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

4. Marquis Nowell – Kansas State Wildcats

2022-23 stats: 16.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 8.2 apg

At this point, we’ve reached what I believe is a clear top-four group, featuring stars that have both the statistics and team accomplishments to be in the mix. Nowell, a 5th-year senior point guard who is second nationally in assists, is part of that group. Kansas State is the biggest surprise in all of NCAA Basketball, currently ranked No. 5 in the AP rankings after a huge home win over rival Kansas.

The funny thing is, that was easily Nowell’s worst game of the season. In 42 minutes played, the guard had just two points on 2/8 shooting, though he did have seven assists and four steals. But when your team pulls off the win, you still get credit for it.

Nowell has had plenty of other great games anyways, including 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in the following win over Texas Tech last weekend. What might actually hurt the playmaking guard is that his teammate, Keyontae Johnson, has been playing at an even higher level, now leading the Wildcats in scoring on the season and at 20 ppg in Big 12 play.

Johnson is rightfully getting his own credit for the team’s success but as long as they remain in the top 10 overall, look for the assist-machine Nowell to continue being talked about for this award. With Iowa State and Florida coming up, that’s just two more opportunities to put up points.