NCAA Basketball: Toppin tightens grip on National Player of the Year race
By Brian Rauf
Stats: 19.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 bpg
As Garza, Powell, and Pritchard have all plateaued or struggled over the last two weeks, Obi Toppin has remained consistently dominant, strengthening his grip on the top spot in the National Player of the Year race. He has led the Flyers to 13 straight wins with the last two coming in impressive fashion.
Normally lauded for his offensive highlights, Dayton beat Saint Louis last weekend on the back of Toppin’s defensive abilities. He recorded three steals and three blocks against the Billikens while also scoring 17 points.
Toppin showed more of his offensive repertoire in Tuesday’s win over a very good Rhode Island team, coming up with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and some highlight-reel finishes.
Keep in mind, Toppin’s stats would be better if the Flyers didn’t blow out teams the way that they do. His impact often goes well beyond the box score.
The redshirt sophomore continues to show everything you could want from a big man. He has elite athleticism, range out to the three-point line, reliable low post moves, speed, quickness, vision, and the ability to handle the ball. Toppin simply has it all at the college level which is why he – and Dayton – are largely unstoppable.
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The Flyers are ranked No. 6 in the country, are a projected No. 2 seed according to our bracketologist Lukas Harkins, and they have yet to lose a game in regulation. Toppin is easily the biggest reason for that, and it’s a big reason why he’s the current favorite to win National Player of the Year.