2/3 of the season awards/predictions | Page 2 | The Boneyard

2/3 of the season awards/predictions

Good result today for Sarah strong in the freshman of the year race. Vanderbilt has started piling up a lot of losses too. I think Sarah has that just about locked up.
 
Stagnant said:
Good result today for Sarah strong in the freshman of the year race. Vanderbilt has started piling up a lot of losses too. I think Sarah has that just about locked up.
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Not so fast...Mikayla Blakes has 48 points right now in OT
 
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bballnut90 said:
Not so fast...Mikayla Blakes has 48 points right now in OT
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That's TWO 50-point games in one season (her freshman season)!!!!! Most players don't even have ONE in four seasons of play!
 
Stagnant said:
Yeah, never mind. Blakes is back in the race and possibly leading the race now.
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Right now, her SEC-only numbers (which are INSANE) warrant heavy consideration for SEC POY. If I had a vote, she'd get mine.
 
I would take a more versatile player. Maybe I’m biased, but a player who can not score, but rebound, steal, defend, block, pass, good efficiency, turnovers less, etc is hard to pass up on FOTY. And she’s had several performances against (then) ranked teams.

Blakes is good, but IMO, I would rather somebody who’s an everything player, not just an elite scorer.

Sarah>Blakes>Edwards
 
Blakes would maybe be more of an efficient player and more of an “everything player” if she was on a better team.
 
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Blakes is probably the NFOY. Booker is likely SEC POY but stranger things have happened.

NPOY is probably Hidalgo but Watkins is back in the hunt. Betts likely isn't far behind.
 
yhun89 said:
I would take a more versatile player. Maybe I’m biased, but a player who can not score, but rebound, steal, defend, block, pass, good efficiency, turnovers less, etc is hard to pass up on FOTY. And she’s had several performances against (then) ranked teams.

Blakes is good, but IMO, I would rather somebody who’s an everything player, not just an elite scorer.

Sarah>Blakes>Edwards
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She's a 5'8 guard. Why would anyone expect her to have high block and rebound numbers?

Her shooting efficiency is fine (especially in SEC play). Could her turnover numbers be better? Sure, but she's a freshman.

As for efficiency, is 46% (which rises to 49% in conference play) somehow not efficient enough for a guard??? Last year's NFOY recipient (a guard) didn't approach these numbers.

This is not the versatility award.
 
Stagnant said:
Blakes would maybe be more of an efficient player and more of an “everything player” if she was on a better team.
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She doesn’t rebound better than Sarah. (3 a game to 8 a game) She doesn’t pass better. Her efficiency isn’t as good.

She’s one of the centerpieces of a decent Vandy team. On a better team, she couldn’t magically get 5-6 more rebounds just like that.

Sarah just currently has more versatile skills as it stands.
 
yhun89 said:
She doesn’t rebound better than Sarah. (3 a game to 8 a game) She doesn’t pass better. Her efficiency isn’t as good.

She’s one of the centerpieces of a decent Vandy team. On a better team, she couldn’t magically get 5-6 more rebounds just like that. Sarah currently has more versatile skills.
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Their conferences are not of the same caliber!

If UConn played in a P4, Sarah might not have the averages that she currently has.
 
yhun89 said:
She doesn’t rebound better than Sarah. (3 a game to 8 a game) She doesn’t pass better. Her efficiency isn’t as good.

She’s one of the centerpieces of a decent Vandy team. On a better team, she couldn’t magically get 5-6 more rebounds just like that.

Sarah just currently has more versatile skills as it stands.
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She's a 5-8 guard playing on the perimeter, of course she's not going to rebound better than Sarah Strong who is playing at the 4 and 5 spots for UCONN.

Blakes is a strong defender (2.5 steals per game which is 4th in the SEC) and is a good (and willing) passer. She had 5 assists yesterday in addition to her 55 points and averages 3 assists per game on the season which is solid for an off guard, especially considering Vandy doesn't run a pass heavy offense like UCONN does.

Sarah has better shooting splits but at lower volume and doesn't get to the line nearly as much as Blakes (6+ FTA/game). Blakes' splits of 47/32/88 are excellent for a guard considering how heavily she's relied on in Vanderbilt's offense. Right now her efficiency is better than Juju Watkins and is on par with Madison Booker and Flau'jae Johnson, all of whom are locks for All American teams this year.

If I'm drafting for the WNBA, I'd take Strong over Blakes due to her skill set, versatility and upside, but if I'm picking NFOY, I'd pick Blakes right now. Putting up two 50+ point games in SEC play is uncharted territory and she's carrying Vanderbilt to its best season in over a decade.
 
MSSportsGuy said:
Blakes is probably the NFOY. Booker is likely SEC POY but stranger things have happened.

NPOY is probably Hidalgo but Watkins is back in the hunt. Betts likely isn't far behind.
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SEC race is interesting. I don't think Booker is the favorite if they're going on SEC play. Here are her conference only numbers:
15.9 ppg, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 40.5% FG, team is 12-1.

Comparatively, other options include:
Aneesah Morrow-17.8 points, 14.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 45.1% FG, team is 10-2
Mikayla Blakes-27.5 points, 47.7% FG, team is 6-6
Georgia Amoore-21.4 points, 7.2 assists, team is 9-3

Stats combined with team success lean Morrow or Amoore, IMO.
 
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bballnut90 said:
SEC race is interesting. I don't think Booker is the favorite if they're going on SEC play. Here are her conference only numbers:
15.9 ppg, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 40.5% FG, team is 12-1.

Comparatively, other options include:
Aneesah Morrow-17.8 points, 14.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 45.1% FG, team is 10-2
Mikayla Blakes-27.5 points, 47.7% FG, team is 6-6
Georgia Amoore-21.4 points, 7.2 assists, team is 9-3

Stats combined with team success lean Morrow or Amoore, IMO.
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I debated Morrow in my head along with Booker. I’d say it’s between those two for POY. If Vandy was towards the top of the league Blakes would likely get the nod.

Honestly just don’t see Amore winning it but I wouldn’t complain if she did.
 
MSSportsGuy said:
I debated Morrow in my head along with Booker. I’d say it’s between those two for POY. If Vandy was towards the top of the league Blakes would likely get the nod.

Honestly just don’t see Amore winning it but I wouldn’t complain if she did.
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Morrow has regressed horribly tbh. LSU has killed her skills. They are putting a 6’1 player at the 5
 
Baller29 said:
Morrow has regressed horribly tbh. LSU has killed her skills. They are putting a 6’1 player at the 5
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I agree with you, but she signed up for this.
 
Baller29 said:
Morrow has regressed horribly tbh. LSU has killed her skills. They are putting a 6’1 player at the 5
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Depends how you look at it. In year 2 at Depaul, Coach Bruno completely changed her role from forward to guard, even shooting a ton of threes.(53/209 25%) Thinking was 'how to develop her best for WNBA future'.

At LSU, Mulkey has her back down low where she is most comfortable. Usually at power forward, only at center on their small ball lineup. (In their regular lineup, Smith/Wolfenbarger are the posts)She now rarely shoots from 3, but her mid range jumper is much better, and she continues working on guard skills.

She will end up ncaa#1 in rebounding at 14 per game, career ncaa #2 alltime in double/doubles w/ 100+, 1st team All-American, and a top 10 WNBA pick. Perhaps even SEC Player of the Year?

Between Angel, Flaujae and LSU, she gets tons of exposure! She now has team experience of an elite 8 vs Iowa/Clark, and whatever '25 brings.

If that's regression, it's regression she is thrilled about.
 
Baller29 said:
Morrow has regressed horribly tbh. LSU has killed her skills. They are putting a 6’1 player at the 5
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She hasn’t developed into a wing but she’s having a standout season and should be a top 5-10 draft pick. Players with her rebounding ability and motor are far and few between. People had the same criticisms of Reese last year and we saw how well she played as a rookie.
 
MSSportsGuy said:
Blakes is probably the NFOY. Booker is likely SEC POY but stranger things have happened.

NPOY is probably Hidalgo but Watkins is back in the hunt. Betts likely isn't far behind.
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go see my post on the main page. Blakes IS NOT the NFOY. Great that she's scored 55 points against Auburn and 53 points against Florida but Vanderbilt has a NET of 23 vs. Connecticut's #1, has a 6-6 conference record for 6th and really does not have a signature win nor are they on National TV. I just don't see this happening. She's had a great year, no doubt but stop with the NFOY....
 
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Similar to my NFOY, I stated I also track the POY stats and below is the top 10 list with Efficiency score and Her Hoop Stat Win Shares.

I know the narrative has Hidalgo and Watkins as clear front runners but I would say Betts and Paige are still very much in contention. Betts due to UCLA and their high profile game at home coming up vs. Watkins and SoCal and Paige who has nice WS score.

The first team AA list should be Hidalgo, Watkins, Bueckers, Betts and Morrow. Booker is having an ok season stat-wise but with Texas so highly ranked, she has to be named in the top 10 over some other deserving names.

My P4+BE Conference POY and FOY are:
ACC Hannah Hidalgo ND and Toby Fournier Duke
Big 12 Sedona Prince TCU and Delaney Gibb BYU
Big 10 Juju Watkins SoCal and Olivia Olson Mich
Big East Paige Bueckers UConn and Sarah Strong UConn
SEC Aneesah Morrow LSU and Mikayla Blakes Vanderbilt

BY POY 2025.JPG
 


Looking at the list for the Coach of the Year award. Most make sense but McGuff of Ohio State is perplexing. Considering how some are looking at their season with skepticism, I would love to have been a fly on the wall when his name came up in conversation.
 
cancontent said:


Looking at the list for the Coach of the Year award. Most make sense but McGuff of Ohio State is perplexing. Considering how some are looking at their season with skepticism, I would love to have been a fly on the wall when his name came up in conversation.
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Ok, I’ll bite, why is it perplexing to you? He’s had a really good year at 22-3 while much wasn’t expected. He’s got the Buckeyes solidly in 3rd and playing above their skill level. I am not a fan of him but I do give credit where credit is due and I am fine with him being on the list, even more so than Nell (she’s having a nice year but her wins are built upon a weak OOC and a poor conference). Congrats to that success but on a list for NCOY? Um no….
 
DefenseBB said:
Similar to my NFOY, I stated I also track the POY stats and below is the top 10 list with Efficiency score and Her Hoop Stat Win Shares.

I know the narrative has Hidalgo and Watkins as clear front runners but I would say Betts and Paige are still very much in contention. Betts due to UCLA and their high profile game at home coming up vs. Watkins and SoCal and Paige who has nice WS score.

The first team AA list should be Hidalgo, Watkins, Bueckers, Betts and Morrow. Booker is having an ok season stat-wise but with Texas so highly ranked, she has to be named in the top 10 over some other deserving names.

My P4+BE Conference POY and FOY are:
ACC Hannah Hidalgo ND and Toby Fournier Duke
Big 12 Sedona Prince TCU and Delaney Gibb BYU
Big 10 Juju Watkins SoCal and Olivia Olson Mich
Big East Paige Bueckers UConn and Sarah Strong UConn
SEC Aneesah Morrow LSU and Mikayla Blakes Vanderbilt

View attachment 107132
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Paige is probably a 2nd Team All American right now, not a NPOY candidate.

Blakes has a game winner to upset Tennessee (she scored 23 that game) and two 50 points games which has never been done, and she accomplished it as a freshman. She also scored 30 over the last 6 min and OT to lead her team back from a 15 point deficit. Not sure what else you need for a signature win.

The “vibe” I’m getting now from reading here and Reddit is that Blakes is likely the front runner after the 55 point game but Strong is certainly in the mix.
 
DefenseBB said:
Ok, I’ll bite, why is it perplexing to you? He’s had a really good year at 22-3 while much wasn’t expected. He’s got the Buckeyes solidly in 3rd and playing above their skill level. I am not a fan of him but I do give credit where credit is due and I am fine with him being on the list, even more so than Nell (she’s having a nice year but her wins are built upon a weak OOC and a poor conference). Congrats to that success but on a list for NCOY? Um no….
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From what I've watched this season, their performance is underwhelming. They were expected to be third in conference, per the pre-season Big Ten rankings so I'm not sure what gave you the impression much wasn't expected. Similar to your note about GT, Ohio State's OOC was really weak compared to previous years. And considering their roster with the Cambridge sisters, Chance Gray, Madison Greene and Cotie MacMahon, the definition of low skillset needs to be clarified.

They didn't face a ranked team until December when they faced Illinois in conference play. They're only ranked competition has been during conference play while teams like Michigan State, Michigan and Minnesota have faced tougher all throughout the season. They've had their challenges in the BIG10 squeaking out some wins against teams they should be beating handily (e.g. Iowa, Oregon). Statistically, their numbers aren't great as someone posted in a different thread and they're only now facing their toughest competition with their recent West Coast trip and games with Indiana, Michigan State and Maryland coming.
 
cancontent said:
From what I've watched this season, their performance is underwhelming. They were expected to be third in conference, per the pre-season Big Ten rankings so I'm not sure what gave you the impression much wasn't expected. Similar to your note about GT, Ohio State's OOC was really weak compared to previous years. And considering their roster with the Cambridge sisters, Chance Gray, Madison Greene and Cotie MacMahon, the definition of low skillset needs to be clarified.

They didn't face a ranked team until December when they faced Illinois in conference play. They're only ranked competition has been during conference play while teams like Michigan State, Michigan and Minnesota have faced tougher all throughout the season. They've had their challenges in the BIG10 squeaking out some wins against teams they should be beating handily (e.g. Iowa, Oregon). Statistically, their numbers aren't great as someone posted in a different thread and they're only now facing their toughest competition with their recent West Coast trip and games with Indiana, Michigan State and Maryland coming.
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Agreed. They remind me a lot of Kentucky. Both:
-have a lot of fluffy wins in non-con
-got man-handled by the big dogs in their respective conferences
-have an egregiously bad loss on their record (Penn State and Texas A&M)
-have won the rest of the games they should be winning, but neither has given indication that they're capable of competing with the better teams in the country.
 
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