DEBATE: TREY BURKE VS VICTOR OLADIPO

Reports say that Trey Burke from Michigan is first in Player of the Year straw poll votes, gaining 59 of 67 votes. It's no surprise to most though. In a season with no true #1 team, Trey Burke has brought his Wolverines back into the national spotlight, and they gained a #1 ranking this year for the first time since The Fab Five. He's averaging 19.2 points, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals a game while shooting 48% from the field.

However, the Hoosiers were preseason #1 and to most, the best team in college basketball right now. Outside of Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo has been playing great lately, averaging 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals a game while shooting an amazing 61% from the field.

All this said, who's the better player between these two? We'll debate.


Randall: I think Trey Burke is a great PG but I think Victor Oladipo is arguably the best overall player in college basketball... And I hate Indiana! Oladipo doesn't get as much shine as Burke because he plays alongside another POY candidate in Cody Zeller but when you look at his skill set, it speaks for itself. He is hands down the best defender in the country, overly athletic, can shoot the 3, get to the rim, rebound... and he shoots 61% from the field. He does it all. Dick Vitale calls him the 2nd coming of Michael Jordan in the collegiate ranks. That may be going a little overboard but there is no ceiling for this guy. I actually think he'll be a better pro player than he is as a collegiate player. If I had to choose between these two, I'd choose Victor Oladipo every time because he can shut the opposing teams best player down and also hold his own on the offensive end.

Tenz: For the most part I agree with Randall. You really can't lose with either player because they're both POY candidates & both play in the same conference. I think Trey Burke is a better playmaker, passer, harder to guard in isolation situations and better at driving the lane. All that said, Oladipo is a better all around player. His strengths are Burke's weaknesses. He's a better defender, a better shooter & can move without the basketball (which to me, is one of the most under-appreciated skills in basketball).  Take a look at his stats, it's unreal what he does every game. He's the most NBA ready player in college basketball, and it's sad that most analysts don't really recognize him as the #1 guy for Indiana. Unless either him or Zeller gets hurt, expect to see the Hoosiers in the Final Four, possibly the championship if they're not in the same region as my Cardinals.