Oklahoma Sooners Blake Griffin Wins Player of the Year Award: This afternoon, the Associated Press announced that Oklahoma Sooners sophomore, Blake Griffin, has been named college basketball’s 2009 Player of the Year.  

The 6’10” center led the Sooners into this year’s NCAA Tournament as one of the Sports Odds favorites to go all the way, as OU came in ranked second in the South Region only behind UNC.

Despite much criticism, even from president Obama, the Sooners managed to make it all the way to Regional Finals of the NCAA Tournament, where they were defeated by the current Sports Odds favorites to win the national title, the North Carolina Tar Heels [-125]. 

Griffin led the nation in scoring with 22.7 points per game, as well as rebounding with 14.4 boards per contest. The projected NBA Draft first round selectee also led the Big 12 in shooting percentage at 65.4% from the field, as OU finished with an impressive 30-6 mark.

In only his second year, Griffin, recorded 30 double-doubles this season also earning AP All-American team honors.

Griffin's selection was by a landslide, I must add, receiving 66 of 71 votes from national media panel members who are also responsible for the weekly Top 25 selections.

UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough, who was last year’s award recipient, received just 2 votes, as did Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair.

Here are the remaining teams still fighting to win this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, courtesy of oddsmakers at SportsBook.com:

Connecticut Huskies [+250]

Michigan State Spartans [+500]

Villanova Wildcats [+600]

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