Wayne Simien leads the Jayhawks in scoring with 16.8 points a game. AP

We're not quite halfway through the conference season, but we're well past the midway point of the regular season. That's certainly enough games to size up the player-of-the-year races in each of the seven major leagues.

Listed below are my top three POY candidates in each league, along with my choices for the coach and freshman of the year. Allowing that these things are hugely subjective, here are a few guidelines I used in making my choices.

1. In answer to the question of whether you should choose the top individual players or players from the best teams, I've tried to do both.

2. These rankings only reflect on what has happened so far, not on what I think will happen the rest of the way. It goes without saying -- though I'll say it anyway -- that things can change quickly. And they will.

3. For statistical rankings, I've focused on conference games only, not overall rankings. I believe enough conference games have been played that those stats provide a better reflection of who's really doing well.

Herewith, then, my size-ups:

ACC

1. Chris Paul, Wake Forest. Has been a great scorer and leader, even when the Deacs lose.

2. Shelden Williams, Duke. Besides scoring 15.6 points per game (despite having no serviceable complement in the paint), Williams is also sixth in the nation in rebounding and second in blocks.

3. Jawad Williams, North Carolina. You could pick any of four Tar Heel starters and not go wrong, but Williams' emergence as a scorer, combined with his long-established glue-guy skills, have elevated this team from good to great.

Coach of the year: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke.

Best freshman: Marvin Williams, North Carolina

Big Ten

1. Mike Wilkinson, Wisconsin. I'm definitely swayed by Wilkinson's recent dominating performances. In league play Wilkinson is the Big Ten's fifth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. He has the best combination of individual stats and team success in the league.

2. Luther Head, Illinois. No doubt the overall team success of the Illini will dilute this vote, but Head has been the team's leading scorer and most consistent player from day one.

3. Deron Williams, Illinois. It's hard to choose between Williams and Dee Brown, but Williams is still the unquestioned floor leader on what is by far the league's best team.

Coach of the year: Bruce Weber, Illinois.

Best Freshman: D.J. White, Indiana.

Big 12

1. Wayne Simien, Kansas. I know his numbers are off and he missed a few games with that thumb injury, but if you were starting a team and could choose one Big 12 player, Big Dub is still your guy.

2. Joey Graham, Oklahoma State. The most dynamic offensive player in the league. The Cowboys are at their best when he is at his most aggressive.

3. John Lucas, Oklahoma State. A streaky shooter who is undersized and doesn't do anything great. But who else in the league do you want taking a big shot in the final two minutes?

Coach of the year: Billy Gillispie, Texas A&M.

Best Freshman: Daniel Gibson, Texas.

Big East

1. Hakim Warrick, Syracuse. There's nothing tricky about his game. He doesn't hoist a bunch of 3s or have a dizzying array of offensive moves. No player in college basketball has a better mid-range game, which, combined with Warrick's length makes him virtually impossible to guard.

2. Craig Smith, Boston College. Some might say Smith is only B.C.'s second-best player (next to Jared Dudley), but Smith's ability to draw attention of opponents is what has enabled Dudley to roam free.

3. Gerry McNamara, Syracuse. I gave Pittsburgh forward Chevon Troutman and UConn center Josh Boone serious consideration here. I went with McNamara because thus far the Orange look like the best team in the league, and every team they play makes it their top priority to contain McNamara's shooting. The next team to succeed will be the first.

Coach of the year: Al Skinner, Boston College.

Best freshman: Jeff Green, Georgetown

Conference USA

1. Francisco Garcia, Louisville. Still the best overall talent in the league. Averaging 16.7 points per game and is fourth in the league in assists from the small forward position.

2. Quemont Greer, DePaul. Has polished his skills to go along with his scary size. Greer is third in the league in scoring (18.7) and fourth in rebounding (9.3) while leading the Blue Demons to an impressive 4-1 start.

3. Travis Diener, Marquette. Tough choice here between Diener and Cincinnati forward Jason Maxiell, but while the Golden Eagles have struggled to a 2-3 start in the conference, Diener has continued his stellar play, averaging 18 points and a league-leading 9.0 assists per game.

Coach of the year: Dave Leitao, DePaul

Best freshman: Juan Diego Palacios, Louisville.

SEC

1. Lawrence Roberts, Mississippi State. Once again dominating inside (he's ranked fourth in scoring and third in rebounding). Roberts is shooting a remarkable 52 percent from the floor despite facing consistent double teams.

2. Earnest Shelton, Alabama. You could flip a coin in picking between Shelton and his running mate Kennedy Winston. Shelton's 34-point performance in the rout of Mississippi State and his slight edge over Winston in rebounding make the difference.

3. Chuck Hayes, Kentucky. He hasn't been scoring well this season (12.4 average), but the 6-foot-6 senior is the leading rebounder (8.6) and indisputable anchor on the league's best team.

Coach of the year: Mark Gottfried, Alabama.

Best freshman: Glen Davis, LSU.

Pac-10

1. Ike Diogu, Arizona State. The Sun Devils are scraping by at 3-4 in the conference, and Diogu is obviously the biggest reason for that. He leads the league in scoring and blocks and is second in rebounding. If only he had a little more help from his friends.

2. Nate Robinson, Washington. Forget about the stats. Robinson has done a great job blending his superior skills within the Huskies' team concept, but he is the biggest (and smallest) reason this team is tied for first place in the league.

3. Dijon Thompson, UCLA. I'm going with Thompson over Arizona guard Salim Stoudamire, despite his poor performances last week against Stanford and Cal (at home, no less). Stoudamire has been great the last two weeks, but Thompson has been an important steadying force all season for this young team. He is also ranked sixth in the league in scoring and is third in rebounding.

Coach of the year: Lorenzo Romar, Washington.

Best freshman: Jordan Farmar, UCLA.