Faris!, Dolson, KML on Wooden mid-season 20

[Vowelguy]

http://www.hoopfeed.com/content/2013/01/22/john-r-wooden-award-midseason-top-20/

 

[EricLA]

Congrats to Faris. I'm really rooting for her. Also congrats to Stef and KML. I understand why Bria was left off the list. She will have next year to make up for it...

Was glad they acknowledge Hawkins from Md. I think she's the best player on their team at the moment. certainly outperforming Thomas at this point. I know there is at least 1 AA team that has 10 players - is there one that has 15? I sure hope Kelly makes one of the team.

IMHO, Griner, EDD, Ogwumike, Sims and KML are locks. I'd put Diggins on the 2nd team but doubt that happens. She's probably on the 1st team and KML will be on the 2nd. I can see KML/Diggins, on the 2nd team - but then where do you go? Rodgers? Faris? Gray? Hill? Hawkins? Williams? Mathias? Lucas? McBride? Will be interesting to see how they perform over the rest of the year. Tenn fans are freaking out that Faris got the nod over Simmons.

I hope there is some sort of grass roots campaign to garner support for Kelly. It certainly helps that on national TV in a nationally televised game she performs like she did last night in every aspect, including shutting down Chelsey Grey. She did the same thing to Thomas from MD, and to a lesser extent, Lucas from PSU. She did NOT do it against McBride for ND. She will have a 2nd chance to do so later this year.

 

[bruinbball]

So you're telling me there's a chance!

 

[meyers7]

So you're telling me there's a chance!

I love that scene. Optimism approaching Tonyism.

 

[OneTrickPony]

I'm guessing John Wooden would love Kelly Faris...

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm guessing John Wooden would love Kelly Faris...

Undoubtedly. It's almost as if Kelly Faris is the reincarnation of John Wooden. Smart, intense, fundamentally sound, and a Hoosier.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Undoubtedly. It's almost as if Kelly Faris is the reincarnation of John Wooden. Smart, intense, fundamentally sound, and a Hoosier.

Amen, brother...and let's lay to rest the effort issue...no one is applauding Kelly because of her prodigious efforts...we are applauding the outstanding results that consistently pour forth from them...

 

[MilfordHusky]

We all had our preconceived opinions in October. I hope the voters look at the full season and only this season. This is a critical point! Some players have improved their games, while Odyssey and Elena missed some games and Skylar has not shot the ball well.

Griner is an absolute lock. At the moment, I put Chiney and Kaleena next. If Elena stays healthy and scores big in wins, she can grab the 2 spot. If Skylar gets her shooting above 45%, she could move up. Alyssa Thomas has played very well of late, but Hawkins has outplayed her over the season to date.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Back to the original point, Stef, Kaleena, and Kelly are top 20 players so far this season. Stewie might become one as well.

 

[magical2]

Congrats to Faris. I'm really rooting for her. Also congrats to Stef and KML. I understand why Bria was left off the list. She will have next year to make up for it...

Was glad they acknowledge Hawkins from Md. I think she's the best player on their team at the moment. certainly outperforming Thomas at this point. I know there is at least 1 AA team that has 10 players - is there one that has 15? I sure hope Kelly makes one of the team.

IMHO, Griner, EDD, Ogwumike, Sims and KML are locks. I'd put Diggins on the 2nd team but doubt that happens. She's probably on the 1st team and KML will be on the 2nd. I can see KML/Diggins, on the 2nd team - but then where do you go? Rodgers? Faris? Gray? Hill? Hawkins? Williams? Mathias? Lucas? McBride? Will be interesting to see how they perform over the rest of the year. Tenn fans are freaking out that Faris got the nod over Simmons.

I hope there is some sort of grass roots campaign to garner support for Kelly. It certainly helps that on national TV in a nationally televised game she performs like she did last night in every aspect, including shutting down Chelsey Grey. She did the same thing to Thomas from MD, and to a lesser extent, Lucas from PSU. She did NOT do it against McBride for ND. She will have a 2nd chance to do so later this year.

There is alot of season to go and KELLY is garnering support troughout the nation Think about what has been stated on the National televised games, quotes from coaches who have played us,write ups of the games. Remember on this board it has taken time for many to truly appreciate KELLY

She is not going to make 1st team imho,but I WANT her to make some team
I loved what GENO and KML HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER
GO KELLY
IRA

 

[doggydaddy]

Congrats to Faris. I'm really rooting for her. Also congrats to Stef and KML. I understand why Bria was left off the list. She will have next year to make up for it...

Was glad they acknowledge Hawkins from Md. I think she's the best player on their team at the moment. certainly outperforming Thomas at this point. I know there is at least 1 AA team that has 10 players - is there one that has 15? I sure hope Kelly makes one of the team.

IMHO, Griner, EDD, Ogwumike, Sims and KML are locks. I'd put Diggins on the 2nd team but doubt that happens. She's probably on the 1st team and KML will be on the 2nd. I can see KML/Diggins, on the 2nd team - but then where do you go? Rodgers? Faris? Gray? Hill? Hawkins? Williams? Mathias? Lucas? McBride? Will be interesting to see how they perform over the rest of the year. Tenn fans are freaking out that Faris got the nod over Simmons.

I hope there is some sort of grass roots campaign to garner support for Kelly. It certainly helps that on national TV in a nationally televised game she performs like she did last night in every aspect, including shutting down Chelsey Grey. She did the same thing to Thomas from MD, and to a lesser extent, Lucas from PSU. She did NOT do it against McBride for ND. She will have a 2nd chance to do so later this year.

I don't think one game will determine her AA worthiness.

 

[grizz36]

We all had our preconceived opinions in October. I hope the voters look at the full season and only this season. This is a critical point! Some players have improved their games, while Odyssey and Elena missed some games and Skylar has not shot the ball well.

Griner is an absolute lock. At the moment, I put Chiney and Kaleena next. If Elena stays healthy and scores big in wins, she can grab the 2 spot. If Skylar gets her shooting above 45%, she could move up. Alyssa Thomas has played very well of late, but Hawkins has outplayed her over the season to date.

I don't feel that would matter, even if it's below 40%. Don't underestimate the power of fan, school, (and self-) promotion. She has become a diva.

 

[CTGirl15]

Congrats to Faris. I'm really rooting for her. Also congrats to Stef and KML. I understand why Bria was left off the list. She will have next year to make up for it...

Was glad they acknowledge Hawkins from Md. I think she's the best player on their team at the moment. certainly outperforming Thomas at this point. I know there is at least 1 AA team that has 10 players - is there one that has 15? I sure hope Kelly makes one of the team.

IMHO, Griner, EDD, Ogwumike, Sims and KML are locks. I'd put Diggins on the 2nd team but doubt that happens. She's probably on the 1st team and KML will be on the 2nd. I can see KML/Diggins, on the 2nd team - but then where do you go? Rodgers? Faris? Gray? Hill? Hawkins? Williams? Mathias? Lucas? McBride? Will be interesting to see how they perform over the rest of the year. Tenn fans are freaking out that Faris got the nod over Simmons.

I hope there is some sort of grass roots campaign to garner support for Kelly. It certainly helps that on national TV in a nationally televised game she performs like she did last night in every aspect, including shutting down Chelsey Grey. She did the same thing to Thomas from MD, and to a lesser extent, Lucas from PSU. She did NOT do it against McBride for ND. She will have a 2nd chance to do so later this year.

She may not have shut down McBride the same way she did Thomas, Gray, or Lucas, but she did rough up McBride. Yes, she had 21 points, but she took 21 shots to get there and the rest of her stat line was good, not great; 3 rebounds and 3 assists and 1 turnover.

Kelly's line for the same game? 13 points (4-11) 11 rebounds 7 assists 5 steals, 1 turnover

Kelly had a great game against ND (besides the sub-par FG%) and it is not going to hurt her AA "stock" that McBride had 21 points in that game.

It was by no means Kelly's best defensive performance, but she definitely had an impact on McBride in that game.

 

[OneTrickPony]

I don't think one game will determine her AA worthiness.

Of course not, or all the AA candidates she's erased would not be candidates any longer either...and we do have at least one more matchup, most likely at least two, and very possibly three...the Faris/McBride rumble in the Jungle has just begun!

 

[Bestiarius]

A lot will depend on how the team does the remainder of the season. If we knock off Baylor and ND, Kelly's odds will rise dramatically.

It's quite an accomplishment to have 3 UConn players on the list. That's more than most conferences, including the SEC. Did I mention that we had more players on the list than the entire SEC?

 

[Icebear]

As a fellow Hoosier and because of the way she plays the game Kelly would be the epitome of John Wooden's approach to the game and a most appropriate Wooden Award winner.

 

[EricLA]

I don't think one game will determine her AA worthiness.

I never said it would.

 

[Kibitzer]

I recently posted an opinion that UConn had three players currently playing "in the zone" (generally, up to their considerable skill level), coincidentally the same three now on the Wooden watch list: Dolson, Faris and Mosqueda-Lewis. I named five "on the cusp" who, for various reasons (e.g., injuries, inexperience, etc.) were not yet at that higher level. Of the five, I anticipate that Stewart will move up soonest, at least on my list, but gutsy Bria Hartley seems to bring a little more to each game she plays. It remains possible, but unlikely, that UConn would claim four or more spots on the Wooden list.

When UConn gets five (or more!) players all playing "in the zone" and in sync with one another, that will be the time to measure fingers for (NC) rings.

 

[doggydaddy]

I never said it would.

I never said you did. But it was the game you listed as a negative.

 

[itsasport]

There have been many players who were expected to have great careers at UConn- and did. There were some who had very good; but not great four years. There were some pleasant surprises.

But have any any two players who exceeded expectations more than Kelly and Stef? Did anyone made a bet that they would be on the Wooden list in the same year? If anyone did, I would like to take them to Vegas.

Kelly was going to be a good role player. But, I don't care if she makes first team AA or not, her number belongs on the wall. As someone said, even if it means a midnight raid to do it ourselves. Sometimes the exception proves the rule. Perhaps there should be a separate section, called the "Kelly Faris Honor Roll." The problem is that her number will the only one on it. I can't imagine another young women who will play at her level, and not be a first team AA.

What other players were as sorely missed, as Kelly will be, the year after they graduated? I can think of only two. The reason Geno keeps her on the court in blow-out games is because he wants her enjoy every minute of her last year- and because he loves to watch her play thee game of basketball.

Stef will be a first team AA next year. When she entered the program, it was only hoped that she would be a serviceable center. The jury was out on that. If some had been magically able to show the tape of the Duke game, and had said the UConn center in that game was named Dolson- who would have believed it?

Neither of them have the God-given talent of most of their teammates- they did it through force of will. They are like Larry Bird.

 

[Icebear]

Geno expected Stef to be far more than a serviceable center. He thought she was bringing some very special gifts to the program. Among them her ability to finish with either her left or right hand around the basket along with a very serviceable short jump shot and her ability to pass an hit the open player.

 

[MilfordHusky]

One of the articles noted the following interesting point:

0 freshman on the list, not surprisingly.

2 sophomores: Elizabeth Williams and some kid with a long name and long range on her shot.