Potential All-American Guard Position

[DefenseBB]

Given we are about a 3rd of the way through the season, I wanted to offer an opinion on the AA candidates using the Pre-season list, last year's first/second/third and honorable mention list and then the early news/media aspects touting candidates.

As a review, the list of Pre-season guards are:
Hannah Hidalgo ND
Ta'Niya Latson SC
Madison Booker Texas
the 4th and 5th persons were Sarah Strong and Lauren Betts

Just outside that group were Azzi Fudd and Flau'jae Johnson LSU

Also needing consideration will be Olivia Miles TCU, Kiki Rice UCLA, Mikayla Blakes Vanderbilt and Rory Harmon Texas.

That is 9 players.
Frankly, Madison will be a lock on the list due to the current Texas success and her past inclusion on this team
Hidalgo will have gaudy stats simply because her team needs her to so she will be a lock on the list (yes, I know and am aware of the BY angst with HH but the fact is the media and other pundits highly value her).
Latson is now on a highly public team and is viewed as their "star" so she will be a factor. In my opinion, she is NOT a lock for the 1st team.

• Johnson from LSU is more sizzle than steak but if LSU has some key wins (like beating Texas/SC) and she is the key factor in those games, she will get publicity (and promotion from Mulkey).
• Olivia Miles already has 2 AA mentions (2nd team and HM) and is leading a good TCU team (albeit in a weak conference) so as TCU makes noise, Miles will get media attention. In my view, she will be a 2nd team AA member and on the WBCA team.
• Kiki Rice is leading player on a top Final Four contender, though I tend to think of other players on her own team more deserving. She is the point guard and a Senior so she will garner some attention. At this point, I view her more of an Honorable Mention candidate than serious contender.
• Mikayla Blakes on Vanderbilt will put up gaudy numbers and if Vandy surprises anyone like breaking into the top 4 in the SEC this year, she will get credit. As the media touted her as a viable candidate to Sarah's FOY award last year, which irked me to NO END as her stats we not that close to Sarah's. I have no doubt that some of those very same pundits will do the same this year. But to me, she's a 2nd or 3rd team AP AA. probable member of the 10 person WBCA team.
• Rory Harmon is looking really good right now and finally seems fully recovered from her knee injury and is shooting significantly better than she ever has and will Texas in the spot light, she will get attention. If she keeps it up, she's a 2nd or 3rd team AP AA.

My main point of this thread is:

• Azzi Fudd has recognition, shooting stats to support that, team recognition and is showing defensive chops as well. Geno will be touting her contributions to whoever will listen. But as I have outlined it will be interesting to see how the AP 5 team is comprised and how the WBCA 10 team will look.

At the moment, I put Azzi, Sarah, Madison, Hannah and Latson on my 5 member team. I know that is 4 guards and Sarah so I am not sure if the other voters will feel that way. Betts, to me, is vastly overrated but is the best POST player in the game right now so....If she is put on the team, I think Latson is at risk although Azzi could also be overlooked.

The metrics favor Azzi over both Booker and Latson right now but as I have said, the pundits do not always use metrics but use narratives.

I am cautiously optimistic at this point given how strong Azzi has started the season. I just wish she would cut down on her turnovers and increase her assists to get to a greater than 2 to 1 ration (currently at 28/16).

I know this board considers it heresy that Azzi would not be on the team but I am trying to look as logically at it as I can (but yes, I too am biased!).

 

[FanSince17]

I hope we have a chance to play her and try to shut her down, but Booker does a lot for her team.
Latson hasn’t done much IMO. I can’t see Latson hurting us. We’re at least as physical as she is.
Strong and Booker IMO are the only front runners right now. Harmon should be in or at least knocking on the door.
Betts, Hidalgo- eh. HH IMO has to show leadership for a rebuilding ND. She seems erratic as heck, even in her behavior.
Guess what just popped into my head- Sue Bird. What would this year’s ND squad look like with Sue at the helm. Now that’s an all-American!

 

[Charliebball]

I hope we have a chance to play her and try to shut her down, but Booker does a lot for her team.
Latson hasn’t done much IMO. I can’t see Latson hurting us. We’re at least as physical as she is.
Strong and Booker IMO are the only front runners right now. Harmon should be in or at least knocking on the door.
Betts, Hidalgo- eh. HH IMO has to show leadership for a rebuilding ND. She seems erratic as heck, even in her behavior.
Guess what just popped into my head- Sue Bird. What would this year’s ND squad look like with Sue at the helm. Now that’s an all-American!

I think Booker is a really good but not great player............I'd take a certain Ms. Strong over her in a heartbeat..... 😊

 

[bballnut90]

I think here is how I'd categorize the guards early on:

Top candidates for 1st team:
-Olivia Miles, TCU, has the total package for a 1st Team AA ballot right now. Big 12 looks weak though so if TCU doesn't win I could see her dropping to 2nd team.

-Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame, has great stats but potentially poor team success. If she keeps up productivity and ND is top 20 all year I can't see her missing 1st team though

-Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt, strong contender at this point, great numbers but will potentially have a tougher time keeping up efficiency in SEC play as defenses focus closely on her.

Just outside looking in:
-Azzi Fudd, UCONN, has great efficiency but doesn't fill up full stat sheet as well as others. Likely will get fewer minutes in weak conference too.

-Taliah Scott, Baylor, she's off to an incredible start but lacks name recognition and national merit

Has work to do:
-For LSU, they'll likely need one of Flau'jae/Fulwiley/Williams to emerge as the go to player. Likely Flau'jae, but a potentially balanced offense hinders any one player from standing out. SEC play will reveal a lot about the team structure and potential.

-Olivia Olson, Michigan, stats aren't full there for 1st Team but if Michigan wins the B1G or comes close and she keeps up her play, I think she has a shot.

-Jazzy Davidson, USC, she's a good darkhorse pick right now as she's starting to find her groove and is an excellent 2 way player. Clear standout on USC and will get exposure in the B1G. Needs to improve efficiency.

Likely not a contender:
-Rori Harmon, Texas, is probably the best 2 way PG in the country but she just doesn't score enough. Definitely a championship level PG though.

-TaNiya Latson, South Carolina, I'm not seeing her as a true candidate. In marquee games she hasn't been a go to offensive player for South Carolina. All of her big games are against bad teams so far.

-Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee, pretty solid statline but Tennessee is underperforming so far

-Kiki Rice/Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA, both have nice numbers but not at 1st Team level IMO.

-Aaliyah Chavez, Oklahoma has put up big games, needs to clean up efficiency though and likely gets outshined by teammate Beers for awards

-Jaloni Cambridge, Ohio State, really nice numbers, team needs to be top 10-15 to have a shot though

-Britt Prince, Nebraska, she has the best stats in the country among guards but schedule is weak and likely to come down big time against Big 10 competitions

-Jordan Lee, Texas, excellent 2 way player but isn't going to have stats to merit 1st or 2nd team honors.

-Liv McGill, Florida, crazy stats but Florida likely isn't good enough to garner national attention

-Shay Ciezki, Indiana, same scenario as Live McGill


Also, I'd categorize Madison Booker of Texas as more of a SF, though if we're considering her a guard she's in the top candidates section.

 

[Gael]

I know this board considers it heresy that Azzi would not be on the team but I am trying to look as logically at it as I can (but yes, I too am biased!).

As one who has watched, discussed and written about WBB elsewhere for a very long time, I believe it's fair to say that Azzi is considered a stronger AA candidate on this partisan site than in most elsewheres. The perception is that she really hasn't proven herself to be elite because of her almost continuous injuries since her junior year in high school. Other but lesser elsewhere concerns are her ability to self-create field goals and draw FTAs.

This year hopefully will be Azzi's fully healthiest, and could be an elite break-out year for her that is recognized by everyone. Personally, I think Azzi will be a lock for the 10-player WBCA AA team if she keeps up her current pace and UConn stays undefeated in the regular season, but that she'll have tough competition for making any of the five-player AA teams. Azzi may make one or more of the five-player teams if some of the other candidates, or their teams, flag and if she and UConn don't.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Kiki Rice is leading player on a top Final Four contender, though I tend to think of other players on her own team more deserving. She is the point guard

I think Leger-Walker has taken over PG duties for the most part. She's certainly WAY ahead of Rice in the assists category.

 

[donalddoowop]

I hope we have a chance to play her and try to shut her down, but Booker does a lot for her team.
Latson hasn’t done much IMO. I can’t see Latson hurting us. We’re at least as physical as she is.
Strong and Booker IMO are the only front runners right now. Harmon should be in or at least knocking on the door.
Betts, Hidalgo- eh. HH IMO has to show leadership for a rebuilding ND. She seems erratic as heck, even in her behavior.
Guess what just popped into my head- Sue Bird. What would this year’s ND squad look like with Sue at the helm. Now that’s an all-American!

Latson torched UConn in her freshman season.

 

[Charliebball]

I think Leger-Walker has taken over PG duties for the most part. She's certainly WAY ahead of Rice in the assists category.

Rice is another good but not great player, undeserving of AA honors.......Leger-Walker may not be the athlete Rice is, but she's a better all-around player....

 

[hoophuskee]

As one who has watched, discussed and written about WBB elsewhere for a very long time, I believe it's fair to say that Azzi is considered a stronger AA candidate on this partisan site than in most elsewheres. The perception is that she really hasn't proven herself to be elite because of her almost continuous injuries since her junior year in high school. Other but lesser elsewhere concerns are her ability to self-create field goals and draw FTAs.

This year hopefully will be Azzi's fully healthiest, and could be an elite break-out year for her that is recognized by everyone. Personally, I think Azzi will be a lock for the 10-player WBCA AA team if she keeps up her current pace and UConn stays undefeated in the regular season, but that she'll have tough competition for making any of the five-player AA teams. Azzi may make one or more of the five-player teams if some of the other candidates, or their teams, flag and if she and UConn don't.

Right now Azzi is an obvious top 5. UCONN is number 1 in the country and she's the leading scorer on the number 1 team. Also of the core players she is number 1 in Usage and number 1 in efficiency. Her 3pt shooting efficiciency considering her usage and points scored might be historic if she keeps up near this.

 

[Gael]

Right now Azzi is an obvious top 5. UCONN is number 1 in the country and she's the leading scorer on the number 1 team. Also of the core players she is number 1 in Usage and number 1 in efficiency.

The way I see it:

Strong is the clear #1 on UConn in all key stats over Fudd currently, except 3pt shooting and trivially in PPG. Strong is ahead, often way ahead, in key stats such as PER, total win shares, offensive win shares, defensive win shares, EFG%, 2FG%, rebounds, steals, assists, points per possession, points per scoring attempt, offensive rating, and defensive rating. This is according to both Sports-Reference.com and HerHoopStats.

From all these stats, plus the near-unanimous hype of Strong for NPOY by network commentators, it seems clear that Strong is UConn's strongest AA candidate at present.

Nonetheless, I agree it's reasonable to argue that Fudd will make five-player AA teams at the end of the season if she keeps up her scoring and UConn keeps up its winning. But it will be very competive at the guard position because there may only be two of them.

 

[browns]

Betts Booker an Hildago all made 1st team AP All American,last year so they more than likely will make it this year too
Sara is a sure thing to make it also
That leaves one spot open
Latson was 2nd team like Sara.. will she take the final spot

 

[visitingcock]

Betts Booker an Hildago all made 1st team AP All American,last year so they more than likely will make it this year too
Sara is a sure thing to make it also
That leaves one spot open
Latson was 2nd team like Sara.. will she take the final spot

I don’t see Latson being chosen - at least not at this point.she has not fully integrated into the gamecock offense and is not scoring at near the level she did at FSU. She is a much better defender and may have helped her frat status but I don’t see her climbing to 1st team AA

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I’m confooked here. Is this about all American guards or other positions as well? Betts and Strong…and even Booker aren’t guards. I don’t like these awards where there are team levels…for many reasons. Set a criteria…possibly position related and you either meet it or you don’t. Scoring for these awards is the shiny object. But, that punishes players on teams with balanced scoring.

 

[visitingcock]

I’m confooked here. Is this about all American guards or other positions as well? Betts and Strong…and even Booker aren’t guards. I don’t like these awards where there are team levels…for many reasons. Set a criteria…possibly position related and you either meet it or you don’t. Scoring for these awards is the shiny object. But, that punishes players on teams with balanced scoring.

And, is a three (wing) a guard or a forward? Particularly in relation to Strong and Booker

 

[YKCornelius]

As one who has watched, discussed and written about WBB elsewhere for a very long time, I believe it's fair to say that Azzi is considered a stronger AA candidate on this partisan site than in most elsewheres. The perception is that she really hasn't proven herself to be elite because of her almost continuous injuries since her junior year in high school. Other but lesser elsewhere concerns are her ability to self-create field goals and draw FTAs.

This year hopefully will be Azzi's fully healthiest, and could be an elite break-out year for her that is recognized by everyone. Personally, I think Azzi will be a lock for the 10-player WBCA AA team if she keeps up her current pace and UConn stays undefeated in the regular season, but that she'll have tough competition for making any of the five-player AA teams. Azzi may make one or more of the five-player teams if some of the other candidates, or their teams, flag and if she and UConn don't.

Gael, are you talking about perceptions of Azzi on other partisan blog sites (and podcasts) that a have a vested interest in promoting their players, their teams or their leagues? Because if you are referring to any national-level discussions that are NOT including Azzi Fudd as a top candidate for first team AA at the one-third waypoint of the WCBB regular season, I would love to know where those discussions are occurring. I suspect that any such discussions would be trying to create controversy in order to increase viewership.

The perceptions and concerns you convey (previous years, self-creat FGs, and draw FTAs) sound like they are coming from folks who are trying desperately to fabricate a case - any case - AGAINST Azzi by pointing to grossly inconsequential matters. It's laughable to imagine award panels using "the ability to draw free throws" as a differentiator between 1st, 2nd or even Honorable Mention All-American candidates. Heck, it would be absurd even in discussions leading to any All-Conference Team selections. Similarly absurd, how does one measure "ability to self-create FGs"? Count how many FGs are not assisted and minus breakaways coming off of steals?

Bottom line: I think Azzi's current #1 mock draft position with ESPN, in addition to how well she has performed on several nationally televised games thus far (with many more such games to follow), will keep her inclusion in First Team AA discussions for as long as UConn is a leading candidate for the FF and NC.

 

[Bigboote]

I think Booker is a really good but not great player............I'd take a certain Ms. Strong over her in a heartbeat..... 😊

And (also responding to the OP) like Strong, she's a forward with good guard skills.

 

[Bigboote]

As one who has watched, discussed and written about WBB elsewhere for a very long time, I believe it's fair to say that Azzi is considered a stronger AA candidate on this partisan site than in most elsewheres. The perception is that she really hasn't proven herself to be elite because of her almost continuous injuries since her junior year in high school. Other but lesser elsewhere concerns are her ability to self-create field goals and draw FTAs.
. . .

I think that ship sailed when she was the MOP in the Final Four last season.

 

[Happydad745]

Azzi Fudd will make first or second team all-American, if she is left off due to lower stats, caused by less time on the floor, the NCAA would lose face, especially when she is projected to be the #1 draft pick....Geno is not Mulkey, he doesn't care about stats, he cares about building a strong team and getting a NC for them.

 

[Gael]

Gael, are you talking about perceptions of Azzi on other partisan blog sites (and podcasts) that a have a vested interest in promoting their players, their teams or their leagues?

No.

Just the opposite.

I'm talking about the perceptions of non-partisan WBB writers, of current and former/defunct WBB journals and multi-partisan discussion sites, some of whom have been or still are AP and McD AA voters.

The perceptions of some of these folks, based on Fudd's college performance prior to this season, are simply that she has not performed in a consistently elite manner during her college years, measured both by her her college stats as of April 2025 and by those folks' purported "eye tests," mainly because she has been so injury prone. To put it crudely, some think she's mainly a streaky 3pt catch-and-shooter, who is average at best as a driver, pull-upper, foul drawer, rim finisher, assister, and defender.

I'm trying to summarize THEIR perceptions, not mine. To the extent THEIR perceptions of Azzi's skills are correct, I would not characterize their opinions as "absurd" or "laughable" or "fabricating" cases "on grossly inconsequential matters." Many of them simply and honestly think that guards such as Miles, Hildalgo, Johnson, Blakes, and maybe even Latson or Kneepkins have demonstrated more skills prior to this season.

(Of course there are also many partisan discussion sites for other teams, such as this one is for UConn, where the membership will naturally lean toward players on their home teams or leagues.)

I don't agree with those perceptions about Azzi because I have seen every game she has played in college, which probably makes me partisan, and I have a more positive impression of her driving, midrange and defensive skills now that her knee seems healthy. Whatever, I have stated publicly on this site that I think Fudd will be the first or second draft pick and that she's a lock for the 10-player AA team. I still think making the five-player AA team will be hard for any guard because non-guards such as Strong, Betts, Booker, Crooks and others may compete strongly for three or four of the available AA positions.

 

[YKCornelius]

No.

Just the opposite.

I'm talking about the perceptions of non-partisan WBB writers, of current and former/defunct WBB journals and multi-partisan discussion sites, some of whom have been or still are AP and McD AA voters.

The perceptions of some of these folks, based on Fudd's college performance prior to this season, are simply that she has not performed in a consistently elite manner during her college years, measured both by her her college stats as of April 2025 and by those folks' purported "eye tests," mainly because she has been so injury prone. To put it crudely, some think she's mainly a streaky 3pt catch-and-shooter, who is average at best as a driver, pull-upper, foul drawer, rim finisher, assister, and defender.

I'm trying to summarize THEIR perceptions, not mine. To the extent THEIR perceptions of Azzi's skills are correct, I would not characterize their opinions as "absurd" or "laughable" or "fabricating" cases "on grossly inconsequential matters." Many of them simply and honestly think that guards such as Miles, Hildalgo, Johnson, Blakes, and maybe even Latson or Kneepkins have demonstrated more skills prior to this season.

(Of course there are also many partisan discussion sites for other teams, such as this one is for UConn, where the membership will naturally lean toward players on their home teams or leagues.)

I don't agree with those perceptions about Azzi because I have seen every game she has played in college, which probably makes me partisan, and I have a more positive impression of her driving, midrange and defensive skills now that her knee seems healthy. Whatever, I have stated publicly on this site that I think Fudd will be the first or second draft pick and that she's a lock for the 10-player AA team. I still think making the five-player AA team will be hard for any guard because non-guards such as Strong, Betts, Booker, Crooks and others may compete strongly for three or four of the available AA positions.

Gael, perhaps you can IM me with those non-partisan WBB writers operating current WBB journals and engaging on multi-partisan discussion sites? I would be very interested to join in any discussions they might be having on any sites open to viewership.

FWIW, I do my best to stay abreast of the AP WBB writers/voters. For example, I track individual AP Top 25 submissions week-to-week. When any of the writers' weekly vote submissions look a little wonky, I will surf around and see if I can find any explanation on-line that gives me insight as to why they voted the way they did. Most AP pollsters maintain an on-line presence, although only a few provide insight to their readership. Suffice to say, I enjoy trying to understand the thought process of WBB writers and commentators (along with coaches, players and referees).

I've been tracking college All-American lists since I was a kid delivering Philadelphia Inquirer morning papers in South Jersey and reading the columns written by the patriarch of women's/girls basketball, Mel Greenberg (who still maintains a blog to this day). I enjoy trying to figure out common threads from one year to the next, and also how the voting members reach their decision.

In all the years I've been nurturing this hobby, what seems clear to me is that the folks who vote on All-American awards, whether they are representing AP, WCBA, UPI, Kodak, ESPN, USA Today, etc., have weighed primarily two measurable factors: team success and individual stats. While the components of those two factors are not fixed, are somewhat wide in scope, and are left up to the discretion of the voter, suffice to say however the voter votes will eventually have to pass the sanity test amongst his/her WBB peers.

This is true not only for First Team selections, but for 2nd, 3rd and HM as well.

Bottom line: those specific factors you are hearing/reading from non-partisan WBB writers are inconsequential due to the fact they are not measurable. And since they are not measurable, they are not defendable, and would be ridiculed if they were ever brought up by any voter in defense of why he/she voted a certain way. Hence, any click-generating discussion of these unmeasurable conjectures in a public forum discussing All-American qualifications is patently absurd.

I am extremely curious and interested in the mindset of non-partisan WBB writers who are sharing these opinions, and in understanding how/why they think unmeasurable attributes should shape AA discussions or, even worse, be considered as differentiators in exercising any All-American voting responsibilities.

 

[Gael]

Gael, perhaps you can IM me with those non-partisan WBB writers operating current WBB journals and engaging on multi-partisan discussion sites?

YKCornelius, are you trying to have a serious interchange?

If so, I'm sure you can find the many eZines, blogs, social media sites, and publicly available AA teams dedicated to WBB on the internet. Most of the multi-partisan (or "open") discussion sites have unfortunately died, most recently RebKell.

The opinions about Azzi Fudd's AA qualifications among voting WBB writers, some of whom I personally know, is concretized every year in their published AA teams, most recently the 2024-25 AA teams.

Last season, the 31-person AP panel did not vote Azzi on their first, second or third teams, nor among their 19 honorable mention players. Similarly, the 900 member USBWA did not vote Azzi on any of their three AA teams nor among their seven honorable mentions. So also the WBCA, which did not name Azzi to their 10-player team nor to their 40 honorable mentions.

From this sea of 2024-25 non-Azzi AA's, I count at least 10 guards who are still in college this season.

Will the these writers, coaches and other voters change their AA minds on Azzi based on two games in last season's Final Four plus nine games so far this season. Maybe. Maybe not.

Will they change their minds and put Azzi on their first AA team at the end of this season? I've been arguing that that's very possible if Azzi keeps up her scoring and UConn keeps up its winning.

Is any of this controversial, indefensible, ridiculous or patently absurd? I don't think so. But then I read such hyperbole here, which confuses me:

Bottom line: those specific factors you are hearing/reading from non-partisan WBB writers are inconsequential due to the fact they are not measurable. And since they are not measurable, they are not defendable, and would be ridiculed if they were ever brought up by any voter in defense of why he/she voted a certain way. Hence, any click-generating discussion of these unmeasurable conjectures in a public forum discussing All-American qualifications is patently absurd.

What's unmeasurable? Writers, coaches and fans all form opinions about Azzi Fudd (and every other player) based on their cumulative observations and on widely available stats—unless they are just winging it or lemming it.

Let's stick with stats, which I frequently quote here from Sports-Reference.com and Her Hoop Stats. (And there are other public and fee stat sites available.) Anyone can form an opinion on Azzi's shooting, rebounding, assisting, stealing and other fundamental skills by looking at basic box score stats. From those basic stats, a voter could reasonably conclude that Azzi is not an AA level rebounder or assister, for example.

With a little more interpretation, a voter could reasonably conclude that Azzi does not self-create midrange scores and slashing drives in traffic at an AA level because she has the third worst 2FG% on her own team (46.2%) and draws only 1.2 free throw attempts per game.

From more advanced stats, a voter could reasonably conclude that Azzi is not an AA level defender since her multi-factorial Defensive Rating is seventh out of 14 on her own team, behind KK and K9.

Evaluative AA opinions based on these publicly available stats, especially when buttressed by personal observations, are not "unmeasurable" quanta, much less "not defendable" or "patently absurd."

Of course, I (and presumably you) would not focus in those ways on those stats, and we would probably interpret the stats in reasonable ways more favorable to Azzi this season. More importantly, I suspect both of us have personally observed (eyeballed) Azzi Fudd far, far more than almost all of the writers, coaches and other AA voters. That affects our opinions.

But I'm positive that some AA voters will have different opinions on Azzi Fudd and every other player in AA contention than I do . . . or you do . . . or anyone else on this site does. Basketball is like poetry: It is subject to many reasonable and interesting interpretations.

 

[Geew1992]

Given we are about a 3rd of the way through the season, I wanted to offer an opinion on the AA candidates using the Pre-season list, last year's first/second/third and honorable mention list and then the early news/media aspects touting candidates.

As a review, the list of Pre-season guards are:
Hannah Hidalgo ND
Ta'Niya Latson SC
Madison Booker Texas
the 4th and 5th persons were Sarah Strong and Lauren Betts

Just outside that group were Azzi Fudd and Flau'jae Johnson LSU

Also needing consideration will be Olivia Miles TCU, Kiki Rice UCLA, Mikayla Blakes Vanderbilt and Rory Harmon Texas.

That is 9 players.
Frankly, Madison will be a lock on the list due to the current Texas success and her past inclusion on this team
Hidalgo will have gaudy stats simply because her team needs her to so she will be a lock on the list (yes, I know and am aware of the BY angst with HH but the fact is the media and other pundits highly value her).
Latson is now on a highly public team and is viewed as their "star" so she will be a factor. In my opinion, she is NOT a lock for the 1st team.

• Johnson from LSU is more sizzle than steak but if LSU has some key wins (like beating Texas/SC) and she is the key factor in those games, she will get publicity (and promotion from Mulkey).
• Olivia Miles already has 2 AA mentions (2nd team and HM) and is leading a good TCU team (albeit in a weak conference) so as TCU makes noise, Miles will get media attention. In my view, she will be a 2nd team AA member and on the WBCA team.
• Kiki Rice is leading player on a top Final Four contender, though I tend to think of other players on her own team more deserving. She is the point guard and a Senior so she will garner some attention. At this point, I view her more of an Honorable Mention candidate than serious contender.
• Mikayla Blakes on Vanderbilt will put up gaudy numbers and if Vandy surprises anyone like breaking into the top 4 in the SEC this year, she will get credit. As the media touted her as a viable candidate to Sarah's FOY award last year, which irked me to NO END as her stats we not that close to Sarah's. I have no doubt that some of those very same pundits will do the same this year. But to me, she's a 2nd or 3rd team AP AA. probable member of the 10 person WBCA team.
• Rory Harmon is looking really good right now and finally seems fully recovered from her knee injury and is shooting significantly better than she ever has and will Texas in the spot light, she will get attention. If she keeps it up, she's a 2nd or 3rd team AP AA.

My main point of this thread is:

• Azzi Fudd has recognition, shooting stats to support that, team recognition and is showing defensive chops as well. Geno will be touting her contributions to whoever will listen. But as I have outlined it will be interesting to see how the AP 5 team is comprised and how the WBCA 10 team will look.

At the moment, I put Azzi, Sarah, Madison, Hannah and Latson on my 5 member team. I know that is 4 guards and Sarah so I am not sure if the other voters will feel that way. Betts, to me, is vastly overrated but is the best POST player in the game right now so....If she is put on the team, I think Latson is at risk although Azzi could also be overlooked.

The metrics favor Azzi over both Booker and Latson right now but as I have said, the pundits do not always use metrics but use narratives.

I am cautiously optimistic at this point given how strong Azzi has started the season. I just wish she would cut down on her turnovers and increase her assists to get to a greater than 2 to 1 ration (currently at 28/16).

I know this board considers it heresy that Azzi would not be on the team but I am trying to look as logically at it as I can (but yes, I too am biased!).

How is Booker a guard? She beat out Strong (I disagree on this) for the Cheryl Miller award. The award goes to the best small forward.

 

[DefenseBB]

How is Booker a guard? She beat out Strong (I disagree on this) for the Cheryl Miller award. The award goes to the best small forward.

I guess I still default to her freshman year when she had to play the PG role due to the Harmon injury. But yes, she is more of small forward now.

 

[YKCornelius]

YKCornelius, are you trying to have a serious interchange?

If so, I'm sure you can find the many eZines, blogs, social media sites, and publicly available AA teams dedicated to WBB on the internet. Most of the multi-partisan (or "open") discussion sites have unfortunately died, most recently RebKell.

The opinions about Azzi Fudd's AA qualifications among voting WBB writers, some of whom I personally know, is concretized every year in their published AA teams, most recently the 2024-25 AA teams.

Last season, the 31-person AP panel did not vote Azzi on their first, second or third teams, nor among their 19 honorable mention players. Similarly, the 900 member USBWA did not vote Azzi on any of their three AA teams nor among their seven honorable mentions. So also the WBCA, which did not name Azzi to their 10-player team nor to their 40 honorable mentions.

From this sea of 2024-25 non-Azzi AA's, I count at least 10 guards who are still in college this season.

Will the these writers, coaches and other voters change their AA minds on Azzi based on two games in last season's Final Four plus nine games so far this season. Maybe. Maybe not.

Will they change their minds and put Azzi on their first AA team at the end of this season? I've been arguing that that's very possible if Azzi keeps up her scoring and UConn keeps up its winning.

Is any of this controversial, indefensible, ridiculous or patently absurd? I don't think so. But then I read such hyperbole here, which confuses me:



What's unmeasurable? Writers, coaches and fans all form opinions about Azzi Fudd (and every other player) based on their cumulative observations and on widely available stats—unless they are just winging it or lemming it.

Let's stick with stats, which I frequently quote here from Sports-Reference.com and Her Hoop Stats. (And there are other public and fee stat sites available.) Anyone can form an opinion on Azzi's shooting, rebounding, assisting, stealing and other fundamental skills by looking at basic box score stats. From those basic stats, a voter could reasonably conclude that Azzi is not an AA level rebounder or assister, for example.

With a little more interpretation, a voter could reasonably conclude that Azzi does not self-create midrange scores and slashing drives in traffic at an AA level because she has the third worst 2FG% on her own team (46.2%) and draws only 1.2 free throw attempts per game.

From more advanced stats, a voter could reasonably conclude that Azzi is not an AA level defender since her multi-factorial Defensive Rating is seventh out of 14 on her own team, behind KK and K9.

Evaluative AA opinions based on these publicly available stats, especially when buttressed by personal observations, are not "unmeasurable" quanta, much less "not defendable" or "patently absurd."

Of course, I (and presumably you) would not focus in those ways on those stats, and we would probably interpret the stats in reasonable ways more favorable to Azzi this season. More importantly, I suspect both of us have personally observed (eyeballed) Azzi Fudd far, far more than almost all of the writers, coaches and other AA voters. That affects our opinions.

But I'm positive that some AA voters will have different opinions on Azzi Fudd and every other player in AA contention than I do . . . or you do . . . or anyone else on this site does. Basketball is like poetry: It is subject to many reasonable and interesting interpretations.

Gael, thanks for the lengthy clarification. I have a better idea now of the context of your post as well as where your mindset is.

Hopefully the actual voters of these awards will perform their due diligence in getting eyeballs on the top AA candidates as the season progresses forward, and not use yesteryear's stats or current year advanced metrics as a substitute.

 

[DefenseBB]

I think as Azzi stays healthy and plays well in the marquee games (like Sat vs. USC), she will be able to convince voters. I know @Gael was just making a point about Kneepkens but she almost as much as an injury concern as Azzi and certainly a quality of opposition evidence that she can prove with this UCLA stint vs her Utah stint. While it is also true, Azzi did not have any supporters prior to the NCAAT for AP or WBCA, this years "pre season" AP team did have her and have a LOT of votes so she is in the consciousness.

Gael does highlight an interesting aspect that AP team can be fluid on the number of guards it has on it-some 2 sometimes 3. This year, I think Booker and Sarah Strong are locks. Betts is a probable as she has not played as well as expected but still is playing on a powerhouse team. Hidalgo will have gaudy stats that would likely keep her on the 5 person team. If UConn stays undefeated, Azzi stays healthy and keeps playing at the 2026 version, I do see her earning a spot on the team. The potential risk is if UCLA and Betts become unbelievably dominant and/or LSU and Flau'Jae Johnson dominate the SEC to elevate her star.

At the moment, the 5 person team

1. Strong
2. Booker
3. Hidalgo
4. Fudd
5. Betts
6. Johnson
7. Latson
8. Olson-Michigan