Wooden Watch: Ranking the 15 Finalists Entering March Madness

Championship Week is in full swing and Selection Sunday is just a few days away

And the high-quality, full-intensity college hoops action has just begun.

Let's take a lightning-fast look at a ranking of the 15 Wooden Award finalists as we get ready to enter March Madness.

Almost every one of these players will be lacing 'em up in this year's NCAA tournament.

Let's go!

15. Anthony Bennett (UNLV)

Anthony Bennett has had a fantastic freshman season, leading the Rebels in both scoring (16.1 PPG) and rebounding (8.1 RPG).

Bennett was battling a shoulder injury at the close of the season, but the 6’8” PF looks like he has returned to form in time for March Madness.

In UNLV’s opening game in the MWC tourney, he put up 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

14. Shane Larkin (Miami)

Shane Larkin is one of the most dynamic scoring point guards in the nation.

Larkin had a breakout sophomore season, averaging 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

The 5’11" Hurricanes PG makes Miami go.

Whether it is by beating his man off the dribble, sticking a three-point jumper or finding an open teammate in scoring position. Larkin is the primary reason the Canes won the ACC.  

13. Nate Wolters (South Dakota State)

Don’t worry about the fact that Nate Wolters plays for South Dakota State.

The 6’4” combo guard can hoop.

Scoring 22.7 points, pulling down 5.6 boards and dishing out 5.6 assists puts Wolters in an exceptional place nationally.

12. Erick Green (Virginia Tech)

Erick Green finished the 2012-13 season as the nation’s No. 1 scorer, averaging 25.4 points per game.

Green only failed to score at least 20 points in four of 32 games.

Most people only know about Green’s scoring prowess. But the 6’4" senior also led the Hokies in assists (3.9 APG).

11. Jeff Withey (Kansas)

Jeff Withey is one of college basketball’s best interior defenders.

Withey averaged four blocks per game (No. 3 in the nation) and pulled down 8.6 boards per game.

The 7’0” senior added an improved offensive game this year (13.6 PPG) to his developing post presence.

10. Mason Plumlee (Duke)

Mason Plumlee has upgraded every part of his game as a senior.

As much perimeter talent as the Blue Devils have, they would be an average team without MP2 doing his thing down low.

He put up 17 double-doubles this year, averaging 17.2 points and 10.3 rebounds.

9. Ben McLemore (Kansas)

Ben McLemore is one of the most lethal shooter/scorers in college basketball.

The 6’5” SG led the Jayhawks in scoring 16.7 points per game, knocking down 50 percent of his FGs and 43.4 percent of his threes.

McLemore can score points in bunches.

8. Deshaun Thomas (Ohio State)

Deshaun Thomas is the primary focus of the Buckeyes offense.

The 6’7” junior combo forward led the Big Ten in scoring with 19.7 points per game.

If Thomas doesn’t do it, it doesn’t get done for OSU. He is the only Buckeye player who averages double figures.

7. Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State)

Marcus Smart's play has changed Oklahoma State from being a middle of the pack Big 12 team to a legit national competitor

Smart impacts games on both ends of the court, averaging three steals per game (No. 3 in the nation) as well as putting up 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

OSU’s March Madness future is in Smart’s hands…That’s a good place to be.

6. Kelly Olynyk (Gonzaga)

The emergence of Kelly Olynyk has launched Gonzaga into the top of the national polls.

After redshirting last year, Olynyk has turned into one of the most dynamic and versatile frontcourt players in college basketball.

The 7’0” Canadian has averaged 17.5 points and pulled down 7.2 rebounds per game.

Olynyk and Senior PF Elias Harris may be the best frontcourt combo in the nation.

5. Cody Zeller (Indiana)

Cody Zeller is the anchor of the Indiana’s talented lineup.

Zeller’s consistent work inside allows for the talented Hoosier’s perimeter players to do their thing.

The 7’0” sophomore averages 16.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.  

4. Otto Porter (Georgetown)

Big East Player of the Year Otto Porter Jr.makes everyone around him better.

His numbers are excellent (16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists), but his contribution far exceeds his stat line.

Porter’s consistency and stability help him to be a leader on a Hoya team that is talented but young. There is not a single senior on the Georgetown roster.

3. Doug McDermott (Creighton)

Even though Doug McDermott was targeted by every team that the Bluejays played, the 6’8” forward still ended up scoring 23.1 points and pulled down 7.5 rebounds per game.

McDermott is one of college hoops best beyond the arc shooters, hitting 49.7 percent of his three-point attempts.

While he doesn’t wow you with his raw athleticism, McDermott beats you with his basketball fundamentals and his high hoops IQ.

2. Victor Oladipo (Indiana)

If Cody Zeller is Indiana’s anchor, then Victor Oladipo is the engine that makes them go.

Oladipo’s ability to slash and gash opponents’ defenses breaks games wide open.

The 6’5" wing has already been named the 2013 Sporting News Player of the Year.

1. Trey Burke (Michigan)

Trey Burke should be the 2013 Wooden Award winner.

Known as a scoring point guard, Burke led the Big Ten in assists (6.8 APG) and is the conference’s No. 2 scorer (19.2 PPG).

Even though Michigan might have the most talented perimeter unit in the country, Burke’s postseason performance will determine the Wolverine’s 2013 destiny.