KK Arnold appreciation

[DefenseBB]

Every elite team needs a good floor general and there certainly is quite good list of Point Guards across the WCBB spectrum. On here, we know how valuable KK is to this team with her high energy, tenacious defense and infectious smile and bulldog mentality. That said, as an analytics guy who scours the internet looking for ways to better evaluate the players and understand the game, I find myself frustrated with the lack of acclaim for her and the poor assessment across the spectrum. The "pundits" seem blinded or deafened by either lights or sound bites coming from impassioned coaches elsewhere.

As a review, the HoopHallAwards had 10 players on their February listing

1. Hannah Hidalgo-Junior analytics rank #1
2. Tonie Morgan-Senior #8
3. Olivia Miles-Senior #3
4. Raven Johnson-Senior #7
5. Rori Harmon-Senior #10
6. Zoe Brooks-Junior #9
7. Britt Prince-Soph #5
8. Aaliyah Chavez-Fresh #11
9. Liv McGill-Soph #4
10. Kiki Rice-Senior #2

The first 5 are now the 5 finalists. For analysis, I collect from a few sites-HerHoopStats, Bart Torvik and use WinShares, PER, Points Over Replacement, Box Plus/Minus and calculate game efficiency scores for the season and combining their ranking of the 11 players across the 5 analytic scores, I listed that rank. Overall, KK would rank 6th on this list, While this does very little for this year, Geno needs to start the dialogue about KK for next year to get on the numerous pre-season watch lists as a top PG. Narrative evidently matters.

I had posted elsewhere that one of the reasons UCLA is having such a sustained season (under Cori, they always start strong but seem to plateau in January, never getting better) is due to how well Kiki Rice has played. Cori seems to just be touring Lauren Betts and not extolling how great a season that Kiki is having. Kiki is playing better than Betts and should clearly be on this TOP 5 list.

Anyway, for next year, KK is clearly the #2 Point guard stat-wise returning (though I still struggle calling Hidalgo a "point guard"). Her assist to turnover ratio is already an absurd 4.0 and if she can increase her scoring into the double digits, along with her defensive prowess, and the teams continued success, she should get recognized and receive numerous accolades.

I do hope Geno starts that media blitz this post season while all the "pundit" eyes are paying attention, especially if KK can face off against the likes of Raven, Kiki or Rori (or if any major upsets occur-Hannah, Aaliyah or Tonie).

To me, clearly Dawn and Vic have touted their PG to get acclaim despite their advanced analytics coming up short. They are fine leaders of their teams but not so sure they are warranting top 5 and or AA Honorable Mention.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Here is the rule: To win awards, score points. In the BET KK scored 40 points in 3 games. If she can average near that next year the awards will be flowing. If not, she will be considered one or 1.5 dimensional (defense and assists) and not worthy of the votes of those electors who only look at points.

 

[FanSince17]

Heck with all this!
Do we see her passing up shots, like she's done in her 3 years? Not so much
Do we think she can score? yes
I think she'll get what she deserves! She's had a wonderful college career so far! Best on that list? yes
On that list, who do you think makes it in the W? I think KK will!
List her attributes! With a ball in her hands, fastest up the foor. Ballhandling. Can finish inside. Rebounding. Guarding in the post.
Best on-ball on that list. Fantastic teammate. Will do anything the team needs to win.
Do you guys have any comparisons? Mine's Jalen Brunson- averaged 14.8 in college and he's a superstar in the NBA. He's super
strong, durable. (KK)

 

[Blond D.]

I think all the players should be polled and pick the top 5 point guards they most hate to play against. (team mates not included.)
I bet KK would get some love (or hate) then.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm just surprised Tonie Morgan is ranked so highly. I'd have said -- from eyeball assessments only -- she's the limiting factor on Kentucky's success. She's good, not great. By contrast, Olivia is playing like a pro already, though the mediocrity of the Big12 doesn't require her talents to really shine. She can dominate that conference in 3rd gear.

I also agree that Hannah doesn't really feel like a PG, though she has all the relevant skills. I could say something similar about Olivia, though the discrepancy is not so marked in her case.

 

[Basingstoke]

I think all the players should be polled and pick the top 5 point guards they most hate to play against. (team mates not included.)
I bet KK would get some love (or hate) then.

I'm pretty sure that Caitlin Clark might reply with "Nika".

 

[H Dog]

Every elite team needs a good floor general and there certainly is quite good list of Point Guards across the WCBB spectrum. On here, we know how valuable KK is to this team with her high energy, tenacious defense and infectious smile and bulldog mentality. That said, as an analytics guy who scours the internet looking for ways to better evaluate the players and understand the game, I find myself frustrated with the lack of acclaim for her and the poor assessment across the spectrum. The "pundits" seem blinded or deafened by either lights or sound bites coming from impassioned coaches elsewhere.

As a review, the HoopHallAwards had 10 players on their February listing

1. Hannah Hidalgo-Junior analytics rank #1
2. Tonie Morgan-Senior #8
3. Olivia Miles-Senior #3
4. Raven Johnson-Senior #7
5. Rori Harmon-Senior #10
6. Zoe Brooks-Junior #9
7. Britt Prince-Soph #5
8. Aaliyah Chavez-Fresh #11
9. Liv McGill-Soph #4
10. Kiki Rice-Senior #2

The first 5 are now the 5 finalists. For analysis, I collect from a few sites-HerHoopStats, Bart Torvik and use WinShares, PER, Points Over Replacement, Box Plus/Minus and calculate game efficiency scores for the season and combining their ranking of the 11 players across the 5 analytic scores, I listed that rank. Overall, KK would rank 6th on this list, While this does very little for this year, Geno needs to start the dialogue about KK for next year to get on the numerous pre-season watch lists as a top PG. Narrative evidently matters.

I had posted elsewhere that one of the reasons UCLA is having such a sustained season (under Cori, they always start strong but seem to plateau in January, never getting better) is due to how well Kiki Rice has played. Cori seems to just be touring Lauren Betts and not extolling how great a season that Kiki is having. Kiki is playing better than Betts and should clearly be on this TOP 5 list.

Anyway, for next year, KK is clearly the #2 Point guard stat-wise returning (though I still struggle calling Hidalgo a "point guard"). Her assist to turnover ratio is already an absurd 4.0 and if she can increase her scoring into the double digits, along with her defensive prowess, and the teams continued success, she should get recognized and receive numerous accolades.

I do hope Geno starts that media blitz this post season while all the "pundit" eyes are paying attention, especially if KK can face off against the likes of Raven, Kiki or Rori (or if any major upsets occur-Hannah, Aaliyah or Tonie).

To me, clearly Dawn and Vic have touted their PG to get acclaim despite their advanced analytics coming up short. They are fine leaders of their teams but not so sure they are warranting top 5 and or AA Honorable Mention.

Excellent post and all your points are 100% correct. I’ve been lamenting KK’s lack of acclaim as well all season and feel the same frustration as you expressed. I believe that we’ve got 3 players on our team who are the best in the country at their respective positions yet one (KK) gets no recognition. Even KK making first team All BE was almost a slap in the face as all others were unanimous except her, including several underclass guards who can’t even get the ball past midcourt let alone score when guarded by KK. Meanwhile if need be ( like in the BE tourney and the FF last season) she can score and assist at will.Part of the problem is that she is so team oriented and unselfish that she never complains about often sitting out half the game so others get PT against unmatched opponents ( like USC,ND,Iowa,Ohio State and all BE teams) while those teams players (some are alleged stars) build up their stats when she’s out of the game. Even on the BY some question her credentials for national honors and whether she should even start and suggest that the team loses nothing when she comes out of the game which is demonstrative of the problem relative to her lack of recognition and respect. Here’s a fun exercise to try if you’re a KK fan,If you ask AI whose are the best pure point guards in the country it’ll spit out HH, Raven, Olivia M and maybe Rorii, Kiki Rice and Jazzy D, then you ask it what about KK Arnold and it will state back that it was an oversight and she’s certainly worthy of consideration. Then inquire if it had an SEC/Big 10 or ACC media bias since it initially ignored KK and it will acknowledge that it made a mistake and will spit out analytics showing why KK may in fact be the best pure PG in the nation and that it was an egregious error for her not being a finalist (or even nominated) for the Nancy Lieberman Award) and then when it asks you if it should compare head to head games this season and last year in the final four and at SC between her and HH, and Raven and Jazzy and Kiki and it acknowledges her and UConn’s dominance and her historical efficiency as a ball handler,facilitator and defensive stopper and her per minute production and then finally acknowledges its error in omitting her as she appears statistically and result wise to be the top pure PG. Anyway, great post and hopefully all will see the light again soon and keep it in mind for next year