UConn junior center Hasheem Thabeet is a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award, which is given to the college basketball player of the year.
Both sophomore forward Maya Moore and senior guard Rene Montgomery are finalists for the women's award.
In the final ballots announced Thursday, Thabeet, who is averaging 13.7 points per game, 10.9 boards and 4.6 blocks is joined by the biggest names in college sports: North Carolina senior forward Tyler Hansbrough, Davidson's Stephen Curry and Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin.
The Big East, which many experts regard as the best conference in America, is well represented. Notre Dame senior Luke Harangody, Pittsburgh teammates DeJuan Blair and Sam Young, Marquette's Jerel McNeal, and Louisville's Terrence Jordan are among the list.
The award is expected to come down to Hansbrough and Griffin.
Moore, who is averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds a game, and Rene Montgomery, with averages of 15.8 points and 5.2 assists per game, head the pack for the women's award. Along with them, is Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, another award favorite.
Angel McCoughtry, of Louisville; Shavonte Zellous, of Pittsburgh; and Epiphanny Price, of Rutgers, joins the UConn duo in representing the Big East.
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Voters for both awards must cast their ballots by March 30, which means the finalists' NCAA tournament results can be taken into account. The awards will be presented April 10 in Los Angeles.
