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Big 12 Basketball: Dedric Lawson and Jarrett Culver lead POY race

By Bryan Mauro

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Jarrett Culver #23, Keenan Evans #12 and Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate their lead over the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Jarrett Culver #23, Keenan Evans #12 and Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate their lead over the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones drives the ball as Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks puts pressure on in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Marial Shayok #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones drives the ball as Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks puts pressure on in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

3. Marial Shayok – Iowa State

The senior guard is a transfer from Virginia. Shayok was a contributor for the Cavaliers when he decided to transfer. The senior saw his production increase every year but was never known as a threat to score a ton of points. It appears the guard used his transfer year well as he has become the most feared scorer in the Cyclone offense. The senior is currently averaging over 20 points per game and does not appear to be slowing down.

The scoring is the one aspect of the guards game that is the most impressive this year. The Virginia program prides itself on defense and if the player does not play any, then that player does not play. Shayok is a good defender and rebounder and now with the scoring can beat a team in multiple different ways. On the offense end the senior has always shown he is extremely efficient. This year he is shooting over 50% from the floor, almost 40% from three and 85% from the free throw line.

Iowa State has always been a team who at times has been able to score at will. They play a wide-open style and can get up and down the floor quickly. This style appears to be the perfect one for Shayok and the way he likes to play. Iowa State has already beaten Kansas this year and has an outside chance to win the league. If that happens, the senior guard is going to be a huge reason why. The guard has an outside chance to win this award, especially if Iowa State can finish near the top of the league.

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