NCAA Basketball: Player of the Year rankings entering conference play
By Connor Hope
With the New Year arriving and conference play commencing, which ten NCAA basketball players have the strongest cases for Player of the Year?
After nearly two months of play, the best players in college basketball are beginning to build their resumes for the draft and year-end awards.
Some players who entered the season as favorites to compete for Player of the Year have since fallen off the radar. On the other hand, many who entered the season without much fanfare, have quickly established they spot at the top of college basketball.
So let’s take a look at the top ten Player of the Year candidates at the season’s midway point.
10. Luke Maye, North Carolina
The expectations for Luke Maye were high this year after he became a hero for UNC last March. While it would be easy to forgive Luke Maye for returning to earth in his junior season, he took these expectations and surpassed them.
Averaging 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, Maye has been the best player on the North Carolina Tar Heels. While Joel Berry may still be the senior leader, Maye has filled a much-needed role in the frontcourt, which was thin coming into the season.
It will be interesting to see how Maye performs as UNC begins ACC play, since the Tar Heels need him to play well in order to compete for the title. Maye did not have a great game against Michigan State’s big men, and with teams like Duke, Louisville, and Clemson boasting strong frontcourts, Maye will need to be at his best.
Not much was expected of North Carolina this season, but the incredible improvement Maye has made this season has put the Tar Heels in position to legitimately compete for the ACC title.