The best big man in college basketball this season and the best player in the Big Ten, Swanigan’s season averages of 18.5 points and 12.6 rebounds haven’t been matched by a power conference player since Blake Griffin in 2009. The 6-9 Swanigan grabs one out of every three defensive rebounds by Purdue, and that power down has helped him tire out defenders, drawing 6.3 fouls per game. He is a finalist for center of the year. For more on Swanigan's transformation from overweight to dominant, check out this must-read profile.
With teammate Chris Boucher lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals, conference defensive player of the year Jordan Bell will shoulder even more responsibility for the Ducks.