Is Alando Tucker a Lock for Conference Player of the Year?
After about two and a half months of the college basketball season, Wisconsin forward Alando Tucker is making a great case for National Player of the Year–and Big Ten Player of the Year. He is averaging 20 points per game and also pitches in with almost five rebounds and over two assists a contest. He hasn’t scored in single-digits once this season, and had his biggest game of the season in their biggest non-conference win–a 32-point, 10-rebound performance against Pittsburgh. Moreover, in the Badgers’ seven toughest games thus far (Missouri State, Florida State, Winthrop, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Georgia, Ohio State), he has upped his average to 25 points and almost seven rebounds per game.
Aside from the statistical analysis, it is pretty clear Tucker might be the best offensive player in the country. He is nearly unstoppable on that end of the floor, using his strength and versatility to score in a variety of ways. He has outstanding body control and can create mistmatches with his size and scoring ability. He can drive to the basket to put up one of his various shots; he has improved his ability to hit the three; he can post up smaller defenders; and he can score in transition. When Alando Tucker wants to score, I don’t know if there is a defender in America that can stop him. The only thing that can stop him is his free-throw shooting–Tucker makes only 65% of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Moreover, since the Big Ten is VERY mediocre after Wisconsin and Ohio State, is there a player in the conference that will make a legitimate run at Tucker? You can tell me Greg Oden all you want, but until he shows me some offensive post moves, I’m not sure he’s even the best big man in the conference. Furthermore, I think Ohio State is too balanced to have one of their players make a run at the award. With that in mind, I’ve taken five other players who could potentially compete with Tucker for the POY honor, and why they will fall well short of Tucker.
Drew Neitzel, Michigan State: Sure, he’s by far the most improved player in the conference, but is he really worthy of a POY award? The Spartans are a young team and are not likely to finish better than .500 in the conference (and if they do, it will be 9-7). Moreover, he shoots less than 44% from the field, and doesn’t have the numbers Tucker does offensively.
Carl Landry, Purdue: Could be the stiffest competition to Tucker if the Boilermakers make a run at an NCAA Tournament bid. He averages 19.5 points per game, almost seven rebounds, and shoots 63% from the field. He has been very consistent this season, scoring in double-figures in every game, with two-double doubles. Likely won’t win it though because Purdue won’t finish in the Top 3 in the conference.
Adam Haluska, Iowa: Even though he is putting up excellent numbers, the Hawkeyes are not going anywhere in the Big Ten and will be a huge hinderance to Haluska as a result. He has become a go-to-player after being a role player the past couple of years. He leads the conference in scoring at over 20 points per game, and also chips in over four rebounds, almost three assists, and almost two steals a contest. Like Neitzel, though, he doesn’t shoot well from the field–hitting shots at a 42% rate.
Geary Claxton, Penn State: Sort of a sleeper candidate for the award. The Nittany Lions are likely going to finish in the bottom part of the Big Ten, but Claxton could make a run if Penn State starts winning some games in conference play. After missing the first four games of the season, Claxton has bounced back in a big way, averaging 17 points per game and almost nine rebounds a contest. He can shoot the three and is also efficient from inside the arc. Like Tucker, he is not a good free-throw shooter, making shots at a 62% clip.
D.J. White, Indiana: With the Hoosiers looking better and better lately, White could make a late charge at Tucker. While he has not developed into the dominant player many have expected of him, White is one of the best post players in the country. He puts up over 13 points and 7 rebounds per game, and is also a big-time shot-blocker, swatting away almost three shots a contest. If he has more games like he did against Kentucky–23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks–he could be in the thick of things (along with Indiana) come March.
Despite the pros of each candidate, their drawbacks are too much to overcome. It is becoming obvious that Alando Tucker is going to win the Big Ten Player of the Year. Unless Greg Oden starts putting up 20 and 10 every night, it doesn’t look like anyone in the conference can stop the POY train that Tucker is riding on.