My Fave Five for College Basketball's National Player of the Year

Every year, the rumor mill starts up on the best Male Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year.  Of course, only your die-hard fans even notice due to the season start, which is buried in the heart of NFL, College Football, and the MLB Pennant chase.

Last year’s winner and golden boy, Tyler Hansbrough, heads the list of possible candidates. Don’t get me wrong, Hansbrough deserved the award last year (not) and is a great college player, but let’s examine my fave five for the award as of now.

Stephen Curry, Davidson

The Numbers: 31.9 PG, 6.8 assists, 2.9 steals, 48 percent FG

He needs a nickname. Kid Dynamo—naw. Curry Chicken—that’s a stretch. The Future. Yes. The Future it is.

I like The Future for a number of reasons. He is playing every minute of every tough game. He has the ball in his hand for about 90 percent of the game as their point guard/shooting guard. He is unselfish despite the true talent of the team around him. And to say the least, every time he launches that perfect release, you think it is going in.

The knock: He shoots a lot of threes—partly because he is the focus of the entire defense and that is the best shot he can get off without hogging, and probably because he settles for threes to save his energy.

The plus: He guards the best player on the other team. Since Davidson lacks size and talent, they switch on a screen, which leaves Curry fighting with 6'8" swingmen on the block, as shown in the West Virginia game.

One Shining Moment: With a somewhat unimpressive conference schedule, Curry takes the national spotlight at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Jan. 7. If Curry erupts for 40 and keeps Davidson close, pencil him in for the ceremony.

Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

The Numbers: 23.1 ppg, 15.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 67.5 percent FG

Griffin, aka The Second Coming (of Amare Stoudemire), is a freak of nature. He doesn’t have the offensive repertoire of a seasoned player, but who cares? He would dunk on your mom if she was in the lane, as shown by his 67.5 percent from the field.

The knock: Not consistent from the free throw line so far this year. He is decent and I don’t expect him to transfer to Memphis, so he should be all right.

The plus: Who is in the Big 12 this year that can stop him?  Of course there is Kansas and Texas, but other than that, it is a crapshoot. Even those teams don’t have someone with the athletic talent to stick with Griffin or challenge him to play defense.

One Shining Moment: Coming down the stretch, the Sooners take on Texas Tech, at Texas, Kansas, at Texas Tech, and at Missouri.  If Blake can stay healthy and impress down the stretch, he will more than likely be the No. 1 choice in the NBA Draft.

A.J. Abrams, Texas

The Numbers: 20.2 ppg, 1.4 steals, 47.1 percent three-point, 43 percent FG

Remember when a certain guard burst onto the scene for the Cavaliers against the Pistons by the name of Boobie Gibson? Well, Abrams is a prolific three-point specialist with a short memory. Abrams has not seen a shot that he didn’t like, no matter the game situation.

The knock: Streak shooters usually shoot you out of games. 

The plus: When Abrams is on, get the fire extinguisher fast. During the J.J. Redick years at Duke, it was great to see a pure shooter. Abrams brings that same type of excitement, with less of the fanfare that comes with playing outside of the ACC. Besides, Abrams is generously listed at 5’11”. 

One Shining Moment: Abrams won his first war with Villanova last week. With back-to-back games of Michigan State and Wisconsin before the Big 12 conference slate starts, Abrams has a chance to wow some people for a Christmas treat.

Luke Harangody, Notre Dame

The Numbers: 23 ppg, 12.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 51.2 percent FG

Harangody, aka Mr. Consistency, is probably going to experience his best year and not even be acknowledged as the best/most exciting player on his team (that would be Kyle McAlarney). All Harangody is going to do is average a double-double, drop 20 on his opponent, and keep the tempo with his smooth post-up game.

The knock: He suffers from San Antonio Spurs syndrome. He is good to the point where he is boring. He isn’t going to give you too many highlights, other than an occasional tough finish in the lane, a nice baseline jumper, and maybe some good ball movement to the open man.

The plus: The Big East is tough and loaded with good teams. They should be on television during prime time and probably will make a good tournament run. Learn from the great Terrell Owens—any exposure is good exposure.

One Shining Moment: Harangody lucked out on his biggest opportunity of the year, a chance to abuse Tyler Hansbrough, due to the flu. Although the exposure will be good, that was his shot at greatness.

Ty Lawson, North Carolina

The Numbers: 16.3 ppg, 6.9 assists, 2.8 steals, 54.2 percent three-point

Ty, aka The General, Lawson has been welcomed back with open arms after testing the draft waters. This team does not have the same identity without Lawson on the court.

The knock: He is not a halfcourt player. Is that really a knock unless you play a Syracuse type 2-3 zone walking the ball downcourt like Temple?

The plus: He is knocking down the three. He dictates the tempo as UNC has only had one close game so far this entire season, averaging a 24-point spread.   

One Shining Moment: The ACC is becoming more guard-heavy, and Lawson has a chance to prove that he is the cream of the crop, not just Hansbrough’s sidekick.