Player of the Year Power Rankings for Dec. 5
The national narrative is that Marcus Smart, Doug McDermott, and Jabari Parker are in a three person race for POY. This, of course, means that one of them will win it. Pundits don't like to be wrong, which leads to confirmation bias. Every good thing those players do will further reinforce how smart said pundit was when he identified that player as the best in the nation. This is how awards work. It sucks, but it is what it is. Regardless, here's my vote as it stands today.
1. Jordan Adams, UCLA (LW: 5)
Adams continues to put up ridiculous numbers. In three games he made 12-16 2s (75%), 25-28 FTs (89%), had 10 steals, 12 assists, and just 3 turnovers. Oh, and no one is talking about him.
2. Julius Randle, Kentucky (LW: 1)
After seven straight double-doubles to open his career, he finally was held to just 12 points and 8 boards (along with 4 assists) in Kentucky's win over Providence.
3. Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati (LW: NR)
Kilpatrick is another player – like Jordan Adams – who isn't generating near enough interest from the national press. In two games this week he made 11-20 3s, while averaging 21 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds.
4. Jabari Parker, Duke (LW: 2)
He had two pedestrian outings vs Arizona (a loss) and Michigan. He missed all seven of his 3s, and made just 14-28 2s.
5. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State (LW: 3)
Like Parker, Smart put together back-to-back poor outings. Against Butler (a 69-67 OSU win) he made 1-5 3s, missed all three of his FTs, and committed five turnovers. Against Memphis (a loss) he was 0-5 from the arc, and committed five turnovers.
6. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut (LW: NR)
After scoring just four points vs Loyola MD (but adding 7 assists, 7 boards, 3 steals and 3 blocks), the Bazz hung 26 on Florida including the game winner at the buzzer. His defensive rebounding numbers continue to impress, especially considering he was virtually non-existant on the boards in his first two seasons, and was meh at best last year.
7. Doug McDermott, Creighton (LW: 6)
McDermott had a questionable week as well, really struggling in his team's loss to George Washington. Oddly, his rebounding numbers were really down. In two of his team's three games he had just four.
8. Brad Waldow, St. Mary's (LW: 10)
Who is leading the nation in offensive efficiency among high volume players? Brad Waldow. He only played one game this week, but made 8-9 2s and added 5 assists. His turnover count is now up to 3 in 153 minutes played.
9. Russ Smith, Louisville (LW: 7)
Russdiculous didn't do much as his team dominated Southern Miss (11 points, 4 turnovers), but bounced back with 10 points, 11 assists, 3 steals and just 1 turnover against an overmatched UKMC.
10. Lamar Patterson, Pittsburgh (LW: 9)
Patterson 18 points, 8 boards, 6 assists and 5 steals vs Duquesne, but then turned the ball over 5 times with his team struggling against Penn State. Still he had 16 points and 9 boards in that game.