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College Basketball: Top 5 candidates for Player of the Year

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 2, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts after a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts after a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) is defended by Iowa State Cyclones guard Matt Thomas (21) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes 83-82. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) is defended by Iowa State Cyclones guard Matt Thomas (21) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes 83-82. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa

The most surprising team in the nation is paced by one of the best breakout stories of the 2015-16 season. Uthoff was quite good as a junior last season, but few could have predicted he would have put up such dominant numbers this year for the title contender Hawkeyes.

Iowa was predicted to finish ninth in the preseason Big 10 media poll, directly behind the Illinois Fighting Illini. Uthoff is averaging 18.4 points per game according to CBB Reference and occasionally goes on a hot streak where he can’t be stopped, as evidenced by his 30-point first half earlier this season against the Iowa State Cyclones. It took until last Thursday in an uncharacteristically poor showing against the Maryland Terrapins for Uthoff to record less than 10 points in a game.

The 6-9 senior has shown some range this season, shooting a career-best 45.2 percent from behind the arc, a major reason for his scoring increase this season. Despite being a little undersized at 210 pounds, Uthoff has made his mark on the defensive end by recording 2.8 blocks per game.

Consistency, versatility and pure scoring ability have helped Uthoff transform from solid player to one of the best in the nation. Uthoff didn’t get a lot of attention around midseason, but Iowa is now in the national spotlight with a top-five ranking and season sweep of Michigan State.

If Iowa remains a one or two seed with Uthoff leading the way, he should have no trouble hanging on to a top-five spot in the race for National Player of the year.

Next: Ben Simmons, LSU