|
By Sara Normand
Yes, players. Plural. With so much talent in college basketball these days, it’s difficult to narrow the field down to ONE athlete for the player of the year award. So, I’ll narrow it down to the top 5 candidates in my opinion, in no specific order, and leave the dirty work up to the committee...
J.J. Redick, Duke
It’s tough to play one whole half of basketball, but what about TWO? Not for Redick, who averages almost 38 minutes. In fact, in one of the biggest games of the year, facing Wake on the road, Redick didn’t miss one minute of action. Instead he showcased 33 points and made three 3’s in the final 2.5 minutes. Even though Duke ended up losing, Redick’s stamina was the underlying theme of the game. This 6’4” junior guard is robotic in more than just strength. He is automatic at the line, making 93% of his free throws, which puts him in the top 5 in the country. Redick also has incredible range; he loves shooting the three but has improved his game so that he can score in other ways. His pump fakes draw in defenders and free up the lane for him, and he has enhanced his ability to get the quick shot off as well.
Salim Stoudamire, Arizona
Let’s talk about leadership. Let’s talk about perfectionism. Let’s talk about shooting. Let’s talk about Stoudamire. The senior guard knows what it takes to motivate himself. He also knows about motivating others, and he sets a pretty darn good example. Stoudamire has piloted his Wildcats up the ladder to first place in the Pac-10, and his sweet shot, pure shooting skills, and confidence have him leading his team in both field goal and 3-point percentage. He’s also in the top 5 of the nation’s best three-point shooters. Three inches shorter than Redick, he’s just as guaranteed from the free throw line, up around 90%. In his final home game as a college athlete, Stoudamire bid his farewells with 31 points and a school record—nine three’s. This Wildcat is definitely one of the best shooters in the country.
Deron Williams, Illinois
Ok, so I had to include a player from the only undefeated team in the country. Who better than the only starter from out of state? He’s unique; that’s all there is to it. The junior guard from Texas was only the third player in Big 10 history to lead the league in assists in each of his first two seasons. This year, he averages about 13 points per game to match 7 assists. Williams is second on the team in scoring but still always looks for the open man before taking the shot himself. He’s got the strength, size, and quickness for a guard and is an excellent defender. Williams + Team = Undefeated. Can’t have one without the other.
Craig Smith, Boston College
So far it's been guard, guard, guard. Forward. Representing for the big men is the east coast player who grew up on the west coast, and boy is he big. Standing tall at 6’7” and 250 pounds of love, Smith controls the post. This junior does a great job of using his body to get positioning over his opponents, which accounts for his 18 points per game and 9 rebounds. He is a significant threat inside with his ability to make the hook shot and turnaround jumper as well. Smith has led the surprising fifth-ranked team in the country to first place in the Big East, arguably the toughest basketball conference. Smith will likely be the Big East player of the year and is definitely considerable for national player of the year too.
Andrew Bogut, Utah
Whoever said Aussies couldn’t play basketball? Bogut, the 7-foot Aussie center, is the reason why the Utes are 23-4 and 11-1 in the Mountain West. He’s a rebounding machine with great hands, averaging almost 12 boards a game, which puts him in the top 5 in the nation. Wait, he’s only a sophomore? His physical makeup is surely deceiving. This guy’s got the height and strength advantage over his opponents, and at 245 pounds, Bogut’s soft touch has him averaging 21 points per game. If he were to choose to enter the NBA draft after this season, he would easily go in the top 10.
So there you have it. Happy March Madness.
|
|
|
3 comments - join this discussion...
|
|
|
|
|
|
