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NCAA Basketball: Powell, Garza lead National Player of the Year Power Rankings

By Brian Rauf

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 30: Myles Powell #13 and teammates of the Seton Hall Pirates warms up before the game against the DePaul Blue Demons at Wintrust Arena on December 30, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 30: Myles Powell #13 and teammates of the Seton Hall Pirates warms up before the game against the DePaul Blue Demons at Wintrust Arena on December 30, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

. Previous: 4th. Cassius Winston. 6. player. 486.

Stats: 18.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.3 rpg

Cassius Winston has not had the season some imagined he would have after he carried Michigan State to the Final Four last year. His scoring and assist numbers have both dipped, and his turnovers are up.

That said, he is having just as big of an impact for a Spartans team that may miss the NCAA Tournament without him. He has Michigan State ranked No. 11 in the country and leading a topsy-turvy Big Ten while producing at a high level most nights.

Winston also has some historical significance backing his campaign. In a victory over Wisconsin last week, the senior set the Big Ten record for most career assists.

Winston’s accomplishment and Michigan State’s victory highlighted what was otherwise an unremarkable night for Winston, who posted a season-low six points.

In fact, the 6-1 point guard has had uncharacteristic struggles over the last three games, recording more turnovers (17) than assists (14) while averaging just 11 points per game. Unsurprisingly, Michigan State is just 1-2 in those games.

The Spartans also have a tough stretch coming up with four of their next six games coming on the road – and we know how well Big Ten teams have held serve on their respective home courts. His play during this stretch could make-or-break his National Player of the Year candidacy.

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