2017-18 College Basketball Picks and Predictions – Player of the Year Rankings: The 2017-18 College Basketball season is hitting full speed, and we are about to head into the thick of conference play. We still have a couple of months to go before we start talking about bubble teams and top seeds for the NCAA Tournament, but it’s not too soon to take a look at the players who have stood out during the early portion of the season.
We have a diverse group among the early contenders for Player of the Year honors. There is a mixture of star freshman and surprising seniors, there is also a healthy mix of big men and guards.
Let’s take a closer at the early frontrunners for the 2017-18 College Basketball Player of the Year Award. Also, be sure and check out NSAwins.com all season long for the best college basketball picks against the spread in the nation. Bar none.
2017-18 College Basketball Picks and Predictions: Player of the Year Rankings
- Trae Young, Guard, Oklahoma Sooners
His statistical numbers speak for themselves, and the freshman has come out of nowhere to lead the country with 28.8 points per game. He has also been an excellent facilitator, and his 8.9 assists per game are the second most in the country. Throw in more than two steals per game, and Young is doing it all on the court. His last two performances have moved him to the top of my Player of the Year Award rankings for the time being. He scored 29 points and dished out nine assists in a win over a ranked USC team, and he delivered 29 points and 10 assists in a road win over the third-ranked Wichita State Shockers.
- Tra Holder, Guard, Arizona State Sun Devils
The senior guard has been doing a little bit of everything for an Arizona State team with a high-powered offense and an undefeated record. Holder is averaging 21.6 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game and 4.9 assists per game, and equally as important, he delivered two excellent performances in big spots. He lit of a Xavier team ranked in the Top 15 for 40 points, and he scored 29 to go with seven assists in an upset of the No. 2-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.
- Marvin Bagley III, Forward, Duke Blue Devils
The freshman phenom has been a double-double machine for the Blue Devils, logging 10 in 12 games for one of the top teams in the country. Overall, Bagley is averaging 21.3 points on 61.1 percent shooting to go along with 11.3 rebounds. A lackluster performance against Michigan State, albeit in a win, keeps him out on consideration for the top spot, but with strong showing against Indiana, Texas and Florida, it’s not like Bagley has been padding his stats on bums. Bagley is the real deal.
- Jalen Brunson, Guard, Villanova Wildcats
The Wildcats are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country, and Brunson is leading the charge. He leads team in scoring at 18.5 points per game while shooting a ridiculous 62.9 percent from the field, including 53.5 percent from 3-point range. Brunson is a rock solid all-around player for one of the best teams in the country, and that’s always been a recipe for Player of the Year honors. He just needs to keep it up when the schedule gets tougher during conference play.
- Jordan Murphy, Power Forward, Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota isn’t going to be popping up near the top of the rankings any time soon, but Murphy is doing his best to carry the Golden Gophers to respectability. He leads the team in scoring, averaging 20.3 points on 57.5 percent shooting. He also leads the country in rebounding, pulling down 13.0 per game. Murphy has also been incredibly consistent, and he has delivered a double-double in all 12 games, scoring 16 or more 11 times. I think a lack of team success will ultimately prevent Murphy from jumping to the top of the list, but he will keep himself in the mix if he can continue this pace during Big Ten play.
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