NCAA Basketball: Threats to Zion in National Player of the Year race

NCAA Basketball: Threats to Zion emerge in National Player of the Year race

By Brian Rauf | Jan 19, 2019

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 14: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a dunk against the Syracuse Orange during the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 14, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 22: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers works against Devante Jackson #25 of the Grambling State Tigers during the second half at Kohl Center on December 22, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

10) Ethan Happ, PF, Wisconsin

Stats: 19.4 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.6 apg
LW: 4

Wisconsin’s season has really spiraled downwards over the past few weeks and Happ’s POY chances have dipped with it. The 6-10 big man is still putting up career highs across the board but it’s not having the same impact it was earlier in the season.

This drop isn’t all Happ’s fault. It has become painfully obvious during this stretch that Wisconsin really does not have any great players outside of him, so teams have worked to take him away and force his supporting cast to beat them.

Not only does that limit his individual production, but it has hurt the Badgers in the win column – further hurting Happ’s Player of the Year case.

He will still be a first-team All-Big Ten performer and will be on an All-American team. Just don’t expect him to be a factor here unless Wisconsin gets hot.

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