National Player of the Year: Don't forget about Nolan

The player of the year race has been a fun one to follow.

Kemba Walker sprinted to the early lead, but defenses began focusing on him and his numbers started to come back to earth just as Jimmer Fredette was coming out of the phone booth as The Jimmer. Fredette is the country's most entertaining player and would likely win the popularity contest -- which, like it or not, matters -- but Jared Sullinger is the best and most important player on the nation's No. 1 team and last remaining undefeated. Sullinger is probably the favorite to win for those that don't get swayed by 30 foot threes and legions of angry mormons.

So where does Nolan Smith fit into this equation?


Because, like it or not Duke-haters, Smith is having a player of the year kind of season.

After the 34 points he had in Wednesday night's win over North Carolina -- 22 of which came in the second half, mind you -- Smith is averaging 21.5 ppg and 5.5 apg. Both of those numbers lead the ACC. Only two other players can make the claim that they lead their league in scoring and assists -- Charles Jenkins of Hofstra, who plays in the CAA, and Norris Cole of Cleveland State, playing in the Horizon. Throw Xavier's Tu Holloway into the mix, and Smith is one of just four players to average more than 20 points and five assists.

What's more, Smith is a darling for the tempo-free lovers as well. Kenpom currently has his situated directly behind Fredette and Sullinger in the kPOY standings. Smith is right up there with Fredette in terms of offensive efficiency as well, and he is worlds better as a defender.

Where Smith is lacking is in what I like to call Sportscenterability. He's not crossing up defenders and pulling up from 30 feet like The Jimmer. He's not hitting impossible game-winners night-in and night-out like Kemba was early on in the season.

But Smith doesn't need to take 30 footers for Duke to win. He has enough talent around him that it is more important for him to execute Duke's offensive game plan than it is for him to try and win the national scoring title.

Anyone that has watched Duke play this season will tell you that Smith may be just as good at getting crunch time buckets as Kemba is. Its different with Smith, though, because he gets the buckets that keep the game from getting to the point that Duke needs a buzzer-beater. On Wednesday, it was Smith's play in the first half, scoring 12 of Duke's 29 points, that kept the Blue Devils within striking distance. It was Smith that sparked the 33-12 second half run that game Duke the lead. And it was his play after UNC got within 60-59 that allowed Duke to push their lead up to seven and take firm control late.

Like Sullinger, Smith is the focal of what Duke wants to do in a half court setting. Ohio State likes to go four around one, feeding Sullinger in the post and allowing his instincts and ability to take over. Coach K does the exact same thing with Smith. Only, instead of posting Smith on the block, he allows him to go 1-on-1, trusting his senior to be able to a) get into the paint and b) make the correct decision on whether to shoot or to kick the ball out once he gets there.

With Kyrie Irving out, Smith is the centerpiece of this Duke attack. At the end of the game, he is the guy with the ball in his hands, making the decisions the will determine the outcome.

And with all due respect to Kemba, Jimmer, and Jared, there isn't a player in the country I would want with the ball in his hands late in a must-win game than Smith.

He may not be the player of the year -- right now, I'd probably say that Jimmer and Jared are in the lead -- but he may very well be the nation's best basketball player.