Is the NPOY award up for grabs?

[94Warrior]

If Zion calls it a college career, getting his knee right in preparation for the draft, I have to imagine that takes him out of the running for NPOY.

Who are the front-runners?

[GB Warrior]

Markus and Morant

[wadesworld]

Zion will come back and Zion will win without any competition.

Grant Williams will finish in second.  Ja, Markus, Happ, Winston, and Edwards will fight for 3rd.

[PGsHeroes32]

Zion is winning.

Markus has a great chance at second

And almost certainly will be 3rd barring an epic collapse

[DoctorV]

I'd say Markus and RJ Barrett.

I think Ja Morant playing in a non high major conference hurts him enough to not put him in contention.

The other names that have been discussed- Williams, hachimura, Edwards, Happ, etc- would have to take quite the step forward late imo.

Barrett hasn't been discussed as much but IF Zion calls it a career RJ will be asked to carry the load- his volume combined with skill set would lead to that expected jump in numbers IMO and he would join Markus in the conversation.

As for Markus, I think it would take keeping the numbers where they are or better along with a BE title and maybe another game or 2 that qualifies as one of the best of the yr, which he already has 2-3 of.

I think that would make it a 3 way race with shortened season Zion, latecomer RJ Barrett, and mighty Markus. Great conversation to be a part of no matter how it ends

[PGsHeroes32]

Zion will come back and Zion will win without any competition.

Grant Williams will finish in second.  Ja, Markus, Happ, Winston, and Edwards will fight for 3rd.

Edwards has basically 0 chance at 1st team AA much less 3rd in POY voting.

[94Warrior]

Edwards has basically 0 chance at 1st team AA much less 3rd in POY voting.

I have to think Happ is no longer in the conversation either.  Last I saw him, he was on the bench in crunch time because of his head-case FT shooting.  That is not NPOY convo-worthy.

[lawdog77]

I have to think Happ is no longer in the conversation either.  Last I saw him, he was on the bench in crunch time because of his head-case FT shooting.  That is not NPOY convo-worthy.

It was because of his turnovers, allegedly. Since the Michigan Game, he's averaging 13.6 ppg, and only shooting over .500 once (8 games). Pretty bad, considering he does not shoot outside of 5 feet.

[DoctorV]

Zion will come back and Zion will win without any competition.

Grant Williams will finish in second.  Ja, Markus, Happ, Winston, and Edwards will fight for 3rd.

Grant Williams has not scored 20 or more in any of his last 5 games, zero.

Markus Howard has failed to break 20 points 2 times since December 1st- both losses to StJ.

I understand they are different players, and I get that Williams has more help on his team and doesn't get the volume Markus does, but when we are talking about POY volume and stats matter.

[wadesworld]

Grant Williams has not scored 20 or more in any of his last 5 games, zero.

Markus Howard has failed to break 20 points 2 times since December 1st- both losses to StJ.

I understand they are different players, and I get that Williams has more help on his team and doesn't get the volume Markus does, but when we are talking about POY volume and stats matter.

Markus is averaging 26, Zion is averaging 22, yet Zion is head, shoulders, hips, and knees above Markus in the POY race.

[DoctorV]

Markus is averaging 26, Zion is averaging 22, yet Zion is head, shoulders, hips, and knees above Markus in the POY race.

He's also all those things above his teammate who is averaging more than him.

You're right, Zion is the leader in the POY race! Happy now?

This discussion is a what if Zion doesn't return discussion though, not sure if you missed that?

[wadesworld]

He's also all those things above his teammate who is averaging more than him.

You're right, Zion is the leader in the POY race! Happy now?

This discussion is a what if Zion doesn't return discussion though, not sure if you missed that?

I think you're missing the point.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Up for grabs?  Hell no!
Zion has been must see TV.  If he got hurt a month ago, others would have a chance.  But this late in the season even if he doesnt play another minute the ink has already dried on enuff ballots.  Love What markus is doing for MU this season but its not even close in my mind, or anyone elses not associated with marquette, tennessee or murray state.

[brewcity77]

Zion will come back and Zion will win without any competition.

Grant Williams will finish in second.  Ja, Markus, Happ, Winston, and Edwards will fight for 3rd.

I'd add Barrett's name instead of Happ, but otherwise this looks right.

Grant Williams has not scored 20 or more in any of his last 5 games, zero.

Markus Howard has failed to break 20 points 2 times since December 1st- both losses to StJ.

I understand they are different players, and I get that Williams has more help on his team and doesn't get the volume Markus does, but when we are talking about POY volume and stats matter.

You seem to not realize there are stats other than points. Williams has the heavy edge in rebounds, efficiency, and defensive contributions. I love Howard, but Williams has the more complete all around game. He's also the leading man on a team that has been top-5 virtually all year and is still in the mix for a 1-seed.

[wadesworld]

I'd add Barrett's name instead of Happ, but otherwise this looks right.

You seem to not realize there are stats other than points. Williams has the heavy edge in rebounds, efficiency, and defensive contributions. I love Howard, but Williams has the more complete all around game. He's also the leading man on a team that has been top-5 virtually all year and is still in the mix for a 1-seed.

Yeah I omitted Barrett when I shouldn't have.  He'd be up there.

[Jockey]

He's also all those things above his teammate who is averaging more than him.

You're right, Zion is the leader in the POY race! Happy now?

This discussion is a what if Zion doesn't return discussion though, not sure if you missed that?

Zion also is a plus defender.

[Jockey]

He's also all those things above his teammate who is averaging more than him.

You're right, Zion is the leader in the POY race! Happy now?

This discussion is a what if Zion doesn't return discussion though, not sure if you missed that?

Plain and simple - Zion wins in a landslide even if he does not return.

[Heisenberg]

When do they vote in NPOY?  Before, during or after the tournament?

If after the tournament, and Zion does not play again, and Duke makes it to the FF without him, and Markus leads MU to a FF game, that diminishment of Zion (Duke FF without him) and hype for Markus (taking MU to the FF) might give it to Markus. 

But short of that, the race is over and Zion won.

[GooooMarquette]

When do they vote in NPOY?  Before, during or after the tournament?

If after the tournament, and Zion does not play again, and Duke makes it to the FF without him, and Markus leads MU to a FF game, that diminishment of Zion (Duke FF without him) and hype for Markus (taking MU to the FF) might give it to Markus. 

But short of that, the race is over and Zion won.

According to this, the vote closes on April 3 (just before the Final Four). So yeah, I guess it's plausible if Zion is done and M2N carries us to the FF. Plausible, but I still wouldn't bet on it.

http://naismithtrophy.com/keydates/

[brewcity77]

When do they vote in NPOY?  Before, during or after the tournament?

They vote during the first week of the tournament. Starts right after Selection Sunday, ends before the S16.

[GooooMarquette]

They vote during the first week of the tournament. Starts right after Selection Sunday, ends before the S16.

The website above seems to indicate the vote closes after the S16 (specifically, voting from 10 -> 4 closes March 17, voting from 4 -> 1 closes April 3).

Where have you seen otherwise?

[brewcity77]

The website above seems to indicate the vote closes after the S16.

Where have you seen otherwise?

Going off last year. Voting was from the 12th-19th.

[GooooMarquette]

Going off last year. Voting was from the 12th-19th.

Looks like maybe it changed this season to include more of the Dance?

[wadesworld]

Zion is listed as day-to-day.  He doesn't seem like the kind of kid who's going to skip out.

[GoldenZebra]

No. Because the media is all over Zion and thats tough to beat, even if Markus puts up the numbers.