2021 Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watchlist

[UConn2SF]

Full 2021 Lieberman Award Watchlist:

Paige Bueckers - UConn
Destiny Slocum - Arkansas
DiDi Richards - Baylor
Dyaisha Fair - Buffalo
Micaela Kelly - Central Michigan
Tiana England - Florida State
Ali Patberg - Indiana
Tra'Dayja Smith - Longwood
Hailey Van Lith - Louisville
Amy Dilk - Michigan
Mya Taylor - Mississippi State
Raina Perez - NC State
CeCe Hooks - Ohio
Diamond Johnson - Rutgers
Nevena Dimitrijevic - St. Francis - Brooklyn
Tiana Mangakahia - Syracuse
Lauren Heard - TCU
Kyra Lambert - Texas
Dru Gyleton - Utah
Katia Gallegos - UTEP

 

[SLY63]

Geno is going to have a blast with this one.

 

[EricLA]

2 freshmen on the list I can see, so it's not like Paige is the only one. Lots of names I don't recognize.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It's rare to see any frosh on the pre-season lists, but both Paige and Hailey Van Lith have gotten a lot of press. Congrats to them!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I saw this announcement and a certain Joe Pesci scene came to mind:

 

[CBus13]

2 freshmen on the list I can see, so it's not like Paige is the only one. Lots of names I don't recognize.

There are three freshmen. That's wild. Diamond Johnson, Hailey Van Lith, and Paige Bueckers. It's interesting that Johnson made the list when I don't think she wasn't even selected to the McDonald's All-American game. The recruiting services had her listed anywhere from 6th to 44th. I believe Dawn Staley even spoke out about the snub by McD.

 

[CocoHusky]

It's rare to see any frosh on the pre-season lists, but both Paige and Hailey Van Lith have gotten a lot of press. Congrats to them!

This list has three freshman PG Diamond Johnson, Hailey Van Lith & Paige. It is not inconceivable that Paige wins this award. A couple of things would have t happen: 1) UCONN gets to #1 by beating South Carolina 2) Tiana Mangakahia does not return to her former level of performance.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Previous winners include Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu (2018-20) as well as UConn’s Moriah Jefferson (2015-2016), Renee Montgomery (2009), Diana Taurasi (2003-04) and Sue Bird (2000-02).

UConn freshman Paige Bueckers makes Nancy Lieberman Award watch list for nation’s top point guard

Bueckers, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2020, was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award watch list by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She is one of 20 candidates to appear on the list, and one of three freshmen.

www.courant.com

 

[ucbart]

On what planet is DiDi Richards a PG?

 

[UConnCat]

On what planet is DiDi Richards a PG?

I think the plan was for DiDi to play point guard this season. Never played it in college before. Just silly to put her on a preseason list.

 

[DEpup]

And where is Evina? She's most likely going to be the starting PG...

 

[UConnCat]

And where is Evina? She's most likely going to be the starting PG...

I don't think so.

 

[eebmg]

In Paige's case, I think this is quite literal.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Personally—it’s just me—-but i think freshman should play there way to the list versus being placed on preseason. It clearly says that players can work there way to list. Just seems more appropriate.

Where is Ashley Owusu from Maryland?

Kiana Williams from Stanford??

Dana Evans from Louisville??

That replaces the 3 freshman from the start! At least they have played PG in college.

 

[BobbyJ]

2 freshmen on the list I can see, so it's not like Paige is the only one. Lots of names I don't recognize.

Lots of names you won't recognize at the end of the year also. And does anyone know where the hell Longwood is? She has to be the front runner.

 

[BobbyJ]

Personally—it’s just me—-but i think freshman should play there way to the list versus being placed on preseason. It clearly says that players can work there way to list. Just seems more appropriate.

Where is Ashley Owusu from Maryland?

Kiana Williams from Stanford??

Dana Evans from Louisville??

That replaces the 3 freshman from the start! At least they have played PG in college.

You expect these lists to make sense? Are these lists made up by that World Exposure Report crew of one guy in his basement?

 

[Argonaut]

Lots of names you won't recognize at the end of the year also. And does anyone know where the hell Longwood is? She has to be the front runner.

Longwood is in VA, part of the Big South conference, I do believe.

 

[bluedevil]

Pre season lists are like horoscopes..read and forget...

 

[Alydar]

The entire purpose of the list was to stir up the fans. And here we are.

I'm not sure why this off-season has seemed so eternal? In a normal year UConn would have had their exhibition games but we never really get much access to the team, just Geno and a few structured player interviews. I guess I really missed those 6 weeks in March/April.

 

[Alydar]

If nothing else it gives a half dozen players on mid-majors some exposure and fantasy players get some names to check out.

 

[Steelerone]

Here lies the problem. The majority of those other players will, in all probability, see extended action. Paige, as a freshman, even with the talent she possesses, is going to have her time limited and that is going to work against her. But, then again, players do not come to Uconn for individual awards.

 

[JonathanXIV]

You expect these lists to make sense? Are these lists made up by that World Exposure Report crew of one guy in his basement?

Hey, let’s not be so harsh about some guy in his basement. Right now, we’re all that guy working out of his basement.

 

[CL82]

I saw this announcement and a certain Joe Pesci scene came to mind:

I don't know how it fits, but My Cousin Vinny videos will always earn a like from me.

 

[EricLA]

The entire purpose of the list was to stir up the fans. And here we are.

I'm not sure why this off-season has seemed so eternal? In a normal year UConn would have had their exhibition games but we never really get much access to the team, just Geno and a few structured player interviews. I guess I really missed those 6 weeks in March/April.

It HAS seemed like forever. I had to think about it and for me...

Some of the conference tourneys were cancelled, and there was no NCAA tourney. So right there was over a month of hoops that never got played.

Then, over the summer, we almost always hear about one of our players, or another, playing on some USA team, or AAU summer ball, or whatever, so we can get our fix during the summer months.

Then once practice starts, we usually get MORE content from people who see practices, including, but not limited to, the horde. AND there are no exhibition games.

So it HAS been a longer off season - maybe by close to 2 months. But add to that the lack of any kind of summer hoops, and DAMN - I'm even ready to just watch them do drills!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I don't know how it fits, but My Cousin Vinny videos will always earn a like from me.

Would you like to live with the pressure of being nominated for the Lieberman before you have played a game? I think Paige sort of relishes such situations though. She is all about challenges.

@CL82 it is a great movie and when he has her biological clock stuck on the pile of things riding on the case, well it's one of the great scenes of the movie.