College Basketball 2011-12: Top 10 Team Assists Leaders from Early Action

There are no magic formulas for success on the basketball court.

But when your team is looking for each other, moving the ball and making passes that lead directly to baskets, that's a good thing.

Assists are an important statistic, and here is a quick look at the top 10 team assists leaders from the early action in the 2011-12 season.

10. Iowa State Cylones

Cyclones fans are "loving them some" Royce White (pictured).

The 6-foot-8 forward leads Iowa State in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounds (10 rpg), assists (4.3 apg) and blocks (2 bpg).

ISU is averaging 18.8 assists per game with a 1.34 assists-to-turnover ratio.

Fred Hoiberg's club may not only pile up some pre-conference victories, but they might surprise some folks when it comes time to play their Big 12 schedule.

9. Air Force Falcons

Air Force has started off their 11-12 season 3-1, with their only loss coming in overtime to Pac-12 newcomer Colorado.

It's no surprise that the Falcons play a hard-nosed, disciplined brand of basketball.

In their first four games, they are handing out 19.3 assists per game with a 1.51 assists-to-turnover ratio.

Junior guard Todd Fletcher (pictured) leads the team in assists (5.3 apg) and is second in scoring (10 ppg).

Also, Taylor Stewart and Taylor Broekhuis are both handing out better than three assists a piece. 

8. Ohio State Buckeyes

Thad Matta not only has a ton of talent on his Ohio State roster, he is also getting his team to effectively share the ball.

The Buckeyes are averaging 19.8 assists per game with a 1.57 assists-to-turnover ratio.

While OSU point guard Aaron Craft (pictured) leads the way (5 apg), William Buford, Shannon Smith, and Lenzelle Smith Jr. are all getting into the act with at least 2.6 apg or more each.

This is one more reason why Ohio State has started the season 5-0 and is likely to make a very deep run in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

7. Maine Black Bears

The Black Bears may not set the world on fire this season. They may not even challenge for the American East Conference title.

But Maine (1-1) is averaging 20 assists per game and has a 1.82 assists-to-turnover ratio.

Even though they eventually ended up getting beat by 20, Maine was only down to UConn by 5 at half.

Andrew Rogers (pictured) is averaging more assists (8.5) than points (8) in the first two games of the 2011-12 season.

6. Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette is off to a perfect 5-0 start and is playing some nasty basketball.

They are averaging 20.2 assists per game with a 1.51 assists-to-turnover ratio.

The Golden Eagles are averaging 88 points per game and shooting 52.1 percent from the floor.

Junior Cadougan (pictured) leads MU in assists (6.4 apg), but Vander Blue is handing out 4 apg and Darius Johnson-Odom is dropping 3.6 dimes per night.

Keep your eye on Buzz Williams' team. They are ready to challenge for the Big East championship and tournament title, as well as make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

5. Pittsburgh Panthers

Jamie Dixon's Pitt Panthers are known for their tough defense and hard work on the boards.

This year, his ball club is doing a fantastic job of finding each other as they are averaging 20.8 apg with a 1.69 assists-to-turnover ratio.

The emergence of Travon Woodall (pictured) is a big reason things are running smoothly for the Panthers' offense.

Not only is the senior guard leading Pitt in assists (8.5 apg) but he is also scoring 17.8 points per game, second to Ashton Gibbs.

Gibbs is doing his part by handing out 3.8 assists per game, as is wing Lamar Patterson (4.8 apg).

The Panthers are always tough. This year is no different.

4. Iona Gaels

Iona is the top scoring team in the nation, averaging 94.3 points over their first four games.

They have quality wins over Maryland and St. Joseph's, and only lost to Purdue by one point.

The Gaels are averaging 21.3 assists per game with a 1.67 assists-to-turnover ratio.

Scott Machado (pictured) leads the nation in assists (12.8 per game) and leads the team in scoring with 19.8 ppg.

Arizona transfer Lamont "MoMo" Jones has stepped right in to contribute, scoring 15 ppg and 3.5 apg.

The Gaels could be one of those dangerous teams that no one wants to play come time for March Madness.

3. Creighton Bluejays

Creighton is just a good overall team, with nice wins over Alabama-Birmingham and Iowa (an 82-59 blowout). 

They do just about everything well. They are shooting the ball (50.6 percent), scoring points (88 ppg) and rebounding (40.5 rpg).

On top of that, the Blue Jays are handing out 21.5 assists per game with a 1.72 assists-to-turnover ratio.

Combo guard Grant Gibbs (pictured) is handing out 5 assists per game to lead the team.

But Antoine Young, Austin Chatman and Josh Jones are each dishing out 3 assists or more per game.

Not only does Creighton have a good shot at winning the Missouri Valley, they could also make some noise come March. 

2. UNLV Rebels

UNLV has helped Dave Rice off to a perfect 5-0 start as the new Rebels' head coach.

They are handing out 21.6 assists per game with a 1.52 assists-to-turnovers ratio.

Junior guard Anthony Marshall (pictured) is tops so far in assists with 7.3 per game.

Oscar Bellfield averages 5 apg, and the Rebels' leading scorer, 6' 8" forward Mike Moser, averages 3.2 apg.

With the departure of Jimmer Fredette from BYU and Kawhi Leonard at San Diego State, the door is definitely open for UNLV to challenge for the Mountain West title.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina is one of the most talented teams in the country. And the icing on the cake is that they take care of the ball well and get it to their scorers better than anyone else so far in the 2011-12 season.

One of the reasons that the Tar Heels score 90.3 ppg (No. 2 in the nation) and shoot the ball so well (53.1 percent; No. 5 in the nation) is that they lead the nation in assists with 22.3 apg and have a 1.56 assists-to-turnover ratio.

Kendall Marshall (pictured) is No. 2 in the nation in assists, currently averaging 10.8 per game. Dexter Strickland is handing out 3.3 apg.

Surprisingly, John Henson, UNC's talented power forward is dishing out 2.8 assists per game. Last year, he averaged less than an assist per game.

UNC has the best front-court trio in the country. As long as the Heels keep getting them the ball, and they keep putting it in the basket, they will be a front-runner for the Final Four.