The Huskies are 11-7 and have work to do to get back to the NCAA tournament. Not all of that is on him, but he can't have many off games for that to happen. In UConn's last three losses, he's shooting 25.9 percent.

9. Keifer Sykes, Green Bay

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Preseason rank: 7

Mini Russell Westbrook is putting up highlights and numbers once again.

If you don't believe in the numbers (19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game), find Green Bay on YouTube and watch Keifer Sykes play.

Sykes is electric with the ball in his hands and one of the best finishers in the country. He's only 6'0"—and that's a generous listing—yet he shoots 70 percent at the rim, according to Hoop-Math.com. 

The Phoenix are 17-4 with a win at Miami on their resume. Sykes put up 18 points in that game, and if that's not enough to convince you he's for real, he's dropped 52 points over two games against Wisconsin the last two seasons.

8. Derrick Marks, Boise State

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

Preseason rank: Unranked

The production and efficiency with which he does it would have Derrick Marks in the Player of the Year conversation if he played at a big-time program.

Marks has carried Boise State this season to a respectable 15-6 record, which isn't bad considering the Broncos took a big hit seven games into the season when they lost senior wing Anthony Drmic, who was on pace to be the school's all-time scoring leader. They've picked it up lately, winning five straight games with Marks averaging 26.8 points per game over that stretch.

For the season, he's averaging 19.6 points, making 51.1 percent of his twos and 53.8 percent of his threes. He's become almost unguardable by refining his perimeter jumper in the offseason. He shot a measly 28.8 percent from deep last year, and he already has a career-high 43 treys—21 better than his previous best.

7. Monte Morris, Iowa State

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Preseason rank: Unranked

Monte Morris is leading the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio for the second straight season.

If that's all you knew about Morris, it would be easy to assume that he's just a play-it-safe guard who doesn't take many chances. That's not reality.

Morris allows the Cyclones to play with great pace, and he's the rare guard who can play fast and under control. He's also become a more complete guard this season. He got stronger in the offseason, which has helped him become more of a force scoring the ball. He's averaging 10.8 points and has scored in double figures in 13 out of 19 games.

6. Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga

William Mancebo/Getty Images

Preseason rank: 4

Kevin Pangos could average around 20 points per game if he wanted. He has that kind of talent. But instead, Pangos is averaging 12.4 points per game, sacrificing his scoring for more of a facilitator role on one of the deepest teams in the country that has quality scorers at every spot.

That's allowed Pangos to pick his spots, and he's one of the most efficient scorers around when he does decide to shoot. His 139.8 offensive rating ranks second nationally, per KenPom.com. He's also averaging a career-best 4.9 assists.

5. Frank Mason, Kansas

Chris Covatta/Getty Images

Preseason rank: Unranked

Before this season, I was going around saying that I wasn't sure Frank Mason could ever be the answer for Kansas at point guard. As a freshman, Mason was a solid bench scorer who attacked the basket without fear. Sometimes recklessly. My thought was he would continue to be best utilized as a change-of-pace scorer off the bench—like a flamethrower pitcher out of the bullpen.

Boy do I feel stupid.

Mason has transformed into a real point guard who makes guys around him better and has a great feel for when to attack or when to facilitate. He's matured. He's consistent. He's been KU's rock. And it's a good thing, as some of the more heralded Jayhawks have had an up-and-down season.

Mason is without a doubt the team's MVP and the reason the Jayhawks once again sit atop the Big 12.

4. Chasson Randle, Stanford

USA TODAY Sports

Preseason rank: No. 6 shooting guard

If you need a bucket and want to just give the ball to one guy and throw out the playbook, Chasson Randle is your man. 

Randle is a professional scorer who is just a beast to defend off the dribble. He's averaging a career-best 20.2 points per game this season, and he's been at his best against the stiffer competition. In 10 games against Power Five conference schools (plus Connecticut), he's averaging 22.5 points per game. 

The Cardinal, who reached the Sweet 16 last season, will be a team no one wants to face in March, because going up against Randle in a win-or-go home scenario is a scary proposition.

3. Melo Trimble, Maryland

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Preseason rank: Unranked

College players are not to be paid, but if Mark Turgeon wanted to throw Melo Trimble a few dollars down the road, the NCAA should agree to just look the other way. Turgeon certainly owes his freshman point guard.

The coach entered this season on the hot seat after three NCAA tourney-less seasons at Maryland. Now he's coaching the 16th-ranked team in the nation, and Trimble is the biggest reason behind Maryland's success.

Trimble is incredibly poised for a freshman and has comfortably assumed the role of go-to guy on one of the Big Ten's best teams. He's been impressive for many reasons, but more so than any other, it's his clutch gene. He takes and makes big shots. In Maryland's four games decided by five points or less—all of which the Terps have won—Trimble is averaging 24.8 points per game.

2. Delon Wright, Utah

USA TODAY Sports

Preseason rank: 6

In the two seasons before Delon Wright arrived on campus, Utah was 21-43. Since he arrived, the Utes are 37-15. 

Wright has helped Larry Krystkowiak turn the program back into a winner by doing a little bit of everything. He makes everyone around him better and is averaging 6.1 assists per game. 

Krystkowiak has also done a good job building around Wright, who, at 6'5" with the ability to score in the paint, is an extremely difficult cover. Krystkowiak has surrounded Wright with three-point shooters and a great pick-and-roll big man in freshman center Jakob Poeltl. Don't be surprised to see Wright and the Utes make a deep run in March.

1. Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

USA TODAY Sports

Preseason rank: No. 3 shooting guard

The top point guard in college basketball this season is the man running the nation's best offense.

Jerian Grant has been brilliant for the Irish as both a scorer (17.1 points per game) and distributor (6.2 assists). He can play either guard spot, but Notre Dame coach Mike Brey has wisely played Grant mostly at point guard this season.

Grant has next-level feel with the ball in his hands. He's great using ball screens and has a good sense for when to make plays for himself or others.

It helps that, similar to Delon Wright at Utah, Grant is surrounded by shooters and a great roll man (Zach Auguste) in the pick-and-roll. Of course, those pieces were in place last season when Notre Dame went 7-13 without Grant, who had to leave school for the second semester because of an academic suspension. With him back this year, Notre Dame is 19-2, and Grant would be a no-brainer first-team All-American if the season ended today.