Minard has what it takes to win OVC's top award

Henry Domercant of Eastern Illinois is the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and the nation's third-leading scorer.

While Domercant is, without question, a tremendous player and has done just about everything possible to win the OVC's highest individual award again, my vote -- although I don't actually have one -- goes to Morehead State's Ricky Minard.

It's not just that Minard lit up Southeast Missouri State University a few weeks ago for 30 points, including 21 in the second half.

Domercant has done his share of torching Southeast this season as well, scoring 35 points in both games against the Indians.

But while Domercant is primarily a scorer -- and a great one at that; he averages nearly 27 points per game to lead the OVC -- the silky-smooth Minard is a brilliant all-around performer who ranks in the top 15 in every OVC statistical category while still averaging more than 22 points per game, second-best in the league.

Minard, who has already received plenty of attention from NBA scouts despite being a junior, has also been able to help elevate his team to elite status in the OVC. The Eagles entered Saturday night's final regular-season game at Austin Peay having already clinched a title tie despite being picked to finish third.

Domercant has also helped the Panthers to a solid season, but entering Saturday's finale at Tennessee Tech, they could finish no better than a third-place tie.

Really, I'd have no problem if either Domercant or Minard won the award that will be voted on this week by the OVC's head coaches and sports information directors.

But if I had a vote, it would be for the conference's most complete and best all-around player.

And that's Minard.

While Domercant and Minard are mortal locks to be unanimous selections on the all-OVC first team, it won't be easy picking the rest of the five-player squad.

Austin Peay has no overwhelming candidate, but you'd think one of the league's top two squads will have somebody on the first team.

The Govs' Josh Lewis has been a real difference-maker in the middle, leading the league in blocked shots while ranking high in rebounding and averaging double figures in scoring. Teammate Adrian Henning also has had a strong year as the squad's leading scorer.

It would be hard to deny Morehead State a second selection since Chez Marks has been by far the OVC's most improved player, ranking third in the league in scoring with more than 17 points per game and leading the conference in 3-point shooting. He has perhaps been as important as Minard in the Eagles' tremendous season.

Tennessee Tech's Damien Kinloch, like Domercant and Minard a first-team pick last year, is the OVC's fifth-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder. And Kinloch is the top player on the league's third-place squad.

Murray State's James Singleton ranks among the OVC's top 10 scorers while leading the conference in rebounding. He averages a double-double.

There are other fringe first-team candidates, but it's likely the top five will come from that group.

I'd go with Domercant, Minard, Marks, Lewis and Kinloch, with a very deserving Singleton winding up the victim of a numbers game, although I'd have no complaints if Singleton made it and either Lewis or Kinloch didn't.

That's how tough a decision it's going to be.

Here's hoping Southeast Missouri State University's Brandon Griffin wins the OVC Newcomer of the Year award, which goes to a first-year conference player who is not a freshman.

Griffin, averaging a double-double -- he is the OVC's second-leading rebounder -- deserves it, although Tennessee-Martin's Earl Bulloch has been impressive and ranks sixth in the league with more than 16 points per game.

The OVC Freshman of the Year award is a no-brainer since nobody except Eastern Kentucky's Matt Witt has won the league's freshman of the week honor this season.

That's due partly to Witt's strong season and partly to the lack of any other key freshmen contributors in the conference.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.