LOS ANGELES - Senior guards J.J. Redick of Duke and Dee Brown of Illinois, two of five finalists for the 2004-05 John R. Wooden award, lead a list of 50 preseason candidates this season.
The candidates were chosen based on last year’s individual and team performance. The award, honoring college basketball’s player of the year since 1976, is announced at the Final Four.
Utah center Andrew Bogut was last year’s recipient after averaging 20.4 points and 12.4 rebounds while shooting 62 percent for the Utes, who lost to Kentucky in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Duke center Sheldon Williams and Boston College forward Craig Smith join Redick and Brown as the only preseason candidates named to last year’s official voting ballot.
Twelve NCAA conferences are represented, including eight players from the Atlantic Coast Conference and seven players apiece from the Big East and Pac 10.
The Wooden Award committee will cut the list to 30 at midseason and the 10-player Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced on March 28.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Beyond the Arc: No. 11 Michigan State ends No. 3 Ohio State's 39-game home winning streak with a 58-48 victory.
Slideshow |
College hoops power rankings A look at the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com |
Latest from Beyond the Arc |
Michigan State sure shook up Big Ten by beating Buckeyes11 hr 45 min ago UNLV’s thrilling win vs. SDSU adds spice to MWC race16 hr 13 min ago |
College basketball videos |
Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |