None of UConn's 3 PGs make Nancy Lieberman Mid Season Top 10 List

[RockyMTblue2]

Obviously, if we have 3 of them they can't be very good.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

Love the outrage and comments in support of Nika and KK... BUT, this award was won before the 1st game was played.

 

[Rowdy831]

Love the outrage and comments in support of Nika and KK... BUT, this award was won before the 1st game was played.

But it has been earned too. Paige is in the same boat as CC when it comes to reputational exposure and both are earned though years of playing at a level others just can't match.

 

[CL82]

 

[hoopsnloops32]

No, it’s a conspiracy. Everyone is out to get UConn.

Nika was one of the original nominees that just didn’t make the final 10 probably because she’s playing more off the ball this season. KK and Paige didn’t make the final cut because they weren’t nominated in the first place

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, WBCA NAME 20 POINT GUARDS TO 2024 NANCY LIEBERMAN AWARD WATCH LIST

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Nancy Lieberman Award. Now in its 24th year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball...

www.hoophall.com

Its not about UConn, there are a lot of PGs that should have made this over 3-4 of the players on it. Ines Vieira is a good one who was completely overlooked.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

I'd put Raven Johnson/Lucy Olsen on here over Sarah Andrews/Jacy Sheldon (who should be on the SG list). Could also move Pao-Pao to SG but she's been more of a combo guard at SC. Muhl is playing well as of late against Big East opponents but I don't think her overall body of work earns her a spot on the finalists list this year.

I mean what is exactly is Sheynne Seller's overall body of work as a PG that earned her the spot as a finalist? Her team is unranked at 12-6, and she averages 5.6 assits and 3.3 turnovers a game. Compared to Nika who is averaging 6.2 assits to 2.3 turnovers a game. Or Ines Vieira who is averaging 6.2 assists and 2.4 turnovers on a very good Utah game.

The same could be said of Lucy Olsen and Jacy Sheldon who are both elite shooting guards but simply not point guards. The fact that so many out of position players were included in this list and so many actual point guards with more impressive numbers were snubbed is truly mind boggling to me.

 

[omshanti]

UConn now plays with a four guard lineup. The traditional point guard duties are shared. I think the days of the point guard, shooting guard, small and power forward, center days are over. The game is evolving and the coaches are adapting to the change. My definition of a point guard is the pass first, floor general type, like Sue Bird. Nika is a’true’ point guard and an asset but this year the team is different. She doesn’t have the primary point duties like she did last year. I also don’t think she is one of the ten ‘best’ point guards In the country right now. She is finally showing her scoring skills. Awards really don’t matter to the team. Championships do. They’re on a roll so I’m very happy for them.

 

[PAHuskeyFan]

But it has been earned too. Paige is in the same boat as CC when it comes to reputational exposure and both are earned though years of playing at a level others just can't match.

I am not arguing... I agree it has to be won... I think Nika is the definition of Point Guard...primarily a distributor, make teammates better, get the points through the best available shot. Secondarily be a lockdown defender who makes it hard for the other team to score...get turnovers, etc.

Clark was put on this list because she is Iowa's PG. She is among the top of the assist leaders, and is the top scorer. It's her award to lose.

 

[reelfan]

This was wired since last summer.

 

[Rb335]

Regarding Nika, she will get looked over by other PGs who score the ball more. Her assist numbers this year aren’t other worldly, so other players who can post similar assist numbers but also average 12+ ppg will get an edge.

Also worth noting, against our non-conference schedule excluding TMU, she averaged 7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3 turnovers. Compared to against the big east, she’s averaged 7.8 points, 7.6 assists, and 1.9 turnovers. Not a huge difference, but worth noting. It’s not a secret the big east isn’t the strongest conference.

This team is one of those “the sum is greater than the parts” kind of teams. She’s integral to the team success which is all I care about, and probably all the players care about.

 

[Bigboote]

Nika was one of the original nominees that just didn’t make the final 10 probably because she’s playing more off the ball this season. KK and Paige didn’t make the final cut because they weren’t nominated in the first place

Recall that last year Nika wasn't on the preseason list but was a finalist (and there were only five finalists last year).

She doesn't have the gaudy assist numbers, but is still top 15 or so, plus her A/TO is much improved.

 

[bballnut90]

I mean what is exactly is Sheynne Seller's overall body of work as a PG that earned her the spot as a finalist? Her team is unranked at 12-6, and she averages 5.6 assits and 3.3 turnovers a game. Compared to Nika who is averaging 6.2 assits to 2.3 turnovers a game. Or Ines Vieira who is averaging 6.2 assists and 2.4 turnovers on a very good Utah game.

The same could be said of Lucy Olsen and Jacy Sheldon who are both elite shooting guards but simply not point guards. The fact that so many out of position players were included in this list and so many actual point guards with more impressive numbers were snubbed is truly mind boggling to me.

Sellers averages 16 points and 6 rebounds as well. She’s having a better individual season thus far than Muhl. From the couple of games I saw I couldn’t tell you from memory if she actually plays PG or not though.

I agree that the inclusion of some players doesn’t match up with the position they play which makes it puzzling.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Sellers averages 16 points and 6 rebounds as well. She’s having a better individual season thus far than Muhl. From the couple of games I saw I couldn’t tell you from memory if she actually plays PG or not though.

I agree that the inclusion of some players doesn’t match up with the position they play which makes it puzzling.

With that logic why not add Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Aaliyah Edwards etc etc as they are all having a better season than Muhl in that regard?
Its a PG award and any by most metrics you judge a point guard by, Nika (and Piage for that matter) is out performing a lot of the players on this list.
Nika made top 5 finalists for award last season with almost identical numbers last year (one extra assist but one extra turnover too). It just doesn't make sense why she wouldn't make top 10 considering the players that did make the cut.

I wouldn't have an issue with NIka not making this list IF the 10 players selected were better PGs. I am sure you could make a list of 10 better PGs in the country but my issue is THIS is not that list.

 

[Blacketh’D]

Nika not making the cut is bizarre.

Make the cut how? What she does is great for us, it doesn’t make her one of the best points in the country.