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National Player of the Year rankings: Can RJ Barrett overtake Zion Williamson?

By Jacob Lane

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 12: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils warm up before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Duke came from behind to win 71-69. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 12: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils warm up before the game against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Duke came from behind to win 71-69. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MURRAY, KY – FEBRUARY 09: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers in action against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars in the first half of the game at CFSB Center on February 9, 2019 in Murray, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MURRAY, KY – FEBRUARY 09: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers in action against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars in the first half of the game at CFSB Center on February 9, 2019 in Murray, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Ja Morant – Murray State

This week:

  • Morehead State: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists (W)
  • Austin Peay: 27 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists (W)

Season Stats: 24.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 10.3 apg 

Even with Murray State on the bubble due to their status as a mid-major team without much to talk about in terms of “big wins” out of conference, Ja Morant continues to do what he does best – win.

In two games against mid-to-bottom tiered OVC schools, Morant put together back-to-back stellar performances to help keep his team alive in both the top of the conference standings and for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The thing that is special about Morant is his ability to know what his team needs. For example, against Morehead State, Morant struggled shooting the ball going 3/11 total from the field. Instead of forcing things he continued to do other things that helped his team pull out a 21 point victory, including attack the glass and get his teammates involved – which resulted in a triple double.

Against Austin Peay, a dangerous team in the OVC, Morant dominated the stat sheet but spent more time scoring than anything else (even though he did have 13 total assists).

Morant is a special player who has done absolutely incredible things this season for a team that’s rarely on the national radar, and he deserves every bit of attention he’s getting. If his team was able to pull out wins against Alabama, Auburn, and even Belmont earlier in the season I think Morant could be in the same conversation with Zion (or at least close). But because he plays for Murray State, a team who may not make the tournament, Morant’s ceiling is limited for this award.

Either way, Morant has put together a spectacular (historic) season and will be a top three pick in the draft come June.