SMT NCAA Men's P.O.Y. Rankings

---

This year the field of Player of the Year candidates is wide open. Now with the tremendous freshman around the country the upperclassmen have serious competition for an award that used to belong to them. With all of the debate about who should be named the best player in D-I basketball, SMT has created a list of the best contenders and where they stand. Each week I will create a list of possible choices with the chances of each winning the award. Percentage takes into account only the players listed.

 

STARTING FIVE:

Michael Beasley

K-State (Frosh)

25.3 PPG - 12.7 RPG - 1.2 APG

Beasley keeps pushing on. He has dropped 30+ points seven times to date and is making the Big 12 look like just another mediocre conference. If people were not sure of Beasley’s skill level, they have changed quickly following the huge win over Kansas. He may not be dominating exactly like Kevin Durant did last season, but he is getting real close and may have that number one overall pick locked up.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 20%

 

Tyler Hansbrough

UNC (Junior)

22.0 PPG - 10.1 RPG - 0.9APG

His run and bang until you can’t stand style of play may be dangerous, but it pays off. Hansbrough is leading all D-I players in free throws attempted and made. It is nice to see a big man who can actually penalize his opponent for sending him to the line. A big performance against arch rival Duke could propel him to the top of these rankings.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 18%

 

Kevin Love

UCLA (Frosh)

17.3 PPG - 11.3 RPG - 1.9 APG

One thing not mentioned enough is Love’s ability to stay out of foul trouble. Not once has he committed more than three fouls in a game this season. When you are the catalyst of your team it staying on the floor as much as possible is key. After averaging nearly 20 and 13 in the month of January, Love is right there with the top players in all of college basketball.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 17%

D.J. Augustin

Texas (Soph)

20.7 PPG - 2.9 RPG - 5.9 APG

With all of the talk about the great freshman point guards, some have overlooked Augustin. I am not saying he has been completely ignored, but he still is not getting the credit he deserves. He may change that when he leads the Longhorns into Lawrence next week to take on Kansas.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 15%

 

Eric Gordon

Indiana (Frosh)

21.7 PPG - 3.2 RPG - 2.4 APG

Gordon’s assist to turnover ratio is far from stellar at 0.70. He will need to learn to be more careful with the basketball if he wants to take the Hoosiers back to basketball supremacy. As long as his shots are still falling, many will look past a couple extra turnovers.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 11%

 

SIXTH MAN:

Chris Douglas-Roberts

Memphis (Junior)

16.8 PPG - 4.6 RPG - 1.5 APG

If Memphis keeps on rolling through Conference USA, Douglas-Roberts’ stock will continue to rise. Being the leader of the number one ranked team in the nation apparently has its perks. The major concern with Douglas-Roberts’ game is his inconsistency. He may explode for 30+ like he did against UConn early in the season or he can struggle to get to double-digits like he did against USC just three games later.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 10%

 

PUT ME IN COACH!:

DeMarcus Nelson

Duke (Senior)

14.8 PPG - 5.9 RPG - 3.0APG

Nelson has also had some tremendous games lately scoring 18+ in four of his last five games. Nelson will need to find his “A-game” soon as the first battle with the Tar Heels in 2008 is next up for the Dukies. I big performance in that game will help his candidacy tremendously.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 5%

 

Luke Harangody

Notre Dame (Soph)

19.3 PPG - 9.6 RPG - 1.6 APG

Harangody showed his clutch making two big time free throws to send the game against Providence into overtime. His rebounding and clutch free throw shooting will keep the Irish in many games, but with a tough Big East schedule ahead he will struggle to stay in POY discussion. A little bit of that luck they always talk about will be much needed.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 3%

 

Kyle Weaver

Wash. St. (Senior)

11.1 PPG - 4.7 RPG - 4.4 APG

Weaver may be the best defender in all of college basketball and is one of the leaders of the mostly still ignored Cougars. He has not put up the sexy numbers that most voters look for, but he is a rising pro prospect that can truly do everything on the court. The recent slide of the Cougars basically takes away Weavers chance at this award.

CHANCE OF WINNING: 1%