March 4
Vitale's year-end awards
It's time to unveil my player-of-the-year selections in my Elite Eight power conferences. This is based on my many hours of watching games on TV and conversations with coaches, scouts and friends in the sport as well as reading many articles (plus contacts all over America).
These are my PTPers in the various heavyweight conferences (listed in alphabetical order):
ACC and National Player of Year: Jason Williams
The big question is, who gets the nod in a league with several quality candidates? It comes down to Jason Williams and Juan Dixon. My choice is Mr. Williams.
Williams is not only my pick for the ACC but also my national player of the year. He's an explosive, sensational spurt player. He has been so valuable to Duke; the Blue Devils are limited in depth and baseline productivity. This team needs Williams' jump shot plus his driving and penetration ability.
ATLANTIC 10: David West
Lynn Greer and Marvin O'Connor are talented in the backcourt, but my choice for PTPer in the A-10 is Xavier's David West. He's one of the top five players in America, baby!
West is a powerful inside force, and he's so key to Xavier's success. Double teams against West have allowed others, like Romain Sato, to get open looks. Rebounding, scoring, blocked shots ... West can do it all!
BIG EAST: Brandin Knight
I have to reward the super season of Pittsburgh and guard Brandin Knight. He has been a great leader in the backcourt, and Ben Howland has done a super job, earning coach of the year consideration. This is a tough call in a league that includes UConn's Caron Butler, Georgetown's Michael Sweetney and St. John's Marcus Hatten, among others. Knight has been superb; you reward success and the Panthers have it because of Knight.
BIG TEN: Jared Jeffries
Wisconsin has come on and been a surprise team this season. Illinois has balance and Ohio State has done it with outstanding perimeter play. But Indiana has the league's PTPer -- Jared Jeffries. The super soph, a multidimensional contributor, can hurt you in many ways: scoring, rebounding, passing, defense and shot blocking. He does it all, and he's the reason the Hoosiers are a Big Ten contender.
BIG 12: Drew Gooden
This league has been solid all season. Kansas has a number of talented candidates, but Drew Gooden is my choice. Gooden has been dynamite, an offensive rebounding machine. He's been super in transition. His scoring ability is another reason why the Jayhawks are a favorite to go to the Final Four.
C-USA: Steve Logan
There are a number of candidates. Certainly Marquette's high-riser, Dwyane Wade, has to be considered. The newcomer has been super. Still, Cincinnati's Mr. Consistency, Steve Logan, gets the nod. He has been sensational all season, and his passing is often overlooked. Whenever coach Bobby Huggins' club has needed him to come through with a big basket, he has been there. He has hit the key trifecta and also found the open man.
PAC-10: Luke Walton
Because of his versatility, my choice is Arizona's Luke Walton. He doesn't have the scoring stats of others, but when you look at his total game and you see his team in the Pac-10 race, he's deserving of the honor. There are others worthy of consideration, like Stanford's Casey Jacobsen and USC's Sam Clancy. Walton has led the 'Cats in assists, he has scored when needed and has rebounded when called upon. He does so many things well, and Arizona has been in the Top 25 most of the season despite losing Loren Woods, Richard Jefferson, Michael Wright and Gilbert Arenas. Walton is a key reason why; he has held the young kids together while coming through in so many different ways. Being a valuable contributor means more than just scoring.
SEC: Jarvis Hayes
The Georgia Bulldogs have been the league's biggest surprise this season, and one of the key reasons has been the play of Jarvis Hayes, who came to Athens via Western Carolina. He has been sensational, posting big night after big night for coach Jim Harrick. Hayes can score and rebound. Again, there are a number of candidates, including another surprising player, Alabama's Erwin Dudley. But Hayes gets my nod.
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