January 23, 2007
Who's The POY So Far?
In a tangent of my last post, here's the Wilmington Star's look at the likely candidates for the ACC Player of the Year this year.
They include five players, but to me, it's really a three-man race at this point: Tyler Hansbrough, Jared Dudley and Sean Singletary.
A quick rundown:
Hansbrough
- The best player (just barely) on the best team
- #2 scorer in the ACC
- #2 rebounder in the ACC
Dudley
- The best all-around player in the league
- Along with Singletary and Al Thornton, the most critical player to his team in the ACC
- #3 scorer in the ACC
- #1 rebounder in the ACC
- Shooting 55.5% from the floor, a very impressive number for a small forward
- Leads ACC in minutes played
Singletary
- The best point guard - the hardest and most critical position - in the league
- #1 scorer in the ACC
- #4 in assists in the ACC and has only one player to pass to
- #1 FT% (92.3%) in the ACC
- Along with Dudley and Al Thornton, the most critical player to his team in the ACC
At this point, my vote would go to Dudley with Singletary next and Hansbrough third, largely because Hansbrough's team is so deep that he's just not asked to do quite as much as either Singletary or Dudley. Those two guys, Singletary in particular, carry their teams
Comments
It'll be hard to vote for either Singletary or Dudley if their teams don't finish in the top 3.
Right now BC is looking fine at 5-1, but if they happen to drop 4 or 5 and are sitting middle of the pack, suddenly Dudley is harder to vote for.
Visser is carrying his team just as much - unfortunately for him, the rest of his team is REALLY bad.
I think Hansbrough ends up winning it, if for no other reason than b/c he will not fade during the season, and I think the other two might.
Right now BC is looking fine at 5-1, but if they happen to drop 4 or 5 and are sitting middle of the pack, suddenly Dudley is harder to vote for.
Visser is carrying his team just as much - unfortunately for him, the rest of his team is REALLY bad.
I think Hansbrough ends up winning it, if for no other reason than b/c he will not fade during the season, and I think the other two might.
| zackmans wrote: |
| It'll be hard to vote for either Singletary or Dudley if their teams don't finish in the top 3. |
I agree that voters will vote that way, but I don't think that's a fair argument. Basketball is a team game. Now, I don't think a POY should come off a basement team, but any team from the middle on should be eligible if a player is having an outstanding year.
| zackmans wrote: |
| Visser is carrying his team just as much - unfortunately for him, the rest of his team is REALLY bad. |
Yeah, he deserves some sort of recognition, but he probably won't get it. Maybe third-team All-ACC. He's slumped of late too.
Why no love for VT's Zabian Dowdell? Dudley, Singletary, and Hansbrough are all good players, but here are Dowdell's stats compared to SS (from ESPN.com):
ZD: Min: 33; Pts: 17.4; Reb: 3.3; Ast: 3.4; TO: 1.7; Stl: 2.4, Blk: 0.2; PF: 1; FG pct: .464; FT: .81; 3pt: .42
SS: Min: 32; Pts: 19.0; Reb: 3.9; Ast: 5.3; TO: 3.1; Stl: 1.2, Blk: 0.1; PF: 2.6; FG pct: .398; FT: .92; 3pt: .40
Statwise, the 2 are similar, but after closer inspection I would give the edge to ZD. ZD is actually averaging 20 pts/game in conference games. SS averages more overall (slightly) and more assists, but also more TOs (ZD has the better A/T ratio). Both shoot well from 3pt, but ZD has a much better overall FG%. On the defensive end ZD is clearly superior, averaging 2.4 stl and only 1 PF/game while averaging 33/min! On top of this VT is a better team right now with a better record up near the top of the standings. I don't think these stats scream out that ZD is better than SS, but one would have to admit that if SS is being considered for POY, then ZD would have to be considered as well.
ZD: Min: 33; Pts: 17.4; Reb: 3.3; Ast: 3.4; TO: 1.7; Stl: 2.4, Blk: 0.2; PF: 1; FG pct: .464; FT: .81; 3pt: .42
SS: Min: 32; Pts: 19.0; Reb: 3.9; Ast: 5.3; TO: 3.1; Stl: 1.2, Blk: 0.1; PF: 2.6; FG pct: .398; FT: .92; 3pt: .40
Statwise, the 2 are similar, but after closer inspection I would give the edge to ZD. ZD is actually averaging 20 pts/game in conference games. SS averages more overall (slightly) and more assists, but also more TOs (ZD has the better A/T ratio). Both shoot well from 3pt, but ZD has a much better overall FG%. On the defensive end ZD is clearly superior, averaging 2.4 stl and only 1 PF/game while averaging 33/min! On top of this VT is a better team right now with a better record up near the top of the standings. I don't think these stats scream out that ZD is better than SS, but one would have to admit that if SS is being considered for POY, then ZD would have to be considered as well.
I agree with baller. At this point of the season, Dowdell definitely deserves to be in the conversation, especially after his performance tonight in helping his team get their second ACC road win.
Dowdell would be my fourth choice at this point. He's a very good player having a very good year. I guess I discount him a bit because he and Jamon Gordon are really a pair, but Gordon is the primary ball-handler.
I have no stats to back it up, but to me Singletary has a greater impact on the game than Dowdell does. Dowdell plays a lot and is a great scorer, but Singletary is Virginia's offense. Don't be fooled by JR Reynolds recent scoring, it's SS that makes that team go.
Dowdell is certainly in line for first team All-ACC at this point though.
I have no stats to back it up, but to me Singletary has a greater impact on the game than Dowdell does. Dowdell plays a lot and is a great scorer, but Singletary is Virginia's offense. Don't be fooled by JR Reynolds recent scoring, it's SS that makes that team go.
Dowdell is certainly in line for first team All-ACC at this point though.
How is this for impact on the game: 30 pts (7-10 FG; 15-18 FT), 4 steals, 5 assists, and did not turn the ball over. These are ACC POY candidate Zabian Dowdell's stats from last night.
| baller wrote: |
| How is this for impact on the game: 30 pts (7-10 FG; 15-18 FT), 4 steals, 5 assists, and did not turn the ball over. These are ACC POY candidate Zabian Dowdell's stats from last night. |
Can't do much better than that.
Dave...
I think your reasoning and justification on Dudley and Singletary are justified...I did a check between TH and SS a week or two ago and their stats are the same because my problem was that I thought SS "hunts" his shot way more that TH...in reality at at that point he only had around 40+ shots on Th now its up to 70+...SS is in my top 3 with you but I think he would be #3 behind Dudley #1 and TH #2...lots of hoops left to be played...YEs TH has a better cast but I think SS cast has improved this year..it just has not grown up YET...
I think your reasoning and justification on Dudley and Singletary are justified...I did a check between TH and SS a week or two ago and their stats are the same because my problem was that I thought SS "hunts" his shot way more that TH...in reality at at that point he only had around 40+ shots on Th now its up to 70+...SS is in my top 3 with you but I think he would be #3 behind Dudley #1 and TH #2...lots of hoops left to be played...YEs TH has a better cast but I think SS cast has improved this year..it just has not grown up YET...
It's all going to come down to how the teams do. If either BC or VT manages to finish atop the ACC or a close second - not a completely ridiculous notion actually - then their respective players are going to get the nod. Otherwise, if UVA manages to revive itself and get an NCAA berth, give it to Singletary. If none of those happen, default back to Hansbrough.
There are some other possibilities if certain players and their teams step up (FSU/Thornton) but those are the main ways I see things playing out. I think the UVA/VT games are going to be huge for deciding things.
There are some other possibilities if certain players and their teams step up (FSU/Thornton) but those are the main ways I see things playing out. I think the UVA/VT games are going to be huge for deciding things.
@ comment #7: Teams should be normally doing that when they play Miami. They (Miami) stink this year. UNC's second team could score at will against these guys. I'm more interested to see if he plays at that same level when VT plays at Georgia Tech or against Clemson rather than Miami.
I pretty much agree with Justin. However, looking at BC's schedule, I cannot imagine them getting into the top four of the ACC unless if they work some serious miracles. If VT could continue their serious push into the top tier of the ACC, I could see Dowdell getting the POY. But, don't be surprised if the media continues to be fixated on Tyler Hansbrough and gives him the POY at the end of the year.
To me, the more interesting race is the ACC Coach of the Year race between Purnell and Greenberg.
I pretty much agree with Justin. However, looking at BC's schedule, I cannot imagine them getting into the top four of the ACC unless if they work some serious miracles. If VT could continue their serious push into the top tier of the ACC, I could see Dowdell getting the POY. But, don't be surprised if the media continues to be fixated on Tyler Hansbrough and gives him the POY at the end of the year.
To me, the more interesting race is the ACC Coach of the Year race between Purnell and Greenberg.
There's still a lot of season left. As someone else mentioned, Al Thornton is a player would could certainly explode for a week or two and put himself into the race.
As for Dowdell, my hunch is that his case will be hurt by Tech's increased depth. Plus, to me, he's not even clearly the best guard on his own team. I like Jamon Gordon a lot. But he's still in the conversation for now.
As for Dowdell, my hunch is that his case will be hurt by Tech's increased depth. Plus, to me, he's not even clearly the best guard on his own team. I like Jamon Gordon a lot. But he's still in the conversation for now.
If BC even finishes above .500 in conference play it should go to Dudley. BC is now thinner than any team in the conference and he is carrying them for 40 minutes every night.
*Thread Hijack*
Dave, please tell me that you saw the Clemson v. Duke game and that you were mildly outraged at the end of the game situation (but not as nearly outraged as Clemson's defense during that last drive. I received several horrific flashbacks of Chris Duhon @ the DES Center. *shudder*)
Dave, please tell me that you saw the Clemson v. Duke game and that you were mildly outraged at the end of the game situation (but not as nearly outraged as Clemson's defense during that last drive. I received several horrific flashbacks of Chris Duhon @ the DES Center. *shudder*)
Reynolds is playing better ball than SS at the moment - he was incredible against NCSU. In fact I'd say he's leading UVA over the last 3 games.
Another thing to remember about Dowdell vs. SS...UVA plays at a much higher tempo, meaning SS's offensive stats should be a bit higher.
Another thing to remember about Dowdell vs. SS...UVA plays at a much higher tempo, meaning SS's offensive stats should be a bit higher.
| SuperJew wrote: |
| *Thread Hijack*
Dave, please tell me that you saw the Clemson v. Duke game and that you were mildly outraged at the end of the game situation (but not as nearly outraged as Clemson's defense during that last drive. I received several horrific flashbacks of Chris Duhon @ the DES Center. *shudder*) |
I did see it. Clemson clearly screwed up their D there, although I think putting pressure on the ball was a good idea. It was just poorly executed. That's the kind of play where I wish ESPN had a full-court camera so I could see what Duke did to spring McClure. I would guess that they Duke ran a pretty good play there. Clemson wouldn't just leave a guy wide open in the lane like that.
Clemson wouldn't just leave a guy wide open in the lane like that.
Actually, they did; he was apparently not supposed to be the scoring option on the play, but Clemson did a good job guarding the first two options, and so Paulus and McClure freelanced.
Actually, they did; he was apparently not supposed to be the scoring option on the play, but Clemson did a good job guarding the first two options, and so Paulus and McClure freelanced.
Dowdell Honored by The ACC, Vitale
(From techsideline.com)
Zabian Dowdell was named ACC Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks on Monday. The senior guard from Pahokee, FL scored a career-high 30 points against Miami on Tuesday and followed that up with 23 points against Georgia Tech on Sunday. In the two games, he dished out a combined 12 assists and turned the ball over just once.
Dowdell is third in the ACC in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game. In ACC games he is even more impressive, averaging 21.7 points. He is fifth in the conference in free throw shooting (82.6%), tied for first in steals with Jamon Gordon (2.48) and second in assist/turnover ratio (2.29).
Dick Vitale also named Dowdell as his National Player of the Week on Monday.
(From techsideline.com)
Zabian Dowdell was named ACC Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks on Monday. The senior guard from Pahokee, FL scored a career-high 30 points against Miami on Tuesday and followed that up with 23 points against Georgia Tech on Sunday. In the two games, he dished out a combined 12 assists and turned the ball over just once.
Dowdell is third in the ACC in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game. In ACC games he is even more impressive, averaging 21.7 points. He is fifth in the conference in free throw shooting (82.6%), tied for first in steals with Jamon Gordon (2.48) and second in assist/turnover ratio (2.29).
Dick Vitale also named Dowdell as his National Player of the Week on Monday.
Who would've thought that the UVA/VT rivalry would actually having meaning this year in basketball as far fighting for second place in the ACC? Both teams look pretty good to get a tourney bid.
Oh yeah, GO HOKIES!
Oh yeah, GO HOKIES!
Sean Singletary made a pretty strong argument for POY last night....let's go Hoos!
Dudley definetly is the best al around but singletary is up there 2.
I think dudley will come out wit it
Posted by Dave at January 23, 2007 02:13 PM
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I think dudley will come out wit it
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