Freshman of the Year

[HuskyNan]

I was just perusing HoopGurlz Top 100 list for the high school class of 2011, this year's college freshmen, to find Brittany Hrynko's rank (99). It got me to thinking, who are the candidates for the BEast and National FOYs? Please, all, no trashing of the young kids - most freshmen play like, well, freshmen. We don't to trash anyone. I'm just looking for some discussion here.

BTW, I saw there were RU fans that were a bit exasperated with some of their frosh in last night's game but they looked pretty good to me. A bit overwhelmed perhaps but there's a lot of talent there.

 

[Aluminny69]

Seems clear to me that it's between KML and Elizabeth Williams. EW will win it, due to more visibility.

 

[connboy77]

Laney for Rutgers looked very good. As for FOY, besides KML, Williams of Duke has to be one of the favorites. I haven't seen to many top freshmen besides the ones I've mentioned.

 

[Coler]

RU's freshman will only get better. They have all shown glimpses of what's ahead. The future is very bright for us.

 

[Kevin G]

Seems clear to me that it's between KML and Elizabeth Williams. EW will win it, due to more visibility.

I think KML has had more exposure in regards to nationally televised games. I think that EW is the best player on their team. Duke really has no one else besides her IMO.

 

[NCorBust]

Seems clear to me that it's between KML and Elizabeth Williams. EW will win it, due to more visibility.

More consistency. Kaleena gets considerable national exposure. If she does not have national exposure, how did she get nominated for the Wade watch list?

 

[Georgestarr7]

I think that as usual it will depend on performance right through the tournaments. For instance if UConn runs the table and Kiah is significant in the process, she would be in the running.

 

[HuskyNan]

I think that as usual it will depend on performance right through the tournaments. For instance if UConn runs the table and Kiah is significant in the process, she would be in the running.

National awards are usually voted on before the NCAA tourney and given out at the Final Four.

 

[NCorBust]

National awards are usually voted on before the NCAA tourney and given out at the Final Four.

It would not be fair to all players if they did otherwise. Good point!

 

[UcMiami]

Yup, I would have to say that Williams and KML are the obvious front runners and I think it probably will go to Williams because she is starting and more 'important' to Duke's success. (She is also a great player!)
I haven't seen that much of any of the others, but certainly no one is forcing themselves into the discussion.
I was also pretty impressed with Canty and Laney, the other freshmen and other players for Rutgers sort of blended together last night for me. (Except for Oliver who impressed and Sykes who did not.)
I was really impressed with Hrynko from our game at DePaul - an obvious freshman, but one who I think will greatly outperform her 99 ranking. She appeared fast and fearless, with a good shot.

 

[Aluminny69]

My bad, I didn't define what I meant by "visibility." I didn't mean exposure. KML plays as part of a very good team. Although she has had a few very good games, mostly she blends in within the UConn teamwork. Her numbers blend in with the rest of the starters. EW is a big center who dominates her team's statistics. When Duke plays, EW is the most "visible" player for them. That's what I meant. I think...

ETA: BTW, I agree with ucMiami's reasoning also.

 

[EricLA]

I think KML has had more exposure in regards to nationally televised games. I think that EW is the best player on their team. Duke really has no one else besides her IMO.

Duke has no other freshmen who are contributing a lot at this point - Williams, Frush, Henson and Johnson are the frosh and Henson is out for the year. but they are 5/6 for a reason, so they have a LOT of players besides Williams.

Grey, Liston, Peters and Jackson are all averaging double figures. but i'm not sure if you were referring to the other Duke freshmen or the rest of their team.

anyhoo... nationally, I'd actually put Rachel Banham for Minnesota as the leader for FOY. 16 PPG, 3 APG, 5.5 APG and is the leader for the team as a freshman. of course, she gets no national press and won't win, but she has better numbers than any other freshie.

Williams is likely the FOY as of right now. KML has been in a prolonged slump and while she's doing a lot of other things, her scoring is off. of course, there's still a whole month left. i also think you have to consider Morgan Jones, a top 10 kid who went to Northwestern and is averaging 15 PPG as the leading scorer for their team. i think you might also have to consider Goss for Kentucky - she's averaginga bout 12 PPG and is the 2nd leading scorer for Kentucky. Bria Smith for L'ville is also averaging over 10 PPG... but the other freshmen from the top 10-20 don't seem to be doing as much.

Burdick, Forthan, Canty, Hartman, Laney, Hammond, Vaioletama and Orrange, Richardson, and Crook-williams aren't producing all that much, and Massengale and Logic have been solid but not spectacular, altho they are definitely a notch above the other 10 or so i listed.

Stokes, in fact, has equivalent or better numbers than quite a few of the "top 20" kids per ESPN. of course, Kiah was top 10 per ASGR and PBR, and 13 per Blue Star. much more accurate than HG's 42 ranking.

 

[HuskyNan]

Anyone familiar with Bria Goss at KY? Reshanda Grey and Brittany Boyd at Cal? I would toss Morgan Jones' name out there if Northwestern's season hadn't taken a nosedive.

Think outside the Elite Team box. Or do you think a player "needs" to be from an elite team for consideration? (this is NOT sarcasm, just a point for discussion)

 

[Georgestarr7]

BTW, I saw there were RU fans that were a bit exasperated with some of their frosh in last night's game but they looked pretty good to me. A bit overwhelmed perhaps but there's a lot of talent there.

They looked very good, they'll be very interesting next year.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think it is close between EW and KML. If Kaleena breaks out of her "slump" in a big way, she is the winner. If she plays a key role in 2 wins over ND, that could be the difference.

 

[rington]

I do think that the future looks pretty good for Rutgers.

 

[Coler]

I do think that the future looks pretty good for Rutgers.

Add together this years freshman, with the BIG(all four recruits are 6'1 or taller) class we have coming in next year, also add in Oliver, Lee, and Wheeler and next years team will be MUCH better then this season's team.

 

[rocky rococo]

When Hrynko has her hair big, she has special 1970s ABA basketball powers.

 

[UcMiami]

Anyone familiar with Bria Goss at KY? Reshanda Grey and Brittany Boyd at Cal? I would toss Morgan Jones' name out there if Northwestern's season hadn't taken a nosedive.

Think outside the Elite Team box. Or do you think a player "needs" to be from an elite team for consideration? (this is NOT sarcasm, just a point for discussion)

I think a freshman on a team outside the top 25 needs to clearly outperform a freshman on a ranked team and especial a top 10 team. I think this is true for all of the awards not just FOY. I think for example Griner has a better chance to win POY than EDD, but would say the exact opposite if you switched their teams (and maintain the current rankings.) Part of it is of course exposure, but there are two other factors - Competition: if you are playing an SOS in the top range, you are putting numbers up against presumably better defenses and SOS does not necessarily tie in to a top 25 ranking, but it is an indicator. Opportunity: if you are playing for a ranked team as a freshman, chances are you are not playing as many minutes per game to put up your numbers as someone on an unranked team, again not necessarily, but it is a general indicator.
The counter arguement to the above of course is if you are the star on a crap team, you are probably facing all sorts of specialized defenses focused on stopping you. Not many players are double teamed at the 3 point line consistently like a gather EDD faces.
There is also just a basic 'winner' factor - to be named a top player at anything, being consistently on the winning side helps - in BB while you can measure individual stats, there are a lot of unmeasureables that also factor into the bottom line - did you win? (Kelly will probably never win an individual award at Uconn, certainly unlikely she will win a national award, but we recognize what she brings to the team that leads to wins, and it is not reflected in her stat line. Andshe has already won a better award, and has a chance to pick up another one or two before she is done - and her play has been an will be integral in that success.)
To get back on topic - I haven't seen Kentucky play so couldn't comment on Goss. But I still think it is EW over KML based on current production.

 

[MarieM]

RU's freshman will only get better. They have all shown glimpses of what's ahead. The future is very bright for us.

and with that great class RU has put together for next season

 

[Coler]

and with that great class RU has put together for next season

The class next year might be even better then this year's. It will give us the most depth in post Rutgers has ever had.

 

[Kibitzer]

Seems clear to me that it's between KML and Elizabeth Williams. EW will win it, due to more visibility.

Williams is an excellent player, for sure, but she wouldn't win anything if she had to go up against our Kiah Stokes every night.

 

[sarals24]

Yeah, not a lot of defense in the ACC! Just think how good she would be if she had gone to UConn and worked with CD every day....glad we have Kiah though. Love that kid.

 

[Kevin G]

I think a freshman on a team outside the top 25 needs to clearly outperform a freshman on a ranked team and especial a top 10 team. I think this is true for all of the awards not just FOY. I think for example Griner has a better chance to win POY than EDD, but would say the exact opposite if you switched their teams (and maintain the current rankings.) Part of it is of course exposure, but there are two other factors - Competition: if you are playing an SOS in the top range, you are putting numbers up against presumably better defenses and SOS does not necessarily tie in to a top 25 ranking, but it is an indicator. Opportunity: if you are playing for a ranked team as a freshman, chances are you are not playing as many minutes per game to put up your numbers as someone on an unranked team, again not necessarily, but it is a general indicator.
The counter arguement to the above of course is if you are the star on a crap team, you are probably facing all sorts of specialized defenses focused on stopping you. Not many players are double teamed at the 3 point line consistently like a gather EDD faces.
There is also just a basic 'winner' factor - to be named a top player at anything, being consistently on the winning side helps - in BB while you can measure individual stats, there are a lot of unmeasureables that also factor into the bottom line - did you win? (Kelly will probably never win an individual award at Uconn, certainly unlikely she will win a national award, but we recognize what she brings to the team that leads to wins, and it is not reflected in her stat line. Andshe has already won a better award, and has a chance to pick up another one or two before she is done - and her play has been an will be integral in that success.)
To get back on topic - I haven't seen Kentucky play so couldn't comment on Goss. But I still think it is EW over KML based on current production.

You've made some very good points in your post. I have been thinking the same thing in regards to KML & EW and other freshies when it comes to SOS. I think Griner should win POY and not EDD because of the level of competition. Can EDD do what she does against the Big 12 or Big East? That remains to be seen.

 

[sarals24]

Did Jackie Stiles ever win POY? To me EDD is similar...let's see if she can get her team to the Final Four, though!