Who is the Best Player in College Basketball?
By Joe Albano
Who is in Prime Position to win the Wooden Award?
In recent years, the surge of talent in the NCAA has become quite obvious. It seems that it was eons ago when Anthony Davis was named the AP Player of the Year averaging just 14 points and 10 rebounds.
A double-double night in and night out is nothing to scoff at, but the plethora of talent this year has made those numbers seem somewhat modest. College basketball viewers have been blessed with many outstanding performances by many outstanding players this season.
This has left fans begging the question: “Who is the best?” Here are some looks at some of the NCAA’s top performers to this point.
Buddy Hield:
After last night’s performance against top ranked Kansas, (46 points and seven assists) it is hard to think of a player that is more dangerous on the offensive end than Buddy Hield.
He also added eight rebounds in that game, all this, against the top-ranked Jayhawks squad mind you. While one game does not determine the best player in the nation, this performance was not exactly a surprise given Hield’s track record.
He is shooting an incredible 50% on the year, from both inside and beyond the arc. Amazingly, he does so despite taking a good deal of contested shots. Defenders simply do not bother him. However, even this remarkable stat does not do Hield’s offensive game justice.
The man is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He has incredible range on his jump shot, but he is also able to take defenders off the dribble and create his own shot.
Moreover, he drives to the basket with tremendous craft and athleticism. Hield is also no slouch on the defensive end. His intensity and athleticism are a big part of why Oklahoma has one of the stingiest defenses in the NCAA.
While there are questions about his decision-making and shot selection, there is no denying that Buddy Hield has earned the right to be in contention for Player of the Year honors.
Ben Simmons:
The fabulous freshman out of LSU is one of the most hyped players in the NCAA, and for good reason.
Simmons is a beast in all aspects of the game. His numbers alone are enough to make him a legit contender for the nation’s best player.
On the season, Simmons is averaging an incredible 20.5 points, 13.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
At 6’10, Simmons has all the assets of a premier post player. He scores at an incredibly efficient rate inside thanks to his impeccable body control. This is exemplified by the fact that he is shooting 57% on the season.
However, when you think of Ben Simmons, you think of his unprecedented athleticism. His lethal combination of size, length, and speed, paired with his skill, is what makes him so incredibly dangerous.
While he has the height of a big man, he runs the floor like guard. His ability to excel in transition is what sets him a level above. Many of Simmons’ points come from his tendency to run in the open court and finish.
By running the court, Simmons not only sets himself up for scoring opportunities, but also his teammates. His supreme athleticism also sets him up for success without the ball as well.
His ability to jump out of the gym is a big reason he is averaging 13 boards a game, as he is not the strongest player on the court.
Furthermore, his length and leaping ability make him a nightmare for opponents who try to penetrate off the dribble. Simmons is also averaging over two steals per game, thanks to his quickness.
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He possesses the unique ability to play on the perimeter on both sides of the ball. While he really has no shooting game, he is still a threat on the offensive perimeter to make plays with his driving and passing abilities.
His overall skill set leaves him comparable to former Player of the Year Anthony Davis. However, one thing that could hurt Simmons in the Player of the Year Voting is LSU’s strength of schedule.
The SEC is a weak basketball conference to begin with, but LSU has not played any strong out of conference opponents. With this in mind, Simmons’ incredible play thus far has been against a string of subpar opponents.
His match-ups against Kentucky and Oklahoma will be good indicators as to whether or not he can continue his stellar play against elite competition.
Denzel Valentine:
Denzel Valentine has exploded for Michigan State this year. A three-year starter for the Spartans, Valentine has been molded into one of the most well-rounded players in the country thanks to Tom Izzo.
Valentine is averaging roughly 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on the season, impressive numbers for a man who is playing point guard for the first time at the collegiate level.
However, his experience as a two guard is still a part of his game as he shoots at an incredibly high percentage for a guard. He, like Buddy Hield, also shows flashes of his ability to drive and slash the lane. However, it is Valentine’s role as a floor general this year that has put him in the discussion of the elite.
He not only runs a very potent Michigan State offense, but he runs it to perfection. His superb passing and scoring abilities make him a threat on both ends of the pick and roll, a staple in the Spartans’ offense.
While he may not be the most athletic man on the court, Valentine’s crafty ball handling and footwork allows him to thrive in isolation settings as well.
Valentine also had somewhat of a coming out performance against Kansas, as he posted 29 points 12 rebounds and 12 assists, proving he can handle the toughest of competitors. Valentine is arguably the most consistent of these three, as he is a very tactical player, thus his performance rarely waivers.
Next: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas Jayhawks is Another Reason to Lqove College Basketball
Overall, it is still early in the season. Conference play has just opened up so that will be a good indicator of who the best player in the nation REALLY is. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that this season’s race for the coveted Wooden Award could be one of the tightest in recent memory.