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Back spasms have already hindered Ohio State's talented big man Jared Sullinger on more than one occasion this season. Now, a non-serious bone bruise to his foot is threatening to do the same. Lingering or not, it might not be significant enough to effect the Buckeyes' Big Ten title hopes, but Sully's chronic ailments are doing a masterful job of muddying up the player of the year race.
It's pretty obvious now: The door is wide open. The resident king has officially left the castle, and his coveted throne is sitting there unoccupied. Sullinger clung to the top spot for the seventh consecutive week in our rankings, but his lead is paper thin and won't hold up for much longer without him on the floor.
But because of Tu Holloway's suspension, and the underwhelming play of guys like Harrison Barnes and Jordan Taylor, there wasn't a player in college hoops who actually deserved to take that No. 1 spot away. And that's probably the most puzzling part about where we stand right now. At any point last season we had a handful of viable POY candidates, each with his own set of logical supporters. Now we have dozens of guys that could all garner votes, and the lone player who everyone blindly assumes is the best of the bunch can't seem to stay healthy.
All might take is an inspired performance or two over the holidays to completely alter the top of the standings. But will anyone actually step up? Or will the POY outlook remain cloudy until January?
Week seven after the jump...
Rank | Change | Player-School | Notes |
1 | -- |
Jared Sullinger-OSU | It's just odd: He loses weight & gets hurt. Stays chubby & is Iron Man. |
2 | +2 | Thomas Robinson-KAN |
Didn't play last week. Stands best shot to unseat Sullinger in wk 8. |
3 | -1 |
Tu Holloway-XAV |
His stupidity cost Xavier a game to ORU. Still only hitting 40% of his FGs. |
4 | +1 |
Jeremy Lamb-UCONN |
Only gripe: Not getting to the FT line like he should (3.5 att/gm). |
5 | -2 |
Harrison Barnes-UNC |
20+ points in only 3 of 11 games. And he's supposed to be a scorer. |
6 | +2 | Anthony Davis-UK | Past freshmen he compares to (statistically): Oden, Varnado, Ed.Davis. |
7 | +3 |
Marcus Denmon-MIZ |
His 4.2% turnover% is No. 1 in nation. Also has third-best ORating. |
8 | +1 |
Draymond Green-MSU |
Against MSU's four best opponents: 18.25 pts, 8.75 rebs, 2.50 stls |
9 | +2 |
Perry Jones III-BAY |
The Lank Factor: 0.898 (106 PTS+RBS+BLK+STL/118 MIN) |
10 | -4 |
Jordan Taylor-WIS |
Passing numbers are fine, but shooting the ball terribly (42.9 eFG%). |
11 | +2 |
Doug McDermott-CRE |
Wow: McDermott's line mirrors a certain Derrick Williams from last yr. |
12 | -- |
John Henson-UNC |
The Lank Factor: 0.987 (315 PTS+RBS+BLK+STL/319 MIN) |
13 | +1 |
John Jenkins-VAN |
Making 3.6 3-pointers/game. Has attempted twice as many 3Ps as FTs. |
14 | -7 |
Terrence Jones-UK |
Annnd here comes the fall. A dislocated finger isn't going to help his case. |
15 | -- |
Kendall Marshall-UNC |
Assist rate: 45.7% (4th in NCAA) vs. Turnover rate: 28.3% |
16 | +1 | Kevin Jones-WVU |
The Lank Factor: 0.971 (304 PTS+RBS+BLK+STL/313 MIN) |
17 | +1 | Scott Machado-IONA |
Assist rate: 44.0% (7th in NCAA) vs. Turnover rate: 21.6% |
18 | -2 | Ashton Gibbs-PITT |
Shooting accuracy hasn't coincided with increased usage after 11 games. |
19 | -- |
J'Covan Brown-TEX |
A nightly 20-point threat. Should stick around as UT's go-to guy. |
20 | -- | D. Johnson-Odom-MAR |
Suspended for Saturday's game. Will get the start vs. LSU tonight. |
Five who just missed: Mike Moser-UNLV, Will Barton-Memphis, Herb Pope-Seton Hall, Damian Lillard-Weber State, John Shurna-Northwestern