Buckeye Star Proves he is College Basketball's Best
While there is still over a month before Selection Sunday, it is time to declare Evan Turner the college basketball player of the year.
After missing only six games with a broken back earlier in the season, Turner has returned and has put the Buckeyes on that back and propelled them into first place in the Big Ten Standings.
What Turner is doing this year has never been matched in the storied history of Big Ten basketball. He currently ranks first in the conference in scoring and rebounding, and second in assists. In the history of the Big Ten only three players have finished in the top 10 in each of these statistical categories and nobody has finished in the top three in each category. Turner also ranks third in steals. Simply put, what Turner is doing is unprecedented.
With Turner on the court, OSU is 16-3 and during his six game absence, the Buckeyes were 3-3. Turner himself turns the Buckeyes from an NIT team into one of the top 10 college basketball teams in the country. He has the ability to play nearly any position on the court and has a knack for making his teammates better.
When Coach Matta realized he didn't have a point guard for this season, he turned to Turner who has carried the load all year while playing out of position.
Earlier this season, Turner became only the second player in OSU history to record a triple-double when he posted 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists against Alcorn St. He followed that up a few weeks later in a win over Lipscomb with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
As a consensus top five pick, Turner is almost certain to jump to the NBA after this season. He will leave OSU as one of the greatest Buckeyes of all-time. His accomplishments on the court are unmatched by all the greats who came before him. He is having the best season of any player in the storied history of the OSU program.
With March fast approaching, the National Player of the Year Award is Turner's to lose. He has done more to help his team than any player in the country and the statistical season he is having is one of the greatest over the last 30 years.
So, with Turner now healthy again, a Buckeye run deep into March a strong possibility. He has carried the load so far, and with his back healed and now stronger than ever, it is time to let him carry this team into March and beyond. How far the Buckeyes go is in his hands. But, would you really want it any other way?