Clubhouse Article

CBB: NCAA Player of the Year Update

January 23rd, 2012 by Andrew Joseph

College Reporter Andrew Joseph picks his best five players so far this season and previews the top hoop games on ESPN America this week.

Baylor’s Robert Griffin III was the story of the college football season, bursting onto the scene and winning the Heisman Trophy. College basketball has several awards given to its most outstanding player – most notably the Naismith Player of the Year Award and the John R. Wooden Award.

Earning national player of the year honors carries similar qualifications to the Heisman Trophy in the sense that the worthy recipient doesn’t just put up outstanding numbers, but he also is a great ambassador to his respective program on and off the court.

If the season ended today, the voting for player of the year should go as follows, in my opinion:

1. Thomas Robinson: Kansas – Forward

Thomas Robinson spent the 2010-11 season as Kansas’ sixth man behind the Morris Twins, but this season, the 6’9 junior has become the nation’s most dominant player.

Most college basketball experts believed that 2012 would be the year that Kansas sees its streak of seven-straight Big 12 titles snapped, but with the outstanding play of Robinson, the Jayhawks are the lone undefeated team in Big 12 conference play.

Averaging 17.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, the forward is considered the undisputed player of the year leader at this point.

Robinson’s story off the court is one of loss and inspiration. In January of last year, he lost his grandparents and mother in less than a month’s time.

Robinson’s only remaining immediate family member is his 10-year-old sister Jayla, who lives with her biological father in Washington DC. Robinson plays with the heart and motivation that no other player in the country matches; every second he spends on the court is for his sister.

2. Anthony Davis: Kentucky – Forward

Although just a freshman, there is no player in the country with the defensive impact of Anthony Davis. With his lean 6’10 frame and enormous wingspan, Davis has already broken Kentucky’s single-season blocks record of 89 (currently stands at 93). Because Davis spent much of his high school career as a guard (before an outrageous growth-spurt), he has great instincts and ball-handling skills. Davis averages 13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, and he is considered a lock at a top-two selection in the next NBA Draft.

3. Jared Sullinger: Ohio State – Forward

Despite being projected as a top-10 pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Sullinger returned to Ohio State for his sophomore season. As a freshman, Sullinger appeared to be an unstoppable force at times, and he has been equally impressive this year. Even after dealing with some injury problems earlier in the season, Sullinger’s 17.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game make the Buckeyes look like the national title contender they’re projected to be. “Sully” has put up double-figure scoring numbers every game in Big Ten play, proving to be one of the nation’s most reliable inside threats.

4. Doug McDermott: Creighton – Forward

Doug McDermott is the best player that nobody knows about. Just a sophomore, the former high school teammate of North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes has led Creighton to an 18-2 record, while putting up some of the best statistics in the nation on a game-by-game basis. McDermott is shooting 61 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range and averages 23.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. This a ridiculous stat line because he has attempted 69 threes so far this season, and if non-AQ conference standouts like Jimmer Fredette can capture player of the year, then I would not rule out McDermott in the future.

The fact the not many people get to see McDermott play may ultimately cost him a number of votes that he deserves. McDermott’s leap in production from last year (averaged 14.9 ppg) was so unexpected that he did not receive the national publicity comparable to Stephen Curry or Fredette. However, college basketball fans can expect a Jimmer-esque frenzy for McDermott to ensue in the 2012-13 season.

5. Kevin Jones: West Virginia – Forward

Just in case you didn’t notice, 2011-12’s top players are all forwards. Last season, Connecticut’s point guard Kemba Walker headlined a star-studded Big East Conference, but this year belongs to West Virginia’s Kevin Jones. If the Mountaineers were considered serious contenders in the Big East then we’d probably hear more about the senior forward. Jones has scored in double figures every game of the season – yes, every game. He has scored at least 22 points in his last five contests and averages 20.7 points per game to go along with 11.5 rebounds. If Jones can continue this season-long tear, then he very well may steal the player of the year away from the leading contenders.

TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE

With March Madness fast-approaching, I will be on hand to take you through the run in to the NCAA Tournament with up-to-date reports and rankings. Each week, I will also be bringing some background to March Madness and Bracketology – how to fill in your bracket.

Stay tuned for news of how to enter ESPN America’s Tournament Challenge that will take you right through to the Final Four and Championship Game in April in New Orleans.