So with Spring and March Madness around the corner, I felt it was time to list my Sweet 16 of the nations best college basketball players. You've been hearing about Jimmer, Kemba and Jared Sullinger all year, here's how I've got em ranked.
16. John Henson, North Carolina, 11.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.2 bpg
I originally had this spot saved off for either Terrence Jones or Brandon Knight, but leaving John Henson off this list isn't fair to how well he and his team have played over the past two months. Henson and Harrison Barnes really have been the difference for this up-and-coming team, with Henson patrolling the defense (3rd in the ACC in rebounds per game, 1st in blocked shots per game), and Barnes and Tyler Zeller doing work on the offensive end. Someone deserves props for the resurrection of the Tar Heels and I'm giving them to Henson.
15. Marshon Brooks, Providence, 25.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 49% fg pct.
How can a guy average 25 points per game in the Big East and get zero recognition for it? The Friars may have the second worst record in the conference but Brooks has done his part going for 52 points against Notre Dame, 43 against Georgetown, 28 against Pitt, and 27 against Syracuse! Brooks is second in the nation in scoring and has also gone for seven double-doubles. Since he won't get any light any where else this postseason, he belongs on my list.
14. Klay Thompson, Washington State 21.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.0 apg/Norris Cole, Cleveland State, 21.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.4 apg
Putting two players is clearly cheating, but neither of these guys are considered elite players in the nation while both are having seriously impressive seasons, in two conferences that nobody knows exists. OK, now that I got my Pac-10 dig in, Klay Thompson has been one of the conferences best players the last couple of years and this year he's their leading scorer. Unfortunately his Cougars don't have much of a chance at the Tournament this year, but if they make the N.I.T. this is a guy to watch out for. Most of you probably heard Norris Cole's name mentioned for the first time a few weeks ago after he went off for 41 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists against Youngstown State (not ringing any bellls?), but the soon-to-be Horizon Conference Player of the Year has posted five points-rebounds double-doubles this season, and he's 6'1! Cole has the Vikings tied for first place in their conference, and is working his butt off for the opportunity to show off his crazy abilities in the tournament.
13. Kenneth Faried, Morehead State, 17.6 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg
This is Faried's third straight season averaging over 13 rebounds a game, so where's the love? He broke Tim Duncan's modern-era Division 1 career rebounding record in mid February and has led the nation in boards all season. Faried has five 20-rebound games this season and as a 6'8 hustle player has brought almost as many NBA scouts to Morehead, Kentucky as that team of blue chips over in Lexington (maybe I'm exaggerating).
12. Jacob Pullen, Kansas State, 19.7 ppg, 3.6 apg, 1.7 spg
He may have been suspended and his team may be the biggest bust in the NCAA this season, but Jacob Pullen's playing big when it matters and it may be enough to get his team to the Big Dance. After starting the season 9-1, KSU fell to 14-8 in the middle of the season, before coming out and winning seven of their last eight including upsets of #1 Kansas (Pullen dropped 38), #21 Missouri (24) and #8 Texas (20). He was a preseason player of the year candidate and although his team has had their ups-and-downs, he's a prime example of it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
11. Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State, 15.2 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.5 spg
Leonard is that guy that you played with in the school-yard growing up. The guy who seemed like he was probably older than you, who wasn't that big but really knew how to throw his weight around. He dominated the boards because he was the most physical kid out there, and you always downplayed his game because even though he got buckets he got them sort of ugly, lots of second chance points off of his weak first attempt. Now we're older and the kid that hustles and plays his heart out is the one leading a top-10 team in the nation. He's listed at 6'7 but really can't be any taller than 6'5, however his demeanor in the paint is that of a seven footer. Leonard has a nose for the ball that has him fourth in his conference in scoring and leading the Mountain West in rebounding. Leonard has 20 double-doubles this season and if you haven't seen him play, make sure you're watching (and taking his team to win a couple of games) later on in the month.
10. Dwight Hardy, St. Johns, 17.9 ppg, 2 apg, 86% ft pct
As I mentioned in the case of Jacob Pullen, it's not how you start it's how you finish. You remember the home loss to St. Bonaventure and the loss at Fordham, but after starting the season 11-8 and lost, St. Johns has come out and beat #3 Duke (26 points), #9 UConn (33), #4 Pitt (19), and #14 Villanova (34) and has climbed up to fourth in the Big East with games left against Seton Hall and South Florida. Tied with Texas with 6 wins against ranked opponents this season, St. Johns may be the hottest team in the country right now and Hardy, the teams point guard, is their unquestioned go-to guy. Hardy's averaging 25.1 ppg in the teams last 9 games and is leading the team in minutes, points, three point field goals made, and free-throws made. Maybe this is my home-town bias but Hardy's been as important to any competing team as anyone in the country.
9. Jordan Hamilton, Texas, 18.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 40% 3-pt fg pct
Tristan Thompson is a monster, but I think Hamilton is having the better season of the two. Hamilton has been a beast getting to the basket, but has also shown the ability to step outside and knock down the long ball. His game has been very similar to that of recent alum Damion James, not to mention he's been the best player on his team, possibly even in the Big 12. He's the only player in the conference in the top-5 in both scoring and rebounding, and keep in mind that the kid is only a second year player. Texas is definitely one of the countries scariest teams this season, and Hamilton is the biggest reason.
8. JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, 20.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.4 bpg
It's hard to look at that stat-line and not even put the guy in the top five, but I don't even think he'll win Big Ten player of the Year so I can't put him in front of the guys who I think may. With that said, Johnson has had to overcome the loss of team leader Robbie Hummel (as well as the large expectations of the team when Hummel was healthy), but still has Purdue in the top 10 heading into the most important stretch of the season. Just as the previously mentioned Hamilton has Thompson, Johnson has teammate E'Twaun Moore who's also having a fantastic season, but Johnson ranks first in the Big Ten in points and blocked shots, and is also in the top-5 in rebounds. Johnson has LaMarcus Aldridge ability where he's better a little further from the basket, but also knows how to impose his will down-low. Johnson's gone for at least 20 points, 19 times this season and may go down as Purdue's best player since Glenn Robinson (sorry Brad Miller and Carl Landry).
7. Kemba Walker, Connecticut, 22.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.9 spg
What? Why so low for Kemba? I must be a UConn hater right? Eh, sort of, and while I think Kemba Walker will probably crack the NCAA All-America First Team, these are my rankings and I don't love him as much as I love a couple of other guards in the country this year. Again, I'm sorry to start with negatives, but a big part of the Kemba Walker hoopla was due to UConn's success...which was mainly early on this season. Dropping 30 on Michigan State followed by 29 against Kentucky was very impressive, but as the Huskies have trailed off into ninth in the Big East, so has Kemba in the Player of the Year race. He takes too many bad shots for a point guard and his team has lost six of their last ten games. Well I guess a paragraph of hate paired with a number seven ranking doesn't make much sense, the kids had a terrific season. He's my money bet to win Big East Player of the Year.
6. Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin, 17.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.0 apg
There were times last season where the Wisconsin offense looked like they had no idea how they could score without Trevon Hughes, a year later they're sitting in third in the Big Ten with Jordan Taylor and Jon Leuer leading the way. Taylor is the general of a team that I feel has a deep tournament run in them, and after watching them battle back against Ohio State from being down 15 points with about 13 minutes to go, I saw how great he can be and how great he can make his teammates. The Badgers have won 18 of their last 22 games and Taylor is one of the most effective point guards in the country.
5. Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame, 18.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, .44% 3-point fg pct
Before this season I would associate the name Hansbrough with hate. I'd associate the name with fade-away leaning to the side jump shots, bad hair-cuts, and getting over excited very easily. This year I think calm, composed, smooth, leader, smart, incredible player. Aside from my number one (yet to be revealed if you haven't cheated and read on to the bottom) player of the year, Hansbrough has been my favorite player to watch this season as he's willed his Fighting Irish to a great ranking at the right time of year. Notre Dame leads the Big East in Assist/Turnover ratio, as well as 3-point field goal percentage, and they play at the pace that Hansbrough sets for them. He controls the game better than any point guard in the Big East, can get to the basket, and when he gets hot he can't be stopped from long distance.
4. Derrick Williams, Arizona, 19.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 61% fg pct
Williams is the only player averaging double-figures on the nations #18 team (was more impressive last week when they were #10). Arizona sits tied with UCLA at the top of the Pac-10, but Williams has emerged as the Pac-10's best player (by a mile, sorry Klay but how's Wazoo doing?) and possibly the leading candidate for the number one pick in the NBA's draft this June. In my opinion, Williams doesn't necessarily have the size to be a dominant big on the next level, but much like a Michael Beasley, he uses what he has (great feel for the game and a ton of talent) to get the best of his current opponents. Williams is second in the Pac-10 in scoring, fifth in rebounding, and second in field goal percentage. The Sophomore also gets a lot of love for taking an undermanned team (name anyone else on that Wildcats team off the top of your head!) and getting to the top of a Big Six conference. Chances of winning Player of the Year? Not terrible, but not great.
3. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, 17.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 56% fg pct
Freshman of the Year? Check. Big Ten Player of the Year? Most likely. National Player of the Year? I think Sullinger has been the most impactful big man in the country this season, and if he can lead his Buckeyes to a win against Wisconsin to close out the season the award stands a better chance of going to him. For Ohio State to be this good without Evan Turner has been a complete surprise, and without Sullinger, the likes of William Buford, David Lighty and Jon Deibler wouldn't be a top-5 (yes they're number one right now) team in the country. Sullinger has size and knows how to use it, but also has a great touch and surprising range. He isn't Kevin Durant, but he's comfortable with the ball wherever he gets it, and scores at a very effective rate. Chances of winning Player of the Year? Probably better than anyone I've previously mentioned.
2. Nolan Smith, Duke, 21.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.2 apg, 48% fg pct
Here's a guy who has just gotten better every year. How do you top a National Championship followed by a Summer playing against the top talent at your age internationally? If you're Nolan Smith it's by having the best season of your collegiate career and trying to win another championship. While the Blue Devils have shown their weaknesses since losing freshman point guard Kyrie Irving, their Senior guard and team leader (sorry Kyle Singler) hasn't. Smith has ran the offense at times and been the offense at times for one of the nations elite teams. Smith has scored in double-digits in all but one game this season, and helped Duke overcome a 14-point halftime deficit to North Carolina with 34 points of his own en route to a six point win. Smith leads the ACC in scoring, is second in assists, and in my opinion is the conference's runaway Player of the Year. Chances of winning Player of the Year? As good as anyone not named Jimmer.
1. Jimmer Fredette, BYU, 27.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
My rationalization here is how could Adam Morrison win co-Player of the Year in 2006 and Jimmer Fredette not take home the hardwood this year? I'm not going to compare the two players statistically, but their teams had very similar seasons as each player took the country by storm, only Jimmer doesn't have a J.J. Redick to share the award with. Jimmer is what I love about college basketball. He's the guy you created in video games when you were a little kid. An undersized white guard with unlimited range, crazy handles, incredible offensive awareness, and a player who gets to the rack and finishes. He doesn't dunk the way your create-a-player does, but let's get back to real life and appreciate Jimmer for what he is. Nine games over 30 points, three games over 40 points, 2-0 against highly ranked San Diego State, and wins in two of the three games they played against big six opponents. He may not be able to play well at the next level, but with up-and-under scoop shots in traffic, 30-foot three point bombs and a name that has become a noun, verb and adjective, he's my 2011 NCAA Player of the Year. Actual Chances of winning Player of the Year? Probably slightly better than 50-50.
Obviously not everyone was able to make the cut, here are the guys I didn't want to but had to leave out: Marcus Morris, Kansas, Terrence Jones, Kentucky, Jordan Williams, Maryland, Rich Jackson, Syracuse, John Jenkins, Vanderbilt, and last but not least Tu Holloway, Xavier.
