College Basketball Predictions 2011-12: The Top 12 Passers in the Country

This spring’s draft took a heavy toll on the point guard ranks in college basketball. With familiar names like Kemba Walker and Brandon Knight gone, a lot of big-name teams will be breaking in new names at the PG spot.

Even with all the new faces, though, there’s an ample supply of returning talent among the country’s floor leaders. For every unproven Seth Curry being asked to step into a leading role, there’s an entrenched standout like Tyshawn Taylor ready for his season in the spotlight.

Read on for a look at a dozen of the best passers returning to the college ranks for 2011-12.

12. Maalik Wayns, Villanova

Lost in the disappointing end to Villanova’s season (and the graduation of standout scorer Corey Fisher) was the enormous growth of Maalik Wayns. A first-time starter in his sophomore year, Wayns more than tripled his assist totals, averaging 4.5 per game.

With Fisher and his 4.8 assists per contest gone, the Wildcats offense will be Wayns’ show next season. Replacing Fisher’s scoring won’t be easy, but ‘Nova won’t have to worry about finding a floor leader in 2001-12.

11. Brad Tinsley, Vanderbilt

John Jenkins wasn’t the only Commodore who benefited from his breakout scoring season. PG Brad Tinsley, a three-year starter, posted a career year of his own with 4.6 assists, feeding the sharp-shooting Jenkins.

With Jenkins back for next season (and likely better than ever given his impressive showing at this summer’s World University Games), Tinsley is only going to get better in his senior year. Don’t be surprised if he challenges for the SEC lead in assists in 2011-12.

10. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

Although Tyshawn Taylor hasn’t exactly been a model of consistency in a Jayhawk uniform, his talent has been hard to argue with. Even with second-round draft pick Josh Selby eating into his minutes last year, Taylor posted a team- and career-high 4.6 assists per game last season.

With Selby and the Morris twins gone to the NBA, Kansas will likely need more scoring from Taylor next season. Even so, expect him to put up strong assist numbers to wrap up his college career.

9. Erving Walker, Florida

Following his high-scoring efforts in the NCAA tournament, Erving Walker’s passing isn’t exactly a focus for fans or foes of the Florida Gators. Nevertheless, the 5’8” rising senior will need to distribute as well as he scores if Florida is going to make another Elite 8 run.

Overshadowed last year by point forward Chandler Parsons, Walker finished second on the team with 3.3 assists per game while also leading the Gators in scoring.

Considering that he’s already proven himself capable of playing a pure distributor’s role (4.9 assists per contest as a sophomore), Walker could be poised for a real breakout year if he puts it all together in 2011-12.

8. Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin

Jordan Taylor may not be the flashiest PG on this list, but as a decision-maker, he may be the best in the country. His assist-to-turnover ratio was a ludicrous 3.83 last season (and his 4.7 assists per game were none too shabby either).

Losing Jon Leuer and his three-point shooting touch is a serious blow to the Badgers. If Taylor can keep the Wisconsin offense functioning, it will be a real testament to his abilities as a floor general.

7. Peyton Siva, Louisville

The disappointment of their tournament upset by Morehead State overshadowed a surprising season for the Louisville Cardinals. Despite a largely anonymous lineup, the squad finished fourth in a loaded Big East, and placed third in the country with 17.5 assists per game.

The key to that latter stat was sophomore guard Peyton Siva, who led the squad with 5.3 assists per game. With senior leader Preston Knowles gone, Siva will need to take over the 2011-12 edition of the Cardinals if he wants the chance to prove that last season’s loss was a fluke.

6. Dee Bost, Mississippi State

One of many distractions in a turbulent 2010-11 season in Starkville was the status of junior PG Dee Bost. Academically ineligible for the fall semester and suspended nine games at the start of the spring, Bost finally made it onto the floor for 17 games, posting a dazzling 6.2 assists per contest.

Those numbers aren’t likely to be a mirage, considering that Bost had racked up 4.3 and 5.2 apg in his previous two seasons as the starter. With a full season ahead of him (and hopefully with his off-court woes behind him), Bost should be one of the country’s top PGs in 2011-12.

5. Bryce Cartwright, Iowa

Fran McCaffery’s debut season as Iowa’s head coach didn’t exactly go as planned. Despite the Hawkeyes’ dismal 4-14 conference record, though, the team had a few bright spots, headlined by juco transfer Bryce Cartwright.

The 6’1” Cartwright finished in the top 25 nationally with 5.9 assists per game, and with Darius Morris and Demetri McCamey gone, he’s the Big Ten’s returning leader in that category.

The Hawkeyes will again face an uphill battle for relevance in a tough conference, but they can count on another strong year from their floor leader to make the road a little easier.

4. Hank Thorns, TCU

The TCU Horned Frogs finished 219th in the country in scoring offense last season, but point guard Hank Thorns isn’t the man to blame. Despite his largely inept teammates, the 5’9” Virginia Tech transfer led the Mountain West with an extraordinary 7.0 assists per game.

The Horned Frogs, who finished dead last in the MWC at 1-15 in conference play, aren’t likely to improve much next season. For rising senior Thorns, though, the team’s struggles aren’t likely to slow down his own impressive production.

3. Scoop Jardine, Syracuse

Despite their third-round upset at the hands of Marquette, the Syracuse Orange had an enviable season in 2010-11. Their 18-game opening winning streak and third-place finish in the country’s toughest conference rested largely on the steady development of their upperclassmen, including junior point guard Scoop Jardine.

Jardine’s career-best 5.8 assists per game anchored an Orange offense short on star power. The 6’2” junior finished less than 0.1 assists out of first place in the conference.

With scoring leader Kris Joseph also a rising senior, the Syracuse offense is unlikely to miss a beat in the transition to the 2011-12 season. Jardine is a good bet to come out on top, even in the always-crowded Big East point guard class, next year.

2. D.J. Cooper, Ohio

For most fans, Ohio University has pretty much been off the national radar since Gary Trent jumped to the NBA. Rising junior D.J. Cooper could be the man to change that situation.

Cooper led the Bobcats in both scoring and assists last season (not to mention grabbing five rebounds a game at just 5’11”). His 7.5 assists per game make him the leader among all returning Division I players.

If Cooper can get the Bobcats past perennial conference power (and defending regular-season champ) Kent State, don’t be surprised to see him make some noise on the NCAA stage next march.

1. Kendall Marshall, UNC

Like many point guards on this list, there’s no doubt that Kendall Marshall has been the beneficiary of having immensely talented scorers around him.

But even on a loaded Tar Heels squad, any freshman who can put up 6.2 assists per game in the ACC is a force to be reckoned with.

With Harrison Barnes back for another go-round in Chapel Hill, Marshall won’t be hurting for weapons in his second season at the helm. In Roy Williams’ hyperspeed offense, he could put up numbers to challenge any PG in the country next season.