Who will be named 2018 MOP in the NCAA women's basketball Final Four?

NCAA Women’s Basketball: Ranking the leading candidates for Final Four MOP

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 05: Head coach Muffet McGraw of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and her team react in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the NCAA Women's Final Four Semifinal at Amalie Arena on April 5, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

3 of 4

COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 30: Jessica Shepard /

5. Jessica Shepard, Notre Dame

Shepard is in the midst of her best stretch of the season. The 6-foot-4 junior forward has produced six double-doubles in her last seven contests, including five in a row. She now has 15 such games this year.

The first team All-ACC selection is averaging 19.0 points, on 55.3% shooting, and 10 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament. She is coming off a 15 point, 11 rebound performance against UConn on Friday. For the season, Shepard is producing 15.5 points a game — which was good for second on the team.

4. Marina Mabrey, Notre Dame

Mabrey is going through a fantastic stretch shooting the ball from beyond the arc. She has made 18 of 34 (52.9%) of her 3-point attempts during the NCAA Tournament. Although the junior guard has only made 3 of her last 11 tries over the last two games, including going 1-for-7 against UConn. The NCAA Tournament record for most treys is 22, set by UConn’s Kia Nurse in 2017.

Mabrey has scored in double figures in four of her last five games with two, 20-point performances. She is producing 17.0 points on 52.7% shooting for the tournament.

Mabrey, who averages 14.6 points a game for the season, has scored in double figures on 28 occasions — including 11 games of 20-plus points.

Home/NCAA Basketball News