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

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)
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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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3) Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee

Stats: 18.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.9 apg
LW: 6

Grant Williams has yet to have a signature moment where he captures headlines, but the reigning SEC Player of the Year might not have to. He’s the best player and clear leader on a Tennessee team that might be ranked No. 1 next week, and that’s the perfect recipe for a National POY contender (just ask Jalen Brunson).

Williams is one of the best all-around players in the nation and leads the Vols in points, rebounds, and steals while ranking second in assists and blocks. His numbers have improved across the board and he is a nightmare mismatch at 6-7 and 235 pounds.

The end of the season is going to be really important for Williams (and for Tennessee). They don’t face a team that is currently ranked until February 16 when they face Kentucky. That starts a stretch where the Vols will face five ranked teams in seven games.

That will give Williams a chance to have those “Heisman moments” at a time when it will matter the most. In the meantime, he just has to keep producing and leading Tennessee to wins.