Poll: Hanna Hidalgo OR Juju Watkins

[visitingcock]

Yes, I realize the others are still in the race for FOTY, and you might actually choose a different player, but this poll will limit you to these two - about whom there is so much discussion

I’m a Hidalgo efficiency fan

 

[Jumper33]

It’s a close call, but I’m voting for Hidalgo because what she does on defense is incredible. At 5’6” she’s currently leading the NCAA in defensive win shares because she gets SO many steals and pretty many defensive rebounds on top of that.

If Watkins’ offense was miles ahead of Hidalgo’s I would give it to Watkins, but it’s not. Hidalgo is prolific, efficient, and her assists per game are trending upwards.

Juju and her 51 point game are still amazing though. I really think they should share the award.

 

[JellyBean]

I like both players, but I voted for Hannah.

 

[Geew1992]

Hidalgo. She is an all around player

 

[GamecockFam]

What do you mean by "your team"? Are you asking which player I would want on the South Carolina squad as a South Carolina fan? No matter what, I would still choose Hidalgo at this point in their careers despite Juju's eyebrow raising performance the other night. Hidalgo and Fulwiley would make the best defensive guard duo in the nation over the next 3-4 years and she would be a better fit for Dawn's system.

 

[ochoopsfan]

 

[topogigio]

Ju-Ju, cuz she is Taurasi 2.0, and Hildago won’t grow any taller!

 

[TheFarmFan]

We recruited both, offered both, were finalists for both, and lost out on both. New poll please!

 

[BigTenGuy]

I would keep voting open through the end of the regular season, or is there a reason to close on Feb. 24? JuJu has time to improve her efficiency numbers and make it real interesting. Hidalgo as of today.

 

[triaddukefan]

For Duke, I voted for Watkins. Our defense is already among the leaders in the country, but we need a consistent go to scorer.

For NC A&T, UNC-G, High Point, Western Carolina, and Presbyterian.. I would choose Hildago.

 

[CL82]

Maryann?

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I like Watkins because of her size. She makes some nice passes too but her teammates miss. I also like that with Watkins she is low key. Doesn’t show a ton of emotion. Just quietly goes about her business.

 

[triaddukefan]

I was looking at Watkins stats. She averages 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks a game, so she isn't a liability on defense

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I chose Hidalgo; she's a complete player on offense and defense.

 

[geewago]

It's a tie

 

[Twelve]

Ju-Ju, cuz she is Taurasi 2.0, and Hildago won’t grow any taller!

I thought Paige was Taurasi 2.0 ?

 

[Twelve]

I chose JuJu since she is on pace with Caitlin Clark inevitable scoring record.



JuJu 27+ points per game. Caitlin 26+ points per game freshman season.

 

[darrell]

I think I may have just broken the tie. 21-20, Hidalgo.

 

[From France]

Mikayla Willaims should also have a mention, she's not the way to go player as her team is full of "stars"

 

[Chax]

First half of the season that has transpired, I would've chosen JuJu. First half combined with the second half (again of what has transpired so far), its easily Hidalgo for me. Thankfully the season isn't over yet so we can all continue to watch and and enjoy the play of these two future superstars. My mind will be made up once the season is over.

That being said, I'll just assume this poll is based on everything up to this current point in time so I'll go with Hidalgo.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm very impressed by Hannah. But I think Juju is a better asset for most teams... by a small margin. Right now, stats aside, Hannah plays for a better team and this opens things up for her. USC looks better to the AP voters, but this is largely because Juju is carrying them.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'm very impressed by Hannah. But I think Juju is a better asset for most teams... by a small margin. Right now, stats aside, Hannah plays for a better team and this opens things up for her. USC looks better to the AP voters, but this is largely because Juju is carrying them.

Why do you say that ND is a better team than USC? Just because of Jan 27th? Southern Cal has a better resume at the moment.

 

[bbsamjj]

ND does have more balanced scoring than USC. Hidalgo accounts for 30% of their scoring; they have two others players in double figures.

Meanwhile, Watkins accounts for 37% of USC's scoring, and they only have one other player in double digits.

 

[Bone Dog]

Why do you say that ND is a better team than USC? Just because of Jan 27th? Southern Cal has a better resume at the moment.

Seriously, @triaddukefan? Is this a real question? It's not like I poked fun at Duke. See @bbsamjj's post directly above for the basic facts you should already have known.

 

[Reypl21]

Mikayla Willaims should also have a mention, she's not the way to go player as her team is full of "stars"

She does get mentioned among elite freshman. She's not having the AA caliber season Hidalgo and Watkins are having however.

 

[triaddukefan]

Seriously, @triaddukefan? Is this a real question? It's not like I poked fun at Duke. See @bbsamjj's post directly above for the basic facts you should already have known.

I'm talking about the better team. Southern Cal has beaten 3 top 10 squads and a top 20 squad in Oregon State. ND has beaten UConn, the 9th place team in the ACC.. and Faded Glory Tennessee.. that's it. Oh yeah, they have beaten Ball State. Perhaps by the end of the regular season ND might be the better team, but they haven't shown it yet.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

and Faded Glory Tennessee..

and Duke? Don't mess with my SEC brothers/sisters....

 

[Dillon77]

I'm talking about the better team. Southern Cal has beaten 3 top 10 squads and a top 20 squad in Oregon State. ND has beaten UConn, the 9th place team in the ACC.. and Faded Glory Tennessee.. that's it. Oh yeah, they have beaten Ball State. Perhaps by the end of the regular season ND might be the better team, but they haven't shown it yet.

You're sounding a bit harsh on your fellow ACC squad, my friend . (Have not eaten out enough recently?)

USC has played some tougher opponents up to this point, yes, but that's not all on ND. Coach Ivey scheduled both Illinois and Purdue, two teams that made post-season play last year. Is it her fault both teams regressed this year?
(Illinois has to be on a finalist list for "most disappointing" this year).

No worries. As this board knows, ND is entering into the "make or break" part of the season, which is one reason I was glad to see Hannah not back down at Storrs. Good prep for the Yum Center, FSU and, yes, Durham.

As of this moment, I'm giving Hidalgo the nod for leading the Irish is oh so many categories of play, including her wanting to play hard all the time. It inspires her teammates.

 

[bbsamjj]

I'm talking about the better team. Southern Cal has beaten 3 top 10 squads and a top 20 squad in Oregon State. ND has beaten UConn, the 9th place team in the ACC.. and Faded Glory Tennessee.. that's it. Oh yeah, they have beaten Ball State. Perhaps by the end of the regular season ND might be the better team, but they haven't shown it yet.

I want to be clear, I said ND had more "balanced" scoring; not that they were the better team. The better team is ultimately based on results, and thus far, I think it's very clear USC has by far the more impressive results over ND.

But as Dillon77 noted, there are plenty of opportunities for ND to get more marquee wins in the weeks ahead.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm talking about the better team. Southern Cal has beaten 3 top 10 squads and a top 20 squad in Oregon State. ND has beaten UConn, the 9th place team in the ACC.. and Faded Glory Tennessee.. that's it. Oh yeah, they have beaten Ball State. Perhaps by the end of the regular season ND might be the better team, but they haven't shown it yet.

Yes, by "better" I meant something like what @bbsamjj means by balanced. But beyond just scoring, I think ND is a much better defensive team. In part, this is because of Hannah, but also the entire rotation are well-trained defenders. This is a hallmark of Niele's teams.

USC, by contrast is not well-balanced in scoring -- hence my noting that Juju carries them -- but also is not a strong defensive team. Strong defense is not a hallmark of Lindsay's teams.

Now, to be fair to Hannah, this doesn't reflect all that well on Juju, who can make a hero-play on defense as well as any of the greats, but isn't often required to play an intense switching defense. Hannah plays in a more disciplined system, though she is allowed to take chances often, and this is one of the reasons she gets so many steals.

All this is to say USC's greater success so far is more due to Juju than ND's success is to Hannah, though Hannah has had a tremendous season so far. Here's a goofy thought experiment: switch their teams. What would ND be with Juju as opposed to USC with Hannah?

The odd conclusion is that ND is the 'better' team, which tells me Juju is the player I'd choose for my team.