ISU's Tamin Lipsey Hyped as CBB's Best PG by HC by After Historic Start to Season

Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger doesn't think there's a better playmaker in college basketball than Tamin Lipsey after the senior guard helped the Cyclones improve to 15-0.

"Obviously, you're talking about the guy who I'm taking over any point guard in America," Otzelberger said following Wednesday's 70-60 win over Baylor, per ESPN's Myron Medcalf. "We've got the best point guard in the country."

Lipsey had a game-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting and dished out two assists. Twenty of his points came in the second half as he helped Iowa State take control and hand the Bears their fourth loss of the season.

"Obviously, not having him out there quite as much in the first half impacted where the game was at," Otzelberger said. "But man, in that second half, the plays he made, the shots he made, it was amazing, especially when you have to bounce back when your normal routine and rhythm of the game is disrupted because of the fouls. So I trust him."

Lipsey is averaging 14.8 points, 5.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game so far. Coming into the year, he was on the watch list for the Bob Cousy Award, which goes to the top point guard, and he has more than warranted that hype.

Purdue guard Braden Smith, the reigning Cousy Award winner, isn't resting on his laurels. He's leading Division I in assists (9.5) while scoring 13.3 points per contest.

The longer third-ranked Iowa State continues its hot run, the more credit Lipsey is going to get, though. Should the Cyclones hold onto their top-five status through to the NCAA tournament, he could dislodge Smith as the best point guard in the men's game.