Cooper Flagg vs. Johni Broome: Who Truly Deserves National Player of the Year?
The National Player of the Year (NPOY) race in college basketball has taken an unexpected twist. Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the freshman phenom, was the early favorite, but Auburn’s Johni Broome is making a late push that’s impossible to ignore. With both players dominating in their respective conferences, the question is: Who actually deserves the award?
Breaking Down the Numbers
Flagg’s stats in the ACC:
19.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 48.6% FG
Broome’s stats in the SEC:
18.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 50.1% FG
On paper, Flagg’s scoring and playmaking give him an edge, but Broome’s rebounding dominance and efficiency in a tougher conference could tip the scales in his favor.
Strength of Conference: Does It Matter?
This is where things get tricky. The SEC is arguably the best conference in college basketball, with Auburn facing four ranked opponents in their final five games. Meanwhile, Duke is rolling through an unranked ACC schedule, making Flagg’s dominance a bit less impressive.
Jon Rothstein put it best:
> “Broome is doing this in the best league in the country.”
If Broome keeps producing against top-tier competition, it’s hard to argue against him.
Who’s Really the MVP?
Flagg is the future of basketball, no doubt. His highlight-reel plays, versatility, and upside are undeniable.
Broome, however, is leading Auburn to a historic season and statistically making a bigger impact in a tougher league.
At this point, it’s too close to call. If Broome shines in these final SEC battles, he could steal the award from Flagg. But if Flagg continues to dominate and Duke makes a deep tournament run, the hype around him could be too strong to ignore.
So, who gets your vote?
Flagg, the freshman superstar?
Broome, the underdog proving his dominance?