Who wins Player of the Year? Conference races go to the wire
CBS Sports
by
Isaac Trotter
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The final stretch of the college basketball season has brought intense competition across conference races, with Player of the Year awards becoming a hot topic. With just weeks left in the regular season, several conferences remain undecided, making this year's awards one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Teams like Duke, Florida, and Michigan have proven their dominance through deep rosters and balanced rotations, but individual players are vying for recognition alongside their team success. The question remains: will voters prioritize winning or counting stats? This uncertainty adds excitement to the end-of-season narrative.
In the ACC, Cameron Boozer of Duke has emerged as a strong contender after an historic freshman season. Leading his team with 22.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, Boozer's impact is undeniable. However, NC State's Darrion Williams, who started the preseason as the favorite, has seen his standing wane as Boozer's dominance has taken over. The Big East race is equally heated, with St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor and UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. locked in a close battle. While Ejiofor’s impressive numbers (15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG) make him a strong contender, Demary’s all-around contributions to UConn’s offense have left a lasting impression.
In the SEC, the competition is as wide open as ever. Alabama’s Labaron Philon leads the conference in scoring with 21.4 points per game and excels in clutch moments. Meanwhile, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. has been equally impressive, ranking first in the league in both scoring (22 PPG) and assists (6.2 APG). Florida’s Thomas Haugh is also a key player to watch, as his 17.1 points and 6 rebounds per game power one of the SEC's top teams. The Big Ten race remains tight too, with Michigan’s balanced attack led by multiple star players making it hard to pick just one standout performer.
For fans and voters, this season’s Player of the Year debates
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/3/2026