Gordon Hayward Leads Mid-Major Player of the Year Candidates

Is Gordon Hayward the Mid-Major Player of the Year?

There is a strong case for the affirmative.

The 6'9" sophomore is the most valuable player for what is arguably the nation's top mid-major program. For proof that Butler is not the same team without the versatile Hayward, look at Friday night's narrow, Hayward-less win at Valpo.

A smart, fundamentally-sound ballplayer, the young Bulldog is averaging 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 84 percent from the charity stripe. He also has posted 11 double-doubles.

Hayward has eclipsed 20 points seven times and has only failed to reach double-digits on four occasions.

You can't argue with success, and Hayward's Bulldogs are 26-4 thanks to his efforts and leadership.

While Hayward is the favorite, it is extremely unlikely that he will be the unanimous Mid-Major Player of the Year.

Here's a look at Hayward's competition.

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Matt Bouldin (Gonzaga)

Playing for another elite mid-major, Matt Bouldin could win POY.

There is a decent statistical argument for Bouldin over Hayward. The 6'5" guard is averaging 16 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 4.1 apg while shooting 37.9 percent from behind the arc (in comparison to Hayward's 30.2 percent mark).

The western Bulldog holds a slim advantage in scoring average and records less boards, but his assists and long-range shooting best Hayward's marks.

Hayward, though, shoots a higher percentage from the floor (48 percent vs. 46.3 percent) and is more efficient (1.55 points per shot vs. 1.42 pps).

With only assists and three-point shooting against him, Hayward should outlast Bouldin in the voting process.

Luke Babbitt (Nevada)

One can draw many similarities between Luke Babbitt's playing style and that of Hayward. They're both 6'9" yet they can handle the ball with confidence. Both players can score and rebound.

Babbitt is averaging 21.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg. Nevada's star is also shooting 40.8 percent from deep and 51.3 percent from the floor. The 6'9" forward has recorded 16 double-doubles and 18 20-point performances.

The statistics speak for themselves, and although Nevada lacks a national presence, Babbitt could be honored with the award.

Ryan Wittman (Cornell)

Cornell's Ryan Wittman is another talented mid-major player. He's the best player on a team that is 25-4 and is essential to the Big Red's success.

A sharpshooting specialist, Wittman has connected on 40.9 percent of his threes and is averaging 17.4 ppg.

However, he doesn't contribute much more than a reliable outside shot and will not win Mid-Major POY over Hayward or Bouldin, both of whom are more versatile players.

Marqus Blakely (Vermont)

Marqus Blakely peaked statistically in his sophomore season, but he was indisputable force on both ends of the floor as a senior.

Offensively, the 6'5" Catamount is averaging 17.4 ppg and 3.7 apg while shooting 54.1 percent from the field. On the other end, Blakely is recording 9.1 rpg, 2.6 spg, and 1.9 bpg.

Blakely looks like an easy choice, statistically, but his Catamounts don't have a national presence like Butler or Gonzaga. While Vermont is 22-9 with a 12-4 conference record, the Catamounts have played a much easier schedule than both Bulldog teams.

Blakely is definitely a player who would be effective on any mid-major team, including Butler or Gonzaga, but voters won't give him the edge over Hayward or Bouldin.

Photo from Vermont Daily News

Artsiom Parakhouski (Radford)

Radford's dominant center is in a situation similar to Blakely's. Artsiom Parakhouski has impressive statistics, but his team is 18-11 and plays in the Big South.

Parakhouski is averaging 21.6 ppg, 13.2 rpg, and 2.2 bpg while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor.

Against premier competition, Parakhouski has excelled. The 6'11" center went for 23 points and 14 boards at Duke and 21 points and 13 rebounds at Kansas.

Parakhouski is also the only top 10 scorer and top 10 rebounder in the country.

Adnan Hodzic (Lipscomb)

Adnan Hodzic falls into the same category as Blakely and Parakhouski.

The 6'9" center is averaging 22.5 ppg, good for sixth on the national scoring chart, and 8.8 rpg. Converting 60 percent of his shots, Hodzic is a force in the post.

Seeing that Hodzic plays for a 17-12 Lipscomb team, voters will likely ignore the Bosnian Beast.

Photo from ESPN

Honorable Mentions

Kenneth Faried (Morehead State): 16.8 ppg, 13 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 1.6 spg

Charles Jenkins (Hofstra): 20.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.8 spg, 40.3 percent 3PT

Keith Benson (Oakland): 17.4 ppg, 10 rpg, 3.3 bpg

Conclusion

Other than Hayward, there are three candidates who have legitimate chances. Bouldin, Babbitt, and Parakhouski could all be voted Mid-Major Player of the Year.

Both Hayward and Bouldin have national success in their favor, but Babbitt and Parakhouski each have had better statistical seasons.

Playing for Nevada, Babbitt could be a sleeper. Parakhouski could be hard to vote against because he is the country's only top 10 scorer and top 10 rebounder.

Hayward and Bouldin should still be considered favorites because of their national presence.

Playing for a better team and posting better statistics, Hayward maintains an edge over the field.