BTN.com staff, March 24, 2013

The four finalists for the 2013 Naismith Men's College Player of the Year were announced Sunday afternoon, and the Big Ten comprises half the field. Indiana's Victor Oladipo and Michigan's Trey Burke are finalists, along with Creighton's Doug McDermott and Georgetown's Otto Porter Jr.

The finalists were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club?s Board of Selectors, which based selections on individual performances throughout the regular season. The winner will be revealed April 7 in Atlanta, the home of this year's Final Four.

?These four players have performed at the highest level and have separated themselves appropriately from the other contenders,? said Shane Battier, spokesperson for the Naismith Awards and the only men?s player to win both a high school (1997) and college (2001) Naismith Trophy. ?As wide open as the NCAA tournament is, so will the race for the 2013 Naismith Trophy winner, and that?s what makes college basketball so exciting.?

Fans have the opportunity to vote for the player of their choice and help determine the winner. Starting March 25, and ending April 6, fans can cast their vote by calling **VOTE (**8683).

ABOUT THE FINALISTS:

Trey Burke, Sophomore, Michigan: The 6-foot point guard averaged 19.2 points and 3.2 rebounds during this year?s regular season, and was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. He scored double figures in every game and 15 or more points in every Big Ten game. He scored less than 15 points in just two games. Burke?s 6.7 assists per game was 11th in the nation.

Per Game Team G GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOPG PFPG FG% 3P% FT%
2012-13 Mich 35 35 35.3 18.8 3.0 6.7 1.6 0.5 2.2 1.8 .470 .387 .801

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Doug McDermott, Junior, Creighton: A 2012 Naismith Trophy finalist, he ranks second nationally in scoring (23.1) and finished the regular season with an average of 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The BlueJays won both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles this season. He became the eighth player league history to win back-to-back MVC Player of the Year accolades, and is the second to win Most Outstanding Player honors at the MVC Tournament twice.

Per Game Team G GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOPG PFPG FG% 3P% FT%
2012-13 Cre 35 35 31.5 23.2 7.6 1.6 0.2 0.1 2.6 1.5 .558 .497 .868

Victor Oladipo, Junior, Indiana: The 6-5 guard finished the regular season with an average of 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He and Georgetown?s Porter Jr. are the only players from Power 6 conferences averaging at least 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Per Game Team G GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOPG PFPG FG% 3P% FT%
2012-13 Ind 34 34 28.0 13.5 6.4 2.1 2.2 0.8 2.3 2.5 .594 .438 .758

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Otto Porter Jr., Sophomore, Georgetown: The 6-8 forward claimed Big East Player of the Year honors and averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game during the regular season. The Hoyas finished the regular season with a share of the Big East conference title and a No. 2 seed in NCAA Men?s Basketball Championship.

Per Game Team G GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOPG PFPG FG% 3P% FT%
2012-13 GTown 31 31 35.4 16.2 7.5 2.7 1.8 0.9 1.5 2.0 .480 .422 .777