Things are wide open the Wooden Award of Play of the Year. In past seasons, at least one player has stood out as head and shoulders above the rest, but what makes this year different is not just the lack of a true number one, it's the presence of so many high-quality players that are deserving of the award.
The Wooden Award committee released its final 15 players Saturday morning. The winner will be announced at the Final Four in Atlanta, GA.
Anthony Bennett - Fr. F UNLV
Trey Burke - So. G Michigan
Erick Green - Sr. G Virginia tech
Shane Larkin - So. G Miami (FL)
Doug McDermott - Jr. F Creighton
Ben McLemore - Fr. G Kansas
Victor Oladipo - Jr. G Indiana
Kelly Olynyk - Jr. F Gonzaga
Mason Plumlee - Sr. F Duke
Otto Porter - So. F Georgetown
Marcus Smart - Fr. G Oklahoma State
Deshaun Thomas - Jr. F Ohio State
Jeff Withey - Sr. C Kansas
Nate Wolters - Sr. G South Dakota State
Cody Zeller - So. F Indiana
The early favorites were Cody Zeller, Mason Plumlee, and Ben McLemore, but the momentum has cooled for the big men, and McLemore hasn't been turning in the stunning performances he did at the start.
Shane Larkin will likely win ACC player of the year, and deservedly so, but he doesn't have the national attention others have to win the award.
A darkhorse lately has been Marcus Smart from Oklahoma State. He's been doing it all on both ends of the court and has seen his value skyrocket up most draft boards, but like Larkin, he might need a few impressive tournament wins to make him a household name.
The two most obvious choices are guards Trey Burke and Victor Oladipo. Both have been consistent, turned in big time performances against ranked opponents, and made big time plays. What separates them are the teams they play on. Oladipo has the benefit of playing alongside another Wooden award finalist in Cody Zeller; meanwhile Burke's opponents know on a nightly basis that he'll be his teams biggest scoring threat.
That small distinction between the two young men is why I have Trey Burke edging out Oladipo and McLemore for the award. But, like everything, March Madness will have plenty to say about how things shake out.