There are many terrific point guards in college basketball. Are 10 better than Purdue's Braden Smith?

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame thinks so. The Hall announced its Bob Cousy Award candidates on Monday, and Smith wasn't among them.

Smith, a 6-0 sophomore, averages 12.1 points, 7.0 assists (sixth in the nation), 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals for the nation's No. 2 team. He has a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio and is hitting 43.8% of his 3-pointers.

Of course, most of the attention that comes Purdue's way revolves around center Zach Edey, the reigning National Player of the Year.

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So what does Edey (and others) think of Smith's omission?

Purdue coach Matt Painter said Tuesday he didn't understand Smith's omission from the list, though he acknowledged that the candidates are deserving.

"You look at how efficient he is and how he's played and what his team's done. His team has the No. 1 toughest schedule in the country. ... It doesn't make any sense how he's not on there," Painter said with a shrug.

Smith is going to be profiled this week on Big Ten Network.

Coincidentally (probably not), Purdue reminded anyone paying attention what Smith brings to the court.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball: Zach Edey, Matt Painter react to Braden Smith snub