“ESPN gave it to Cooper Flagg already”: College hoops fans demand justice for Eric Dixon in NPOTY frontrunners’ list
Eric Dixon was not among The Field of 68's National Player of the Year frontrunners list, which included Duke star Cooper Flagg, that dropped on Monday. Villanova's senior forward has been racking up impressive numbers to start the season, but those weren't enough to catapult him among the leading candidates for the award.
Dixon is ranked second in the nation in scoring, averaging 25.7 points through nine games. He has scored at least 30 points in three of those nine contests, including a 38-point explosion against the Maryland Terrapins on Nov. 24. He shot 15 of 29 from the field in that game, which ended in a 76-75 loss for the Wildcats.
Villanova's record may have contributed to Dixon's noninclusion. The Wildcats (6-4) got off to a poor start, losing four of their first six games. They have since steadied the ship, winning their last three outings by an average of 20.3 points. Dixon was instrumental in those wins, averaging 23.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.
College hoops fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to react to the NPOTY list and the Dixon snub.
"Not having Eric Dixon on this list is absurd," one fan wrote.
"ESPN gave it to Cooper Flagg already," one fan claimed.
"Eric Dixon is averaging 25 a game," one fan pointed out.
"Forgetting someone?" one fan asked.
Here are some other reactions.
"Brain dead activities by The Field of 68 leaving Dixon off this list," one fan shared.
"Dixon ceased to exist I guess," another fan posted.
"The top 3 in any order have started to separate themselves from the pack. You could make legit arguments for all 3 of Flagg, Broome, Kam. Going to be fun," one fan wrote.
Cooper Flagg and Johni Broome make list after stellar starts to 2024-25 season
Cooper Flagg made the NPOTY frontrunners' list after helping the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils to a 7-2 start. He leads the team in several statistical categories, including points (17.0 ppg), rebounds (9.0 rebounds), assists (3.8 per game) and blocks (1.3 per game).
Johni Broome has also been dominant to start the season, averaging 19.6 ppg, 11.9 rpg and 2.8 bpg for the No. 2 Auburn Tigers. He has recorded six double-doubles, including one he posted against Flagg's Duke on Wednesday.
Broome scored 20 points and grabbed 12 boards in the 84-78 loss to the Blue Devils. Flagg was not to be outdone, scoring a game-high 22 points and collecting 11 rebounds for Duke.