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NCAA Basketball: Zion still leads Player of the Year race despite injury

By Brian Rauf

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 28: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half of the game at Purcell Pavilion on January 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Duke won 83-61. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 28: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half of the game at Purcell Pavilion on January 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Duke won 83-61. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 19: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers dribbles past Saben Lee #0 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 58-46. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 19: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers dribbles past Saben Lee #0 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 19, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 58-46. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

3) Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee

Stats: 19.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.4 apg
LW: 2

Williams’ candidacy was largely built from him being the best player on the best team in the country. Now that Tennessee is struggling, his stock was bound to drop a bit – but his individual play isn’t helping things, either.

The reigning SEC Player of the Year has only crossed the 20-point plateau one time in the past month, which is the same number of times he has been held below 10 points. He also looked overwhelmed and overpowered in their losses to Kentucky and LSU as he struggled with the interior size of both the Wildcats and Tigers.

That said, it’s not like Williams is playing terribly. He is still Tennessee’s leader and hit the game-winner against Ole Miss on the road this week.

Williams locked up his All-American status weeks ago and was becoming a very legitimate threat to Zion Williamson a month ago. Though he has taken a step back, he still has plenty of chances ahead of him to make a statement.

Playing well in the rematch against Kentucky is key, as will be putting up monster performances against Mississippi State and Auburn to close the year. If he does that, the suddenly negative narrative surrounding him and the Vols will change.

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