We think we already know who the official WAC Most Valuable Player will be as selected by the league's coaches, that with half the conference games played.
Drum roooollllll ... Utah State's Gary Wilkinson.
We will now don our flame retardant suit.
We would love to know just how is this award determined? Well, actually not the how but the why? What are the judging parameters in place and the factors to be considered? It seems to simply be this: it boils down to the player the league's coaches believe to be the most valuable player -- with each applying his own personal criteria.
That's it.
A top player will be selected along with nine other student-athletes. Five will make the first team -- the most valuable player and four others -- and five more the second team
Wilkinson will win it from the coaches because he's been the most consistent high-level performer in the WAC. Defensive strategies are predicated around him. He'll garner even more votes than might be appropriate as a result of the Aggies winning the league. Stew Morrill's winning conference coach of the year will also bolster Wilkinson's odds (and yes, Don Verlin's revival of the dead and buried Vandal program is actually the deserved winner in the coaching category but we're listing who we think the coaches will choose). An upset here would be fantastic.
So who will be Wilkie's closest competition, per the coaches?
We see New Mexico State's Jahmar Young as #2 (no, get your mind out of the...toilet). Young currently leads the league with a close to 20 points per game average while being second in assists and steals on the team -- all as a sophomore.
In third, comes Idaho's Mac Hopson, the irreplaceable engine that makes Idaho go. Hopson is currently second in the WAC in scoring, second in assists and first in steals. When greater talent enters the Idaho program next season, Hopson's scoring will lessen but he and Steffan Johnson may make up the best backcourt in the league.
Then it becomes tough, really tough.
Next comes freshman Luke Babbitt, the fourth leading scorer in conference play and second in rebounding. Only the lack of blinding athleticism will keep him at Nevada but we're still not sure if he plays two years or three before bidding adieu to Reno.
The fifth selection is the most difficult. At the risk of 'homer-ism' catcalls, we're going with San Jose State sophomore Adrian Oliver, just ahead of Hawaii's Roderick Flemings. Oliver can put a quick 25 on an opponent via baskets and free throws but is also a willing passer.
The expectations from the coaches for the next five:
Roderick Flemings, Hawaii -- He's aggravated a previous ankle injury and, as a result, his numbers are dropping a bit but he remains the one Rainbow Warrior who must be defended closely
Wendell McKines, NMSU -- A force inside, he has expanded his shooting range and his dribble-driving offensively in this his sophomore season and also leads the league in overall rebounding and offensive boarding. He's provided the best inside presence of any Aggie this season.
Sylvester Seay, Fresno State -- Early on, it was all Paul George. While the freshman continues to play well, it's been the junior Seay whose production has been steadily climbing. He's now fifth in the WAC in scoring, third in rebounding and tops in blocked shots.
Jared Quayle, Utah State -- He's tops in minutes played, assists and rebounds for the Aggies plus the second leading USU scorer -- astounding numbers for a junior transfer from a Wyoming junior college.
The last spot will go to one of three contenders:
Tai Wesley, Utah State -- Wesley pops up high in a number of Aggie categories, third in scoring and rebounding, second is assists and leading in shotblocks.
Anthony Thomas, Boise State-- is shooting and scoring well enough to be considered for the last opening. Plus, his assist, rebounding and steals numbers make it a battle between himself and Wesley at the moment.
Armon Johnson, Nevada -- The sophomore has improved of late but still isn't producing at the consistent level of a WAC all-leaguer. His shooting numbers are down and he's running out of time.
New Mexico State's Jonathan Gibson hasn't shot well enough or led his team to the degree necessary to be a contender.
Louisiana Tech's Kyle Gibson has really struggled of late, going 0-13 in shooting against San Jose State, 2-12 versus Boise State, 2-12 against Fresno State. Ordinarily, he would be in the running for a spot but this trend is removing him from contention.
Mark Sanchez of Boise State had a strong pre-season but an ankle injury has limited his minutes and his production of late. Otherwise, he would be up in the running.
Paul George will win something but it's difficult to see two Fresno State players among the top ten unless the Bulldogs turn around their season.
FYI, here are the pre-season picks of the coaches:
Player of the Year: Armon Johnson, Nevada
Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team
Jonathan Gibson, Jr., G, New Mexico St.
Kyle Gibson, Jr., G, Louisiana Tech
Armon Johnson, So., G, Nevada
C.J. Webster, Jr., C, San Jose State
Gary Wilkinson, Sr., F, Utah State
Second Team
Luke Babbitt, Fr., F, Nevada
Brandon Fields, Jr., G, Nevada
Anthony Thomas, Jr., F, Boise State
Tai Wesley, So., F, Utah State
Jahmar Young, So., G, New Mexico St.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
WAC honors to date
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4 comments:
Nobody has underperformed as much as Fields followed by Armon Johnson. Hopson is close to deserving POY in my opinion, but Wilkinson will get it due to USU's dominance. I'd put Wesley and Armon on the team ahead of Quayle, but that might be due to my being a Pack fan and knowing how important AJ is beyond raw stats. I predicted Jahmar Young to be first team ahead of Gibson, and he's an obvious choice.
There are so many good young players that there are a lot of tough choices.
And yes, Verlin is coach of the year hands down, but Stew isn't a bad choice either.
I don't see how anyone can't pick Verlin for Coach of the Year, considering that the Vandals were a consensus pick for dead-last in the WAC but is instead challenging for "best of the rest" (split series w/ NMSU and Nevada, and will likely do the same with BSU) behind Utah State.
Glad to see Quayle finally getting some recognition. Its funny but as much as we love Wilkinson most Aggie fans see Utah State as a six loss team without Quayle.
Jared's in conference stats ie approx 16 pt, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2-1 ass/to are approaching POY consideration. However, he didn't start at the first of the year dragging his overall stats down.
His stats don't tell the story though. He has taken over games of late down the stretch and seems to make all the big plays. He singlehandedly saved the Aggies at Fresno. Finally the Aggies are top ten in the country in least turnovers after being a turnover machine last year.
Gary may be POY but Quayle is the Aggies MVP.
What would hurt USU more. Not having Quayle or not having Wilkinson? Without Wilkinson USU would be much worse off. Quayle's stats are fantastic, but it's the low post game that makes USU run and makes defenses struggle to control your offense.
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