The ACC is having a down year? Pfft. You'd never know it after looking at the Wooden Award Top 30 list, which was whittled down from the original 50 of the preseason watch list on Thursday.
BC's Reggie Jackson has made the cut for the Wooden Award Top 30, along with four others ACC players -- Virginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney, Duke's Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith and Maryland's Jordan Williams. Jackson replaces Trapani on the watch list as BC's only representative.
Only the Big 12 (6) and the Big Ten (6) had more players make the newly revised watch list for college basketball's most prestigious award.
Jackson isn't going to win the award as a junior, but it's nice to see him getting some national recognition. Jackson has put together a solid season so far, leading the ACC in seven categories, including scoring (third, 18.5 PPG), minutes played (second, 34.5), field-goal percentage (third, .532), three-point field-goal percentage (second, .464), assist-turnover ratio (second, 2.4), assists (second, 4.7) and three-point field goals made (ninth, 2.1). He's obviously a big reason why the Eagles already have 11 wins heading back into conference play.
Testudo Times thinks that this thing is Jared Sullinger's to lose, with UConn's Kemba Walker as a dark horse candidate. Hard to argue with that. But half of the watch list Top 30 candidates being seniors -- including Singler, Smith, Jimmer Fredette -- and many others are likely poised to leave school early. If Jackson stays for his senior season, he might actually have a strong candidate for the award next season.
Congrats to Reggie and let's hope he continues his strong play as ACC play resumes this Saturday against Georgia Tech.