Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
With the NCAA season only a month old, it is time to take a look at some of college hardwood’s most impressive players so far. There are some gaudy numbers being put up while most teams are still playing against the creampuffs of their schedules. The true test will come once they reach conference play near Christmas. If your school’s favorite player isn’t on the list, not to worry, it’s only the start of December.
1) Evan Turner, Ohio State 19.8 ppg, 12.8 rebs, 7 ast, 1.7 stl – Turner should be called Mr. Triple Double since he already has two this season. He has the Buckeyes again among the nation’s elite at 5-1. He should win Big 10 Player of the Year and become a lottery pick in the ’10 NBA Draft.
2) Wesley Johnson, Syracuse 18.3 ppg, 7.2 rebs, 2.2 blk – The Iowa St transfer is the new “Magic” Johnson of college basketball as he has been the most valuable player for a Syracuse squad which has lost 3 starters(Flynn, Devendorf, and Harris) to either graduation or the NBA. Johnson has the Cuse ranked #10 with a 6-0 record, and is one of the best three tool players in the nation.
3) John Wall, Kentucky 19.8 ppg, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals – Wall has been every bit as good as advertised by leading the Wildcats in scoring, assists and steals as Kentucky is a perfect 6-0 and ranked #5 in the nation. He may lose some votes only because his teammate Patrick Patterson(16.2 ppg, 10.8 reb) is also a Wooden Award finalist.
4) Damion James, Texas 17.2 ppg, 10.8 rebs, 1.5 blk – He has increased his scoring and rebounding numbers every season in for the Longhorns and is the best player on one of the nations best teams. James has been playing with some extra bounce in his step this season by leading Texas in scoring and rebounding. Teammate Dexter Pittman(13.8 ppg, 1,8 blk) may take some of his votes since he leads the NCAA in FG% at .800%
5) Kyle Singler, Duke 15.3 ppg 6.3 rebs, 2.7 ast, 1 blk – Although he is third on the Blue Devils in scoring, he is quite possibly the most polished offensive player in the NCAA this season. He will be relied upon heavily since Duke is shorthanded in the backcourt and most of their bigs haven’t shown promise on the offensive end. Singler has led Duke to a perfect 6-0 record and a #7 ranking.
6) Manny Harris, Michigan 21.2 ppg, 10 rebs, 7 ast – Harris, just like Turner, can put up amazing all-around numbers as evidence of his spectacular early season numbers. He is among the nation’s leaders in scoring and should be all season. The Wolverines have started fast at 3-1 and are hoping to make back to back trips to the NCAA Tourney for the first time since the Fab Five in ’92-’93.
7) Elliot Williams, Memphis 20.8 ppg, 4.5 rebs, 3.8 ast, 1.2 stl – Williams has been a savior for Coach Pastner in Memphis since Calipari and their recruiting class left for Kentucky. After playing as a backup for Duke last season, he leads the Tigers in scoring and should keep Memphis among the favorites in Conference USA.
8 ) Sheron Collins, Kansas 13.6 ppg, 4 ast, 1.6 stl – In his senior season, Collins has the Jayhawks perfect at 5-0 and ranked #1 in the nation. Although his stats are slightly down from last year, he leads his squad in assists and 3 pt %. Teammates Xadier Henry(17.2 ppg) and Cole Aldrich(3.8 blks) may take votes away in final voting.
9) Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State(3-1) 14.5 ppg, 1o rebs, 5.5 blk – Even though his Bulldogs have lost 2 games already, it’s not because of the play of Varnado, who leads the NCAA in blocks. Since he leads Miss St in rebounding and scoring as well, he should be in the running for SEC Player of the Year. Getting Renaldo Sidney cleared to play should help lessen the offensive load.
10) Luke Harangody, Notre Dame 25 ppg, 10 rebs – “Gody” is annually one of the Big East’s best big men is again among the nation’s leaders in points and rebounds. He shoulders most of the load for Notre Dame who is a surprising 6-1 and ranked #23.
Honorable Mention:
Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga 16.2 ppg, 6 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.2 stl
Quincy Poindexter, Wash 24 ppg, 12 rebs
Ed Davis, UNC 12.2 ppg, 9 rebs, 2.5 blk
Jerome Dyson, Connecticut 19 ppg, 4.6 ast, 1.4 stl
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova 13.8 ppg, 3.2 ast, 1.3 stl
LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor 22.8 ppg, 1.2 stl
James Anderson, Oklahoma St(4-0) 22.8 ppg, 7.7 rebs
Luke Babbitt, Nevada 20.2 ppg, 10.8 rebs
Kalin Lucas, Mich St 17.2 ppg, 3.7 ast, 1.5 stl
Dissapointing:
Cole Aldrich, Kansas 10 ppg, 8.2 rebs, 3.8 blk
Greivis Vasquez, Maryland 11.2 ppg, 4.2 rebs, 5.3 ast
Willie Warren, Oklahoma(2-2) 19.2 ppg, 5.8 ast
Greg Monroe, Georgetown 13.8 ppg, 9 rebs, 3.2 ast
Devin Ebanks, West Virginia DNP in first 3 games 14 ppg and 9 rebs
