NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga, Kansas among teams with 2022-23 NPOY favorites

1. Zach Edey – Purdue Boilermakers

2022-23 stats: 21.5 ppg and 13.2 rpg

We’ve reached the point where it’s now about whether or not anyone can surpass the 7’4 center from Purdue. After losing to Rutgers, the Boilermakers are on a 6-game win streak, with four of them coming on the road. He’s also had quite a few signature moments as well.

Edey had 30 points and 13 rebounds in a road win at Penn State and is coming off a 24-point and 16-rebound performance at home against Maryland. But his best and most important game came against Michigan State last week on the road. He went for a season-high 32 points and 17 rebounds, including the game-winning basket in the final seconds to win the game and remain in first place in the Big Ten.

Edey has everything going for him at this point in the Player of the Year conversation. He’s on the current No. 1 ranked team in NCAA Basketball and in a conference that’s projected to get around 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament. The stats are gaudy and now he has the big moments to reference at the end of the season.

Edey and the Boilermakers have two more chances to pad the resume this week, taking on both Michigan and Michigan State. Like Tshiebwe a year ago, we’re starting to reach the point of inevitability with this award. Can anyone stop the big man from Purdue from winning it?