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!).
