How many times have we heard about how those teams with strong guard play will fare best in the NCAA Tournament? Interestingly, can you name the last time a point guard was named the tourney's Most Outstanding Player?
Go back to Mateen Cleaves of Michigan State, in 2000, for the last PG to lead his team to a national title. Since then, the MOP list is primarily made up of bigs and swing men: Shane Battier, Duke; Juan Dixon, Maryland; Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse; Emeka Okafor, Connecticut; Sean May, North Carolina; Joakim Noah, Florida; Corey Brewer, Florida; Mario Chalmers, Kansas; Wayne Ellington, North Carolina; Kyle Singler, Duke; and Kemba Walker, Connecticut.
What this list does emphasize is the need for guys who can create their shot, when necessary, to salvage a possession and/or put the ball in the hoop at those critical points in tourney games. Other than Battier, every player on this list had the ability to take over a game on the offensive end.
Will we see another dominant offensive performer win this tournament's MOP? Or, will it be a guy who dominates on the defensive end, a la Battier? If it's the latter, my money's on Anthony Davis of Kentucky. If it's the former, then I think Harrison Barnes of North Carolina fits the bill.
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