Odds to Win Tournament MOP
Posted by Jack Jones - Google+
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At the end of the 2012 NCAA basketball tournament the Associated Player names one student the Most Outstanding Player (MOP). Even though this player is not required to come from the winning team, it almost always is. The last person to win the award without cutting down the nets was Hakeem Olajuwon all the way back in 1983. Here is a look at some of the past champions:
2011 – Kemba Walker, Connecticut
2010 – Kyle Singler, Duke
2009 – Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
2008 – Mario Chalmers, Kansas
2007 – Corey Brewer, Florida
2006 – Joakim Noah, Florida
2005 – Sean May, North Carolina
2004 – Juan Dixon, Maryland
2003 – Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse
2002 – Juan Dixon, Maryland
2001 – Shane Battier, Duke
2000 – Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State
1999 – Richard Hamilon, Connecticut
For those of you wondering if anyone has ever won the award in consecutive seasons. There hasn’t been a repeat winner since all the way back in 1972 and 1973 when UCLA’s Bill Walton won the award in back-to-back years.
Who will win the Tournament MOP award in 2012? Let’s take a look at some of the odds to win. Obviously the favorites are going to come from the contenders, since as noted above the award winner normally comes from the championship team. Here is a look at my three favorites to win the award this season.
Kentucky Wildcats – Anthony Davis
This should come as no surprise. Kentucky is the top seed in the tournament the favorite to cut down the nets when its over. While Kentucky has a bunch of really good players, Davis is the one that makes them the team to beat. The 6-10 freshman forward finished the season averaging a double-double, with 14.3 points and 10 rebounds a game. That’s not all Davis can do. He averaged a ridiculous 4.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.
North Carolina Tar Heals – Harrison Barnes
When Barnes decided to return to North Carolina instead of joining the NBA, the Tar Heels were considered the team to beat in 2012. The 6-8 sophomore is one of those players who can carry his team to a championship, much like Kemba Walker did with Connecticut last year. Barnes led the Tar Heels with 17.4 ppg, while also posting 5.2 rebounds. He could easily average well over 20.0 ppg in the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State Buckeyes – Jared Sullinger
Here is another guy who skipped on the opportunity to make millions for a shot at winning the NCAA Tournament. That alone is reason to believe the 6-9 sophomore forward will be extremely motivated to play his best when it matters the most. Sullinger comes in averaging 17.6 ppg and 9.3 rebounds. I believe he will take his game to another level and average 20 points and 10 rebounds in the tournament, exactly the kind of numbers you need to win this award.
Complete List of Players Odds for 2012
| Player | Team | Odds |
| Anthony Davis | Kentucky | 5/1 |
| Jared Sullinger | Ohio State | 10-1 |
| Doron Lamb | Kentucky | 10/1 |
| Harrison Barnes | North Carolina | 10/1 |
| Draymond Green | Michigan State | 12/1 |
| Tyler Zeller | North Carolina | 15/1 |
| William Buford | Ohio State | 15/1 |
| Thomas Robinson | Kansas | 16/1 |
| Marcus Denmon | Missouri | 18/1 |
| Terrence Jones | Kentucky | 15/1 |
| Kris Joseph | Syracuse | 20/1 |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | Kentucky | 22/1 |
| Tyshawn Taylor | Kansas | 22/1 |
| John Henson | North Carolina | 20/1 |
| Keith Aplling | Michigan State | 20/1 |
| Austin Rivers | Duke | 30/1 |
| Brandon Triche | Syracuse | 30/1 |
| Mason Plumlee | Duke | 40/1 |
| Michael Snaer | Florida State | 50/1 |
| Seth Curry | Duke | 40/1 |
| Bernard James | Florida State | 50/1 |
| Darrius Johnson-Odom | Marquette | 50/1 |
| Jae Crowder | Marquette | 50/1 |
| Jeffery Taylor | Vanderbilt | 60/1 |
| John Jenkins | Vanderbilt | 60/1 |
| Kim English | Missouri | 40/1 |
| Kyle Kuric | Louisville | 50/1 |
| Perry Jones III | Baylor | 50/1 |
| Peyton Siva | Louisville | 50/1 |
| Riccardo Ratliffe | Missouri | 40/1 |
| Garrett Stutz | Wichita State | 65/1 |
| Jordan Taylor | Wisconsin | 75/1 |
| Drew Gordon | New Mexico | 75/1 |
| Gorgui Dieng | Louisville | 75/1 |
| Quincy Acy | Baylor | 75/1 |
| Will Barton | Memphis | 75/1 |
| Hollis Thompson | Georgetown | 100/1 |
| Jason Clark | Georgetown | 100/1 |
| Jeremy Lamb | Connecticut | 100/1 |
| Kenny Boynton | Florida | 100/1 |
| Christian Watford | Indiana | 125/1 |
| Cody Zeller | Indiana | 125/1 |
| Brad Beal | Florida | 150/1 |
| Robbie Hummel | Purdue | 150/1 |
| Doug McDermott | Creighton | 200/1 |
| Isaiah canaan | Murray State | 200/1 |
| Jack Cooley | Notre Dame | 200/1 |
| Kevin Jones | West Virginia | 200/1 |
| Mike Moser | UNLV | 200/1 |
| Sean Kilpatrick | Cincinnati | 200/1 |
| Tim Hardaway Jr | Michigan | 200/1 |
| Trey Burke | Michigan | 200/1 |
| Tu Hooloway | Xavier | 200/1 |
| Yancy Gates | Cincinnati | 200/1 |
| Elias Harris | Gonzaga | 250/1 |
| Jamaal Franklin | San Diego St | 250/1 |
| Kevin Pangos | Gonzaga | 250/1 |
| Matthew Dellavedova | St. Mary’s | 250/1 |
| Ramone Moore | Temple | 250/1 |
| Khalif Wyatt | Temple | 300/1 |
| Rob jones | St. Mary’s | 300/1 |
