Ranking the NCAA Tournament MOP candidates heading into Sweet 16

March Madness 2021: Ranking NCAA Tournament MOP candidates heading into Sweet 16

Jan 23, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) brings the ball down court during a game against the Pacific Tigers in the first half of a WCC men’s basketball game at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

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15T . Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton, 18.5 ppg, 3.5 3-pointers, 5.0 apg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 spg

Zegarowski has played all but four minutes and he was excellent in the Bluejays victory over Ohio where the 6-2 guard pumped in 20 points and knocked down 4 of 7 shots from beyond the arc. He also was solid on the defensive end against the Bobcats.

15T. Johnny Juzang, UCLA: 22.1 ppg, 3.0 3-pointers, 4.0 rpg

Juzang has scored 17 or more points and drained three triples in each of the three contests, and has shot the ball extremely well, particularly from deep. He is shooting 50.9% from the field and 39.1% from long distance for the Tournament. The 6-6 guard also has a +35 box score plus/minus rating over the three games.

14. Jared Butler, Baylor, 14.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, 1.5 3-pointers, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 spg

Butler has struggled shooting the ball, particularly from beyond the arc but he has been strong on the defensive end and distributing the ball.

13. Evan Mobley, USC 13.5 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 4.5 orpg, 3.5 apg, 3.0 bpg

Mobley has put up huge all-around numbers despite playing just and 32.5 minutes. He has been a human eraser at the rim and a dominant rebounder on both ends.

12. Matthew Mayer, Baylor, 12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 spg

Mayer has been sensational off the bench on both ends of the floor, particularly on the boards where he the team in rebounding. The 6-9 junior guard, who led the Bears with 17points against Wisconsin, has made 3 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc and 6 of 8 from the charity stripe. Mayer has also been one of the better players on the defensive end.

11. Lucas Williamson, Loyola (Chicago), 17.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.5 apg

Williamson has been the second or third option all year for the Ramblers but he has been splendid against top competition all year and that includes two games in the NCAA tournament thus far. The 6-4 guard carried LUC to victory over Georgia Tech with a season-high 21 points on 8 of 13 shooting including 4 of 7 from beyond the to go along with six rebounds and 4 assists.

He recorded the second-highest on the Ramblers against Ilinois as he finished with 14 points and two assists while making 5 of 8 shots from the field and 4 of 5 from the charity stripe.

10. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova, 20 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.5 orpg, 6.0 apg, 2.0 bpg,1.0 spg

Robinson-Earl has not only done what he has all year in the Tournament thus far, which is being automatic around the rim as well as hit the offensive boards hard and provide rim protection. However, the 20-year-old big man has shown the ability to be to a consistent playmaker with six dimes against both Winthrop and North Texas while turning the ball over just twice.

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