Midseason males’s hoops participant rank: Revisiting the highest 50

Entering the season, there was extra anticipation across the stage of expertise in faculty basketball than we have seen in years. A handful of AP All-Americans returning to their applications as an alternative of coming into the draft, elite freshmen headlining the incoming class and an inflow of pro-level worldwide gamers made for a loaded Top 100 participant rating again in October.

The massive debate then was concerning the No. 1 participant. Should or not it’s North Carolina’s RJ Davis, the primary ACC Player of the Year to return to high school since 2008? Or the ballyhooed freshman Cooper Flagg, the prohibitive favourite to go first within the NBA draft since he reclassified again in August 2023? In a controversial choice — on the time, at the very least — we went with Flagg.

This time round, there’s one other huge debate round No. 1 — however it’s between Flagg and one other veteran star, Auburn’s Johni Broome.

After these two, although, it is an skilled group on the prime. Some of the freshmen who would have been within the combine for a top-5 or top-10 spot final month have slowed down, whereas this season’s switch class — which appeared comparatively disappointing by means of the primary few weeks — is beginning to hit its stride.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf sought to kind all of it out, rating the highest 50 gamers within the sport as we enter the ultimate two months of convention play. While total expertise and potential remains to be an element, this season’s manufacturing is the largest criterion. Here’s the complete record — plus just a few who simply missed the reduce.

Ten who simply missed: Bruce Thornton, Ohio State Buckeyes; Caleb Love, Arizona Wildcats; Andrej Stojakovic, California Golden Bears; Mason Falslev, Utah State Aggies; Bennett Stirtz, Drake Bulldogs; Owen Freeman, Iowa Hawkeyes; Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina Gamecocks; Vladislav Goldin, Michigan Wolverines; Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State Jackrabbits; Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern Wildcats

We know, we all know. McNeeley has missed the previous three video games and is probably going out the remainder of the month with an ankle damage, however the former five-star recruit appeared like he was poised to turn out to be the Huskies’ greatest participant and the most effective freshmen within the nation earlier than he received harm. And if — spoiler alert — Wade Taylor IV and Johni Broome can nonetheless be ranked whereas sidelined, why cannot McNeeley? In his final three video games previous to damage, McNeeley averaged 19.0 factors, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists, taking pictures 50% from 3-point vary. — Borzello

Let’s be trustworthy right here. As we debated Bailey’s spot on the record, we needed to ask ourselves: Despite the up-and-down numbers, are there actually 50 gamers in America we would take over a participant who’s a projected top-three decide in ESPN’s final NBA mock draft? Though he stars for a Rutgers crew that is not even on the NCAA match bubble, we could not deliver ourselves to drop him any additional. He’s nonetheless a 6-foot-10 teenager who’s averaging 19.0 factors, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. — Medcalf

After a rocky begin to Pat Kelsey’s first season in Louisville, the Cardinals have righted the ship sufficient to appear to be the second-best crew within the ACC — and Chucky Hepburn has been on the forefront of their seven-game profitable streak. He’s averaging 15.6 factors, 5.7 assists and a couple of.5 steals whereas carrying the crew in massive video games: 32 factors vs. West Virginia and 26 towards Kentucky and North Carolina. He additionally has made at the very least seven assists in every of the seven video games in the course of the streak. — Borzello

There’s a case to be made for various Kentucky gamers. Otega Oweh leads the Wildcats in scoring, Jaxson Robinson has been nice of late, Andrew Carr has been their go-to offensive choice late in massive video games, Amari Williams is extremely worthwhile at each ends of the ground, and Koby Brea is likely to be the very best shooter within the nation. But Butler will get the sting for us. He ranks excessive in stat-based metrics, and Kentucky is plus-12.7 factors per 100 possessions higher with him on the ground. Butler additionally had the most effective particular person performances of the season: 33 factors on 10-for-10 taking pictures and 6 assists in a win over Louisville. — Borzello

Georgia is among the many shock outfits nationally this season, sitting solidly within the AP Top 25 coming into the week, and a main cause has been the play of five-star freshman Newell. He opened his profession with 26 factors and 11 rebounds towards Tennessee Tech and hasn’t slowed down since, scoring in double figures in all however one sport whereas tallying three double-doubles. He’s averaging 15.4 factors and 6.8 rebounds and is wanting like a first-round draft decide. — Borzello

It’s unclear when Johni Broome will return for Auburn, however it’s already apparent that the Tigers aren’t a one-man crew. Baker-Mazara is a flexible 6-foot-7 expertise who has been a important contributor for Auburn this season. Now, he is much more necessary — and he is constructed for the elevated position.

Over the previous 5 video games, he has averaged 14.0 factors and 1.6 steals. He has made 72% of his pictures contained in the arc, 41% of his 3-point makes an attempt and 89.5% of his free throw makes an attempt over that stretch, too. He’s additionally ranked ninth nationally in Evan Miya’s participant effectivity rankings. — Medcalf

Hoyas followers have a proper to take a glass-half-full strategy to Ed Cooley’s second season at Georgetown. A 3-game shedding streak (Marquette, UConn, St. John’s) may need tempered a few of the bubble speak across the program, however Sorber — who’s averaging 14.2 factors, 8.6 rebounds and a couple of.5 blocks — helped Georgetown win extra video games in two months (12) than it had for the whole 2023-24 season (9).

His struggles towards the elevated competitors over the previous three video games prompted us to maneuver him down just a few slots. Still, it is an achievement for any freshman to make this record. — Medcalf

Ejiofor has been one of many breakout stars in faculty basketball this season, going from averaging 4.3 factors final season to simply shy of 15 factors this season. He had 22 factors and 10 rebounds towards Baylor and has been on a dominant run since early December, averaging 17.3 factors, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks whereas taking pictures almost 60% from the sector over his previous 9 video games coming into the week. — Borzello

For weeks, North Carolina followers clamored for Hubert Davis to provide Jackson an even bigger position with this roster. They have been proper. The Tar Heels have been a distinct crew with Jackson as a starter. Entering the week, North Carolina had amassed a 4-1 document in Jackson’s first 5 begins. The freshman — projected as a first-round decide in ESPN’s newest mock draft — additionally averaged 23.0 factors and 43% from past the arc. — Medcalf

Cryer hasn’t fairly taken the subsequent step to turn out to be the most effective offensive gamers within the Big 12, however he has expanded his sport to turn out to be extra impactful at each ends of the ground. He’s nonetheless taking pictures 41% from 3 and almost 97% from the free throw line, whereas tied for the crew lead in scoring — together with 30 factors towards Alabama and 20-plus on 4 events — however he is additionally a top-50 defender nationally based on EvanMiya.com. — Borzello

With the help of his buddies at Tyson Chicken, John Calipari had one of many largest NIL budgets in faculty basketball previous to his first season at Arkansas. But the Razorbacks have been one of many nation’s prime disappointments following an 0-4 begin in SEC play.

Thiero (16.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.9 SPG) has been one of many few vivid spots for the Razorbacks, ending with at the very least 17 factors and 7 rebounds in 4 video games this season. He’ll simply want extra assist to tug Arkansas out of the league’s basement. — Medcalf

When Martin arrived at Florida, the massive query was whether or not he would look extra just like the participant who helped lead Florida Atlantic to the 2023 Final Four, or the participant who struggled with consistency final season. The reply has tilted much more towards the previous. Martin is averaging a career-high 15.9 factors whereas taking pictures almost 36% from 3. He additionally has tallied at the very least one steal in all however two video games, with a number of steals in eight. — Borzello

Lowe was one of many extra apparent breakout candidates heading into the season, and he hasn’t disillusioned by means of the primary two months. His taking pictures has been inconsistent, however he has averaging round 17 factors, 5 rebounds and 6 assists — with 5 video games of 20-plus factors and three with double-digit assists. If Lowe’s perimeter taking pictures can enhance to even final season’s 35% mark, he’ll be the most effective level guards within the nation. — Borzello

A nine-point effort in a current loss to Purdue demonstrated the 6-foot-7 Nebraska guard’s significance to his crew. Entering the week, the Cornhuskers are 8-2 when Williams, a fifth-year standout, scores at the very least 16 factors. He’s additionally one in all America’s prime shooters with a 63.5 true taking pictures proportion and ranks twenty ninth in free throw taking pictures at a 91.3% clip. That reliability from the sector has given Nebraska a very good alternative to succeed in the NCAA match for the second yr in a row. — Medcalf

One of the very best 3-point shooters within the nation, Sharp is rising right into a go-to offensive position for the Cougars after spending final season in a complementary position. He has made at the very least 50% of his 3-point makes an attempt in two-thirds of Houston’s video games and has reached double-digit factors in all however two video games this season. — Borzello

The first season within the SEC has not been as enjoyable and joyful for Texas basketball because it was for the soccer crew — the Longhorns began convention play with an 0-3 document. But these challenges within the nation’s strongest males’s basketball convention have overshadowed the spectacular begin by Johnson, who has been solidly within the lottery projections of ESPN’s NBA mock draft this season, slotting in at No. 10 within the newest model. Johnson is placing up nice numbers with 18.9 PPG and 41% taking pictures from past the arc as Texas tries to wade by means of early adversity in convention play. — Medcalf

This is a participant we debated. From my perspective, Dent has a case to be a lot larger within the rankings, even inside the highest 20. But No. 34 appears like a protected compromise for the most effective one-on-one gamers in faculty basketball. Entering the week, the elite playmaker was averaging 19.1 factors and 6.8 assists (seventh within the nation). Dent had 40 towards VCU, 30 towards Arizona State and 5 different video games of 20-plus factors for a Lobos crew battling close to the highest of the Mountain West standings. — Borzello

Queen is from a distinct period. You may get a time machine and ship him to the Nineties Big East and he’d shine. He is usually a back-to-basket risk each time he will get a contact within the paint, averaging 16.2 factors and seven.8 rebounds. He has made 77% of his pictures on the rim and 51% within the submit total, per CBB Analytics. He’s additionally environment friendly on quick breaks, regardless of being 6-foot-10 and 245 kilos. He’s a promising younger massive man who in all probability will not spend loads of time at this stage. — Medcalf

Omier is simply doing what he does: dominating on the inside, averaging a double-double for the fifth (!) straight season. And he is having probably the most environment friendly offensive season of his profession, whereas proving himself as an elite offensive rebounder and the very best defensive rebounder within the Big 12. He’s taking pictures almost 70% contained in the arc and has tallied eight double-doubles, highlighted by a 19-point, 24-rebound effort towards Arlington Baptist. — Borzello

31. RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s Red Storm

Luis’ all-around sport is among the many greatest within the Big East. He willed St. John’s to a win final weekend over Villanova, ending with 30 factors and 10 rebounds, then had 19 towards Georgetown to deliver his four-game averages to 21.8 factors and eight.5 rebounds. He’s an elite rebounder for his measurement, finds methods to attain effectively with out being a fantastic exterior shooter and is lively defensively. He has turn out to be a really troublesome matchup for many defenses. — Borzello

Had we revealed this record six weeks in the past, Tonje would possibly’ve earned a spot within the prime 10. He averaged 22.8 factors in November, a run that included a 41-point effort in a win over Arizona and a 33-point effort in a victory towards Pitt. Analytics aren’t the whole lot, however he has earned a sub-200 participant effectivity rating on Evan Miya’s chart. Still, Tonje’s ceiling is excessive. We’ve witnessed that a number of instances this season. A yr after damage interrupted an already troublesome season at Missouri, Tonje has emerged for a Badgers crew that is pushing for a spot within the Big Ten’s prime tier. — Medcalf

Williams is among the many most effective offensive gamers within the nation, contributing in all sides. He’s averaging profession highs in scoring (16.3 PPG) and assists (4.9 APG), whereas additionally grabbing 5.6 rebounds and taking pictures 48.4% from the sector and 37% from 3-point vary. He poses a matchup drawback for opponents due to his 6-foot-6 measurement and playmaking skill — the Red Raiders are a whopping 32.4 factors per 100 possessions higher with him on the court docket. — Borzello

Taylor has sat out the previous three video games due to an damage, however at full well being, he is one of the harmful scorers in faculty basketball. He has scored in double figures in each sport he has performed this season, serving to lead the Aggies to wins over Purdue, Texas Tech, Rutgers, Ohio State and Creighton. Taylor can also be averaging almost 5 assists, a profession excessive, contributing to his most effective offensive season in College Station. — Borzello

No participant within the nation had greater sneakers to fill than Kaufman-Renn, who took over for Zach Edey, the primary two-time Wooden Award winner in 40 years. Though Kaufman-Renn is not Edey, he has been an elite submit presence for the Boilermakers. On his first three possessions in Sunday’s win over Nebraska, Kaufman-Renn scored on a floater within the lane, a bounce shot and a putback off his personal missed shot. He has made 62% of his pictures contained in the arc this season whereas averaging 17.5 factors and 6.2 rebounds. — Medcalf

Kyle Smith have to be grateful on daily basis that Raynaud opted to take away his identify from the switch portal and return to Stanford final spring. Entering the week, the 7-foot-1 France native was the one participant within the nation to rank within the prime 10 nationally in each factors (20.9 PPG) and rebounds (11.5 RPG), notching double-doubles in all however three video games this season. Raynaud has additionally been environment friendly, taking pictures higher than 50% from the sector and already posting a career-high in 3-pointers made. — Borzello

25. JT Toppin, Texas Tech Red Raiders

Toppin’s best problem this season has been damage. The 2023-24 Mountain West Freshman of the Year for New Mexico final season sat out 4 video games for the Red Raiders due to a knee damage. But the 6-foot-9 athlete has carried out towards the highest groups on Texas Tech’s schedule. He had 18 factors and 9 rebounds in a current loss to Iowa State, marking his sixth sport with 18 factors this season. He additionally has made 86% of his pictures in transition. — Medcalf

Through the primary two months of the season, Fears was performing like the most effective freshmen within the nation, main Oklahoma to a stunning 13-0 document coming into SEC play. His effectiveness has waned considerably because the begin of convention play, however he is nonetheless averaging 16.6 factors, 3.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists — highlighted by large performances within the Sooners’ two greatest wins of the season: 26 factors with 5 rebounds and 5 assists towards Arizona, then 30 factors towards Michigan, together with the profitable four-point play. — Borzello

Iowa State would not have a roster stuffed with future lottery picks like Duke however it has a trio of expertise that few groups within the nation can match. Tamin Lipsey was an all-Big first crew honoree final yr, Keshon Gilbert is without doubt one of the prime gamers within the nation this yr — however it’s the 6-foot-4 Jones who has been arguably their greatest participant for the previous month. He has averaged 19.2 factors over the previous eight video games, connecting on 41% of his 3-point makes an attempt this season. He scored 25 factors, taking pictures 5-for-6 from past the arc in his crew’s 74-57 victory over Kansas on Wednesday, a efficiency that demanded a good larger rating than the unique. Jones shall be one of many NCAA match’s brightest stars in March if this continues. — Medcalf

22. RJ Davis, North Carolina Tar Heels

Entering the season, we debated if Davis needs to be moved forward of Cooper Flagg for the No. 1 spot in our preseason rankings — he was the very best returning returning participant within the nation. But Davis’ taking pictures droop has been the headline for a North Carolina crew that needed to combat simply to get on the bubble. Davis is taking pictures solely 28% from past the arc this season after going 40% from that vary final season. But he additionally has had moments to remind everybody that he is the one returning member of final yr’s Associated Press All-America first crew: 26 factors vs. SMU, 29 vs. Florida, and 30 vs. Dayton. — Medcalf

Myriad accidents — together with a season-ending one to Pop Isaacs — has modified the trajectory of Creighton’s season, however Kalkbrenner remains to be dwelling as much as the preseason All-American hype. He’s averaging profession highs in scoring (17.7 PPG) and rebounding (8.1 RPG), taking pictures almost 67% from the sector and blocking nearly three pictures a sport. He additionally had one of many season’s greatest performances, opening with 49 factors and 11 rebounds on 20-for-22 taking pictures towards UT-Rio Grande Valley. — Borzello

The Maui Invitational in November was a depressing time for UConn for a lot of causes — one in all which was a head damage to Karaban that price one of many prime returning gamers within the nation two video games. But since his return, he hasn’t proven any indicators of regression, averaging 16.2 factors and connecting on 40% of his 3-point makes an attempt over the previous eight video games. The two free throws he missed in a current loss to Villanova would possibly hang-out him, however total, he has been a important piece of UConn’s turnaround since that disastrous journey to Hawaii. — Medcalf

19. Danny Wolf, Michigan Wolverines

There are few gamers as impactful on their crew’s fashion of play than Wolf. Dusty May made a dedication to beginning the 7-foot Wolf alongside one other 7-footer in Vladislav Goldin, and it has been Wolf’s skill to run a pick-and-roll and create off the bounce that has allowed the duo to function successfully. He was averaging a double-double (12.4 PPG and 10.1 RPG) coming into the week, whereas additionally taking pictures 35% from 3 and shelling out at the very least 5 assists in six of his previous 9 video games. — Borzello

It’s attention-grabbing how early losses can ship groups and their prime gamers to the shadows of the game. By mid-December, Gonzaga had three losses — to West Virginia, Kentucky and UConn — that masked Nembhard’s total enchancment in his fourth season of faculty basketball. A yr after an All-WCC first-team effort, Nembhard is a greater 3-point shooter (38% from past the arc), passer (twelfth nationally in KenPom’s help fee) and defender (his 1.7 SPG are a profession excessive) this season whereas averaging 11.4 factors and 9.4 assists. — Medcalf

Pound-for-pound, there are few gamers within the nation as gifted because the 5-foot-11 guard. He has linked on 37% of his pictures from past the arc and 84% of his free throws this season. He’s ranked twenty first in Evan Miya’s participant effectivity rankings forward of gamers equivalent to Mark Sears, Danny Wolf and Eric Dixon. Hubbard can also be an elite defender who has held opponents to a 28.7% taking pictures mark from the sector in man-to-man, per Synergy Sports knowledge. — Medcalf

16. Graham Ike, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Ike sits comfortably inside the prime 10 of KenPom’s participant of the yr rankings, largely due to his absurdly environment friendly statistical case: 16.6 factors, 7.4 rebounds, 58.2% taking pictures — in simply over 21 minutes per sport. The former Wyoming switch has had some disappointing performances (5 factors and three factors in losses to West Virginia and UConn, respectively, come to thoughts), however he additionally has been dominant on various events. He had 23-and-9 in a win at San Diego State, 28-and-11 in a loss to Kentucky and 24-and-8 in a loss towards UCLA. — Borzello

In his crew’s 74-70 win at Texas on Saturday, Rick Barnes joked that he anticipated Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier to do what he is “paid” to do. Well, for probably the most half, Zeigler has earned no matter they’re giving him at Tennessee, too. He has been one of many leaders for a Vols squad that spent the majority of the season because the No. 1 crew within the nation. He’s additionally one of many prime playmakers on this record, having registered seven or extra assists in 9 video games this season and rating top-40 nationally in help fee, based on KenPom. — Medcalf

Before sitting out two video games due to damage, Jakucionis was taking part in in addition to any guard within the nation. He had an up-and-down begin to his profession in Champaign, however the Lithuania native took off this season. He scored at the very least 20 factors in six straight video games, averaging 19.9 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists in his 9 video games earlier than the damage, taking pictures higher than 46% from 3-point vary — after which had 21 factors and 5 assists in his first sport again towards Indiana. He is taking part in at an All-America stage. — Borzello

13. Dylan Harper, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

There are loads of legitimate questions on Rutgers basketball. But not about Harper, his expertise or his future on the subsequent stage. The 6-foot-6 freshman star performs like a seasoned NBA participant. You may put him on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster now and he would make an impression. Now, Harper (20.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.4 APG, 58% clip contained in the arc) has not been capable of elevate Rutgers from its present state of mediocrity. But there isn’t a doubt about Harper’s standing as one of many prime gamers within the nation. — Medcalf

Another participant heating up on the proper time of the season. Sears, who entered the season with first-team All-American aspirations, struggled taking pictures the primary few video games of the season. But after going scoreless towards Illinois in November, he averaged 21.5 factors and 5.1 assists in his subsequent 11 video games — taking pictures 37.4% from 3 and hitting 20-plus factors in 9 of these video games. His improved performances coincided with an eight-game profitable streak for Alabama earlier than Tuesday’s loss to Ole Miss. — Borzello

A participant equivalent to Gilbert might be most precisely analyzed when you think about his impression on his crew. With Gilbert on the court docket, Iowa State’s adjusted offensive effectivity is 122 factors per 100 possessions; the crew’s adjusted defensive effectivity is 85.5 factors per 100 possessions, per Evan Miya — each elite numbers. Even when he performed towards Marquette’s Kam Jones and Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe this season, the 6-foot-4 Gilbert was the very best participant on the court docket. He’s additionally the rationale Iowa State’s lone blemish coming into the week was an 83-81 neutral-site loss to No. 1 Auburn. — Medcalf

One of the very best transfers within the nation for one of many greatest shock groups of the season, Small has been nothing in need of terrific — particularly since Tucker DeVries went down due to an damage. He has scored at the very least 12 factors and dished out a number of assists in each sport, plus grabbed double-digit rebounds twice. The 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 19.8 factors, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists, and it is laborious to see his numbers slipping given his highest utilization fee within the Big 12. — Borzello

It generally feels as if Dickinson has been taking part in faculty basketball for 10 years, however the fifth-year star has once more manufactured a season — 15.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 57% clip contained in the arc — that may warrant All-America consideration. We would possibly by no means see the participant who made 42% of his 3-point makes an attempt in his closing yr at Michigan. But other than that lengthy sport, few gamers have matched Dickinson as an imposing massive man in faculty basketball. Kansas is progressively regaining the momentum it misplaced throughout a 2-5 stretch final month and Dickinson is a pivotal ingredient of that change. — Medcalf

Clayton’s closing sport final season got here with 33 factors in an NCAA match loss to Colorado, and he has solely since improved for the Gators, who surprisingly appear to be a reputable title contender. He has been extra inconsistent than another names within the prime 10, however he has additionally proven a better ceiling than almost each guard within the nation: 33 factors and 5 assists towards Kentucky, 29 towards South Florida, 28 towards Missouri, 27 towards Virginia, 25 towards Florida State and Arizona State. When Clayton is on, he is almost unguardable. — Borzello

7. Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Volunteers

Two weeks in the past, Lanier appeared like a clear-cut first-team All-American and the definitive greatest switch within the nation. Then got here his 3-for-16 efficiency in a blowout loss to Florida, a 3-for-11 outing towards Texas, and 2-for-16 taking pictures towards Georgia. But we have now religion the North Florida switch will bounce again — and he did nonetheless handle to succeed in double figures in two of these three video games, which means he has reached that mark in all however two video games this season. Lanier has scored at the very least 20 factors in seven video games, together with 29 towards Arkansas, and he is averaging 19.0 factors on 43.7% 3-point taking pictures. — Borzello

For the previous two seasons, Smith had the posh of taking part in with Zach Edey, a two-time Wooden Award winner. The absence of a participant in that realm tends to have an effect on level guards greater than anybody else as a result of it disrupts the high-low sport a crew can implement once they have a dominant pressure within the paint. Yet, Smith is even higher this season with out Edey. The Boilermakers entered the week on a five-game profitable streak, a stretch throughout which Smith produced 57 assists. (Yes, 57.) Trey Kaufman-Renn has been a breakthrough star with Smith’s assist; Fletcher Loyer has made 49% of his 3-point makes an attempt. All of it is available in a scheme that is led by Smith, who appears just like the nation’s greatest pure level guard. — Medcalf

Before the season, Penny Hardaway’s program was a multitude. Assistants had been fired, key gamers had departed and the longer term appeared doubtlessly bleak for the hometown hero. Then Haggerty placed on a Memphis uniform and put all these issues to relaxation. He’s the largest victory of maybe the very best season Hardaway has had throughout his time with the Tigers. Haggerty (22.4 PPG, 42% from past the arc) has a 29.4% utilization fee and a 64.4 true taking pictures proportion, per CBB Analytics. Those numbers are higher than Steph Curry’s equal totals with the Golden State Warriors this season. That’s the impression Haggerty has made for Memphis this season. — Medcalf

The nation’s main scorer, Dixon can also be the primary cause Villanova has turned its season round and is within the hunt for a much-needed NCAA match bid. He’s averaging 25.3 factors and has scored at the very least 20 factors in all however three video games this season — and in these three, he scored 16, 18 and 18. Dixon has merely been a brutal matchup for opponents due to his skillset, his 6-foot-8 measurement, the very best utilization fee within the Big East — and the actual fact he is taking pictures 47% from 3-point vary on greater than seven makes an attempt per sport. He’s going to have to hold the Wildcats to the postseason. — Borzello

It’s truthful to say the race for the highest spot in these rankings and the nationwide participant of the yr could possibly be a two-man race. But Jones (19.7 PPG) appears firmly planted within the third slot. Ranked as each an “glorious” offensive and defensive participant per Synergy Sports knowledge, Jones has been the rock for a Marquette squad chasing its third consecutive top-three seed within the NCAA match. While he is nonetheless working by means of a 3-point taking pictures droop, he is clearly a extra impactful playmaker (2.4 APG final season to six.4 APG this season). — Medcalf

2. Johni Broome, Auburn Tigers
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke Blue Devils

So we have made it this far. It’s time to settle the No. 1 debate. The fifth-year senior who has been dominant all season for the No. 1 crew within the nation? Or the extremely gifted freshman who appears to be hitting his stride on the proper time?

To date, Broome has been arguably probably the most constantly productive participant within the nation. Although an ankle damage sustained final weekend towards South Carolina has difficult his path to the Wooden Award, it is necessary so as to add the attitude of what he has executed up to now — numbers that justify the No. 1 spot for an injured participant with an unsure return date. Evan Miya’s BPR is a rating that measures a participant’s collective impression on offense and protection. If the season ended right this moment, Broome (10.61) would submit the very best BPR since Miya’s rankings started within the 2011-12 season. Higher than Anthony Davis (2012). Higher than Zion Williamson (2019). Higher than Zach Edey throughout his back-to-back Wooden Award run in 2023 and 2024. That’s how good Broome is correct now.

But even earlier than Broome was misplaced for just a few weeks due to a sprained ankle, Flagg had dramatically closed the hole on Broome for participant of the yr within the final week. First, he had one of many dunks of the season towards Pittsburgh — and he adopted it up towards Notre Dame with the most effective particular person performances we have seen from a freshman within the final quarter century: 42 factors, 6 rebounds and seven assists. He’s now averaging 18.7 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists, additionally contributing as an integral a part of one of many nation’s greatest defenses. It’s additionally price noting he is making 51.9% of his 3-point makes an attempt over his previous seven video games. Flagg has handed Broome in KenPom’s statistical participant of the yr standings, too — with the third-highest kPOY score in his database’s historical past.

In the top, the tiebreaker was Broome’s damage. Had he been absolutely wholesome, it is seemingly he is forward of Flagg at No. 1. But he appears more likely to sit out at the very least just a few weeks, which may give Flagg extra time to open a niche for participant of the yr honors. — Borzello and Medcalf