The Jimmer, Kemba, Sullinger POY Debate


A quicksilver point guard dominating for a team nobody thought would sniff the top 10; the most prolific scorer in college basketball, who might be the sport’s best shooter since Stephen Curry or JJ Redick; and a beefy freshman power forward averaging a double-double on the No. 1 team in the country. These are your Player of the Year candidates.
Kemba Walker, Connecticut: 24.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.1 spg. The Huskies are 17-2.
Jimmer Fredette, BYU: 27.4 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.4 rpg, 42 % from three. The Cougars are 20-1.
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State: 17.8 ppg, 10 rpg, 57& FGs. The Buckeyes are 21-0.
The Naismith award isn’t very specific – it just seeks to find the “top” player in college basketball. “Top” is as vague as the Heisman criteria. “Best player” is subjective. The “means the most to his team” argument is silly – Connecticut and BYU would both be very, very bad if not for Kemba and Jimmer; OSU is probably a .500ish team without Sullinger. If you want to toss in the “competition” argument, this one may surprise you – Sullinger’s Buckeyes are ranked 55th in strength of schedule; Connecticut is 20 and BYU 15. Last night, the Cougars – led by Fredette’s 43 – knocked off previously-unbeaten San Diego State.
“Who will make the best pro” shouldn’t be part of the discussion, but just in case it is, ESPN’s Chad Ford has risen Fredette – who has a better handle and can create off the dribble better than JJ Redick could at Duke – into the “high lottery” area; Sullinger is a projected Top 10 pick and Walker projects as a late 1st round pick.
My ballot, today*: Jimmer, Kemba, Sullinger. It’s Jimmer’s world. We just live in it. Someone please notify the NCAA tournament seeding committee.
* Not a disclaimer, just subject to change as the season progresses. Two other names who are longshots to get in the discussion: Jordan Hamilton of Texas and Isiah Thomas of Washington.

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77 Responses to “The Jimmer, Kemba, Sullinger POY Debate”
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January 27th, 2011 at 10:06 AM
is it Fill In Your Own Disclaimer day at TBL today?
January 27th, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Haven’t seen Walker play to have an opinion on him. Going on the small sample size of Jimmer that I’ve seen versus Sullinger, I still like Jimmer. The kid just seems to take over games at will. He looks like he cares about defense more than Curry and Redick did too. Granted, he’s not defending the type of competition that Redick did.
The Adam Morrison comparisons are disheartening.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:08 AM
HYPERBOLE ALERT!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:10 AM
no disclaimer, Miz. just forgot the add at the bottom. thanks for the heads up.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:13 AM
The Kemba image needs to be given the “Haters Gonna Hate” treatment
January 27th, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Ben Hansbrough.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Has CRM gotten his Jimmer jersey yet?
January 27th, 2011 at 10:15 AM
We need to get it on Carey Price, first.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Moderation:
We need to get it on Carey Price, first.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Sullinger by a mile.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:17 AM
I am officially on the Jimmer Bandwagon. I think Walker is going to tail off a little as the grind of the big East season wears him down. Jimmer will keep lighting up teams from the MWC.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Fredette reminds me of a shorter Taylor Coppenrath.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Isaiah.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Why does everyone always fall in love with the white guy?
/danny woodhead’d
January 27th, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Where the hell is Stephen Douglas?
Jimmer!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Does anyone remember when college bball was good? I wish the NBA would have a 3 year rule like the NFL.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:24 AM
JIMMER IS WHITE?!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Fredette reminds me of a shorter Billy Curley, with a bit less grace.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Jemele Hill in da house.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
As recently as yesterday. By god it’s been awhile.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
I do, unfortunately I haven’t seen it around Fayetteville in 10+ years. agree on the three year rule as well, or some variation of it. this one and done shit is bullshit.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Fredette was awesome last night. I really don’t think he does anything but score, but that’s what his team needs. Would love to see a defender like Lighty matched up with him defensively to see if his length and quickness would slow him down.
Last night was really not a good showing for either of those teams on the national state. Neither passed the “eye test” at all. SDST was advertised as some uber-athletic team, which I didn’t see at all. BYU’s zone was awful, giving up countless wide open threes in the corner – good shooting teams would destroy it. Just not enough length to bother good teams. And their big men are AWFUL.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Bobby Knight said basically the same thing yesterday… Im sure the suits at ESPN were pissed.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:27 AM
I can only assume that since Kasen Williams didn’t make the roundup, that there will be a story on him later. One liner at the least.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:28 AM
First saw Jimmer in 2007 in Glens Falls in the state semis. Go every year, it was quite cool to see the Civic Center that packed with the home town playing. Jimmer was backing down dudes starting about 35 feet out. They won that game but lost to Mookie Jones’ (whose career is blazing at Cuse) Peekskill team in the championship, I think.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Nolan Smith.
/Dicky V’d
January 27th, 2011 at 10:29 AM
JuJuan Johnson 6’10″ F/C Purdue 20.6 PPG 7.8 RPG 50.6% FG Boilers 17-4
in the discussion
/homer’d
January 27th, 2011 at 10:29 AM
I know I’m going to hate Jimmer in this tournament more than I hated the Blow-pez twins a few years ago.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Does anyone remember when college bball was good? I wish the NBA would have a 3 year rule like the NFL.
I guess you were a fan of slavery, then, also
/Bromes’d
January 27th, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Jimmer!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I think it was RushTheCourt who tweeted yesterday that if Jimmer played for Duke, he’d be the most hated player in America. Have to agree.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:32 AM
I actually think he’s really the best player in the country. He’s just as clutch as Kemba and the one close game they inexplicably didn’t go to him in the clutch (vs WVU) they lost. He’s incredible and if he played for anyone but Purdue, people would be going crazy about him.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:32 AM
Kemba
January 27th, 2011 at 10:33 AM
January 27th, 2011 at 10:34 AM
I’m in for $5 for the “Dear NY Knicks, please draft Isiah Thomas webpage.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:34 AM
needs mroe Jordan Williams, aka Blake Griffen II.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Cuonzo Martin.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Not really. But I am selfish and would like to watch good college basketball.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Ohio State would still be an NCAA team without Sullinger. He’s been incredible, but I would think that Johnson might even get votes for Big 10 POY because he has to do so much more. Sully is getting better and better though. His numbers aren’t gaudy because of the talent around him. But, his ability to hit the open man out of the post is just amazing.
Right now? I’d give it to Walker. His teammates are starting to pick up the pace, which is why they are still winning. They would have lost 7 or 8 games early without Kemba.
Jimmer is the bomb though. If he keeps throwing up 40+, then give him the award. He’s tough to guard. Reminds me of pre-Shaq Chris Jackson with the quick release and the shooting from anyplace inside half court.
And, agree with Cursed. Those are 2 good teams, but I would love to have BYU in Ohio State’s bracket. While the Cougs can score on anyone, they play soft D and their bigs are marginal at best. SDSU is extremely athletic, but really struggles to get the ball in the basket against better competition.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:35 AM
*Isaiah Thomas (shame on TBL for mixing that up!)
January 27th, 2011 at 10:37 AM
texas’ unis are top fucking notch.
/all i got
January 27th, 2011 at 10:38 AM
What was Jimmers line last night? I got sleepy.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:39 AM
JaJuan’s POY dreams went out the window when he was owned by Sullinger and Ohio St handed that beat down to the boilermakers.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Was thinking the EXACT same thing. Defenders have to be panicking when they’re on an island with him. The cross is nasty (even though he carries the ball bigtime) and his ability to come to a stop and lift up with defenders on his hip is pretty special.
One bad thing I noticed last night, he does not value possessions at all. Took some really silly shots down the stretch that opened the door for the Aztecs to get right back in the game had they been able to hit wide open shots.
Kemba takes a number of bad shots a game too. Sullinger does not, and if he does, he gets the board and follow it up.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:40 AM
texas’ unis are top fucking notch.
i always thought they were overrated. give me unc’s carolina blues.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:40 AM
JuJuan Johnson 6’10″F/C Purdue 20.6 PPG 7.8 RPG 50.6% FG Boilers 17-4
I actually think he’s really the best player in the country. He’s just as clutch as Kemba and the one close game they inexplicably didn’t go to him in the clutch (vs WVU) they lost. He’s incredible and if he played for anyone but Purdue, people would be going crazy about him.
!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Finished with 43 on 24 shots.
Haters will point out that he had 0 assists, but much of that was due to his big guys missing point blank bunnies in the first half. So, to prevent that from happening, he just took over, from EVERYWHERE.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Have barely watched any college bball untill this week. Only one more football game, and no hockey untill tuesday will change that.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Did you watch the game? JaJuan was the best player on the floor. He was playing 1 on 5 and he dominated.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:42 AM
yea…jujuan was a fucking beast against OSU. only player who played well for purdon’t.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:42 AM
You’ll get nothing and like it.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Johnson didn’t get owned though. The team did. Johnson had 20 when Purdue had 40. He can score on anyone and did on Tuesday night.
Ohio State just prevented him from getting second shots. And, defensively, Sully is a terrible matchup for him. He is a 4 man who blocks shots, not a guy that guards the big post man.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I think you meant Tyrus Thomas III.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Wally thats awesome. For some reason I love when the white boys do work. Cant wait til the tourney.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:43 AM
burnt orange > fag blue
January 27th, 2011 at 10:44 AM
A little off topic, but I was reading a couple articles about Jay Vag-ler. MCL strain not tear. Refusal to let the training staff try to brace the knee. Unwilling to help Hanie (which may have been a good thing with the way Jay reads defenses to begin with). Takes stairs and not elevator to post game dinner.
I just cannot see how any can defend this douche.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Sullinger’s pic should say “moving my hips like yeah”
Was at the Purdue game on Tuesday. They played the entire song on the jumbotron before tip and it was awkward.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I always liked Syracuse’s whites, but I guess they’re very similiar to Texas’, just a different shade of orange.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:46 AM
He got stuffed at the rim by Jon Diebler. JON. DIEBLER.
In all seriousness, he did some things offensively, but Sully did whatever he wanted with him on the block.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:46 AM
im glad that we have a member of chicago’s medical staff here with first hand knowledge of the situation. thanks for the update, doc!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Doesn’t the first day of the tournament fall on St. Patrick’s day this year? That’s going to be a messy 4 day weekend for me.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:47 AM
burnt orange > fag blue
hey, they’re both better than “mean” green and white.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:47 AM
the thing that puts texas over the top is the white piping and the “texas” font. pure class.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Yep. Bloody Mess coming.
It was the night before last year, which was nice since we got to Vegas on Wednesday afternoon.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:48 AM
listen, UNT’s getting their first big bball recruit in like, ever, so don’t fucking harsh my mellow.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:49 AM
I think you meant Tyrus Thomas III.
but Williams is light skinned…
January 27th, 2011 at 10:49 AM
This made me giggle.
/remembers that Spence’s parents are straight stoners
January 27th, 2011 at 10:52 AM
UNT’s getting their first big bball recruit
i’m curious as to what a “big” basketball recruit is to someone who hates college bball so much? taller than 6ft?
January 27th, 2011 at 10:52 AM
A strain is the same thing as a tear, Dr. Rosenrosen.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:53 AM
ill…this guy.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:56 AM
But cursed, giving up the wide open threes was kind of their plan. They also went zone vs. SD St last year and had similar success.
I do think Fisher should have sent more bodies to the offensive glass early rather than bracing for BYU’s transition game.
I like Sullinger but he seems to disappear for long periods of time during games. He’s been beastly as of late though.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:56 AM
I was reading a couple articles about Jay Vag-ler. MCL strain not tear.
A strain is the same thing as a tear, Dr. Rosenrosen.
I’m not familiar wuth this Dr. Rosenrosen fellow. I get all my Cutler analysis from the harlot who ruined Erik Kuselius’ marriage
January 27th, 2011 at 10:59 AM
texas’ unis are top fucking notch.
baylors pisses on texas’ unis.
January 27th, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Those And-1 specials? Gross.
January 27th, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Texas’s unis would be awesome except for the stupid pattern on the back
January 27th, 2011 at 12:39 PM
I agree. I can’t even watch college basketball anymore. It’s boring. Bad Product.
January 27th, 2011 at 6:46 PM
Kemba!
/7 hours late
//you shovel my driveway