Keenan Evans – Texas Tech
The senior point guard has put together one of the best all-around performances in the tournament so far. Evans has put up a 23-6-5 line in the Red Raiders win over the always-feisty Stephen F. Austin squad and dropped 22 in a close win over Florida.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Kentucky
Despite being one of the least heralded prospects of Kentucky’s incoming class, Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to be arguably the most effective player of the bunch. The guard has played like a veteran on a team needing one.
Devonte Graham – Kansas
A third of a trio of outstanding senior point guards from the Big 12, Graham has been the Jayhawks rock all season long. Graham went for 29-6-6 with three steals in Kansas’ win over Penn, the 16-seed people thought had a chance to finally pull off the upset.
Kevin Knox – Kentucky
Knox was voted the SEC’s Co-Freshman of the Year (along with Alabama’s Collin Sexton). It says a lot that Knox stood out considering that seven of Kentucky’s eight rotational players are freshmen. Knox provides the inside punch to Gilgeous-Alexader’s perimeter presence.
Caleb Martin – Nevada
I decided to include just one of Nevada’s do-everything Martin twins, which is now starting to feel blasphemous. The MWC Player of the Year has been a force for the Wolf Pack in two big wins so far, and could be on the verge of leading Nevada to its first Elite Eight appearance.