Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: 2019 Player of the Year rankings entering conference play

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 11: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots a three pointer against the Memphis Tigers during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots a three pointer against the Memphis Tigers during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

8) Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech

Stats: 19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.3 apg
LW: NR

Texas Tech was expected to take a step back to the middle of the Big 12 following the departures of Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith, but the emergence of Culver as a legitimate star has kept the Red Raiders in the top 20 nationally.

His play early in the season has drawn the attention of both those in the college basketball world and NBA scouts, yet his national profile didn’t really explode until Texas Tech’s loss to Duke.

Even though they lost, Culver was the star of the show for most of the game, dropping a game-high 25 points. Coach K heaped praise on Culver after the performance.

"“This kid just put them on his back. Really good player, smooth, really smooth. It would be interesting what he’d do with a true point guard. He’s going to be a pro, he’s going to be a pro. He’s good. He looks like he’d be a great kid to coach.”"

Culver is currently projected to be a mid-first round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft but, for these purposes, he’ll need to carry Texas Tech to victories in some of these big games to move up this list – and he’ll have plenty of chances to do that in Big 12 play.