Top 3 underrated Big Ten point guards in 2024-25 season ft. Ace Baldwin Jr.

With the expansion of the Big Ten, there is a heightened expectation of the new rivalries about to be formed and new players to know. The conference will have four new members this upcoming season, with Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington joining the league after the Pac-12's dissolution.

While there are many popular point guards in the conference, here are a few underrated players who play position 1.

Top 3 underrated Big Ten point guards in 2024-25 season

#1 Kanaan Carlyle

In his freshman season at Stanford, the 6-foot-3 point guard averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. With 16 starts in 23 games, Carlyle made 38.6% from the field, 32.0% from the 3-point range and 77.6% from the free-throw line.

The 6-foot-3 point guard transferred to the Indiana Hoosiers in the offseason and will offset the loss of Jamal Shead. Despite his inefficient shooting, Kanaan Carlyle was an immediate contributor to the Cardinals. If he continues to grow his game, the guard could become a cornerstone on the Big Ten team's roster.

#2 Ace Baldwin Jr.

After three seasons with the VCU Rams, Ace Baldwin transferred to Penn State last year. The 6-foot-1 guard had his best college season as he averaged 14.2 points, 2.7 steals and 6.0 assists.

The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year will be returning for his final college eligibility year and will play a crucial role in Penn State's 2024-25 Big Ten season. Besides his on-court contributions, Baldwin plays another important role in the team.

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"The greatest compliment you can get in a team sport is you make those around you better. That's Ace on a daily basis," coach Mike Rhoades said (via Sports Illustrated). "His competitive spirit, his competitive fire. He doesn't like to lose. He's emotional in a good way and he pulls guys along.

"I think the one thing that Ace does better than everyone that we know is he gives out confidence to his teammates, competitive confidence to his teammates. Everybody plays hard. Everybody plays the right way. You can't quit. He won't let guys quit. That's just who he is."

#3 Connor Essegian

Connor Essegian had a good freshman season with the Wisconsin Badgers. The 6-foot-4 point guard averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 27.4 minutes and shot 40.4% from the floor, including 35.9% from the 3-point range.

However, in his sophomore season, Essegian's production dived as he played an average of just 7.3 minutes and finished with 3.2 points and 0.8 rebounds. After a poor season, Connor Essegian has now transferred to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Big Ten, where his performance could go back to its previous levels.

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