We’re entering the final stretch of February, which only means one thing: March Madness is just around the corner, with the best teams in the nation squaring off for the most exciting and unpredictable tournament in collegiate sports.
Needless to say, this paves the way for some epic performances and heartwarming stories. The David vs. Goliath and all the countless stories we’ve witnessed go down in this tourney throughout the years.
And as we all know by now, no basketball team can find success without its floor general pulling the strings of the offense. That’s why today, we’ll talk about the top 5 point guards to watch in this upcoming tournament.
Terquavion Smith – NC State
Trequavion Smith is already projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, which speaks volumes about his talent. He could be a top-20 pick despite not being as young as some other prospects, and all of that has to do with his ability to knock down shots from all three levels.
Smith is a bit of a tweener, and he needs to bulk up to find success at the pros. He’s an elite shooter from beyond the arc and a perennial threat in passing lanes to pick up steals. Smith isn’t a solid on-ball defender, but he’s got the offensive skills to turn heads night in and night out.
Isaiah Wong – Miami
While mostly used as a shooting guard, Isiah Wong’s size ?— or lack thereof ?— makes multiple NBA scouts think that he’d be better suited to play at the one if he decides to go pro. He’s got elite handles and is a very smart and creative player, as well as one of the most underrated playmakers in his class.
Wong has a nice bag of moves to create separation and get to the rim, especially his quick first step. Also, he became bigger and stronger this season, which helped him avoid settling for long-range jumpers, which are far from his expertise.
Jaden Bradley – Alabama
One thing’s for sure: Jaden Bradley will make it to the NBA. Whether it’s in the 2023 or 2024 NBA Draft has yet to be decided, but he’s too good not to make it to the big league. Considered a five-star recruit, he’s orchestrated Alabama’s Crimson Tide’s offense, leading them to the first spot in the AP rankings.
Bradley is a privileged athlete with elite quickness and bounce. He’s a bit of a tweener at just 6’2’’, which could hurt his prospect as an NBA starter, but he makes up for that with top-notch strength and hustle on both ends of the floor.
LJ Cryer – Baylor
The Baylor Bears have been quite solid this season and according to Iowa basketball betting odds are one of the favorites for the NCAA tournament. Plenty of that has had to do with LJ Cryer’s offensive outbursts. He’s box-office and one of the streakiest shooters in the nation, a guy with unlimited range and the green light to take as many shots as he wants to when he gets hot.
He’s a solid athlete and underrated defender, and a guy who will find ways to get to the scoreboard even when his shot isn’t falling. He’s not the average pass-first kind of guard and can be overly aggressive at times, but he’s impossible to stop when he gets into the zone.
Braden Smith – Purdue
Braden Smith is the true definition of a floor general. He’s an extension of the coach in the hardwood, a guy that’s already elite at picking apart rival defenses in real-time and breaking down their sets right before their eyes. He’s got the basketball IQ to become a pro, although the size may not help him.
Smith is an outstanding, pass-first kind of point guard. He’s a master at setting his teammates up and giving them the ball where they need it to thrive, and a guy that often makes the right play at the right time. This Boilermakers team could make plenty of noise, so don’t sleep on them in March.
