Now that NCAA conference play is in full swing, we can get a better gauge on the haves and have-nots in college basketball. The same goes for the college ranks’ best players as well as they now are forced to face much tougher defensive pressure and schemes designed specifically to stop them. Now we will see just how well NCAA POY candidates Jared Sullinger and Kemba Walker will fare against bigger and more complex defensive squads of the Big 10 and Big East Conferences.
In our initial December NCAA POY Rankings, UConn’s Kemba Walker had a stranglehold on the POY race as the nation’s leading scorer and being the primary reason behing the Huskies surge into the Top 10 of National Rankings. But with BYU’s Jimmer Fredette dropping 47 points in a game to keep the Cougars close to cracking the Top 10, as well as the continued double-double performances of Ohio State’s fantastic freshman Sullinger possibly leading the Buckeyes to the nation’s #1 ranking, things are heating up in the race to naming the NCAA’s January Player of the Year…….
1) Jimmer Fredette, BYU
26.1 ppg, 4.4 ast, 3.4 reb, 1.3 stl, .482 FG%, .408 3PT%, .895%
Team Record/Ranking: 17-1/ 11th
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The multi-talented future lottery pick that keeps dominating the competition in the Mountain West Conference is quickly becoming the best player in the nation. He has taken over the nation’s scoring lead and continues to make his Cougars squad arguably one of the nation’s best teams behind a nearly unblemished record(17-1) which may earn them a Top 10 ranking. Throughout the month of December and into early January, Jimmer has taken his game to another level averaging an impressive 30 ppg, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, while shooting nearly 60% from behind the arc. He is one of the few players in the nation to be able to drop 40 points on any given night which makes he and BYU a dangerous team come tourney time.
2) Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
17.6 ppg, 9.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.1 stl, .593 FG%, ,736 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 18-0/ 2nd
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With the departure of Evan Turner to the NBA after last season, many wondered who would take over leading the Buckeyes offensively this season. Coach Matta has been pleasantly surprised at the outstanding play of freshman Sullinger as he has arguably been the best big man in the country behind a team leading 8 double-doubles and ranking among the Top 10 in the Big Ten in scoring, rebounding, and FG%. In the month of December, Jared has averaged 22 ppg and 12 rebounds, including a 30 point, 19 board gem vs South Carolina and a 40 point, 13 rebound effort vs IUPUI. Jared has been the NCAA’s version of Shaq as once he sets foot into the painted area he has been unstoppable to opposing bigs. The way he’s dominating the competition, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Jared go as high as the #1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
3) Kemba Walker, Connecticut
25.6 ppg, 5.4 rebs, 3.8 ast, 2.3 stl, .463 FG%, .366 3PT%, .850 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 14-2/ 10th
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Not to insinuate that Kemba has been playing poorly since he drops a bit in the newest rankings, it’s just that Fredette and Sullinger have been slightly more impressive over the past month. I’ll still argue that no player means more to their squad than Walker as he provides more than 50% of the Huskies offensive production if you include his scoring and assist numbers. He single-handedly has one games on his own like most recently as last week as he nailed a late 3 to force OT and a game winning jumper to beat highly ranked Texas and a teardrop jumper to beat #7 Villanova. Look for the nation’s scoring crown to possibly come down the the final week of the season as Walker vs. Fredette reminds me an awful lot of that fantastically frenetic scoring race between Adam Morrison and JJ Redick of a few years ago. Kemba has scored in double figures in every game this season and has notched 13 games of 20 or more points, easily making him one of the most exciting to watch players in the nation.
4) Nolan Smith, Duke
20.1 ppg, 5.7 ast, 4.9 reb, 1.4 stl, .500 FG%, .371 3PT%, .810 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 16-1/ 1st
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In absence of injured freshman phenom Kyrie Irving, Smith has thrived in the role as playmaker and distributor for the Blue Devils. Despite Kyle Singler having another outstanding season, Nolan has been one of the 5 best players in the college ranks as he is one of only a handful of players to average 20+pts, 5 rebs, and 5 ast on the season. Since taking over the point on December 8th, he has averaged 24 ppg, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds, while shooting nearly 60% from the field, including a stretch of scoring in double figures in 8 of 9 games. He has been especially potent from behind the arc, hitting on 19 treys since December 8th against Bradley. With the cupcakes now out of the way, surely Nolan will again step his game up in ACC play.
5) Kawhi Leonard, SD State
16 ppg, 10.3 rebs, 2.7 ast, 1.4 stl, .479 FG%, .280 3PT%, .727 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 19-0/ 6th
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Kawhi is still probably the nation’s best player not yet a household name even though he’s one of the few collegiate players to average a double-double and has his Aztec squad invading the Top 10 rankings as one of the nation’s 4 remaining perfect teams(Kansas, Syracuse, and Ohio St). Although only a sophomore, Leonard leads his squad in scoring and rebounding as an athletic, slashing wing player who has a motor that doesn’t quit, continually coming up with loose balls and doing whatever his team needs to win. For the season, he has scored in double figures in all but 2 contests and is among the nations leaders in double-doubles with 12. Leonard is a match-up nightmare and could cause fits for opposing defenses come March and into June as he projects nicely as a SF at the next level. Hands down, no one in the country plays harder than Leonard.
6) Marcus Morris, Kansas
16.7 ppg, 7 rebs, 1.4 ast, .603 FG%, .417 3PT%, .663 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 17-0/ 3rd
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Even though he has been in coach Self’s doghouse at times this season, Marcus along with his brother Markieff have been the heart and soul for the Jayhawks this season. While brother Markieff has led the team in rebounding, Marcus leads the club offensively as one of the most versatile and hard-to-guard players in the nation. Even though he possesses a PF body, Marcus can score from anywhere on the court, including the 3 point arc where he is hitting on nearly 42% this season. For the year, he has scored in double figures in 15 of 17 games and is riding a current streak of 3 straight double-doubles, averaging 24 ppg and 11.7 rebounds helping the Jayhawks remain perfect.
7) Terrence Jones, Kentucky
18.6 ppg, 9 rebs, 1.6 ast, 1.8 blk, .466 FG%, .356 3 PT%, .646 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 14-3/ 13th
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After a scintillating start to his collegiate career, Jones has cooled of a but but is still a nightmare match-up for opposing coaches. He is still averaging nearly a double-double and remains as the Wildcats’ leading scorer as Brandon Knight(17.5 ppg, 3.9 ast) is starting to come on strong. Jones still at times struggles with his shooting but is one of the nation’s most exciting players, seemingly dunking over opponents on a game-by-game basis. Over the past 10 games, he has scored in double figures in every game, averaging 18 points, 8 boards, and has begun to show off his 3 point abilities, connecting on 45% of attempts since the start of December. He has been especially lethal over the last 3 games scoring 24, 35, and 17 points leading the Cats to a 2-1 mark.
8 ) Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh
16.3 ppg, 3.5 ast, 2.4, .439 FG%, .446 3 PT%, .870 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 17-1/ 5th
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Ashton has been remarkable as the leader of the deepest Pitt squad in years, leading the Panthers in scoring, 3 point shooting, and free throw percentage. He has proven to have the heart of a champion, winning MVP of the 2K Sports Classic earlier this season, and has provided whatever coach Jaime Dixon needs to keep his squad ranked among the elite teams in the nation. Ashton has scored in double figures in all but 3 games this season and has connected on 3 or more treys in 13 contests. His overall production would probably be higher if he didn’t have so much help from backcourt mate Brad Wanamaker(12.8 ppg, 5.3 ast, 4.9 reb) and SF Gilbert Brown(11.2 ppg, 4.4 reb, 3.2 ast) who is finally coming into his own as a senior. While he has a ton of help, the Panthers will only go as far as their unquestioned leader takes them.
9) Rick Jackson, Syracuse
13.2 ppg, 11.7 rebs, 2.7 ast, 1.2 stl, 2.2 blk, .589 FG%
Team Record/ Ranking: 18-0/ 4th
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After loosing nearly 30 pounds from last season, Jackson has emerged as not only the Orangemen’s best frontcourt player, but arguably the best low post threat in the country. His leaner, sleaker physique has helped improve his quickness enabling him to rebound at an alarming rate, ranking among the Top 5 in the nation. After teaming down low with Arinze Onuaku the past few seasons, Jackson remains as Syracuse’s lone frontcourt threat and is crucial to his team’s success. He has scored in double figures in 16 of 18 contests and ranks among the nation’s leaders in double-doubles with 12. Free throw percentage may be his only weakness as he shoots below .500 on the season and may become a liability late in crucial games, but remains a beast inside the painted area.
10) Jordan Hamilton, Texas
19.2 ppg, 7 rebs, 2.4 ast, 1 stl, .461 FG%, .423 3PT%, .708 FT%
Team Record/ Ranking: 14-3/ 12th
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Jordan has made a tremendous jump from inconsistent freshman to steady if not spectacular sophomore, leading the Longhorns in scoring and 3 point shooting in helping lead Texas back to respectability. Even though he is getting a ton of help from freshmen Tristian Thompson(12.8 ppg, 7.8 reb, 1.9 blk) and Corey Joseph(11.4 ppg, 3.9 reb, 3.2 ast), along with Gary Johnson(12 ppg, 7.8 reb), he has emerged as coach Barnes’ go-to-guy in crunch-time. On the season, Jordan has reached double figures in scoring in all but 1 game and has scored 20 or more points in 8 contests. Standing at 6’7 and nearly 225 lbs, Jordan probably won’t be on the Texas roster for too long as he projects as a prototypical scoring two guard in the NBA when he’s ready.
Next 5:
JuJuan Johnson, Purdue – 19.9 ppg, 8.4 rebs, 2.5 blk, .498 FG%
Corey Fisher, Villanova – 15.4 ppg, 4.8 ast, 3.4 reb, 1.6 stl, .310 3 PT%, .775 FT%
Marcus Denmon, Missouri – 17.7 ppg, 3.9 rebs, 1.9 ast, 1.8 stl, .505 FG%, .495 3PT%, .817 FT%
Khris Middleton, Texas A&M – 15.8 ppg, 4.7 rebs, 2.9 ast, 1,4 stl, .503 FG%, .385 3PT%, .819 FT%
Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame – 15.8 ppg, 7.1 rebs, 2.2 ast, 1 stl, .442 FG%, .400 3PT%, .788 FT%
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
