The Big 12’s defensive player of the year was named the national defensive player of the year Sunday night.

It probably feels strange to see a West Virginia player win a national award, but it might also be weird because we’re so used to praise heaped at Carter. It’s understood. Innate. He’s very obviously very good, and on Sunday we witnessed broader approval of a skill renowned here for quite some time.

“He sits down the whole time,” Evans said. “Most guards stand up. He just sits down and plays defense the whole time.”

If someone can’t drive past Carter when he lowers down into his stance, he has to pass it. Carter then changes his focus and tries to make sure his opponent doesn’t catch another pass.

“The way he face-guards you and makes it hard for you to catch it without fouling is amazing,” Morris said.

The skill is vital in the Big 12. Kansas senior Frank Mason, who is the Big 12’s player of the year and leading scorer, as well as Evans, Morris, Carter and Texas Tech junior Keenan Evans lead their team in scoring.

WVU’s press tries to make ball-handlers pass the ball, but Carter does what he can to make sure teammates don’t pass the ball back to the point guard. More often than not, Carter is minimizing a top scorer.

“I think it’s just knowing how to place his body as far as where I’m at and where the ball is and trying to keep me off the ball,” said Morris, who was 4 for 14 and had just two assists against WVU in a home loss on Jan. 31. “His body’s solid, and he’s got great footwork.”