With the nation finally realizing that Jimmer Fredette has not been a one man army after the suspension of Brandon Davies for violating the honor code, could JaJuan Johnson step in and grab the National Player of the Year honors.
Johnson has been one of the most consistent big men this season.
The 6’10” senior who has a mid-range dagger that kills defenses is one of the most versatile players in the nation. He is not only able to dominate opponents on the inside, but step out and take a three-point shot when left open.
Johnson hasn’t received the national attention he deserves and this realization by the nation might just be enough to propel him into some national hype.
JJ is averaging 20.5 points, eight rebounds and two and a half blocks per game this season.
His post defense has improved and he is by far one of the best shot blockers in the nation.
Johnson has been in double figures all season and has led the Boilermakers to a sixth ranking, a 25-5 record and a solid second place in the Big Ten.
He has also recorded nine double doubles on the year and has been a force to be reckoned with during Big Ten play.
With BYU losing tonight to New Mexico without Davies, this will most likely hurt Jimmer’s lead as the nation’s best player.
This should leave the door wide open for Johnson to step in the spotlight and be recognized as the nation’s elite that he is.
Although his numbers may not be the best, he has been invaluable to his team and shares the spotlight with fellow senior E’Twaun Moore.
Maybe with this unfortunate suspension of Davies, JaJuan Johnson will finally earn the respect he deserves as one of the top three college basketball players in the nation.
The kid deserves it, so why not show him more respect that we give a guy who has the same numbers, and plays no defense.
James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.
Read more College Basketball news on BleacherReport.com