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

By Daniel Benjamin

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)
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) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 31: Victoria Vivians
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 31: Victoria Vivians /

3. Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State

Vivians has produced a career year this season. The Ann Meyers Drysdale Award winner, for the best shooting guard in the nation, is averaging 19.8 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 48.6% from the field and 41.0% from beyond the arc. She has topped the 20-point mark in four of the five NCAA Tournament games, dropping a combined 49 points over her last two contests. The 6-foot-1 senior guard, who has reached double figures in 37 of 38 games, is contributing 21.2 points during the NCAA Tournament.

Vivians is second on the MSU all-time scoring list with 2,506 career points. She is also second in program history in made 3-pointers (298) and made field goals (915).

2. Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame

If Notre Dame is going capture the title, Ogunbowale will likely have to have a huge game. Ogunbowale has been big for the Irish all season long, compiling 20.9 points and 5.4 rebounds a contest while shooting 44.8% from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc. She set a Notre Dame record with 25 20 point game, which includes two, 30-point games.

The consensus All-American Second Team choice has scored at least 19 points in each NCAA Tournament game. Overall, she is averaging 25.1 points on 44.1% shooting. Ogunbowale has totaled 127 points during the 2018 Tournament, which is 12 fewer than Ruth Riley’s program record.

1. Teaira McCowan, Miss State

McCowan is by far and away the best player left in the Tournament. The junior center can dominate a game on both ends of the court.

Next: Season ends for Cinderella Loyola-Chicago

McCowan, who recorded an SEC record 28 double-double in the victory on Friday, is averaging 18.2 points along with 13.9 rebounds and two blocks for the season. She has posted 20 points and 20 rebounds in each of her last two games, which includes a 21 point and a Final Four-record 25 rebound effort versus Louisville.

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