Griffin Gets My Vote for Player of the Year

The Wooden Award Committee announce its choice for the 2008-09 Player of the Year Award April 10th. I am a voter for the award and turned in my final ballot today. My choice was Blake Griffin of Oklahoma. The following is a look at my top ten candidates in order.

1 -  Blake Griffin, a 6-foot-10 sophomore from Oklahoma

Griffin averaged 22.7 points (14th in the country) and led the nation in rebounding (14.4). He shined in the postseeason, averaging 28.5 points and 15 rebounds as he led the Sooners to Elite 8.
2 -  Sherron Collins, a 5-foot-11 junior from Kansas

Collins averaged 18.9 points and 5.0 assists per game. He shined in the postseason, averaging 25.7 points in the NCAA Tournament as he led the Jayhawks to Sweet 16. He was one of only key returning players from the 2008 national champion team, but helped lead them to a #3 seed.

3 -  DeJuan Blair, a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Pittsburgh

Blair averagied 15.7 points and 12.3 rebounds (4th in the country)  (14.4). He shined in the postseason, averaging 16.8 points and 13.8 rebounds as he led the Panthers to Elite 8.

4 -  Tyler Hansbrough, a 6-foot-9 senior from North Carolina

Last year's Player of the Year, Hansbrough is averaging 20.9 points (17th in the country) and 8.1 rebounds. He has lead the Tar Heels back to the Final Four for the second straight year.
5 -  James Harden, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Arizona State

Harden averaged 20.1 points (20th in the country) and 5.6 rebounds (4th in the country).
6 -  Hasheem Thabeet, a 7-foot-3 junior from Connecticut

Thabeet is averaging 13.5 points, 10.9 rebounds (11th in the country) and 4.5 blocked shots (2nd in the country). He has shined in the postseason, averaging 11.5 points and 11.3 rebounds as he led the Huskies to Final Four.  
7 -  Stephen Curry, a 6-foot-3 junior from Davidson

Curry led the country in scoring with 28.6 points and added 5.6 assists per game (20th in the country)  (14.4). He shined in the N.I.T., averaging 29 points and 4.0 assists.

8 -  Ty Lawson, a 5-foot-11 junior from North Carolina

Lawson averaged 16.3 points and 6.8 assists per game (9th in the country)  (14.4). He has shined in the postseason, averaging 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game as he has lead the Tar Heels back to the Final Four for the second straight year, despite being slowed with a toe injury.

9 -  Luke Harangody, a 6-foot-8 junior from Notre Dame

Harangody is averaging 23.5 points (8th in the country) and 11.8 rebounds (5th in the country). He has lead the Fighting Irish to the N.I.T. semifinals as he is averaging 25.8 points and ten rebounds in the postseason.

10 -  Jodie Meeks, a 6-foot-4 junior from Kentucky

Meeks averaged 23.7 points (5th in the country) and 3.4 rebounds per game.

The next two choices who just missed my top ten were Kalin Lucas of Michigan State and Tyreke Evans from Memphis.