Duke's Experienced Players Losing Momentum to Freshmen

After a couple of seasons where freshmen dominated the college basketball scene, it seems like the momentum is shifting back towards experienced players making their mark on the sport. In recent years, Duke's Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer have been touted as the best players in college hoops.

However, prior to that, other veterans such as Zach Edey, Oscar Tshiebwe, Luka Garza, and Obi Toppin left an indelible mark on the sport. With this trend likely to continue, it's possible that another experienced player will take home the Player of the Year (POY) award in 2026-27.

The voting process has already begun, and at least three players have received votes for the coveted title. One of them is Tyler Tanner, a First Team All-American who could potentially boast the highest usage rate among point guards this season. As he continues to develop his skills at Vanderbilt, Tanner's playing style is likely to be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

Florida senior Thomas Haugh has also received votes for POY, and it's easy to see why. After opting to return to the Gators and turn down a potential top-20 NBA draft pick, Haugh will be surrounded by an incredibly talented frontcourt at Florida.

Michigan State Spartans have a rich history of producing exceptional talent, but only three players have earned National Player of the Year awards: Shawn Respert, Draymond Green, and Denzel Valentine.

Interestingly, Magic Johnson is not among this group, despite his outstanding collegiate career; Larry Bird swept all the awards in 1978-79, leaving some to wonder what might have been if circumstances had been different.

The return of Jeremy Fears Jr. is a significant boost for Michigan State, as he has the potential to be the most valuable player in the country. With his exceptional skills on the court, Coach Tom Izzo can rely on him to lead the team and make key plays.

Fears' journey to this point has been marked by challenges, including recovering from a gunshot wound during his first season with Michigan State in 2023-24. Despite this setback, he persevered and made significant contributions to the team's success, leading the nation in assists at 9.4 per contest while averaging 15.2 points per game.

As Fears looks to build on last year's achievements, he has already demonstrated his capabilities as a top pick-and-roll player, and there is still room for improvement in his skills.

Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears has a lot to live up to after being named CBS Sports' Preseason Player of the Year for 2026-27. However, there are areas where he can improve his game to justify the lofty expectations. Specifically, Fears will need to work on his perimeter shooting and interior finishing skills.

If Fears can boost his three-point shooting percentage from last season's 32.1%, it would give him more opportunities to drive to the basket and create scoring chances. Defenders may also start using screens to neutralize his outside shot, so he'll have to adapt and find ways to compensate. Additionally, improving his rim finishing skills could make him an even more formidable threat in the paint.

The potential for Fears to take his game to new heights is a concern for opponents around the country, particularly those in the Big Ten. As David Cobb noted, if Fears can elevate his performance as expected, it would be a significant boost for Michigan State's chances this season.