NCAA Basketball: Player of the Year power rankings (Edition Seven)
MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) goes up for a shot as Davidson Wildcats forward Nathan Ekwu (1) defends during the first half at Sprint Center. The Jayhawks won 89-71. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
In edition seven of the NCAA basketball Player of the Year power rankings, has Frank Mason III finally leaped Josh Hart?
We are two week into conference play, so things are starting to round into form regarding the Player of the Year conversation. The favorites have been set, but that doesn’t mean that players on the outside looking in cannot build up a case over the next couple of months.
Remember the regular season doesn’t end until early March, which creates plenty of opportunities.
But the time is now to start to increase production.
So how do you continue to build a Player of the Year candidacy? You must have strong overall numbers, your team must be successful and of course, you must have clutch season-defining moments.
Obviously, players’ numbers aren’t final, teams are going to have their fair share of inconsistencies and there are still months remaining for clutch plays and surprising performances. But for now, we will use the information we have been provided with, and the games that we have watched to project the favorites.
Every week until the end of the season, Busting Brackets will list the top five candidates (in order) for Player of the Year.
In our six edition, Josh Hart remained on top of the rankings. This week, we have some big changes.
Dec 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard De’Aaron Fox (0) and guard Malik Monk (5) during the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Valparaiso 87-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
5. De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky
After Luke Kennard’s poor performance in a win over Boston College (only nine points) and the Blue Devils’ ugly loss to Florida State, De’Aaron Fox jumps right back in the mix for Player of the Year, while Kennard is on the outside looking in.
Fox is averaging 16.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 47 percent from the field and only turning the ball over 2.3 times per game. In his last two outings (against Arkansas and Vanderbilt), Fox recorded a combined 49 points, eight assists and 11 rebounds. Against the Razorbacks alone, the freshman point guard was sensational as he put up 27 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists.
While Fox is still shooting only 13 percent from beyond the arc, he knows his game. He doesn’t force outside shots, instead, he his speed, quickness, strength and passing ability to get to the basket, make plays in transition and distribute to his teammates.
We repeat this on an almost weekly basis, but Fox is a force on the defensive end. He forms a lethal backcourt duo that consists of him and Isaiah Briscoe, two of the more elite on-ball defenders in the country.
Fox is the team’s best all-around player even though Malik Monk is by far the Wildcats’ most dynamic offensive threat.
Dec 3, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) is fouled as he drives by Morehead State Eagles forward DeJuan Marrero (15) and forward Keion Alexander (3) in the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
4. Caleb Swanigan, Purdue
The man they call ‘Biggie’ has entered our power rankings for the first time this season.
And it’s honestly long overdue.
Caleb Swanigan is playing out of his mind. He’s averaging 18.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 55 percent from the field and 44 percent from beyond the arc. He’s recorded eight straight double-doubles (14 total on the season) and has four games with 20+ points and 20+ rebounds.
Just look at these absurd stat lines:
Versus McNeese State: 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 20 rebounds, six assists
Versus Western Illinois: 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting, 21 rebounds
Versus Norfolk State: 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting, 20 rebounds
Versus Minnesota: 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting, 22 rebounds
Those are video game-like numbers. And it hasn’t just been a game here and there: His consistency has been off-the-charts.
While he’s averaging more turnovers (3.4) than assists (2.7), he’s also an improved defender and has possessed the versatility to play both the four and the five.
Most importantly, Purdue has looked like one of the best teams in the Big Ten, if not the best team. They’ve already rolled through Wisconsin at home and are currently tied for second in the league standings with Maryland and Nebraska. The Boilermakers are 17th in the latest AP Poll and don’t look like the same Purdue Boilermakers of old.
The main reason? ‘Biggie’ Swanigan.
Dec 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) defends UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Eric Childress (1) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 102-62. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
3. Lonzo Ball, UCLA
After a miniature “slump,” Lonzo Ball is “back.”
In his last three games (wins over Oregon State, Cal and Stanford), Ball is averaging 19.3 points, 7.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. Add in the fact that Ball is averaging 14.7 points, 8.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds on the season and has helped change the trajectory of the UCLA program, and it’s no wonder why he’s back to number three in our rankings.
If Ball can lead UCLA to impressive victories over Colorado and Utah on the road this week (and play well in both games), he could put a little more pressure on our top two Player of the Year candidates.
Also, if the Bruins continue to win basketball games (their only loss was on the road to a great Oregon team), Ball’s stock will only continue to rise. He’s one of the main reasons UCLA is one of the most exciting teams to watch in the nation.
Nov 17, 2016; Charleston, SC, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the basket while being defended by Western Michigan Broncos guard Tucker Haymond (1) during the first half of the first game of the Charleston Classic at TD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
2. Josh Hart, Villanova
I told you there was major movement coming.
Now to be fair, Josh Hart and our number one player (I think you guys know who it is by now) are far and away the two top candidates at this point. They’re neck-and-neck with very little separation between the both of them.
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Hart drops one spot after remaining on the top of the perch for five straight weeks. The reason? Our number one player has played outstanding basketball, and Hart was inefficient and didn’t impact Villanova’s win over Xavier until the game was in the bag.
Yeah, that’s how close these two are.
Hart scored 19 points, dished out seven assists and grabbed five rebounds in a bounce back win against Marquette. Villanova made it two in a row against Xavier, as Hart scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. He only shot 2-of-7 from three though, and only made 6-of-17 shots.
Overall though, Hart is still averaging 19.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and an impressive 3.8 assists per game (he wasn’t a great passer before this season). His improvements are obvious and his clutch play is one of the main reasons why Villanova is one of the favorites to win it all.
Dec 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Runnin’ Rebels guard Jalen Poyser (5) protects the ball from Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) during a game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
1. Frank Mason III, Kansas
Frank Mason III finally passes Josh Hart in our weekly Player of the Year power rankings. But as I mentioned on the previous slide, the margin between one and two is rather slim.
Mason has played terrific basketball this season though. The point guard is averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, while shooting a highly efficient 53 percent from the field overall and 55 percent from three. Mason is also shooting 75 percent from the free throw line and is turning the ball over just 2.4 times per game.
In the last week, Mason has had two complete performances.
Against Texas Tech at home, the senior scored 26 points on 6-of-11 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists. In the following game versus Oklahoma on the road, Mason put up 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc.
Mason’s toughness, efficiency, defensive toughness and leadership is very essential to Kansas’ success. They are likely to win their 13th straight Big 12 regular season conference championship and Mason is one of the main reasons why.
