Center Rankings: Separating top four no easy task

Four different guys could reasonably claim the top spot on this list, among them the first freshman to lead North Carolina in scoring, Florida's dominant figure of the NCAA Tournament who would've likely been the top pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, LSU's dominant figure who actually beat Florida's dominant figure for SEC Player of the Year honors last season and, of course, Ohio State's freshman phenom who should be the top pick of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Don't expect Tyler Hansbrough and the Tar Heels to go out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this season. (Getty Images)

Ranking centers = diff-i-cult.

But I did it, anyway. Because I embrace challenges. And if you think you can do better, I'd suggest getting your own web site and having at it.

Top centers

1. Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina): Hansbrough was great last season, averaging 20.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in ACC games. He got 25 or more points five different times, including a 40-point effort against Georgia Tech, and his only really poor outing down the stretch came in the season-ending loss to George Mason. Rest assured, Hansbrough won't go out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament again. More likely, he'll be holding an MVP trophy on a Monday night in April.

2. Glen Davis (LSU): After huffing and puffing and blowing a huge opportunity in the Final Four, Davis got serious about his weight problem this offseason, reportedly losing anywhere from 25 to one zillion pounds, depending on who you believe. Bottom line, "Big Baby" is smaller, which means his potential is larger, and that he was already a force implies he could be in for an even better season than the 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game recorded as a sophomore. Remember, Davis is the reigning SEC Player of the Year, not ...

3. Joakim Noah (Florida): How the guy who dominated the NCAA Tournament and would've likely been the top pick in June's draft is third on this list is beyond me, and I'm the one doing the stupid rankings. But in assigning this position, I relied on what Florida's Billy Donovan said over the summer. He said coaches, players and teams should be judged on what they do over an entire season, not by what happens in a three-week period in March. Using that as the criteria, Noah came in third, because despite his incredible NCAA Tournament run, there aren't many people who believed in February he was having a better overall season than either of the players above him. Still, Noah's averages of 14.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as a sophomore weren't shabby.

4. Greg Oden (Ohio State): How the guy who might be the best big man prospect in 20 years is fourth on this list is beyond me, and I'm the one doing the stupid rankings. Seriously, Oden, once he's recovered from that wrist injury, could be so dominant he leads Ohio State to a Big Ten title. I won't be shocked if that's the case. Defensively, he's going to be a nightmare for opponents. If I do postseason rankings, don't be surprised if he's No. 1. But for now, fourth will have to do, I guess.

5. Spencer Hawes (Washington): A consensus top five recruit, Hawes projects as the best post player in the West, and he should push for Pac-10 Player of the Year honors as a freshman. He's 6-11, can score inside and shoot it. You've heard of big white stiffs? Hawes is not one of them.

6. Nick Fazekas (Nevada): Fazekas averaged 21.8 points and 10.4 rebounds last season, then opted to return to Nevada for his senior season. Consequently, the Wolf Pack are the favorites to win the WAC, and Fazekas should record his third consecutive league Player of the Year award.

7.Aaron Gray (Pittsburgh): While shunning the NBA Draft, Gray said he returned to school because he thought the Panthers could make the Final Four. If the 7-footer averages a double-double again this season (he got 13.9 points and 10.5 rebounds as a junior), he just might be glad he thought that way.

8. Jermareo Davidson (Alabama): Davidson averaged 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds last season, and he'd be a double-double guy if he didn't have to share the paint with Richard Hendrix. But because the 6-10 senior does share the paint, Alabama has a shot to win an SEC title, and then some.

9. Jason Smith (Colorado State): NBA scouts don't typically hang out at Colorado State. But this season they will, thanks to Smith, a 7-0 center who averaged 16.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks as a sophomore.

10. Joseph Jones (Texas A&M): I'm not saying Jones is ever going to be a lottery selection, but in three meetings with Texas' LaMarcus Aldridge last season, he averaged 19.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. Aldridge's numbers in those games? Just 6.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. And he was the second overall pick in June's NBA Draft. I'm just saying.