NCAA Basketball: Carey, Winston lead National Player of the Year race
By Brian Rauf
player. 434. . . Previous: 8th. Vernon Carey Jr.. 1
Stats: 18.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg
Duke has been really good again (surprise), and center Vernon Carey Jr. has been the biggest reason why. After using mostly a perimeter-oriented attack last year, the Blue Devils have fully embraced working the ball through the post because of how good Carey has been.
The freshman’s wide array of post moves give him an advantage when he gets to his spot down low, yet his most valuable asset may be his strength. At 6-10 and 270 pounds, Carey uses that strength to own the glass – he ranks 19th nationally in defensive rebounding rate and 86th in offensive rebounding rate. Opposing bigs struggle to handle his strength and often resort to fouling him, helping his efficiency (fourth nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes).
That dominance has resulted in seven games with at least 20 points and eight double-doubles for Carey, including notable performances against Cal, Georgetown, and Michigan State.
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While Carey is clearly in the lead right now, that lead is shrinking. He has been effective of late, but he has gone four games without a double-double and has been held in check by both Boston College and Georgia Tech.
Carey’s work to this point has earned him this spot, yet he needs to continue to dominate and lead the Blue Devils to wins to keep it.