NCAA basketball: Ranking the 30 Naismith award finalists

No. 8: Keita Bates-Diop – Junior forward, Ohio State

2017-18 stats: 19.6 ppg 8.8 rpg 1.6 apg

Best season performance: 32 points and seven rebounds in a win over Michigan State

The No. 8 for this player’s ranking matches the number for the Buckeyes current national rankings, which is the biggest shock of the season so far. It was somewhat expected that Bates-Diop would have a bounce-back year, after missing most of the previous season with an injury.

But no one expected for him to be nearly a 20 and 10 kind of player, as well as leading the Big Ten in scoring per game. He’s scored in double-digits in all but one game, and has eclipsed the 20 point mark nine times. He’s gone from a good player, to a great one. And that’s why Ohio State is not someone you want to face in March.

No. 7 DeAndre Ayton – Freshman center, Arizona

2017-18 stats: 19.7 ppg 10.9 rpg 1.5 apg

Best season performance: 29 points and 18 rebounds in the win over Alabama

Ayton could be the most imposing big man in the country, with just two times this season where he’s scored less than 13 points in a game. He operates primarily in the post, with just 10 made three-pointers on the season.

If it wasn’t for his dynamic teammate Trier, Ayton could be even higher on this list. But he could be No. 1 at the end of the season, as he looks to give his head coach Sean Miller something he’s yet to obtain, a Final Four appearance.