In the preseason, few people tabbed Kansas' Frank Mason III as a national player of the year candidate or even a sure-fire first-team All-America candidate. Duke's Grayson Allen, Villanova's Josh Hart and Washington's Markelle Fultz were popular selections.
But after he led the Jayhawks to their 13th straight Big 12 title and a No. 1 ranking, Mason is my choice for player of the year, edging Purdue's Caleb Swanigan.
Mason and Hart are the two seniors on my All-America first team, and instead of Allen as Duke's representative, it was sophomore wing Luke Kennard, who was the Blue Devils go-to scorer and most consistent player this season.
Along with Mason, here are my picks for the nation's best coach and freshman, as well as my All-America selections: