Ranking the Top Candidates for NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player
After the confetti falls at Lucas Oil Stadium, one team will be crowned the national champion, and one player will be crowned the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Will it be Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns or Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky?
The honor has historically gone to a player from the respective championship team—only 11 players have earned the nod otherwise. The last one? Hakeem Olajuwon in 1983, when Houston lost to N.C. State.
The top candidates were selected with that in mind.
However, the top candidates were also selected based exclusively on their performance in the tournament and how they have influenced their team's postseason success. Their performance in the regular season has been excluded from consideration.
Honorable Mentions
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Matt Jones, Duke
The sophomore guard came up big with a 16-point performance in the Blue Devils' win over Gonzaga, earning a spot on the South Regional all-tournament team. He was 4-of-7 shooting from downtown, including a 3-of-4 performance in the second half.
However, Jones did not compete at this level throughout the tournament, combining for just 11 points in the first three games.
Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin
While the 6’8”, 235-pound forward hasn’t been the Badgers’ star player in the tournament—especially with the way Sam Dekker has stepped up—his contributions have been significant enough to earn him an honorable mention.
Hayes has scored in double figures three of the four games, falling just short with eight points against Arizona in the Elite Eight. It’s worth noting he ran into foul trouble that game.
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
The junior guard has been a consistent contributor for the Spartans, scoring in double figures in three of the four tournament games while also combining for 18 total assists. He's been a critical asset for Michigan State but not the most important player on the squad.
No. 5: Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
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If you didn't know his name before, you likely do now.
The 6'9", 230-pound forward has scored in double figures in all four games this tournament, three of which were performances of 20 or more points.
He posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds against North Carolina in the Sweet 16 before matching a career-high 27 points against Arizona in the Elite Eight. It's also worth nothing he shot 5-of-5 from beyond the arc in the second half against the Wildcats.
He is on fire.
Dekker will be key for the Badgers against Kentucky in the semifinal. And if they can get past the Cats? He might just find himself eligible for the award, depending of course on how Frank Kaminsky performs.
He is the only candidate featured in addition to a teammate because his significance to his team is arguably just as important.
No. 4: Travis Trice, Michigan State
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The Michigan State guard has played consistently throughout the tournament, scoring in double figures in all four games. He posted 20-plus points in the round of 32 against Virginia and in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma before leading the Spartans to victory over Louisville with a team-high 17 points.
According to ESPN.com, Trice has averaged 19.8 points per game in the tournament, the third-highest among players on Final Four teams behind Wisconsin's Dekker and Kaminsky.
He's also combined for 16 total assists in tournament play.
His performance against the Cardinals in the Elite Eight earned him most outstanding player honors in the East Region.
He earns the spot above Dekker because of his greater significance to his team's postseason success.
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No. 3: Justise Winslow, Duke
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Justise Winslow has stepped up in the previous two rounds for the Blue Devils, recording a game-high 21 points against Utah in the Sweet 16 and matching Jones' 16 points against Louisville in the Elite Eight.
The 6'6", 225-pound forward is also a significant presence for Duke on the boards. He's grabbed 10-plus rebounds in three of the four tournament games.
He has outshone fellow freshman and top 2015 NBA draft prospect Jahlil Okafor from the field in the last two games.
However, he finishes third to our No. 1 and No. 2. Although the top two also belong to rosters full of star talent, their contributions have meant more to their respective team's success in the tournament.
No. 2: Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
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Wisconsin lost its shot at the championship game last season after falling 74-73 to Kentucky in the Final Four.
The Wildcats limited the Badgers' star forward, Kaminsky, to just eight points in the game. However, with the way Kaminsky is playing, that likely won't happen again.
The 7-footer has averaged 22.8 points per game throughout the tournament, per ESPN.com—the highest among players on the remaining teams.
He opened the tournament with a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double against Coastal Carolina, shooting 10-of-14 from the field. In the Elite Eight rematch against Arizona, Kaminsky led Wisconsin with a game-high 29 points.
However, he earns the place behind our top candidate based on likelihood of even advancing to—let alone winning—the championship game.
No. 1: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky
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On a team of giants, it can be difficult to stand apart. But Towns has done just that.
The 6'11", 250-pound freshman forward kicked off the tournament with a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double against Hampton in the first round.
He was quieter in the next two games, but it's worth noting he played just 13 minutes against West Virginia in the Sweet 16. It's also worth remembering how much of a cakewalk that game was for the Cats.
Towns scored a career-high 25 points against Notre Dame, shooting 10-of-13 from the field overall and 8-of-8 in the second half. He also led the Wildcats on the boards with five rebounds and four assists.
And if we remember correctly, the Cats barely escaped the Fighting Irish.
If it weren't for Towns, Kentucky would not have advanced to the Final Four.
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