2017-18 NPOY...Gabby?

[oldude]

In the history of WCBB, is there a player who dominated the game on the defense end and "intangibles" such as passing and effort but would be generally be considered the 4th option on offense (after Naphessa, KLS and Z) and won NPOY? Who is closest?

You raise a good point. I can only come up with 5-time MVP Bill Russell in professional basketball, who was the 4th or 5th option on offense for the Celtics. I can tell you this. For all she does, particularly in big games, there's no one more important to the success of the Huskies this coming season than Gabby Williams.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Z

Z should be quite the player, but right now she is as theoretical as everyone else but the returning starting 4.

 

[eebmg]

Z should be quite the player, but right now she is as theoretical as everyone else but the returning starting 4.

I agree that it is not clear yet how far Z will develop but I would say the biggest question marks are on defense and how she integrates with the team as a whole. Her pedigree on offense at Duke where she posted team-high totals of 18.9 points is enough to view her as a top 3 UConn option on offense which is consistent with my earlier query.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I agree that it is not clear yet how far Z will develop but I would say the biggest question marks are on defense and how she integrates with the team as a whole. Her pedigree on offense at Duke where she posted team-high totals of 18.9 points is enough to view her as a top 3 UConn option on offense which is consistent with my earlier query.

Logic says you are right, but if the speed of UConn's game up and down the court, and passing/multiple option playing takes her more time to aclimate to, then her offense logically suffers. But you are right. Geno didn't bring her to UConn to be a fourth option or another Kia Stokes.

 

[CocoHusky]

One factor that does play in Gabby's favor for NPOY is the absence of larger post players on the UCONN schedule this year.

• Baylor is not on the schedule No Brown, No Cox, Mompremier transferred
• Maryland graduated Brionna Jones
• tOSU not on the schedule so no Mavunga and McCoy transferred.
• South Carolina graduated Coates
• ND will be missing Turner
• Texas graduated Lang
• Kansas State not on the schedule = no Breanna Lewis
• Nebraska not on the schedule=no Shepard unless she becomes eligible for ND.
• Mississippi State graduated Okorie

Collectively that is a lot less size and bulk for Gabby to deal with in the post. Mix in the fact that UCONN has added legit size (Azura) and quality bulk (Batouly) should mean far less tired Gabby=stronger NPOY candidate.

 

[Alydar]

In the history of WCBB, is there a player who dominated the game on the defense end and "intangibles" such as passing and effort but would be generally be considered the 4th option on offense (after Naphessa, KLS and Z) and won NPOY? Who is closest?

The closest example I can think of is Brittney Griner. While she was one of the top scorers at Baylor she won NPOY (and was better known) for being the most intimidating defensive presence in the history of wcbb.

 

[oldude]

One factor that does play in Gabby's favor for NPOY is the absence of larger post players on the UCONN schedule this year.

• Baylor is not on the schedule No Brown, No Cox, Mompremier transferred
• Maryland graduated Brionna Jones
• tOSU not on the schedule so no Mavunga and McCoy transferred.
• South Carolina graduated Coates
• ND will be missing Turner
• Texas graduated Lang
• Kansas State not on the schedule = no Breanna Lewis
• Nebraska not on the schedule=no Shepard unless she becomes eligible for ND.
• Mississippi State graduated Okorie

Collectively that is a lot less size and bulk for Gabby to deal with in the post. Mix in the fact that UCONN has added legit size (Azura) and quality bulk (Batouly) should mean far less tired Gabby=stronger NPOY candidate.

While there will undoubtedly be times when Gabby will defend the other team's post this coming season, the responsibility to defend the 4 & 5 should largely fall to Pheesa & Z, with some help from Batouly off the bench.

Gabby will likely move to the wing, Lou to the 2 and Kia at the 1, with Danger 1st off the bench. That will allow Geno to have Gabby defend the other team's top offensive threat at guard or wing.

Gabby will still spend some time in the post, but more likely on offense. With Z & Pheesa's ability to shoot the ball, they will pull opponents bigs away from the basket, allowing Gabby to flash in the paint, receive a pass from one of her teammates and have a smaller, hapless defender at her mercy under the basket.

I get excited just thinking about the matchup nightmares that the Huskies will cause opposing teams.

 

[augustaTC]

I could care less who wins what in the postseason awards. I do care how the team does, and I suspect that the awards will take care of themselves.

 

[hjoerring]

It would not surprise me if Wilson garnered MVP at year end. There are too many questions around Uconn: who are the starters, who will play the guards, how will minutes be distributed (will it be like 2 seasons ago), how have the players expanded their game, etc. And lastly, how much weight will be lifted off Gabby's shoulder to rebound, defend and do the all-round extra-things (but also Pheesa).Of course we here leave the soph and fr. classes un-examined. What if one or two of those players kick the door open?

 

[wallman]

Threads like these on this board always make me kinda laugh as you guys are spoiled rotten. But then I realize there are those fat russians out there