NCAA Basketball: ACC struggles, Gonzaga dropping, and more takeaways

By Brian Rauf | Jan 5, 2020

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches on against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their game at Dean Smith Center on January 04, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 31: Vernon Carey Jr. #1 of the Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3) Vernon Carey Jr. is the National Player of the Year frontrunner

Duke does have that bad loss to Stephen F. Austin on their resume, yet they have re-emerged as the best team in the country largely thanks to the play of Vernon Carey Jr. inside.

The freshman big man has been dominant, averaging 18.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He has played his best in Duke’s biggest games, too, going for 26 & 11 against Michigan State, 20 & 10 against Georgetown, and 24 & 9 against Miami.

His play has garnered serious National Player of the Year consideration and, given the lack of other individual stars in college basketball, his consistently high level of play has positioned him as the frontrunner.

Cole Anthony is out injured. Myles Powell has missed games due to injury and Seton Hall is struggling because of it. James Wiseman left school. Cassius Winston’s stock has dropped with Michigan State not playing up to expectations. Jordan Nwora has struggled in Louisville’s biggest games.

Carey has seized on that opportunity and is in pole position to win the award right now.

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