JaJuan Johnson's game-winner should put him into the PoY conversation

You almost have to feel bad for JaJuan Johnson right now.

The Boilermakers had their season all but written off when Robbie Hummel went down with a torn acl for the second consecutive season. It wasn't a secret that if Purdue was going to be a factor nationally, they were going to need a big season out of Johnson and E'Twaun Moore. And while the latter has hit a bit of a slump the last five games, Johnson has been outstanding all season long.

He's averaging 20.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 2.3 bpg while playing 34.3 mpg, a number that misrepresents how much he takes the floor in games that matter. In nine games decided by 15 points or less, Johnson has played less than 37 minutes just once and has played 40 minutes (or more, in the case of Purdue's overtime win at Virginia Tech when he was on the floor for 44 minutes) twice.

The thing is, you don't hear his named mentioned when discussing the National Player of the Year. Instead, its Kemba Walker, Jimmer Fredette, Jared Sullinger, or Nolan Smith. Hell, Johnson can hardly break into the conversation for Big Ten Player the Year being in the same conference as Sullinger.

He added another story to his terrific season again on Wednesday night when he bailed out Purdue.

The Boilermakers had blown an early 13 point lead, allowing Penn State to go on an 18-2 run to take the lead early in the second half. With just 18 seconds left in the game, Penn State guard David Jackson buried a three to give the Nittany Lions a 62-61 lead. After the ball got knocked out of bounds -- on a play that looked like it was out off of Moore, but the ball was given to Purdue anyway -- Johnson came off of a Moore screen to knock down an 18 footer and give the Boilermakers a 63-62 win. (The good stuff starts at the 1:15 mark):



Purdue as been struggling of late. They lost two in a row prior to Wednesday night's game, but that was hardly Johnson's doing. He averaged 27.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg in close losses to Minnesota and West Virginia, two teams with deep and talented from lines. And he did it on nights when E'Twaun Moore struggled. In other words, Johnson torched two very good front courts as Purdue's only real post threat in games where he was the only Boilermaker that was hot.

That has to mean something, right?

I'm not saying Johnson deserves a player of the year award, national or otherwise. There is a reason that the foursome mentioned above has been talked about at length. Each and every one of them is having a terrific season for a terrific basketball team.

But JaJuan Johnson at the very least deserves to be recognized. He needs to be included in the conversation.

Because he truly is having a fantastic year.