College Hoops Best of the Best: 2010-11 Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Part I

The John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list was announced on October 4 by The Los Angeles Athletic Club. These 50 student-athletes are the early leaders to earn college basketball’s most prestigious honor.

Eleven conferences are represented on the Wooden Award Preseason List: Big Ten (10), ACC (8), Big East (7), SEC (3), Big 12 (7), Pac-10 (6), Atlantic 10 (3), Mountain West (2), West Coast (2) and Conference USA and the Horizon League with one apiece. 

Purdue (Robbie Hummel, JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore) was the only school with three players named to the Wooden Award preseason Top 50. However, Hummel will miss the upcoming season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in practice.

Five schools had two players chosen to the list: Colorado (Alec Burks, Cory Higgins); Duke (Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith); Gonzaga (Steven Gray, Elias Harris); Michigan State (Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers); and Syracuse (Kris Joseph, Brandon Triche).

Four seniors return from past Wooden Award ballots: Duke’s Kyle Singler (2009, 2010), Robbie Hummel of Purdue (2008, 2010), Kalin Lucas of Michigan State (2009, 2010) and BYU’s Jimmer Fredette (2010).

Players listed alphabetically.

The second half of this list is now available as "College Hoops Best of the Best: 2010-11 Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Part 2"

Ty Abbott 6'3" Sr. G Arizona State

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Ty Abbott #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils and Jeremy Green #45 of the Stanford Cardinal fight for a loose ball in the first half during the Quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 11, 20

2009-10 Stats: 12.0 ppg 4.4 rpg 1.6 apg

As Ty Abbott goes, so go the Sun Devils. ASU is 37-12 (.755) in his career and 25-8 (.758) in the past two seasons when he scores double digits. He was named to last year's All-Pac-10 first team.

He is currently No. 6 in ASU history in career three-pointers. He has a good chance this season to move past most, if not all, of those that are in front of him for that honor.

As a senior, Abbott will be asked to provide veteran leadership on a Herb Sendek team looking to get back to the NCAA tournament after a one-year absence.

Lavoy Allen 6'9" Sr. F Temple

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KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 9: Lavoy Allen #24 of the Temple Owls battles for a rebound against Ryan Childress #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena November 9, 2007 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Templ

2009-10 Stats: 11.5 ppg 10.7 rpg 2.4 apg 

This past summer, Allen was named to the USA Men's Select Team that will train with the USA Men's National Team. Last season, Allen was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference performer and became the first Temple player to average a double-double since Ollie Johnson accomplished the feat in 1970-71.

He led Temple last season in rebounding, blocks (50) and field goal percentage (.536) while ranking third with 83 assists.

With a schedule that features games against Kansas, Georgetown, Villanova and Virginia Tech, Allen will have every opportunity to prove himself.

Kevin Anderson 6'0" Sr. G Richmond

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PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 18: Kevin Anderson #14 of the Richmond Spiders shoots a basket against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 18, 2010 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Jim Roga

2009-10 Stats: 17.8 ppg 3.4 rpg 2.7 apg

Anderson led the Spiders in scoring as he helped lead Richmond to the 2010 NCAA Tournament with a 26-9 record, tying the school record for most wins in a season.

He was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American and 2010 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. The senior guard ranks fourth in career scoring among active Atlantic 10 players. Last year, he was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week twice.

Talor Battle 6'0" Sr. G Penn State

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NEW YORK - APRIL 02: Talor Battle #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions drives past Tweety Carter #45 of the Baylor Bears during the NIT Championship match at Madison Square Garden on April 2, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Imag

2009-10 Stats:18.5 ppg 5.3 rpg 4.2 apg 

Two-time All-Big Ten (first team in 2009, second team in 2010); 2009 U.S. World University Games Team leading scorer (10.0 ppg); 2009 NIT All-Tournament Team; second in Big Ten in scoring in 2010.

Battle is the seventh all-time scorer (1,526), eighth all-time in assists (417) and fourth all-time in three-pointers (211) in Penn State history

Battle has a good chance of becoming the second player to lead the Nittany Lions in scoring in four consecutive seasons.

Kenny Boynton 6'2" So. G Florida

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OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 18: Kenny Boynton #1 of the Florida Gators pushes the ball up court in overtime against the BYU Cougars during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at Ford Center on March 18, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

2009-10 Stats:14 ppg 2.6 rpg 2.7 ppg

Boynton has the ability to score in bunches and take over games. He was given a big load by coach Billy Donovan in his freshman year and responded well.

Boynton led UF in scoring as a freshman en route to a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.

The sophomore guard was one of just 10 underclassmen that were selected to the Wooden watch list and was one of only three players from the Southeastern Conference selected, joining Jeffery Taylor of Vanderbilt and Trey Thompkins of Georgia.

William Buford 6'5" Jr. G Ohio State

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 13: Guard William Buford #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes grabs a rebound against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the semifinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 13, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indian

2009-10 Stats: 14.4 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.1 apg

Last year as a sophomore, Buford was named to the 2010 All-Big Ten Third Team. His freshman year, he was 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Buford is the top returning scorer from the 2009-10 Buckeyes.

He's a proven catch-and-shoot threat with solid range. He will have the chance to prove himself following the graduation of Evan Turner, last year's Wooden Award winner.

Alec Burks 6'6" So. G Colorado

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Alec Burks #10 of the Colorado Buffaloes moves the ball against Mike Singletary #32 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the first round game of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the

2009-10 17.1 ppg 5.0 rpg 1.8 apg

Last season, Burks was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year (CU’s first ever); All-Big 12 Honorable Mention; 2009-10 Basketball Times All-Freshman Team.

He was fourth nationally for all freshmen in points per game and field goal percentage (53.8 percent).

He became the first Colorado freshman to surpass 500 points in a single season and only the second CU freshman to lead his team in rebounding

Burks shows the necessary size and athleticism to play the "2" at the next level.

Randy Culpepper 6'0" Sr. G UTEP

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 18: Guard Randy Culpepper #3 of the UTEP Miners dunks the ball against the Butler Bulldogs during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HP Pavilion on March 18, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jed J

2009-2010 Stats: 17.9 ppg 2.8 rpg 1.9 apg

Last year, Culpepper was named Conference USA Player of the Year and first team All-League; he was also selected as honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.

He led the Miners in scoring (17.9 ppg) and steals (1.8 spg), while ranking third in assists (1.9 apg)

As a freshman, Culpepper was selected as Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year and a member of the league's All-Freshman Team.

Malcolm Delaney 6'3" Sr. G Virginia Tech

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ATLANTA - MARCH 12: Malcolm Delaney #23 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks to take a shot against the Miami Hurricanes during day one of the 2009 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament on March 12, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by: Kevin C

2009-10 Stats: 20.2 ppg 3.7 rpg 4.5 apg

An outstanding shooter with unlimited range, Delaney plays big in big games

Last season, Delaney was a unanimous first-team All-ACC selection. He led the ACC in scoring and was a Sporting News fourth-team All-America selection.

Delaney was also named a First Team Preseason (2010-11) All-American by Dick Vitale of ESPN.com.

LaceDarius Dunn 6'4" Sr. G Baylor

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HOUSTON - MARCH 28: LaceDarius Dunn #24 of the Baylor Bears puts up a shot over Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils during the south regional final of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium on March 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Duk

2009-10 Stats: 19.6 ppg 4.8 rpg 1.9 apg

Honorable mention All-American as junior in 2010; Freshman All-American in 2008.

Dunn enters the 2010-11 season ranked fourth in Baylor history with 1,739 career points. He needs 451 points to become the school's all-time leading scorer (Terry Teagle: 2,189) and 518 to become the Big 12's all-time leading scorer (Texas Tech's Andre Emmett: 2,256).

Dunn was indefinitely suspended from the Baylor team before official practices began after surrendering to police to face an aggravated assault charge.

Kim English 6'6" Jr. G Missouri

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Kim English #24 of the Missouri Tigers shoots the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half during the first round game of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 10,

2009-10 Stats: 14.0 ppg 3.4 rpg 1.1 apg

Last season, English was named All-Big 12 Third Team.He is one of just three underclassmen in Missouri history to be named to the top three squads during the Big 12 era.

He was also named to Dick Vitale's All-Improved Team in USA Today.

English led last year's 23-11 Tigers in scoring.

Corey Fisher 6'1" Sr. G Villanova

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NEW YORK - MARCH 11: Corey Fisher #10 of the Villanova Wildcats handles the ball against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the quarterfinal of the 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mich

2009-10 Stats: 13.3 ppg 2.8 rpg 3.9 apg

Fisher is a unique combo guard who is just as good at creating shots for his Wildcat teammates as he is scoring. Last season, he led the team in assists and was second in scoring.

Named first team All-Philadelphia Big Five and third team All-Big East.

After playing alongside Scottie Reynolds, Fisher now is THE MAN for 'Nova.

He reportedly scored 105 points this past summer in a summer league game at Watson Gleason Playground, NYC.

Jimmer Fredette 6'2" Sr. G Brigham Young

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OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 20: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young Cougars drives for a shot attempt against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Ford Center on March 20, 2010 in Oklahoma City,

2009-10 Stats: 22.1 ppg 3.1 rpg 4.7 apg

Boasting tremendous shooting ability and a prolific scorer, Fredette scored 49 points against the Arizona Wildcats, setting a new BYU record and a new McKale Center record for points scored in a single game. He led the Cougars last year in both scoring and assists.

Last season, Fredette earned five All-America honors (Basketball Times Second Team, NABC State Farm Coaches' Division I Third Team, Lute Olson, AP Honorable Mention, Sporting News Third Team) and was selected to the All-Mountain West Conference first team for the second time.

Going into his senior season, Fredette has been named a preseason first-team All-American by Blue Ribbon, Dick Vitale, Athlon Sports and Sporting News...named the nation's top point guard (preseason) by Lindy's and Sporting News...named to Rivals.com All-Senior Team and most explosive by Rivals.com.

Austin Freeman 6'4" Sr. G Georgetown

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NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Austin Freeman #15 of the Georgetown Hoyas drives to the hoop against Kevin Jones #5 and John Flowers #41 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the championship of the 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March

2009-10 Stats: 16.5 ppg 3.5 rpg 2.4 apg

To say Freeman can take it to the hole with authority is an understatement. He is built more like a fullback than a shooting guard.

Freeman was an All-Big East Second Team selection last year as a junior, when the Hoyas finished the season 23-11. Freeman led Georgetown in scoring and ranked 11th in the Big East with 16.5 points per game.

He was fourth on the team in rebounds (3.5), third in assists (2.4), second in three-point field goals made (59) and second in minutes played (34.4). Freeman connected on 52.5 percent of his field goals (11th in the league) and ranked fourth in the league, connecting on 85.6 percent of his free throws (83-of-97).

Freeman was an All-Big East Rookie selection as a freshman.

Going into his senior season, Freeman was selected as the Big East Conference's Preseason Player of the Year in a vote of the league's coaches.

Ashton Gibbs 6'2" Jr. G Pittsburgh

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MILWAUKEE - MARCH 21: Ashton Gibbs #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers shoots the ball in the first half while taking on the Xavier Musketeers during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Bradley Center on March 21, 2010 in Milw

2009-10 Stats: 15.7 ppg 2.8 rpg 1.8 apg

A proven, all-around combo guard, shooter and scorer.

Gibbs had a stellar junior year, being named Big East Most Improved Player and an All-Big East Second Team selection. He led Pitt in scoring (15.7 ppg.), minutes played (1,177), field goals made (159), three-point field goals (78) and free throw percentage (88.4)

Gibbs is also a two-time Big East Academic All-Star and Academic All-America candidate.

Steven Gray 6'5" Sr. G Gonzaga

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Steven Gray #32 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs handles the ball against Deividas Dulkys #4 of the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New

2009-10 Stats: 13.6 ppg 4.0 rpg 2.9 apg

Last season, Gray was fourth on the team in rebounding, second in assists and second in steals with 1.2 per game.

Gray was named to the 2009-10 All-West Coast Conference first team.

Jordan Hamilton 6'7" So. G/F Texas

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 18: Jordan Hamilton #23 of the Texas Longhorns fights for a loose ball with L.D. Williams #42 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 18, 2

2009-10 Stats: 10.0 ppg 3.7 rpg 1.5 apg

Good numbers for a freshman, considering that he played just under 20 minutes per game.

Hamilton is truly a multi-talented player. He can comfortably play any position 1 through 4, go get the rebound and then push the ball in transition. A nice shooter with NBA range.

Elias Harris 6'7" So. F Gonzaga

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NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Elias Harris #20 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs puts up a shot over Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils in the Aeropostale Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 19, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Imag

2009-10 Stats: 14.9 ppg 7.1 rpg 1.1 apg

Before attending Gonzaga, Harris was one of the top junior players in Germany. Harris made his debut with the senior German national team at Eurobasket 2009.

Harris is an extremely athletic hybrid forward. He is capable of doing damage inside and out. He will look to dunk almost everything that is in the vicinity of the hoop.

Last season, Harris led the Bulldogs in rebounding and was second in scoring. He was named to the All-West Coast Conference first team and was selected as the WCC Newcomer of the Year by the conference coaches.

Jeremy Hazell 6'5" Sr. G Seton Hall

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NEW YORK - MARCH 11: Jeremy Hazell #21 of the Seton Hall Pirates drives to the hoop against the Syracuse Orange during the second round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Im

2009-10 Stats: 20.4 ppg 3.5 rpg 1.5 apg

Last season, Hazell recorded his second straight season with a scoring average of more than 20 points per game. He finished third in the Big East in scoring

Hazell has received Big East all-conference honors every year: 2009-10 Second Team; 2008-09 Third Team; 2007-08 All-Rookie Team.

John Henson 6'10" So. F North Carolina

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NEW YORK - MARCH 30: John Henson #31 of the North Carolina Tar Heels passes the ball against Rhode Island Rams at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

2009-10 Stats: 5.7 ppg 4.4 rpg 0.9 apg

Henson has a huge amount of upside. He has all the physical attributes (7'4" wingspan) to be a great shot-blocker and become a star for Roy Williams.

Played regularly as a freshman off the bench for the Tar Heels, he is ready to have a breakout year as a sophomore.

Cory Higgins 6'5" Sr. G Colorado

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 10: Cory Higgins #11 of the Colorado Buffaloes moves the ball in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first round game of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on Marc

2009-10 Stats: 18.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 2.4 apg

Going into his senior season, Higgins ranks ninth in school history in scoring with 1,391 points.

Higgins has led the Big 12 in steals the last two seasons and was the conference's fourth-leading scorer  during his junior campaign.

New Buffs coach Tad Boyle said if the Buffs had finished higher in the standings last season, the steady 6'5" guard would have been first-team All-Big 12 instead of being on the third team.

Higgins was voted by Big 12 coaches to the league’s 2010-11 preseason all-conference team. Higgins joins Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn, Kansas forward Marcus Morris, Kansas State forward Curtis Kelly and Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen as the league’s top five.

Tyler Honeycutt 6'8" So. F UCLA

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LOS ANGELES - MARCH 12: Tyler Honeycutt #23 of the UCLA Bruins shoots over Jamal Boykin #10 and Jorge Gutierrez #2 of the California Golden Bears during the semifinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 12, 2010 in Los Angeles

2009-10 Stats: 7.2 ppg 6.5 rpg 2.7 apg

Honeycutt's freshman campaign started slowly due to a spinal stress fracture followed by a stress reaction in his right tibia. But he still led Bruins in rebounding (6.5 rpg) on the season.

With his size, he's an athletic wing player who can interchange between the off guard and forward positions.

Honeycutt is likely to become much more effective offensively in the upcoming season

Robbie Hummel 6'8" Sr. F Purdue

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 12: Robbie Hummel #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs during the Big Ten game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mackey Arena on January 12, 2010 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Ohio State won 70-66. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Im

2009-10 Stats: 15.7 ppg 6.9 rpg 2.1 apg

Purdue senior Hummel re-tore his ACL in a preseason practice and will miss the entire 2010-11 season.

Hummel missed the Boilermakers' final eight games last season after tearing the ACL in his right knee for the first time in a Feb. 24 game against Minnesota.

JaJuan Johnson 6'10" Sr. F/C Purdue

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 12: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers shoots the ball during the Big Ten game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mackey Arena on January 12, 2010 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Ohio State won 70-66. (Photo by Andy L

2009-10 Stats: 15.5 ppg 7.1 rpg 0.7 apg

Johnson is one of the most versatile big men in the college game, combining a punishing inside game with range to the three-point line

He is a skilled shot blocker and is still developing as a rebounder despite leading the Boilermakers on the boards in 2009-10

Last season, Johnson was second-team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Defensive Team and was named Big Ten Player of the Week twice. As a sophomore, Johnson was voted All-Big Ten, first team as a sophomore.

Because of Hummel's season-ending injury, Johnson will be required to take on an even bigger role in the upcoming season.

Kris Joseph 6'7" Jr. F Syracuse

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Kris Joseph #32 of the Syracuse Orange dunks the ball against Marqus Blakely #23 and Maurice Joseph #24 of the Vermont Catamounts during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010

2009-10 Stats: 10.8 ppg 5.5 rpg 1.7 apg

Last season, Joseph excelled as the first player off the bench for the Orange. He was third in both scoring and rebounding.

Joseph was awarded the 2009-10 Big East Sixth Man of the Year Award.

He will be counted on to become Jim Boeheim's go-to player if Syracuse is going to make some noise in the coming season.

Kawhi Leonard 6'7" So. F San Diego State

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PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 19: Kawhi Leonard #15 of San Diego State Aztecs collides with J.P. Prince #30 of Tennessee Volunteers during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 19, 2010 in Providence, Rho

2009-10 Stats: 12.7 ppg 9.9 rpg 1.9 apg

Coming off a strong first year, the Aztecs are looking for big things from Leonard.

He is the only freshman in Mountain West Conference history to earn first-team all-conference honors. Leonard was selected as MWC freshman of the year and was named to the Sporting News All-Freshman second team.

Leonard ranked 13th in the nation in double-doubles.

He was first in total rebounding and offensive rebounding in the Mountain West Conference.

Who Will Be This Year's Winner?

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - MARCH 26: Evan Turner #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots the ball against Melvin Goins #21 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the midwest regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Edward Jones Dome on March 26,

Who Will Be This Year's Wooden Award Winner?

Recent Winners

2010 Evan Turner, Ohio State

2009 Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

2008 Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

2007 Kevin Durant, Texas

Preseason Top 50—Part II Coming Soon!