National Player of the Year
There's a lot being made of how open the race is this year, and a lot being made of the big three (Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansbrough, Stephen Curry); and even though we're still not too deep into the conference season, I think those guys are being overrated and there are a few players who are being overlooked. I finally got to see Griffin for a full game yesterday @Texas A&M, and while I was impressed with his physical tools and next-level potential, the overall impact on his team doesn't equivalate to how talented he is (right now I have him pegged as a cross between Dwight Howard and Carlos Boozer; the raw physicality similar to Howard's is already there and his skills seem to be progressing toward those of Boozer's – much more on NBA potential on several players to come at a later date).
Don't get me started on Hansbrough. He's a dominant individual college player most of the time, but Ty Lawson is the guy who makes that team go. He's been GREAT this season, but I'd go so far as to say Danny Green has been more valuable to Carolina than Hansbrough this season. Every player on the team has spent stretches looking lethargic, with the exception of Green and Lawson, and that includes Psycho-T. I'm not going to go any further than that, because I really hate how the guy is treated by the media and officials all around the country and I don't want to get too far off track.
Stephen Curry is the one of the big three that I feel has the best case because he's at #1 in the country in scoring to lead a competitive Davidson team. But this year he's become more than a scorer; Bob Knight hails him as "the best passer in the country." I wouldn't go quite that far, but he's averaging more than twice as many assists this year as he is last year. He's doing everything and more for that squad, compiling eight 30+ (which includes three 40+) point games, five 8+ assist games, and he's been as clutch as they get in more than his share of moments. But I still think it's strange that he averages ten 3pt attempts/game, and it's definitely concerning that he only made 35% of his shots in their three losses, to the only three ranked teams on their schedule. He's doing a lot for his team, but he is by no means the best player in the country.
With all that said, I feel that there are a few guys who deserve to be getting the attention of those three. Guys who deserved to be mentioned for different reasons, but all deserve recognition in their own right. The first, a shooting guard who has had to deal with being overlooked for as long as I've been following him; not a guy with a flashy game, but one who gets the job done in every aspect of the game night in and night out. The next, a point guard who is breaking the mold of selfish scorer and blossoming into a true leader, on an extremely talented top 10 team no less. Another, an undersized post player who epitomizes his team's persona. Yet another, the most unassuming star in the country. And finally, a point guard who came out of nowhere to lead a talented but inexperienced team to the top of the NCAA basketball world.
James Harden, G/F, Arizona State – James Harden is the most complete player in the country, I don't think it's close either. He's the definition of the total package; great defender, great scorer, great passer, great rebounder,… the list goes on and on. No weaknesses in his game whatsoever. He's not a dominant scorer, but he'll take a game over when the situation calls for it. And he's got the Sun Devils ranked 17th in the country, with very little help from his supporting cast.
Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse – Flynn won't be a popular pick, but he's unquestionably the leader of a top 10 Syracuse team and they guy who they go to when they need a bucket. His numbers don't jump out at you and I don't expect him to be in the running by the end of the year, but for now he deserves consideration. Just watch the Orange play, if you know basketball you'll know what I'm talking about.
DeJuan Blair, F/C, Pittsburgh – Blair is another unconventional candidate, but he is the embodiment of what Pittsburgh basketball is all about. Undersized, overlooked in preseason, but a physical force that plays 110% on both ends of the court on every play. He's another guy who I don't really anticipate being in the running in March, but on my ballot he's among the leaders.
Luke Harangody, F, Notre Dame – Harangody is the most bizarre star I've ever seen. He looks like the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters, but he's one of the best players in the country. I generally compare him to Hansbrough, but he's really a lot better. He has an array of post moves, good mid-range game, and he can actually pass…. He has stretches where he forces shots and gets cold, but when he's on he's one of the best in the country.
Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest – Teague is my choice for National Player of the Year at this point. He's the same type of point guard that Flynn is and while he doesn't quite have the floor presence Flynn has, but on an immensely talented Wake team he's unquestionably the go-to guy (he's really their only guy who can create his own shot, other than James Johnson) and has them a mainstay in the top 5.
I also want to give a shout out to a guy who I've been a fan of since he was freshman, Louisville's Terrence Williams. Earl Clark gets all the publicity but Williams is their best player. If he's not scoring, he's making an impact somewhere, whether it's creating shots, blocking shots, rebounding, creating turnovers, whatever he can do to win. He reminds me a lot of Josh Smith with a competitive edge.
National Championship
First, I'll say this here: I was wrong about North Carolina. If I had been keeping up with the blog, I would've been touting UNC as a surefire bet to go undefeated this year. I still think that the team was capable of doing just that, but their mental toughness has been lacking to say the least. Roy Williams is one of the more overrated coaches in the country, and the team's shortcomings are a result of Williams not keeping them in line on a game-to-game basis. At least that's what it looks like to me. I still like UNC to take home the crown, but I'm a little nervous about their chances now.
There are a few other teams who's Final Four chances are really good, a few of them from the best conference in the country by FAR, the Big East. (And by the way, anyone who tries to argue anyone else, give me a break. Outside of the state of North Carolina, the ACC is awful, and there isn't another conference that makes any sense whatsoever.) My contenders:
Arizona State – This might be a pipe dream, but when you play defense like the Sun Devils do and you have a player like James Harden, you have the potential to go places. They need to limit turnovers and stop themselves from settling for jump shots; Harden needs to solve both problems himself and if he does, the team will follow. And if they can do it in March, they'll sneak their way up to Detroit.
Connecticut – Along with me touting UNC, I also had UConn as far and away the second best team in the country. This Huskies team is absurdly talented; they've got size, athleticism, great defenders at every position, and possibly most importantly, they play with the swagger of an elite team (that can get them in trouble, though). They're the only team in the country who can match UNC's talent, and they're a MUCH more physical team.
Duke – As much as it pains me to say it, Duke is good enough to contend, provided they get a decent bracket. I refuse to talk up any Duke team, so I won't here.
Louisville – When Terrence Williams and Earl Clark are playing well, they can't be beat. Granted, they can also be beaten by some bad teams when they start to settle for too many jumpers (losses to Western Kentucky and UNLV at home…) but Clark and Williams, along with Samardo Samuels, make up the best frontcourt in the country.
Marquette – I really want to know what's going on in Tom Crean's mind right now. He's coaching an Indiana team that has the least impressive set of wins in all the major conferences. Take a look at this: Northwestern St, IUPUI, Chaminade, Cornell, TCU. Good Lord. And to top it all off, Crean left his best Dwyane Wade-less Marquette team he's ever had; they're a legit Final Four contender thanks to the best backcourt in the country.
Michigan State – They're losing to some bad teams, at home no less (Penn St, Northwestern, and to a lesser extent Maryland), but they're still a very talented team and there isn't a coach in the country that I'd rather have come tournament time than Tom Izzo. After the last two weeks I wouldn't put money on MSU to go too far, but a good finish to the season could very easily change that.
Notre Dame – They've struggled quite a bit, but their last five-game stretch is the most ridiculous you can ever see: @Louisville, @Syracuse, UConn, Marquette, @Pittsburgh. Tory Jackson is one of my favorite players in the country (do yourself a favor and watch him), and Luke Harangody is a stud. When those two play well and their shooters (Kyle McAlarney, Ryan Ayers) are knocking down threes they're tough to beat.
Pittsburgh – Easily the most physical team in the country, the Panthers will beat the hell out of any team they face. DeJuan Blair is a top three player in the country, and a lock for first team All-American in my humble opinion, and Sam Young and Levance Fields could start for 95% of the country. And even though they're a tough defensive team, they can score with anyone in the country.
Syracuse – Jonny Flynn leads a gifted Orange team that, regardless of their recent slump, can play with anyone. Paul Harris is an absolute beast, words won't do him justice, just watch the 6'4" forward grab 8.2 rebounds/game. And Flynn is a stud; not only is he one of the most talented players in the country, but he's extremely cool under pressure whenever the situation calls and he's very reliable in those situations.
Wake Forest – I think they're too young to make the Final Four (see: loss @Georgia Tech), but they're way too talented to not at least have a shot. They're so big and athletic to not play good defense, and Jeff Teague is no joke, the Gilbert Arenas of college basketball.
NOT Oklahoma… they're not good. As I've already gone over, Blake Griffin is overrated. I really like Willie Warren, but this team will not make the Final Four. End of story.
Georgetown could get there, but they need to REBOUND. Greg Monroe and DaJuan Summers are very good offensively, but you can't have 4 and 5 that combine for 10.8 rebounds/game.
That's the midseason report, take it or leave it. NBA review coming soon.
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