March Madness 2021: Ranking NCAA Tournament MOP candidates heading into Sweet 16
9. Buddy Boeheim, Syracuse, 27.5 ppg, 6.5 3-pointers, 3.5 rpg
The Orange are still in the tournament only because of Boeheim’s shooting. The 6-5 junior guard, who has shown impeccable range, has made seven more 3-pointers than 2-pointers over the two games. Boeheim is shooting 56.5% (13-23) from beyond the arc in the Tournament.
8. Kevin Obanor, Oral Roberts, 29 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 orpg, 2.5 spg
The most unheralded player on this list, along with teammate Max Abmas, Obanor has two double-doubles and shooting the ball from deep like Buddy Boeheim.
The 6-8 forward, who is an outstanding shooter in his own right, has knocked down 18 of 37 shots including 9 of 19 from beyond the arc and 13 of 16 from the charity stripe. He has played all 85 minutes over the first two games while adding a sprinkle of defense in there as well.
7. Christian Bishop, Creighton, 13.5 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg
The 6-7 junior forward has been superb around the basket, a rebounding machine, and a ferocious defender. Bishop compiled a double-double in each of the first two-games, marking the first time this season he has done so in back-to-back games.
The 26 caroms that he has hauled in are a personal-best over a two-game stretch as are the eight offensive boards. Bishop has also made 13 of his 15 shot attempts.
6. Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA 15.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 1.6 3-pointers
The 6-6 sophomore wing has been the Bruins‘ best player on both ends of the floor through their first three games and has been on the floor for all but a total of eight minutes. He has scored in double-figures in all three contests and has been extremely good on the boards over the last two contests. Jaquez has also shot the ball extremely well, making 20 of 38 shots overall including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc, and has yet to turn the ball over.
5.Cameron Krutwig, Loyola (Chicago), 15.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.0 orpg, 2.5 apg, 2.5 spg
The 6-9 lumbering 255-pounder turned in one of his best performances of the season as the underdog Ramblers shockingly dominated the No. 1 Illinois in their71-59 victory on Sunday. Krutwig was highly active against the Illini on both ends of the floor.
He was highly effective from 12 feet in, making push floaters or getting into the line and making shots over his right shoulder. For the game, Krutwig registered an offensive rating of 105 as he tallied a team-high 19 points — on 9 of 18 shooting from the field — to go along with four assists and four offensive rebounds.
Krutwig picked up his sixth double-double of the season as he also grabbed 12 rebounds with eight caroms coming on the defensive end, which he did his best work. Krutwig, who was responsible for monitoring the Illini mammoth big man Kofi Cockburn, recorded a defensive rating of 79 in 33 minutes of action. He banged and leaned on Cockburn the whole game, making the big man work extremely hard for his 21 points while also recording four steals.