Best Guards in the Big East

[Amase2]

The most depth in the conference lies with its guard play. I figured just one list would leave too many good player out so I'm gonna do SG's and PG's separately.

SHOOTING GUARDS: The top three are easy choices in my mind and I couldn't disagree with anyone's order of them, here's mine.

1.) Darrun Hilliard NOVA - I think the most complete player in the conference. Good at all stages of the game and makes winning plays consistently.

2.) D'Angelo Harrison SJU - Explosive scorer who has yet to make his mark on the national scene. Very good rebounder and underrated passer. Ive seen plenty of people call him a bad defender but that is far from the truth. Can be inconsistent.

3.) D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera GTOWN - Admittedly I haven't seen him play as much as Hilliard or Harrison. Similar to Harrison in that he is a bigger, stronger guard and is very capable of hitting from distance. Not as explosive a scorer as DLO, not as good a play maker as Hilliard IMO.

4.) Isaiah Whitehead HALL - The lone freshman on my list. Two things I know for sure he wont be lacking this year; Talent and opportunities.

5.) Phil Greene IV SJU - I'm not a very big Greene fan but there wasnt anyone else who stood out to me. I had Dunham and Trawick as more of SF's. Greene is a capable shooter from deep and has plenty of experience. Doesnt make anyone around him better.


POINT GUARDS: Again I could see this list in a few different orders and there's more depth here so a few real good players were left off.

1.) Rysheed Jordan SJU - Most explosive guard in the big east. Great size and athleticism and has good form on his jumper. Could be the best perimeter defender in the league if commits to it.

2.) Ryan Arcidiacono NOVA - I love this kids game. Knows how to play and makes winning plays (common theme for the nova guys). Pesky defender and always seems to draw fouls which drive me crazy lol!

3.) Sterling Gibbs HALL - Very solid all around game. Doesnt wow you but always puts together a very solid performance. Not as explosive as Rysheed, not as savvy as Arcidiacono.

4.) Billy Garrett JR DePaul - Had a very good freshmen year on a team that no one talks about. Solid in all aspects. Should only get better, hope he gets some help.

5.) Kris Dunn PROV - Has had awful luck with injuries but I believe he has the talent to be as good as any guard on the list. Very big, very strong, very athletic. Hope he can stay healthy.

*Austin Chatman and Dee Davis - Both very good guards and gives credence to the depth of the league. Chatman the better shooter, Davis the better defender.

[NewBigEastConf]

You don't have Kellen Dunham of Butler in your Top 5? You would HAVE to put him at least at #4 on your list. Wouldn't you?

[NewBigEastConf]

Just saw you had Dunham footnoted as a SF. Fair enough but he won't play at the three at all this season.

[chicagojayfan]

A few thoughts. Not sure where the logic of your rankings comes from, but I tend to start with shooting and offensive efficiency and then work my way into who is the most productive given the minutes they receive. Add in some big bonuses/minuses based on defense and you have a ranking.

Smith-Rivera may be playing PG this year (maybe a Hoya can chime in on whether or not this is the case now that fall practice is here). I believe he deserves to be top in either category (PG or SG) as he is the highest ranked returning guard in player efficiency in the conference. Total shooting percentage of .597 last year versus .534 for Harrison, .483 for Greene, and .491 for Jordan.

I don't think Harrison's D is anywhere near good enough to bring that gap close between the two of them, while Greene and Jordan aren't in the same county in terms of shooting efficiency. Jordan does stuff the stats all across the board, though and I would expect him to become a better shooter this year, but I'd probably still give DSR the nod at least until I see more from Jordan.

[HoosierPal]

SHOOTING GUARDS: The top three are easy choices in my mind and I couldn't disagree with anyone's order of them, here's mine.

1.) Darrun Hilliard NOVA - I think the most complete player in the conference. Good at all stages of the game and makes winning plays consistently.

2.) D'Angelo Harrison SJU - Explosive scorer who has yet to make his mark on the national scene. Very good rebounder and underrated passer. Ive seen plenty of people call him a bad defender but that is far from the truth. Can be inconsistent.

3.) D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera GTOWN - Admittedly I haven't seen him play as much as Hilliard or Harrison. Similar to Harrison in that he is a bigger, stronger guard and is very capable of hitting from distance. Not as explosive a scorer as DLO, not as good a play maker as Hilliard IMO.

4.) Isaiah Whitehead HALL - The lone freshman on my list. Two things I know for sure he wont be lacking this year; Talent and opportunities.

5.) Phil Greene IV SJU - I'm not a very big Greene fan but there wasnt anyone else who stood out to me. I had Dunham and Trawick as more of SF's. Greene is a capable shooter from deep and has plenty of experience. Doesnt make anyone around him better.

Dunham?

[SJHooper]

A lot of people will look at Jordan's stats and say "overrated, why is everyone so up on him?", but the truth is he struggled mightily the first part and even some of the middle part of the season. In his last 10 games or so of the season he really started to come into his own. You have to understand Lavin had him on a leash for much of the season to ease him into it. At the end he was finally unleashed and he seemed to score at will many times. People point to his 28% 3PT FG stat but he was often taking bad shot selections. He actually has a nice looking shot with good form and can definitely hit from 3 if open. Watch the Georgetown game when he scored over 20 PTS if you want to see what this kid can do and why people are so excited.

Phil Greene has to be one of the most underrated players in the Big East if not nation. He shot 40% from 3 and almost never turned the ball over. He's a guy who can rattle off 20 PTS when hot and be a great third option behind Harrison and Jordan.

With that said, this team almost always seems to disappoint and underperform so I won't hold my breath.

[Amase2]

SHOOTING GUARDS: The top three are easy choices in my mind and I couldn't disagree with anyone's order of them, here's mine.

1.) Darrun Hilliard NOVA - I think the most complete player in the conference. Good at all stages of the game and makes winning plays consistently.

2.) D'Angelo Harrison SJU - Explosive scorer who has yet to make his mark on the national scene. Very good rebounder and underrated passer. Ive seen plenty of people call him a bad defender but that is far from the truth. Can be inconsistent.

3.) D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera GTOWN - Admittedly I haven't seen him play as much as Hilliard or Harrison. Similar to Harrison in that he is a bigger, stronger guard and is very capable of hitting from distance. Not as explosive a scorer as DLO, not as good a play maker as Hilliard IMO.

4.) Isaiah Whitehead HALL - The lone freshman on my list. Two things I know for sure he wont be lacking this year; Talent and opportunities.

5.) Phil Greene IV SJU - I'm not a very big Greene fan but there wasnt anyone else who stood out to me. I had Dunham and Trawick as more of SF's. Greene is a capable shooter from deep and has plenty of experience. Doesnt make anyone around him better.

Dunham?

Read point #5. Had Dunham listed when I did top SF's in the league. See him more as that but do agree that he is better than Greene.

[Amase2]

A few thoughts. Not sure where the logic of your rankings comes from, but I tend to start with shooting and offensive efficiency and then work my way into who is the most productive given the minutes they receive. Add in some big bonuses/minuses based on defense and you have a ranking.

Smith-Rivera may be playing PG this year (maybe a Hoya can chime in on whether or not this is the case now that fall practice is here). I believe he deserves to be top in either category (PG or SG) as he is the highest ranked returning guard in player efficiency in the conference. Total shooting percentage of .597 last year versus .534 for Harrison, .483 for Greene, and .491 for Jordan.

I don't think Harrison's D is anywhere near good enough to bring that gap close between the two of them, while Greene and Jordan aren't in the same county in terms of shooting efficiency. Jordan does stuff the stats all across the board, though and I would expect him to become a better shooter this year, but I'd probably still give DSR the nod at least until I see more from Jordan.

My logic was simply who I believed were the best players. I dont get caught up in stats such as efficiency ratings, are they meaningless? No, but there not my end all be all. I think Harrison's dip in total shooting % is effected by the role he plays (often forced to put up a shot with shot clock running down) and the system (or lack there of) he is in. GTOWN generally doesn't have as many possessions and gets good looks. However, I cannot argue with you for putting DSR ahead of Harrison, like I had said before, but I would never really consider him a PG even if he does brings the ball up this year. Im not sure why you brought Greene into the equation.

Its just a fun debate though, would like to see your rankings.

[HoosierPal]

Read point #5. Had Dunham listed when I did top SF's in the league. See him more as that but do agree that he is better than Greene.

OK.

Jones will occupy the typical SF spot for the Bulldogs. Jones is more of a 'Point Forward' than anything else.