Which players are leading the way for National Player of the Year as Championship Week gets underway across the country?
The NCAA regular season is winding down and it is finally time to say “THIS IS MARCH!” With conference tournaments underway and teams fighting for the 68 spots in the big dance, the nation’s top players will all be on full display over the next month.
As the season has progressed many players have made a name for themselves and worked their way up and down the Player of the Year Power Rankings. Some players have fallen off during conference play, while others have excelled and led their teams to conference titles.
Let’s start by taking a look at the players who just missed a spot in the Top 5.
10. Miles Bridges – Michigan State
16.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.8 apg
Despite beginning the season as one of the favorites to win a player of the year award, Michigan State’s Miles Bridges has actually seen a drop in production as a sophomore. Despite that, the star forward has the Spartans at the top of the Big Ten and in position to earn a high seed in the NCAA tournament.
9. Keenan Evans – Texas Tech
17.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg
After once sitting at the top of the Big 12, four straight losses have dropped Keenan Evans and the Texas Tech Red Raiders to third in the standings. Despite that, Evans’ production and leadership will lead Texas Tech to the second tournament bid in 10 years.
8. Jock Landale – Saint Mary’s
21.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.1 apg
As is the case with most mid-major players, Jock Landale’s bid for a spot as a First Team All-American all but ended with his one poor performance against the rival Gonzaga Bulldogs. Saint Mary’s still has a chance to win the WCC auto-bid, but if Landale cannot perform well against the Zags, the Gaels may not be dancing.
7. Keita Bates-Diop – Ohio State
19.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.7 apg
The top player on one of the most surprising teams in the country, Keita Bates-Diop has Ohio State in second in the Big Ten after being picked to finish 11th in the preseason poll. Even if Bates-Diop does not garner a spot in the Top 5, his impact on the Buckeyes’ program cannot go unappreciated.
6. Marvin Bagley III – Duke
20.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.6 apg
Leaving Duke’s Marvin Bagley out of the Top 5 is sure to confuse and upset a few fans, but his recent time missed has made way for two players to pass him up heading into March. He is one of the top draft prospects and most valuable players in the country, but just misses the cut for the Top 5.