It’s the final week of the regular season in college hoops, which means awards season is right around the corner. Writers will dole out awards, conferences will name their top players and we’ll soon learn who made the All-America team.
There are a few sure bets. BYU’s Jimmer Fredette, who leads the nation in scoring and is currently the favorite to win national player of the year, is a lock. Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger, the best player on a team that began the season 24-0, is another.
That leaves three spots – for four worthy players. (OK, there are more, but these are the best by my reckoning.)
Purdue’s JaJaun Johnson (20.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Duke’s Nolan Smith (21.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.3 apg), Arizona’s Derrick Williams (the nation’s most efficient scorer) and Texas’ Jordan Hamilton, perhaps the best pure scorer around.
And, of course, there’s UConn’s Kemba Walker, who was the leading candidate for national; player of the year just a few weeks ago, but is starting to lose traction. SN’s Mike DeCourcy, however, says that’s crazy talk.
That begs the question: Which player would you leave off the first-team?
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