Mark Sears | Alabama
Sears not too long ago eclipsed the two,500 profession factors mark, changing into considered one of solely 82 gamers in males’s Division-I school basketball historical past to achieve the milestone. Extra importantly, he is led Alabama to a No. 2 nationwide rating. Seize the popcorn for Saturday’s conflict between the Tide and archrival No. 1 Auburn.
Hunter Dickinson | Kansas
Sure, the fifth-year large man continues to be round, and sure, he is nonetheless a dominant pressure. On a Kansas crew with loads of weapons, Dickinson has seen a dip in his numbers, however he is nonetheless essentially the most impactful participant for the Jayhawks. He is beginning to play his greatest ball of the season too. He is taking pictures his highest proportion from the sector (.574), whereas averaging extra factors (18.5) than any of the three earlier months.
Kasparas Jakucionis | Illinois
Keep in mind the identify (and discover ways to pronounce it, too: Yah-koo-CHOH-nis). The Illinois freshman out of Lithuania is averaging 16 factors, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists and earned a spot on the Wooden Award Top 20.
Ryan Kalkbrenner | Creighton
Sport-changers have the power to rule March Insanity, and Kalkbrenner is a game-changer inside. The 7-footer is approaching 400 profession blocks (373) and is averaging career-highs in factors (19) and rebounds (8.5). Till a Feb. 11 loss towards UConn, Kalkbrenner had led Creighton to a nine-game successful streak.
“(Ryan) Kalkbrenner is superior,” said Marquette head coach Shaka Smart. “I will be sending him a commencement current when he lastly leaves.”
Kadary Richmond | St. John’s
Richmond and the Johnnies have taken school basketball by storm this season, no pun supposed. Beneath Rick Pitino’s management, St. John’s has reached a top-10 nationwide rating for the primary time since 2000, and Richmond is a big cause why. He is been a bulldog defensively, rating third within the Huge East in steals (49) and main the convention in defensive win shares.