Paige Bueckers AP National Player of the Year

[Rb335]

Paige is what a lot of posters like to call a "generational" talent. I have no doubt she will leave Connecticut as arguably the best ever. Absolutely insane freshman campaign by her, especially considering how much she had to shoulder.

I do wonder if more freshman were able to play at a high level this year due to the absence of fans. High school kids rarely play in front of big crowds, and I would think it's inevitable that playing in front of 10k people would add pressure. The games this year largely had an AAU vibe to them, where it was really just the players and their coaches in the arena. Just an interesting thought, since I can't recall a year where so many freshman played so incredibly well.

Congrats to her though on a much deserved award. In my opinion, she should have been the unanimous pick.

 

[meyers7]

Congratulations to Paige.
Hope this award does not provide an extra incentive for Boston to raise her game against us.

Are you forgetting SC has to beat Stanford first?

And UCONN has to beat Arizona first also. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[Aluminny69]

When I was in college, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity. Can you imagine. Lew Alcindor was not allowed to play varsity, even though he was the best player n the country, by far. As Bob Dylan once wrote "The Times they are a-changin."

 

[ScottCT]

Paige is what a lot of posters like to call a "generational" talent. I have no doubt she will leave Connecticut as arguably the best ever. Absolutely insane freshman campaign by her, especially considering how much she had to shoulder.

I do wonder if more freshman were able to play at a high level this year due to the absence of fans. High school kids rarely play in front of big crowds, and I would think it's inevitable that playing in front of 10k people would add pressure. The games this year largely had an AAU vibe to them, where it was really just the players and their coaches in the arena. Just an interesting thought, since I can't recall a year where so many freshman played so incredibly well.

Congrats to her though on a much deserved award. In my opinion, she should have been the unanimous pick.

Paige's high school games were more packed with fans than most college games so I doubt having fans would have made any difference for her.

 

[connie]

My reaction to Paige's speech:

 

[DefenseBB]

Okay seriously, whoever voted for Howard and Collier need to have their driver's licenses immediately suspended because clearly they can't see.....

+10000

I can sort of get Rhyne at least she won the SEC POY but Collier??? Charli didn't even win the Big12 POY, and has by abysmal in every bid game for Texas, so much so that Vic tried to down play the Boston vs. Collier battle. What is surprising is no votes for Boston. @UConnCat (thanks for the vote totals!) might continue her sleuthing and tell us which knucklehead actually voted for CC as their privilege's should be revoked.

 

[DefenseBB]

My reaction to Paige's speech:

CONNIE! Where the heck have you been? So glad to see you posting. Keep the vibe going my fine colleague, we need it!

 

[MilfordHusky]

It would be nice for Paige to hear from Lebron James, Jay Bilas, and all the other critics out there.

I think Kobe and Gigi would be very happy!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Here's what I think Antonelli would say, " In my opinion, Caitlin Clark is much better and should have won this. She only won because she plays in a weak league. In fact, Uconn only gets to the final 4 because they get the best players and play in a weak league. The last play was a foul and Baylor got robbed. Did I mention that Uconn plays in a weak league???"

The Gonzaga men play in a weak league too--and they are routing everyone!

 

[Kaizen]

Someone check on Debbie Antonelli.

Debbie Antonelli: Well, well, I didn't vote her. Anyway I actually don't qualify to this vote... hm, hm.

 

[Kaizen]

I think Kobe and Gigi would be very happy!

Sue must be very happy too. Not sure DT ...

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Well deserved by Paige as she dominated her freshman season with not only her BB skill but her personality and humility!
It was a joy to watch her and her teammates go through this season with 2 games still to go!
She has a lot to live up to in her remaining 3 years but she will meet ALL challenges head on!

 

[oldude]

I just went out for a hike with Mrs Oldude and look what I missed. What wonderful, historic news. While there are other individual awards that Paige will surely earn this season, I am absolutely certain that there is only one award, presented on Sunday night, that Paige truly wants to hold along with all of her teammates.

 

[dtbtbtb]

WBB is in great shape with Paige as it's face...ridicules talent who performs exceptionally well under pressure in the hardest moments and is a humble person who gives credit to her teammates all the time!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Paige Bueckers has brought fun back to basketball and cheered up a lot of people during the pandemic. Congrats to Paige Buckets!

 

[darkstar1]

Hey Scud49, join the club. You're not alone. 😂 What we saw there was genuine. How can you not love a "group hug"? Did you notice who she was sitting at the table with?

Brought tears to my eyes too. So proud.

 

[chrissaran]

Agree, Plebe. Never thought they would give NPOY to a freshman, but well deserved. Congratulations, Paige.

 

[Kaizen]

Next year will be some tough for Paige to win since,
there are 2 people will fight this award, Paige and Azzi .

 

[Tonyc]

Congrats A phenomenal accomplishment and well earned.

 

[MSGRET]

Hey Scud49, join the club. You're not alone. 😂 What we saw there was genuine. How can you not love a "group hug"? Did you notice who she was sitting at the table with?

Those two really love each other and it shows. Both times when Nika went down it was Paige that was there who assisted in helping her off the floor. Nika was the first one to congratulate Paige on her winning the Big East Tournament MOP and always seems to be attached to her side when they are together as a group. Paige is one of a kind and I hope that they can raise another trophy together come Sunday night.

 

[JJTB]

Let's hope for Stewie Redux! Still blown away by how she goes right and pulls up so effortlessly...such a hard thing to do!!! A pleasure to watch for sure.

 

[chj001]

Excuse me if I don't follow these things that closely, but is this THE player of the year award or are there other organizations that give these awards?

 

[AmeriConn]

Waiting for ESPN’s article. Tick, tick, tick...
PB you’re the best!!!!!

 

[GoUconn7961]

First I'd like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to a terrific player, and a terrific young woman - Paige Bueckers. Well deserved!

Second I'd like to offer pillows to Carolyn Peck, Beth Mowins, and Debbie Antonelli so they can muffle their screams...

 

[UC10NN]

Excuse me if I don't follow these things that closely, but is this THE player of the year award or are there other organizations that give these awards?

1 of 3 major NPOY awards. Naismith and Wade are the others but freshmen are not eligible for the Wade.

 

[Kaizen]

ESPN hasn't said anything except posted the AP news. I guess they are holding Debbi and crying together now.

 

[MooseJaw]

......and to think THIS season was the worst she'll play during her career. Hard to imagine she's going to get better, but she will. What is she going to look like going into her junior year?

I would guess that she will look to be fairly well slimmed, with a few NC's on her cv.

 

[itsasport]

She got on the wall when named to the AP 1st team. She is now the owner of the greatest Freshman season ever and is looking pretty good to be the 4th person on the Mt. Rushmore of UConn WCBB joining Taurasi, Stewart and Moore.

With Fudd coming next year, and who knows how many other great players in the future, we might want to start looking for a larger mountain.

 

[NEforceUConn]

ESPN hasn't said anything except posted the AP news. I guess they are holding Debbi and crying together now.

Not even main story on the women’s home page. Disgraceful.

And espn probably knew about this Monday and couldn’t have prepared something special for this award going to a Freshman?

 

[Littlemin]

If you don’t cry as well,

So no need to correct my redundancy but there is a very real genuine genuineness to this group of young women in these videos.