Gary Parrish

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

One Big Ten player and he hasn't even played much of the season?  I'm a big Hummel fan but he hasn't even been the best player on Purdue this year, mostly due to injuries.  I'd give that to JaJuan Johnson or E'twaun Moore.  And where is the love for the rest of the Big Ten?  Kalin Lucas? Evan Turner? Talor Battle?  I know the Big Ten lacks star power this year, but I still think 2-3 names belong on this list, and not Robbie Hummel's

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

It's Blake Griffin's world and the rest of these guys are living in it. 

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

I think Griffin is the guy, but does his injury lessen his perceived stranglehold on the award?

Stolen from a guy on the cbb board:

stats from all of college basketball over the last 5 years.

offensive rebounding percentages:
25.7% DeJuan Blair (2009)
16.8% Aleks Maric (2008)
16.6% DeJuan Blair (2008)
16.6% Sean May (2005)
16.4% Kevin Young (2006)
15.9% Jordan Hill (2009)
15.7% Yancey Gates (2009)

Offensive efficiency ratings with at least 24% of teams possessions:
129.2 DeJuan Blair (2009)
126.7 Tyler Hansbrough (2009)
126.6 Kevin Love (2008)
126.6 Travis Diener (2005)
125.5 Chris Lofton (2007)
125.3 Brandon Roy (2006)
125.2 Tyler Hansbrough (2008)

defensive rebounding percentages:
32.4% Blake Griffin (2009)
29.9% Michael Beasley (2008)
28.7% DeJuan Blair (2009)
28.5% Kevin Love (2008)
28.1% Jon Brockman (2008)
27.1% Al Horford (2007)
27.0% Aaron Gray (2006)
27.0% Aleks Maric (2008)

So maybe, just maybe, Blair belongs in the conversation after all (previously I thought he was in the top 3 for Big East POY and a long shot for NPOY).

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

Where is Jordan Hill? He's averaging 18 point and 11.1 rebounds a game. He's been dominant against almost every big man that he's played, including Jon Brockman, Cole Aldrich, and Josh Heytvelt. I know Arizona is flying kind of under the radar (well, relative to where they've been for the past 25 years) but this seems like a glaring oversight.

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

How in the world is Tony Douglas at Florida State not on the list.  There are nine ACC players on the list.  No one, including all ACC coaches would agree that Tony Douglas is the 10th best player in his own league.  He is the leading scorer in ACC games thus far.  And he is amongst the best defensive guards in the country.  FSU, second in the ACC, is once again overlooked.

Two Wake Players

I must say I'm suprised that both Teague and Johnson both made the cut. Teague I could see with all the media attention he got after those 3 huge games he had. However, I had seen no indication (at least in the media) that Johnson was even considered one of the top in the country. Being a Wake fan I know he truly has the ability but I just didn't get the impression he was that high up from the media. Still, it's nice to know both players are back next year (if they stay) which just means a lot for the future of the program.

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

What about Tyler Smith!!?!!   He's the only person whos in the top 20 in rebounds, points and assists in the SEC!!!!   I know Tennessee's not great but he should still be on this list!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

Were is Lucus from MSU?

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

No Marcus Thornton from LSU?  Are you kidding me?  This kid is going to be a top 5 pick and scores at will.  The SEC-is-weak disease continues to run its vicious course unabated.  Anyone who just saw LSU, and more specifically Thornton, beat Florida knows exactly what I mean.  I'm not saying he should win, but him not being a finalist is absurd.

Atlanta Tipoff Club announces Naismith finalists

They need to toss Eric Maynor and Dionte Christmas in favor of Cole Aldrich and Tyreke Evans.