Potential All-American Guard Position

[hoophuskee]

I recall in Paige's freshman year, I heard probably on here or it was on SNY that Paige went to Geno's office telling him she was stunned at how many people hate UCONN. I also recall how many went after Geno during his Olympic run then even after when Dawn made some pro-UCONN decisions he was partially blamed.

Also, recently there was an analysis done by an SEC guy I believe using Torvik methodology. He has Azzi rated beyond top 30. IMO using something like Torvik methodology to publicly rate players as if it’s “defining” is silly. Though to be fair I’m not sure if that’s what was done in this instance. But if that was the intent, then imo it was just over-the-top.

 

[bballnut90]

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

Blakes and Crooks should both be on here too

 

[GoChips20]

I’m aware this is a UConn board but aside, I’m not as high on Fudd as the BY or the general WBB fanbase. I think she does what she does at a high level, and short of injury issues that are out of her control, I think she’s pro-ready and will be an impact player in the W.

I just like players who do it all. Fudd’s kind of in rare air because she’s not a combo guard like Paige or Caitlin and isn’t an all-out scoring dynamo like Mikayla Blakes or FSU Ta’Niya Latson. She’s an elite shooter, possibly the best in the country, and at high volume too. Her release is lightning-quick but I don’t see a lot of individual shot creation (which could be more of a system feature, a “why fix what isn’t broke” situation since she’s scoring and shooting well). Not a ton of playmaking either.

I have no doubt she’ll be an All-American this year and a very good pro, I’m just not as high as most.

 

[hoophuskee]

I’m aware this is a UConn board but aside, I’m not as high on Fudd as the BY or the general WBB fanbase. I think she does what she does at a high level, and short of injury issues that are out of her control, I think she’s pro-ready and will be an impact player in the W.

I just like players who do it all. Fudd’s kind of in rare air because she’s not a combo guard like Paige or Caitlin and isn’t an all-out scoring dynamo like Mikayla Blakes or FSU Ta’Niya Latson. She’s an elite shooter, possibly the best in the country, and at high volume too. Her release is lightning-quick but I don’t see a lot of individual shot creation (which could be more of a system feature, a “why fix what isn’t broke” situation since she’s scoring and shooting well). Not a ton of playmaking either.

I have no doubt she’ll be an All-American this year and a very good pro, I’m just not as high as most.

I don't follow the W much but I do think she should be 1st or 2nd pick. But you are calling Azzi an impact player. Most UCONN fans on here have stated she is going to be "better" than "an impact player?" I'm not on here all the time but I thought a vast majority oft BY'ers felt that Azzi isn't Paige. . . Am I wrong?

Secondly, in regard to "doing it all" it al depends on the player. Scottie Pippen "did it all" but was he preferred vs Shaq? Shaq wasn't that good of a rebounder. Anyhow a couple of years ago before the start of the season. And then you have the big time players like Morant that flame out. Might that be someone like Arike from Dallas?

A couple years ago before season started there were constant arguments on here about Nika Muhl (before Azzi got hurt) if she should start or not because a pg also has to be able to make plays on their own was part of and/or a lot of the argument. In other words, "a pg that can do it all." Sure if you happen to have another "Paige." But other than that, why would you want a player taking shots away from both players (paige and Azzi) if they are far less efficient as a scorer?

Just look at Latson. The player you mentioned that as you imply "does it all." I have a ton of respect for her. I thought picking her up was a great, great move. But looking at this year so far - vs the better teams SOCar has played, Texas, SoCal Duke. and Louisville she is a combined 19-48 from the floor. That’s 39.6%.. Overall, why would we want a player on our team that is more likely to take away shots from more efficient scores (there is a difference between “shooter and "scorer." Heck some of Azzi’s elite games have been twice vs SoCar, once vs UCLA and once vs Texas in which Vic said that no player torched his team like that in a long time. SO, Azzi isn’t just a “shooter.)? So, a player we define as “does it all” because they can go one-one better while taking shots away from far more efficient scorers, is a good thing?

 

[AzzisBraids]

Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo, Flaujae Johnson, Mikayla Williams, Mikayla Blakes, Gabriela Jaquez and Olivia Olson are all my top candidates.

Also Azzi Fudd is the best shooting guard in the country and we can move on from that.

 

[DefenseBB]

Blakes and Crooks should both be on here too

Blakes and Crooks should both be on here too

I guess I was listing the voting order as I perceive it for the AP top 5 but for the WBCA team, yes both deserve strong consideration. At this point I am not inclined to state either is a serious contender for the AP 5 first team.

That can change if Blakes leads Vandy to some great upsets and/or Crooks wins Big 12 player of the Year while dominating both Baylor and TCU. Again, I am not optimistic on that but it is plausible

 

[bballnut90]

I guess I was listing the voting order as I perceive it for the AP top 5 but for the WBCA team, yes both deserve strong consideration. At this point I am not inclined to state either is a serious contender for the AP 5 first team.

That can change if Blakes leads Vandy to some great upsets and/or Crooks wins Big 12 player of the Year while dominating both Baylor and TCU. Again, I am not optimistic on that but it is plausible

Blakes might have work to do against top teams but Crooks solidified her spot as a real contender IMO with her complete domination of Iowa and Heiden/Stuelke inside. She leads the nation in scoring averaging more than a point per minute played and is shooting 72% from the floor for a top 10 team. Non-con often leads to inflated numbers but early in the year she’s on a short list of POY consideration and is getting a decent amount of media attention this season too.

I also think Edwards gets serious consideration from SC, more so than Latson.

 

[DefenseBB]

@bballnut90 who would you take between Crooks and Edwards?

I’d take Edwards. Crooks has played against 7 quad 4 teams with only 3 being quasi legit-Marquette, Indiana and Iowa. I will wait to see how she does in the Big 12 slate before I say she truly AA worthy. I am not saying she’s not good and not worthy of consideration. I just think there are better players out there.

 

[visitingcock]

@bballnut90 who would you take between Crooks and Edwards?

I’d take Edwards. Crooks has played against 7 quad 4 teams with only 3 being quasi legit-Marquette, Indiana and Iowa. I will wait to see how she does in the Big 12 slate before I say she truly AA worthy. I am not saying she’s not good and not worthy of consideration. I just think there are better players out there.

Is Crooks a 4? I’ve always considered her a 5 because she camps in the paint. Betts? Beers? Okote?

Anyway, we have two thirds of a season to figure it out. Things are gonna get more competitive next month for everybody except Strong and UConn

 

[bballnut90]

@bballnut90 who would you take between Crooks and Edwards?

I’d take Edwards. Crooks has played against 7 quad 4 teams with only 3 being quasi legit-Marquette, Indiana and Iowa. I will wait to see how she does in the Big 12 slate before I say she truly AA worthy. I am not saying she’s not good and not worthy of consideration. I just think there are better players out there.

I’d take Edwards if I’m building a team but if we’re talking about who is having thus better season thus far I’d pick Crooks. As @visitingcock noted it’s still early in the season though and schedules are going to get beefed up soon. Last year most thought Hannah Hidalgo was the clear favorite to win POY for the first 1/2 to 2/3 of the season and she didn’t take home a single POY award last year.