College Basketball Naismith Prospects

I think Victor Oladipo should be everybody's top prospect for the Naismith Player of the Year Award. He is the spark plug for the country number one team. He is an athletic freak. Vic lead Indiana to victory against Michigan. He his inbound dunk is my favorite play of all college basketball all year.

Shane Larkin is my number two. The lighting quick guard, a sophomore at Miami, is the Oladipo of his team. He keeps Miami together. Without him, Miami is an athletic but raw team and wouldn't have the record they do know.

  My third place is a tie between Mason Plumlee of Duke and Cody Zeller of Indiana. Plumlee is arguably the most dominant big man in college hoops, averages 17.5 points per game and 10.7 boards per game in 34 mins per game. Zeller, while averaging less points and rebounds at 16.3 and 8.1 per game respectively, does more in less time, averaging only 28 mins per game.

Noel Hurts Knee: ESPN Video

Last night in Nerlens Noel hurt his knee in Kentucky's loss to Florida. Noel leads the nation in shots blocked per game and is the second leading rebounder in the SEC. This blow could end Kentucky's season and make it a less exciting March.

My Top 25

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My Top 10

1. Indiana
2. Michigan
3. Duke
4. Miami (Fl)
5. Arizona
6. Florida 
7. Syracuse
8. Gonzaga
9. Kansas
10. Michigan State

Indiana is the clear #1, as they only have two loses, one to a ranked Butler team in O.T. and another to a gritty Wisconsin team. The Big Ten is the deepest conference and goes a long way to cementing there number one status. The fact that they are in the top 25 in every major offensive category, including a second ranked 83.3 points per game  doesn't hurt either.

Michigan, although losing to a ranked Indiana and a tough Ohio State Team, is still an extremely deep, talented team. Every guy in there starting 5 is skilled. I'm counting on this to lead them deep into the Big Ten tournament and into March. Look for them to challenge Indiana March 10th. However the need some help on the boards.

Although Duke only has 2 loses to a then ranked NC State team and a Miami team that has been hot as of late, the downward trend of the ACC this year doesn't help there case. Wins over Louisville and Ohio State help, but the Kentucky victory doesn't mean much. Strong guard play has carried them, but Mason Plumlee can only take them so far on the boards as seen in the Miami loss, where they are seriously lacking.

Miami has been hot lately. First place in the ACC helps, as does there dominating win over Duke. Although there streaky offensively, they're size and athleticism allow them to contend with anyone and keep scores
low.

Arizona's early season victories over Florida and Miami keep them floating but I'm not impressed with their lack of dominance in a bland PAC-12. Hopefully they'll impress me when tournament time rolls around.

Losses to Arkansas and Kansas State really hurt Florida in my eyes, even though these are their only losses. They should have dominated the  14-8 Arkansas. Besides Missouri  the rest of the season should be smooth sailing so look for them to stay where they are or rise as other teams play a more difficult schedule.

Syracuse has been looked streaky as of late with back to back losses to Nova and Pitt. However strong play in the difficult tail end to their schedule could easily put them back in the 1 or 2 spot.

Gonzaga is low on my list as they have only played 3 ranked teams, all outside the top ten, and have only won one of them, two the lowest ranked of all of them  (Oklahoma St. then #22). Another loss easily has them outside the top ten.

Kansas has lost back to back games. Looks like there slipping. Still the Big 12 is a solid conference and they should be able to stay floating if they don't loose anymore games before the conference tournament.

Michigan State plays in the strongest conference this year and has been solid all around. Playing Michigan twice, Ohio St. and Indiana in the coming month could put them closer to the top, and victories overall of them would put them in the number 1 spot.