Wall of Honor for Kia?

[HoopsFan21]

I'm curious about this, too. If conference tourney play does not count, for example, then why do they wait until deep into March to announce the national All American teams?

That has never made sense to me either. They probably already know who made the team, but won't tell us until the final four.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I thought for HoH it was either the AP or WBCA teams they used only.

The ESPN and SI selections haven’t been used yet. Could they be used in the future? Maybe.

 

[MilfordHusky]

As noted, I believe making the AP or WBCA 1st Team AA is a SUFFICIENT condition to get on the Wall. All past members have made one or both. However, I’ve never seen a UConn source say that those TWO lists were the only ones considered. Nor have I ever seen from an authoritative source that making the USBWA 1st Team does NOT get a player on the Wall. I recall reading that making any of the THREE major lists was the criterion. Sorry, folks, I need a UConn source. Anyone want to contact the SID?

 

[meyers7]

Post season play or even conference tournaments does not figure into any of these awards.

I don't believe that first sentence is correct. My go to guy on these things is @meyers7. Regarding that last sentence, you are not going to win a major award and not be included on SOMEBODY'S AA team.

I just go by the Media guide. They have the AP (5), WBCA (10) and USBWA (10).

But if you are on the AP, you're gonna be on the WBCA. And the WBCA and USBWA are usually very close if not identical.

I don't think there is anyone on the wall (players) who was not WBCA. Checking into it, there isn't. And there isn't anyone who was USWBA or AP and was not WBCA.

So we've never had anyone just USWBA to test the theory.

 

[meyers7]

I do believe Wbbfan1' s statement is correct. The BY has this discussion every year at this time, and every year it is borne out that WBCA AA is the sole criteria for HOH.

No that's not what gets borne out. What gets borne out is that all the UCONN AP honoree's and USWBA honoree's have also been WBCA honoree's.

We have never been able to test out if a player only showed up on AP or USWBA. But since these 3 are what is listed in the Media Guide, I assume any of them would suffice for the Wall.

 

[Bama fan]

All due respect, you're off a year. And I think 1st team AP also gets you on the wall, Of course, if you make that team, it's highly likely you'll be on the WBCA and USBWA teams. It's always been fuzzy to me whether the USBWA team counts.

I assumed he was quoting Adamec's article which was written last year, so they were a year younger when it was written. And I think The Daily Campus article from last April is the source of the information that only WBCA qualifies a player for the wall. Perhaps I misread, or perhaps the authors are mistaken; but WBBfan seems to getting printed source material for his post. Regardless, I really hope Kia gets her place on that wall.

 

[Bascomfan]

If I am not mistaken Kerry Bascom was a Kodak All American. And she is a HOH. So you don't necessarily have to be a WBCA All American. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[MilfordHusky]

If I am not mistaken Kerry Bascom was a Kodak All American. And she is a HOH. So you don't necessarily have to be a WBCA All American. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

The WBCA All-American selections were sponsored by State Farm and Kodak in earlier years. Though the name is different, it’s really the same thing.

 

[JellyBean]

Yes. Without a doubt.

 

[j66kicker]

I'm curious about this, too. If conference tourney play does not count, for example, then why do they wait until deep into March to announce the national All American teams?

I have always thought the WBCA voters had the benefit of seeing the conference tourneys before the AA balloting. ??

 

[Bascomfan]

Thanks for the clarification

 

[BostonCanuck]

There's a good link here to the criteria and selection process for making the 10-player WBCA Coaches' All-America list:

WBCA Coaches' All-America

Certain desirable details are not provided, such as the timing of the voting and the committee's final selection. But based on what I'm seeing, I would be very reluctant to conclude that the performance under evaluation is necessarily limited to regular season, pre-conference tournament play.

 

[warbler1055]

I don't know much about AA or HoH criteria nor do I care, but Kia Nurse is and will always be an AA and HoH UConn great in my mind and heart !!!! I just hope that Geno agrees with me.

 

[chuck.r]

Maybe the best complementary/glue player we've ever had, but she's more a rich man's Kelly Faris than a bona fide star.

She won't be on the Wall, but she will always be a fan favorite.

As I observe Kia's play, development, and leadership over her career I can't help seeing the more accomplished career Caroline Doty would have had sans knee injuries. IMHO, as basketball players Nurse and Doty are/were cut from the same competitive cloth.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

If I am not mistaken Kerry Bascom was a Kodak All American. And she is a HOH. So you don't necessarily have to be a WBCA All American. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Bascomfan- - Kerry Bascom WAS a Kodak AA which no longer has an AA poll! There was another AA poll that no longer is around!
The AP WBB writers and Women's Basketball Coaches Association have taken over the top spots on the AA listing!

 

[MilfordHusky]

WBCA Criteria.

• Current season game-by-game statistics and achievements
• Impact on the team
• Success of the team
• Sportsmanship and attitude
• Academic eligibility

Kia rates well on the first point, but ridiculously high on the other four. Success of the team? Does 140-1 (less a few games for injury) as a starter measure up?

 

[Lynx23]

WBCA Criteria.

• Current season game-by-game statistics and achievements
• Impact on the team
• Success of the team
• Sportsmanship and attitude
• Academic eligibility

Kia rates well on the first point, but ridiculously high on the other four. Success of the team? Does 140-1 (less a few games for injury) as a starter measure up?

If these are the criteria she should be a shoo-in. Guess we'll see but I'm suddenly feeling better about her chances.

 

[Tenspro2002]

WBCA Criteria.

• Current season game-by-game statistics and achievements
• Impact on the team
• Success of the team
• Sportsmanship and attitude
• Academic eligibility

Kia rates well on the first point, but ridiculously high on the other four. Success of the team? Does 140-1 (less a few games for injury) as a starter measure up?

Sure, but it's not a lifetime achievement award.

Are you really going to put Kia on that team over, e.g. Victoria Vivians, whose team is also undefeated and who has put up gaudier stats?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sure, but it's not a lifetime achievement award.

Are you really going to put Kia on that team over, e.g. Victoria Vivians, whose team is also undefeated and who has put up gaudier stats?

Probably not over Vivians but with her.

I know it’s not a lifetime award, but the voters are human and often factor in other things.

 

[Crossover]

I don't know much about AA or HoH criteria nor do I care, but Kia Nurse is and will always be an AA and HoH UConn great in my mind and heart !!!! I just hope that Geno agrees with me.

I care about the HoH criteria because I want recruits to look up at the wall and see what types of contributions matter at UCONN. As pure as your heart and mind may be, they are not public spaces that tell the who and why of UCONN's sustained excellence.

 

[Los24]

Wbbfan 1- - - I think it is disrespectful of anyone to say she has not EARNED being an AA by her play this season or in her 3 past seasons! She has been an AA in waiting for her whole UCONN career!

So I can tell you are a huge Kia fan right? You lost me at the two statements quoted above because folks can have a difference in opinion and it not be "disrespectful." Also the last 3 years having nothing to do with this year as she did not deserve to be AA those years because.... as good as she was Stewie, Morah, Tuck, Gabby, KLS, (other Non-UConn standouts,) etc... were better and took those AA slots rightfully so. It is not a slight on Kia because those are mostly elite two way players that have carried their teams in multiple spots/games.

That said, I agree that she should make the 10 player AA team this year, she is not top 5. Let's hope that she does make the wall but she will always be remembered as a warrior and true Husky regardless. On a side note, my favorite part of Senior night was seeing Kia's true expression of happiness for Gabby as her banner was displayed. For all the good points you made about her, Kia's unselfish team play might be her best attribute.

 

[cbraarj]

The ESPN and SI selections haven’t been used yet. Could they be used in the future? Maybe.

They should stick to what they are using.

 

[bbfanLA]

I think making the 10-player WBCA list is a sufficient condition for the WOH. I do not believe, nor have I seen it from a UConn source, that it is a necessary condition. Of course, anyone on the AP list of 5 is virtually guaranteed to be on the 10-player WBCA list. However, there can be differences between the USBWA list and WBCA list. The announcement at Senior Night always references “1st Team All-American.” I’ve never heard it said as “1st Team WBCA All-American.”

Have we had any UConn players make the WBCA list but not the USBWA list or the reverse?

Kara Wolters was “only” named a WBCA All-American once but was named a USBWA All-American twice and UConn lists her as a two-time All-American so I think the USBWA counts.

 

[Bronx23]

I think Nurse is on the bubble for the WBCA squad...she's had a solid year, but she's always struck me as more of a role player than an All American type of player. I think Kelly Faris is a good comparison in terms of her role on the team, but I do think Kelly was a much stronger all around player her senior year than Kia has shown. Kelly was more involved offensively, scored in a variety of ways, made all the hustle plays and also impacted the game by being a great rebounder. Kia has a very specific role in what she does at Connecticut, and she's outstanding at it. She hits open looks, finishes layups and is a hawk defensively. Most significant is her extreme efficiency, but she doesn't impact the game like an AA does in my opinion. She's never shown ability to be a go to player, nor has she put her team on her back or proven she can create for herself or others offensively. She does impact the game defensively, but AA awards definitely favor offensive players, otherwise we would've seen the likes of Kelly Faris, Nicky Anosike, and others make AA teams. She does a lot of the dirty work like setting picks and playing tough in your face defense, but players with that skill set are valued role players rather than All Americans.

To me, eye test says a player like Williams or Collier is more likely to make a team than Nurse. Kia has had a lot of positive publicity this year and I think if UCONN gets 3, she'll be the 3rd player to make the team over Collier, largely due to seniority, but I think she just misses if the season ended today.

I do think Nurse has a brighter outlook than Faris when it comes to pro ball. Kia does has such a defined skillset that she'll create her niche as a tough defensive guard who knocks down open shots. Spark plug off the bench type of player.

I think this is the clearest, most accurate post about who and what Kia has been and is.
I too don't see her as an AA because of the points stated above. That doesn't take away from the wonderful player, teammate and human being she has been.
I'm sure it's much more important to her to win another NC, than be on the wall. Of course she would treasure that honor as well.
Bronx23

 

[Jimbo]

As much fun as it’s been to speculate year after year about which All-American teams qualify a player for the Huskies of Honor, I was growing a little weary of it, so I decided to contact Pat McKenna at UConn to find out. His response:

"The WBCA, USBWA, AP and Wooden Teams are the ones we give the most credence to. The WBCA is the one we use when determining entry into the Huskies of Honor though as that is a 10-member team. Everyone in the Huskies of Honor was a member of the WBCA All-America Team."



So there you have it. And yes, I realize that the USBWA names a 10-member team as well, but what can I tell you. A few other notes:

• As suggested by another poster above, Kerry Bascom was named to the WBCA first team in 1990-91, and the media guide lists her accordingly.

• There's some confusion in this thread about Kara Wolters. Kara is indeed recognized by UConn as a two-time All-American (I consulted the original 2006 Huskies of Honor media release to confirm this). But according to the media guide, Kara was named a first-team All-American by the WBCA once, and by the USBWA once, but by the AP twice. I understand how little intuitive sense that makes, given that the AP first team is half the size of the others, but that's what the media guide says happened.

• Unsurprisingly, there is no other instance (besides Kara Wolters in 1995-96) of a UConn player making the AP first team but missing the WBCA first team. And no UConn player (in any season) has ever made the USBWA first team without also making the WBCA first team.

• I'll never understand how Sue Bird could win the Nancy Lieberman award as the nation's best point guard three times but be named a first-team All-American only once, as a senior. Simply baffling.

As far as Kia is concerned… I happen to believe that her performance this season is worthy of first-team AA status, but at the same time I understand that competition for those 10 spots will be fierce. My gut tells me that UConn's three nominees this year will be Lou, Gabby, and Kia, but only time will tell if the coaches decide to name three Huskies to the first team for the fifth year in a row. Finally, I commend everyone on this thread for not bringing Chris Dailey's name into this discussion of All-Americans and the Huskies of Honor.

 

[Golden Husky]

The WBCA All-American selections were sponsored by State Farm and Kodak in earlier years. Though the name is different, it’s really the same thing.

Milford: "Which companies originally sponsored the WBCA All-American selections?"
Alex: "Correct for $1,600. Choose again, Milford."
You guys never cease to amaze me with your knowledge.

 

[Wbbfan1]

I never said Kia didn't deserve All American Status. All I've said to be make the Wall of Honor only the WBCA All American Team Counts. Its going to be up to Geno and the Coaches if Kia has a chance to make the WBCA All American Team. I'm speculating that Gabby and KLS will be Nominated. Then who is the 3rd UConn player that gets nominated. Is it Kia, Azura, Napheesa or for that matter Crystal who's had a great year. UConn can only nominate three players and if I had to guess Kia will be the 3rd Nominee. There are quite a guards nation wide that have had a great year with more gaudy stats and it will be tough for Kia to make All American if she's the 3rd UConn player nominated.

 

[Lynx23]

Although there seems to be a lot of angst among us Kia fans as to whether or not she will make some 10-member 1st Team All American squad the real issue here IMHO is her being acknowledged in some way by UCONN for her significant four-year contribution to the program. Having a banner on the wall, especially next to her best friend, would be the icing on the cake. Bottom line is this, it should ideally really be up to Geno et al who decides who deserves such an acknowledgement, and allowing others to indirectly make that decision is convenient. I'm not saying it shouldn't be that way because some criteria is necessary but the power should ultimately rest with him, again IMHO. That being said, I admit Kia is probably a borderline candidate for the WBCA 1st Team AA because there are so many good candidates. I find myself counting more on the influence of Jose Fernandez, the WBCA AA committee's chair, than I do Geno or any other UCONN coach in this regard as I think the latter's hands are tied. As far as Kia goes, I look at it this way. As an Olympian, and even her country's flag bearer at the last Olympics for that matter, she has already achieved more than many shoo-ins for 1st Team AA will ever achieve in their careers. Plus she is a bona fide superstar in Canada even if she does not achieve the same status in this country, in all likelihood carrying at least a share of the weight of the future of women's basketball in Canada on her shoulders. And with grace and dignity. I look forward to following her career in the WNBA and as a starting guard on the Canadian National Team. So I won't cry for Kia of she doesn't make the wall, and she certainly won't. But I will miss that kid.

 

[warbler1055]

Thank you Lynx23, your post articulated my feelings better than I could have done it myself. Kia's stats were not gaudy because she deferred or should I say allowed others the scorings and spotlights. I have seen her torching US team with BS and MoJeff in the PanAm game. Kia's 3 point shooting percentage this year is almost the same Lou's, about 47% for both of them. May be she will be AA or not, but her impact on the last 4 years on UConn was second to none.

 

[Mister2]

As much fun as it’s been to speculate year after year about which All-American teams qualify a player for the Huskies of Honor, I was growing a little weary of it, so I decided to contact Pat McKenna at UConn to find out. His response:

"The WBCA, USBWA, AP and Wooden Teams are the ones we give the most credence to. The WBCA is the one we use when determining entry into the Huskies of Honor though as that is a 10-member team. Everyone in the Huskies of Honor was a member of the WBCA All-America Team."

View attachment 29047

So there you have it. And yes, I realize that the USBWA names a 10-member team as well, but what can I tell you. A few other notes:

• As suggested by another poster above, Kerry Bascom was named to the WBCA first team in 1990-91, and the media guide lists her accordingly.

• There's some confusion in this thread about Kara Wolters. Kara is indeed recognized by UConn as a two-time All-American (I consulted the original 2006 Huskies of Honor media release to confirm this). But according to the media guide, Kara was named a first-team All-American by the WBCA once, and by the USBWA once, but by the AP twice. I understand how little intuitive sense that makes, given that the AP first team is half the size of the others, but that's what the media guide says happened.

• Unsurprisingly, there is no other instance (besides Kara Wolters in 1995-96) of a UConn player making the AP first team but missing the WBCA first team. And no UConn player (in any season) has ever made the USBWA first team without also making the WBCA first team.

• I'll never understand how Sue Bird could win the Nancy Lieberman award as the nation's best point guard three times but be named a first-team All-American only once, as a senior. Simply baffling.

As far as Kia is concerned… I happen to believe that her performance this season is worthy of first-team AA status, but at the same time I understand that competition for those 10 spots will be fierce. My gut tells me that UConn's three nominees this year will be Lou, Gabby, and Kia, but only time will tell if the coaches decide to name three Huskies to the first team for the fifth year in a row. Finally, I commend everyone on this thread for not bringing Chris Dailey's name into this discussion of All-Americans and the Huskies of Honor.

I'd like to express my appreciation for this information. It once and for all provides a definitive answer to something that is speculated every year on this board.