Katie Lou for NPOY

[bballnut90]

Whenever I see a lot of comparing players white to white, black to black, I think that is just some kind of well unnecessary stereotyping. Then you have the comparison of players that actually play different rolls which is also unnecessary. It seems that because KLS is 6' 3", some don't like to call her what she plays, they like to pigeon hole players into forwards due to their height. One thing is for sure, there are no players her height who can do the things she does in college basketball.

No stereotyping here—I think their games are similar. They’re both big guard/forwards who are lights out shooters and can score in a variety of ways. I was tempted to say her game reminds me of KML with her shooting ability, but I think KLS is much stronger all around and Delle Donne was a better comparison.

 

[Mister2]

She flat out isn’t as good a perimeter shooter as KLS is. I think KLS is a better passer too and at the same stage in their career, she was much better hitting pull-up jumpers and finishing perimeter shots that aren’t just catch and shoot. It’s not a knock on Stewart—they’re different players. KLS plays primarily on the perimeter, Stewart wasn’t primarily a perimeter player.

Mmm, this is not quite true anymore. KLS's points have come almost equally between inside and outside the arc. As I have shown in another thread, she leads the 30 players on the earlier Naismith watch list in terms of this balance.

 

[bballnut90]

Poor man Elena is a bit strange to say about a sophomore that started majority of freshman games and was dropping 20 points a game towards the end of the season. Then goes on to score 20pts a game and make AA her sophomore year. She dropped 40 in conference final while setting the record for 3s without a miss 10 for 10. She actually shot 50% in MSST loss. Time will tell but just taking college careers, and yes the level of competition matters, I would not be so quick to sell Lou short on being as impactful during her collegiate career.

Moving to Stewie .... she was awesome and arguably the best ever. However, you have said some things that I feel are just not correct. Lou can hit within 15 feet every bit as good as Stewie. Look at her curl play around the key. She is one of the few on the team that actually has a pull-up jumper and hits it pretty consitently as well. If you said posting up and with in 4-5 feet you would have been correct.

Lou is a better ball handler and passer too. 3pt shooting is not close at comparative stages either. As I posted on another thread, Lou is the only player over 6'1" in top 50 3pt% shooting (#1) and also only player in top 50 over 6' in A/T ratio (was top 10 don't know where currently.) This shows a diversity that literally no one else in the county has for a 6'3" player.

Defensively, I agree with you 100%. I am not sure athletically she is able to ever get there regarding blocks and possibly rebounding compared to Stewie, but quite honestly neither have most.

Below is comparing Apples to Apples, their Junior seasons:

So Lou has better Scoring avg, FG%, 3p%, FT%, A/T ratio not even close and Lou may catch her in total assists by end of year despite missing 5 games. All this to say I take Stewie and she is the better player, but we often remember the final year and not the progression to get there.

## Player GP-GS Min--Avg FG-FGA Pct 3FG-FGA Pct FT-FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF FO A TO Blk Stl Pts Avg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 Stewart, Breanna... 39-39 1104 28.3 264-490 .539 30-96 .313 128-159 .805 83 220 303 7.8 65 0 122 76 104 61 686 17.6

## Player GP-GS Min--Avg FG-FGA Pct 3FG-FGA Pct FT-FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg PF FO A TO Blk Stl Pts Avg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33 Katie Lou Samuelson 24-24 683 28.5 154-283 .544 72-147 .490 59-72 .819 29 74 103 4.3 30 0 92 33 4 33 439 18.3

Poor man’s EDD was I meant skill wise and style of play, not in terms of collegiate success or greatness. If UCONN wins a title this year, I’d put KLS over EDD for “greatness” factor even though I think Elena is more skilled...does that make sense? Poor man Delle Donne is not an insult. She’s one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history and is one of the best players in the WNBA.

With Stewart, I agree with your correction. I think Stewart is much better on the block and around the basket than KLS. KLS is automatic with any sort of jumpshot, whether it be 8 feet or 22 feet. Stewart’s post moves, back to the basket play and ability to finish inside give her a big edge in that category.

Stewart’s junior year was honestly somewhat underwhelming after her terrific sophomore season. I might blasted for that comment, but I thought she played better as a sophomore. She picked up her play as the season went onC and obviously her senior season was ridiculous. I’d say this is definitely KLS’s best season so far after a great sophomore year and a productive freshman season.

To me, the greatness factor for Stewart is that she truly dominated both ends of the court unlike anyone in NCAA history. That, plus 4 titles and being the star player on 2 (almost 3) undefeated teams. No one could match up with her defensively, and no one could regularly score on her inside. She did everything well.

KLS is a great player but isn’t a dominating threat like Stewart. She’s incredibly efficient and might be the best pure shooter and scorer in the country. Different players, different skill sets, and different abilities.

 

[bballnut90]

Mmm, this is not quite true anymore. KLS's points have come almost equally between inside and outside the arc. As I have shown in another thread, she leads the 30 players on the earlier Naismith watch list in terms of this balance.

Stewart’s role was to be a true inside out threat, KLS’s role isn’t. KLS is scoring inside the arc but she isn’t a post player with back to the basket moves like Stewart. That’s what I meant by differentiating them in that post.

 

[EricSD]

Stewie and Lou are similar enough in size and skill that comparisons are going to be inevitably made, but they are different with strengths and weaknesses the other does not have...

Stewie has a baby hook shot with both hands that Lou does not. Lou has a superior spin move under the basket for a reverse layup that I don't believe I've seen Stewie do. But in general, Stewie is better in close to the basket.

Stewie has longer arms and uses them well on defense. Lou is better, IMHO, at moving her body and gets into passing lanes somewhat better in spite of her shorter reach, but Stewie is a far superior blocking threat. Stewie is more athletic and is taller and longer, but IMHO Lou has really improved her defense.

Lou is better with the ball and has a better mid range and long distance game. But not by much. Stewie is a darn good shooter as well. IMHO Lou is also a better passer and I'll bet her A/TO ratio is better than Stewie's at this point in their careers.

In a way it's like comparing Sue to Moriah, or Dee to Maya. Certainly some similarities, but also some big differences. Geno says Lou is the best all around player in the nation and I agree with him. But Stewie was NPOY for 3 seasons - and has more college accolades than probably any other player in history. Lou will never have 3 NPOY's. Doesn't mean Lou isn't great, or one of the best in the nation, it just means that Stewie was a freak when it came to WCBB.

 

[Centerstream]

Stewart’s role was to be a true inside out threat, KLS’s role isn’t. KLS is scoring inside the arc but she isn’t a post player with back to the basket moves like Stewart. That’s what I meant by differentiating them in that post.

That's because this team does not need Lou to be a back to the basket player but she can certainly post up when she has the opportunity to.
And if Lou and Stewie were in an old fashioned horse game outside the arc, I would be willing to bet that 9 out of 10 times, it would go to overtime!!!! I'm done supporting a tr...!

 

[CBear01]

I personally think it is silly to suggest that KLS is less than Stewie based on national championships

I did not say that. I said she would need to will her team to a championship this year as well as next. Stewie was MVP all 4 years. Every championship was due mostly bc of her play. She willed her team to a championship every year. Diana did the same. Her final 2 years were championship seasons bc she willed her team to win.

There is a difference between that and just national championships. I mean we don't put Saniya in the same breathe yet she has 3 championships. It's not the number. It's the way it's won and the effort willed to your team and your coach to win them a championship. Don't get me wrong, Lou is possibly on the way there. But yeah I do have to contend that she just can't be mentioned yet with a player like Stewie, and perhaps never can. Ahhhh the joys and pains of Husky Nation!

Otherwise, I think you make excellent points. I love your favorite players too! KML will always be one of my fondest. We may be the only program in all of sports that can have fans appreciate and debate the greatness of all involved. I love being a Husky!

 

[Bronx23]

We all want her to win every award possible, but let's not get carried away. Stewie is one of the planet's best basketball players like Maya and DT in her prime. Lou will never be in that lofty category. It's a very hard club to join.

I agree with your last sentence.
But, while I'm not sure KLS will ever be in that lofty category, right now she is just below it (with a ways to go) but based upon everything I've seen in so many different ways of her play, improvement, personality, drive, leadership, her choices, I'd be careful about the never. Her time at UConn is hardly done.
Time will tell!
Bronx23

 

[Los24]

I did not say that. I said she would need to will her team to a championship this year as well as next. Stewie was MVP all 4 years. Every championship was due mostly bc of her play. She willed her team to a championship every year. Diana did the same. Her final 2 years were championship seasons bc she willed her team to win.

There is a difference between that and just national championships. I mean we don't put Saniya in the same breathe yet she has 3 championships. It's not the number. It's the way it's won and the effort willed to your team and your coach to win them a championship. Don't get me wrong, Lou is possibly on the way there. But yeah I do have to contend that she just can't be mentioned yet with a player like Stewie, and perhaps never can. Ahhhh the joys and pains of Husky Nation!

Otherwise, I think you make excellent points. I love your favorite players too! KML will always be one of my fondest. We may be the only program in all of sports that can have fans appreciate and debate the greatness of all involved. I love being a Husky!

Just a side note, their junior year even Stewie said Mo should have been the MOP and most did too. I say that because WNBA picks #2 and #3 helped Stewie "will her team." I actually think Stewie's freshman year was the best example of willing the team to a NC despite the other talent on the team.

 

[Charliebball]

Stewie had the ability to score 30+ points a game if Geno would have allowed it...................she was virtually unstoppable once she got the ball within 15 feet of the basket...................defensively her shot blocking and help defense was devastating to the opposition.....................as great as KLS is, I don't see her having the ability to dominate the game at both ends of the floor the way Stewie could..............that's no slight on KLS as she will be remembered as one of the best UConn players ever.

 

[Bronx23]

Just different players with different skill sets IMO. KLS is a more like a poor man's Elena Delle Donne IMO. Perimeter oriented, lights out shooter, good all around game. Stewart doesn't have the perimeter skill set that KLS does, but is much much better putting the ball on the floor and finishing from 15 feet and in than KLS will ever be. Defensively I don't think it's a comparison, Stewart was Griner-like defensively her senior season.

I don't think KLS ever hits Big 3 status, but when she graduates I think she'll be right there with Bird/Jefferson/Lobo/Charles in the 2nd crop of players.

I agree with your analysis but think KLS is already there with those four. It will take a lot more work for her to bridge the significant gap to join the top three, but I believe she likely falls somewhere in between, and don't think it's impossible!
Bronx23

 

[bballnut90]

I agree with your analysis but think KLS is already there with those four. It will take a lot more work for her to bridge the significant gap to join the top three, but I believe she likely falls somewhere in between, and don't think it's impossible!
Bronx23

I think that’s a fair statement. I think she’s right there with those players. She may emerge as the best of those players, but I think she’ll be the best of the 2nd group rather than a “4th great” if that makes sense.

 

[hugefan]

EDD could use some Uconn training, she is the poor mans Uconn player. Doesn’t have the always play hard or bust your butt attitude that Uconn players have and although she can shoot, she shouts a set shot, lucky she is so tall.

 

[Bronx23]

I think that’s a fair statement. I think she’s right there with those players. She may emerge as the best of those players, but I think she’ll be the best of the 2nd group rather than a “4th great” if that makes sense.

I think that’s a fair statement. I think she’s right there with those players. She may emerge as the best of those players, but I think she’ll be the best of the 2nd group rather than a “4th great” if that makes sense.

Yes it makes sense to me!
This maybe splitting hairs but I think she likely will not become the 4th great, as that puts one amongst the greats of the game all time.
But I do think she will separate herself from that second tier. Again this might just be semantics. And we are essentially saying the same thing.
Bronx23

 

[warbler1055]

I will make this short and sweet. She can handle the ball, pass, shoot the trey, go inside, go outside, and rebound and play defense. She is the best all round player in WCBB and their aint nobody close. I know who the media favors but Lou does so much more with efficiency.

Did you have a private line to Geno? Something about the best player on the best team!!!!

 

[Buzzyboy]

I can answer that question-there may be only 1...Katie Lou Samuelson. Anyone else who says A’ja Wilson is not one of the top 3 players in WCBB is ignorant. While we on the BY nitpick her deficiencies, mostly due to either our bitterness over her picking SC over UConn or due to our passion for ou UConn players, she is worthy of much praise and will win a few if not the majority of the NPOY awards, which she will have deserved. I also think Mister2 nailed it in that with so many awards and Geno advocating, KLS will win at least one if she’s continues her part.

Well, at least you didn't call me and the others that KNOW that there is more than one player more deserving of the NPOY award than A'ja STUPID. Thanks for that. Asia Durr seems to be pretty good and that Ionesca isn't too shabby and I suspect that if I wasn't lazy that I might have seen and scouted every women's basketball in the NCAA for other superb players that I feel would deserve more consideration. If you think that my opinion is based on bias because I only love things that are all Huskie or that I care that she decided to go against the grain and pick South Carolina, that I must have a built in resentment for a scad of talented women's basketball players. There are many players that have turned to other teams for a variety of reasons that UConn recruited and would have loved. Didn't UConn try to get involved with that Brown of Baylor and a couple of other bigs? Hate, hate, hate, hate???? I know she's a very good player but is she deserving of the NPOY? I don't think so and I'm definitely not alone. Hype is her best friend and thus she may end up winning some of these awards. She's good enough that there won't be a crazy outpouring of outrage but not THAT good.

 

[Centerstream]

I have a pet peeve concerning Wilson being the preordained NPOY, especially by ESPN. In my opinion it's only because SC is the defending NCs but, IMHO, that is only because of the FF4 fluke. IF the fluke hadn't happened, no way SC becomes NC and Lou or Pheesa probably would have been the preordained NPOY.
There, I've said it.
And I do know the saying "Ifs and buts...".