College Basketball: Top 10 Candidates for the Wooden Award

Denzel Valentine. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Denzel Valentine – Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans are 13-0 and the No.1 team in the country behind the work that guard Denzel Valentine is putting in for Tom Izzo.

Michigan State Spartans

His numbers are completely ridiculous with averages of 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.

Michigan State has simply been steady because Valentine has been steady.

It was interesting that Tom Izzo decided to give the senior guard a break when the Spartans took on Oakland this past Tuesday.

Though the Spartans came away with the 99-93 win that night, the importance of Denzel Valentine and the production he provides in 30.6 minutes of play per game was made obvious.

No one expects the Spartans to go undefeated this season. But they could easily be a No.1 seed going into the Tournament and are the favorites to win the Big Ten.

If all of that plays out, Denzel Valentine is easily going to be the “Player of the Year”.

Next: Buddy Hield - Oklahoma Sooners