Saniya Chong....wow!!!!

[meyers7]

No offense to Moriah, but Saniya will be a better all-around basketball player.

No offense to Chong, but if that turns out to be true, I will be 1) very surprised and 2) very happy.

I expect Jefferson to be an AA and win the Nancy Lieberman award before she is done at UCONN. If Chong can out do Jefferson, that will make everyone a very happy camper.

 

[meyers7]

Explain to me then how the player of the year is ranked where she is?

Well the opposite could be asked, explain how someone ranked where she is can be player of the year???

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Well the opposite could be asked, explain how someone ranked where she is can be player of the year???

Different criteria? In Psychology, one evaluates criteria on their ability to predict what they are intended to predict...called predictive validity, a measured displayed a a statistical correlation.

 

[doggydaddy]

Different criteria? In Psychology, one evaluates criteria on their ability to predict what they are intended to predict...called predictive validity, a measured displayed a a statistical correlation.

While your explanation was way too complex for my simple mind, you are correct. Rankings have different criteria than the Parade award.

Her HS senior year was amazing. Her 34 ppg, 9 apg, 6 rpg, 5 steals per game. I'd challenge anyone to find a HS player last season with better stats. Add on the fact that her team won the NY state championship. Add on her great performance at the Nike of 30 ppg and 9 rpg against very good competition.

All of these things were used by Parade to determine their player of the year.

I would try to explain how recruiting sites come up with their rankings, but I don't totally understand their process. I know they weigh heavily in favor of players they see vs not see in AAU ball and Chong didn't play AAU ball.

 

[jplotinus]

Both Saniya and Moriah have outstanding agility, speed and bb acumen. What is perplexing, to me at least, is that neither of them has the build of a phenom. In bb at the highest level, size matters; especially in games where the refs "let them play" meaning where pushing and shoving are considered non-contact.

For both, the question will be whether the "light and fast" skill sets they each have will exceed the inherent lack of height and bulk that neither of them has?

I think they will each exceed expectations (if that is possible in the BY, where expectations start high and go up from there), but I think doing so will take time. Mo might be ready now. Saniya might have to go through the same ordeal Stewie went through last year; i.e., learning to cope with the physicality of the game at this level.

 

[meyers7]

Different criteria?

Kinda my point to chris.

In Psychology, one evaluates criteria on their ability to predict what they are intended to predict...called predictive validity, a measured displayed a a statistical correlation.

Psychology, miscychology. You believe that stuff?

 

[Tonyc]

When you see Saniya and when she has some experience at the college level you will see what she can do . She has great instincts and anticipation to go with great skills. She is quick, can use either hand, can drive the lane using either hand and can dial it up from downtown and beyond. When I saw her play against Sierra and CTK she had a stomach virus and in the 4th qtr when the game was on the line she delivered on both offense and defense scoring over 20 pts in the 4th qtr. It was amazing.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Kinda my point to chris.


Psychology, miscychology. You believe that stuff?

Absolutely...a criteria is only as good as its ability to predict what it sez it is supposed to predict.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Validity_(statistics)

 

[jplotinus]

When you see Saniya and when she has some experience at the college level you will see what she can do . She has great instincts and anticipation to go with great skills. She is quick, can use either hand, can drive the lane using either hand and can dial it up from downtown and beyond. When I saw her play against Sierra and CTK she had a stomach virus and in the 4th qtr when the game was on the line she delivered on both offense and defense scoring over 20 pts in the 4th qtr. It was amazing.

The game v CTK was a good indicator of what to expect from Saniya, who out scored Sierra Calhoun, despite, as said above, playing through sickness. Prior to that game, Ossining had fared poorly in the Nike tournament, as a team, but that outcome was probably not a reflection on Saniya.

We do not know why she was not more highly regarded by rating agencies. The only things that might, objectively, be held against her that I can think of are: 1-high school league (Being outclassed in Nike tournament, for example); 2-physical build.

Here's what I expect, assuming the creek don't rise...:

Ability to play into rotation as a frosh, moreso as a soph. Starter as a junior. AA as a senior.

 

[meyers7]

Absolutely...a criteria is only as good as its ability to predict what it sez it is supposed to predict.

Psychology (just teasing )

I do remember my freshmen year in college they made us take the Minnesota test (MMPI??), the 600 question one?? About half way through it starts repeating questions but in a different manner. Recognizing this, and being an 18 yo, I decided to mess with them and answering the questions in the opposite way from the prior questions. I got a letter from the Psychology Dept. stating I could come in to talk to them at any time if I was having any "problems". . I laughed and threw the letter away. (Although some on here, after interacting with me over the years, would probably think they may have been on to something.)

A couple years later had to take it for the Navy (submarines), decided I better do it straight up this time. Most Psych tests you can push anyway you want to get the results you want, I've found.

 

[JS]

Isn't it great we have them both?

Yes.

Not a big fan of generalized "who's better" comparisons between UConn players.

They're encouraged to think "team" rather than "who's better." They're all different. The question is, what can each player contribute?

And I like to think that way too.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Psychology (just teasing )

I do remember my freshmen year in college they made us take the Minnesota test (MMPI??), the 600 question one?? About half way through it starts repeating questions but in a different manner. Recognizing this, and being an 18 yo, I decided to mess with them and answering the questions in the opposite way from the prior questions. I got a letter from the Psychology Dept. stating I could come in to talk to them at any time if I was having any "problems". . I laughed and threw the letter away. (Although some on here, after interacting with me over the years, would probably think they may have been on to something.)

A couple years later had to take it for the Navy (submarines), decided I better do it straight up this time. Most Psych tests you can push anyway you want to get the results you want, I've found.

The MMPI is atheoretical, so you can’t mess with it...i.e. ,there is nothing to behind the test to mess with. Answers to questions are based upon empirical question results obtained from individuals diagnosed within certain DSM categories.

Sorry to all for thread misdirection.

 

[doggydaddy]

The MMPI is atheoretical, so you can’t mess with it...i.e. ,there is nothing to behind the test to mess with. Answers to questions are based upon empirical question results obtained from individuals diagnosed within certain DSM categories.

Sorry to all for thread misdirection.

Your posts make me crazy.

 

[meyers7]

The MMPI is atheoretical, so you can’t mess with it...i.e. ,there is nothing to behind the test to mess with. Answers to questions are based upon empirical question results obtained from individuals diagnosed within certain DSM categories.

Sorry to all for thread misdirection.

Well I did, soooooo......???

Reading it closer I did say "mess with them". Maybe not "it" but "them".

 

[Sonny44]

Explain to me then how the player of the year is ranked where she is? Explain to me how someone ranked where Saniya is played so well at the Nike tournament against the top competition? Scouts don't know everything, which is why Kelly was recruited by only UConn and Notre Dame. Do you think those other coaches kicked themselves after seeing what kind of player Kelly became? Save your rankings; they are meaningless as Kelly showed.

Amen, rankings are way over rated and way over discussed. The only rankings I trust are how intensely Geno et.al. are pursuing them.

 

[Geno-ista]

Explain to me then how the player of the year is ranked where she is? Explain to me how someone ranked where Saniya is played so well at the Nike tournament against the top competition? Scouts don't know everything, which is why Kelly was recruited by only UConn and Notre Dame. Do you think those other coaches kicked themselves after seeing what kind of player Kelly became? Save your rankings; they are meaningless as Kelly showed.

That is absolutely true re the experts re. Kelly. Lets hope they are as wrong about Saniya!!! I can't believe our coaches would want her if they didn't think she was capable.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

"She also shot 87 percent from the foul line.

In her career, Chong scored at least 30 points in 51 of her 96 high school games.

Despite her reputation and ability as a scorer (108 three-points in 27 games last season)"


Wow, looking at these things make me think of KML. Can you imagine the team next season with KML and Chong shooting and hitting 100 + three pointers each, and both being close to 90% from the foul line. I cannot help but start to feel a little excited about the prospects for next years team. Also with a healthy Dolson, Hartley, and Banks. And hopefully the tournament Stewart.... I better stop I am starting to smile already...

 

[Bestiarius]

In bb at the highest level, size matters; especially in games where the refs "let them play" meaning where pushing and shoving are considered non-contact.

You sure about that?

Signed,

Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues
Charlotte Hornets & others (1987-2001) 5 ft 3 in, 136 lbs, 889 NBA games played. 28 inches shorter than one of his teammates.

 

[Icebear]

You sure about that?

Signed,

Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues
Charlotte Hornets & others (1987-2001) 5 ft 3 in, 136 lbs, 889 NBA games played. 28 inches shorter than one of his teammates.

"Tiny" Nate Archibald

 

[Bestiarius]

"Tiny" Nate Archibald

And Spud Webb. I met him once in Atlanta. He was 5' 7" and even lighter than Muggsy. I was struck by how thin and delicate his wrists were. But it didn't stop him from winning the NBA slam dunk contest in 1986.

 

[jplotinus]

I don't think the exceptions prove the rule, albeit the ones named are certainly good examples of size mattering not so much.

Further, my speculation was in the context of why Saniya was not more highly rated by HG and other ratings outfits. In that context, that she is not a prototype phenom on the basis of size, might have been held against her.

There's one other factor that might figure in here, consistent with size NOT being an issue:

I read in some thread or another (maybe this one) Saniya jumped center at the start of games. HG apparently didn't take note of that, however.

 

[rocky rococo]

A WNBA guard without much size that uses both hands well (and was very underrated as a youth)--Becky Hammon.

 

[msf22b]

I've noticed a few instances of MoJeff's leaping that leads me to believe that she can get up there with best of them irrespective of her diminutive size.

 

[Bestiarius]

I don't think the exceptions prove the rule, albeit the ones named are certainly good examples of size mattering not so much.

Further, my speculation was in the context of why Saniya was not more highly rated by HG and other ratings outfits. In that context, that she is not a prototype phenom on the basis of size, might have been held against her.

There's one other factor that might figure in here, consistent with size NOT being an issue:

I read in some thread or another (maybe this one) Saniya jumped center at the start of games. HG apparently didn't take note of that, however.

I wasn't really disagreeing with your size matters point, it was just a matter of being hopeful that Saniya is one of the exceptions and thus the examples. The disadvantages of being small & light are often offset by other factors such as speed and quickness made possible by having less body mass to overcome. During the last Notre Dame game, I was struck by how closely MoJef was able to guard Skylar without fouling. Every move Skylar made was instantly duplicated by MoJef and that lead to an immense amount of frustration on Skylar's part, thus helped win the game.

The size trade-offs are complex. For instance a large vertical leap by a short person is offset by the extra time it takes to get up there and come back down so that another jump can be made.

 

[chrissaran]

Sports has always been about comparisons, so your point is meaningless. One of the greatest comparisons of teammates was Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris the year they chased Babe Ruth's home run record. Without comparisons sports wouldn't be nearly as interesting. Think however you want. How many times have fans been asked to pick their all-time UConn team. That requires comparing one player to another, even players that were on the same teams.

 

[TroyHouse66]

Tiny, Muggsy, Nate ?

COME ON... you Nutmeggers!!

Go homegrown...
Calvin Murphy
5-9, 160lbs
Jumped center for Norwalk HS & went on to Niagara Univ and averaged 33ppg
Now enshrined in NBA HOF

Johnny Egan
Weaver HS
Also did well in the NBA at 5-11
(Full disclosure.. my Mother was Weaver '37, so I had to get this tall Beaver mentioned)

 

[sTu]

I will repeat some comments regarding Saniya that I have made since watching her play in N.O. at the all-star game. She demonstrated that she was quite comfortable playing against the other all-stars. She can handle the ball (got picked on one play), the use of both hands, quickness to the basket with change of speed, 3 point shot, and a willingness to pass showing her court awareness and long distance passing ability. There is a lot to like watching her offensive contribution. Assuming she will contribute the above from the offensive side, the minutes she gets will be reflected by her learning to run the offense and just how well she adapts defensively. The further along she is defensively, the more time she will get to make offensive mistakes.