All season long, Burke has been the epitome of consistency on a top-10 team. He scored double figures in every game and 15 or more points in every Big Ten game. He scored less than 15 points in just two games. 

He had five or more assists in 25 of 31 games and became the calm leader on a Michigan team littered with freshmen playing major minutes. 

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Michigan's Trey Burke
Brad Penner/USA TODAY SportsTrey Burke averaged 19.2 points and 6.8 assists for the Wolverines.

The performance made an impact, as Burke led the final college basketball player of the year straw poll of the season, a poll comprised of actual voters for the Robertson, Associated Press, Naismith and Wooden Awards. It was the fourth straight poll in which the sophomore finished first. 

Burke was on 59 of the 67 ballots cast in the final poll. 

“We lost six games in the most important part of our season,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “He and Tim Hardaway and a bunch of guys just learning on the run. For him to carry us — the courage that he’s had and the will and the fight he’s had in games with such tremendous poise. 

“You don’t see much emotion from him ever, because he’s focused. Someone that does that without a supporting cast of seniors and juniors, like some of the really great players have, and that’s how we want to be. But it is what it is, and he’s played like a senior, veteran point guard.” 

Here is the potential snag for Burke. With the stagger of votes and the continued ascent of Indiana junior Victor Oladipo, there is a chance for a split of the four major awards depending on how things go in the postseason. 

via Trey Burke tops final POY straw poll – Men’s College Basketball Nation Blog – ESPN.

I only shared this to illustrate the absurdity of the Player of the Year conversation.

Oladipo is an average, over-intense snarf who is just on a winning team. Apparently, he’s the potential snag for Burke.

He averages 13.7 PPG. In his last three, he has scored 14 (vs. U of M), 7 (vs. OSU), and 10.

In Burkes last three, he has recorded 20 (vs. Ind), 26, and 21 (vs. MSU).

Burke averages 19.2 PPG and 6.8 APG.

Ola doles out 2.1 assists per game. His edge? Shooting a better percentage (which happens when you take less frequent, easier shots) and rebounding, where he edges Burke 6 to 3.

For real, for real, snarfs: it’s not even close.

BURKE!