With the college basketball season about halfway done, here is a look at the Top 10 CBB players.
10. Zach Edey, Purdue
Simply put, Zach Edey is a matchup nightmare. At 7’4 and nearly 300 pounds, few bigs in college basketball can guard Edey effectively in the post. What makes Edey truly great is how effective he is. Edey only plays 17.9 minutes per game, and still averages 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks per game on 70.7% shooting from the field. This would make his per 30 averages as follows: 26.1 points per game, 12.6 rebounds per game, and 2.3 blocks per game. While Edey’s limited playing time keeps him from being higher on the list, Edey is still a truly dominant big.
9. Ochai Agabji, Kansas
Jayhawk fans saw the potential in Agabji in his first season in Lawrence. Although he had the choice to enter the NBA Draft, Agabji elected to come back for one more year at Kansas. This has resulted in a massive payoff for both Agabji and Kansas. Along with now averaging 19.9 points per game, his efficiency has also increased. Agbaji has improved his field goal shooting from 42% last year to 52.1% this year. He has also become a deadly three point shooter, improving his percentage from 37.7% to 47.3% this year. If the Jayhawks want to make their 16th final four appearance, Agabji will have to be their centerpiece going forward.
8. E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
Liddell’s offensive prowess makes him a really good player, his evolution on defense this year is what makes him great. Liddell is averaging 2.8 blocks per game, and he is only 6’7! A large part of Liddell’s ability to block shots is due to his 7′ wingspan. Also worth noting is Liddell’s three point shooting improvement. As a freshman, Liddell shot just 19.2% from downtown. Two years later Liddell has more than doubled that, now shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc. If Liddell continues his play, the Buckeyes will be a tough out for anyone.
7. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Like Liddell, Trayce Jackson-Davis is more than just a great offensive player. Jackson-Davis has recorded a double-double in Indiana’s last four game, two of which he had 5 blocks. Not only is Jackson-Davis a double-double machine, he is also extremely efficient. He shoots 60.7% from the field. Even without the three ball in his arsenal, Jackson-Davis is still an extremely dangerous weapon for the Hoosiers.
6. Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
The big man from Kingston, Jamaica is a man amgonst boys. That’s the best way to describe him. Modern basketball may not feature many bigs that have the stature Cockburn possesses, and that’s exactly what makes him so unstoppable. Before fouling out against Purdue, Cockburn was on a tear. The big man averaged 22.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game before their double overtime loss to Purdue. The Fighting Illini will look to utilize the matchup nightmare Cockburn is going into March.
5. Keegan Murray, Iowa
Keegan Murray’s evolution from a role player to one of the leading scorers in the nation has been what has separated Iowa from mediocrity. Murray has gone from averaging 7.2 points per game last year, to averaging 23.3 points per game this year. Murray has scored at least 20 points in all but 5 games, and has only failed to register double digit points once this year. A year removed from Iowa being Luka Garza’s team, Iowa is now Keegan Murray’s team.
4. Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Timme might not blow you away with his athleticism, but his smooth style is something to behold. Timme along with his mustache took March Madness by storm last year. Although Gonzaga came up short in the national championship, Timme is looking to get Gonzaga back to finish the job this season. With the West Coast Conference offering little to no competition for Timme and the Zags, March will once again be the tell of how good Gonzaga is.
3. Paolo Banchero, Duke
In a list largely dominated by experienced veterans, Paolo Banchero is a young stud. The freshman phenom has been the driving forcebehind Duke’s play this year. There are few things that Banchero can’t do on the court. His ability to create his own shot are second to none. His defense for a freshman is very good. But what doesn’t get enough credit is Banchero’s play-making ability. Although it was in a losing effort, Banchero was making and creating plays all game against Florida State. Banchero is a matchup nightmare, and will likely go on to make whatever NBA team drafts him very happy for years to come.
2. Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky
Everyone knew Tschiebwe was good at West Virginia, so when he transferred a lot of people wondered how he would fit into Coach Calipari’s system. The answer to that is flawlessly. Tshiebwe may not be a prolific scorer like most of the other players on this list, but he rebounds better than anyone else. It’s no coincidence that in 2 out of 3 of Kentucky’s losses Tshiebwe has failed to get double digit rebounds. It’s also worth noting that those 2 games are the only 2 games Tshiebwe has failed to get double digit rebounds. A change of scenary has definitely been what Tshiebwe needed.
1. Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
Davis might not do any one thing better than the other players on this list, but his value to Wisconsin is what gives him the top spot on this list. Davis has Wisconsin on a six game winning streak, including wins at Purdue and a win against Ohio State. In their five consecutive wins against Big Ten opponents, Davis has averaged 24.6 points and 9.4 rebounds. Davis may not be as physically dominant as Tshiebwe or as dynamic as Paolo Banchero, but he does provide the most value to his team.
The Big Ten is filled with stars, but Johnny Davis shines the brightest of them all.
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