Big 12 POY
- Thread starter WastedTalent
- Start date
I'm afraid that Ejim has taken himself out of it with his recent T's and inconsistent performance during crunch-time. It will take a good sales job by Hoiberg to get it for him (and to make sure that votes aren't split between Ejim and Kane). Hopefully, Ejim gets some "lifetime achievement" votes. If he was finishing stronger, I think he would have a much better chance. And yes, I recognize that a game with 30 points and 9 rebounds shouldn't be considered as "finishing weak," but I think that is the perception out there in too many places.
Just three Big 12 POY winners for Kansas in Self's 10 years. Hardly a media boner... I think it will be very close between Wiggins, Kans and Ejim but I give it to Wiggins on account of his defensive play. He is far and away the best perimeter defender in the league and routinely shuts down the opponents best player. His impact on defense is much more than either Kane or Ejim. If either of them was WAY ahead of Wiggins on offense then I'd probably give it to them but they aren't.
You think it's OK to give Ejim "lifetime achievement" votes for a POY award? Imagine the freak out on here if they did that for a member of a different team and a deserving ISU player lost out due to that... The conspiracy theory folks would have an aneurysm.
From my perspective there are 5 guys you could make very valid arguments for: Ejim, Kane, Smart, Staten, Wiggins.
Kane:
Pros- Plays for a good team and is instrumental in their success with his ability to drive. Has shot well, rebounded well and has a nice A/T ratio.
Cons- FT. Plays on a team with another worthy candidate. Side to Side comparison Staten has just been better statistically.
Ejim:
Pros- Leading scorer, 2nd best rebounder in the league. Also on good team. Best shooting % of the candidates(admittedly his shots generally come from closer in).
Cons- Struggles to create own shot, on a team with another candidate, picked up a number of technical fouls.
Smart:
Pros- Counting stats, ability to get to foul line.
Cons- Efficiency. 3 game suspension. Underachieving team.
Staten:
Pros- 2nd leading scorer, tied for leads in assists, great at limiting turnovers. Statistically strongest resume out there
Cons- On a team that will likely finish below .500 in the league and will not be in the NCAA tournament. Defensively not great. Not a 3 point threat?
Wiggins:
Pros- Best player on the team that cruised to the Big 12 title
Cons- No particular area you can say Wiggins is the best at ____ in the Big 12. He's good to great in many areas but not tops in any particular on in my opinion.
If I were able to rank it I'd probably go with:
1. Staten
2. Ejim
3. Kane
4. Wiggins
5. Smart
Kane:
Pros- Plays for a good team and is instrumental in their success with his ability to drive. Has shot well, rebounded well and has a nice A/T ratio.
Cons- FT. Plays on a team with another worthy candidate. Side to Side comparison Staten has just been better statistically.
Ejim:
Pros- Leading scorer, 2nd best rebounder in the league. Also on good team. Best shooting % of the candidates(admittedly his shots generally come from closer in).
Cons- Struggles to create own shot, on a team with another candidate, picked up a number of technical fouls.
Smart:
Pros- Counting stats, ability to get to foul line.
Cons- Efficiency. 3 game suspension. Underachieving team.
Staten:
Pros- 2nd leading scorer, tied for leads in assists, great at limiting turnovers. Statistically strongest resume out there
Cons- On a team that will likely finish below .500 in the league and will not be in the NCAA tournament. Defensively not great. Not a 3 point threat?
Wiggins:
Pros- Best player on the team that cruised to the Big 12 title
Cons- No particular area you can say Wiggins is the best at ____ in the Big 12. He's good to great in many areas but not tops in any particular on in my opinion.
If I were able to rank it I'd probably go with:
1. Staten
2. Ejim
3. Kane
4. Wiggins
5. Smart
Wiggins was christened as B12 POY (national POY in some minds) and B12 NOY by the media before he even put on a KU jersey. In the minds of the sports meda, the honors have been his to lose all season and I don't think his actual performance has caused enough media minds to sway away from those opinions.
THIS. There's no way *they* don't give the award to Wiggins. It's not right, but it's probably what'll happen
smart will be lucky to make the all-league team given his 'doings.' he's cost oSu more wins than he's made them.
here's a small sampling from k-state premium board:
Results (total votes = 40):
embiid1 / 2.50%
ejim23 / 57.50%
foster4 / 10.00%
kane7 / 17.50%
wiggins2 / 5.00%
other3 / 7.50%
Results (total votes = 40):
embiid1 / 2.50%
ejim23 / 57.50%
foster4 / 10.00%
kane7 / 17.50%
wiggins2 / 5.00%
other3 / 7.50%
here's a small sampling from k-state premium board:
Results (total votes = 40):
embiid1 / 2.50%
ejim23 / 57.50%
foster4 / 10.00%
kane7 / 17.50%
wiggins2 / 5.00%
other3 / 7.50%
Wow, it surprises me that Kane and especially Ejim are so strong in another fanbase's estimation. It is an extremely small sample size, however.
That's because KState fans hate KU more than we do, so of course they aren't going to vote for Wiggins.
Actually, Smart was the pre-season Big 12 POY and the only player to be a unanimous choice for first team all Big 12.
I think Ejim or Kane is certainly deserving, but no one should be shocked by Wiggins getting it. And he is also deserving (gag!).
the k-state fan poll shows a couple things. these are people who follow the game enough to pay for their chatter. so, they know what's going on. here's my take.
1. the difference between ejim and kane is real and will be shown in the actual vote.
2. the loathing for all things ku is also real.
1. the difference between ejim and kane is real and will be shown in the actual vote.
2. the loathing for all things ku is also real.
I could see Ejim winning the AP and somebody else winning the coaches. The reason I don't think Ejim wins the coaches is because he is probably the 3rd guy on this ISU you prepare for, so he may not have the respect.
I could be totally wrong and maybe the coaches appreciate Ejim's hustle and garbage buckets more than I am crediting them with. I don't know. You can make a good argument for any of the Top 5.
I could be totally wrong and maybe the coaches appreciate Ejim's hustle and garbage buckets more than I am crediting them with. I don't know. You can make a good argument for any of the Top 5.
Fran Fraschilla @franfraschilla 2h
ICYMT: My All-@Big12Conference Team: Melvin Ejim, Juwan Staten, Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Smart, DeAndre Kane.
Favor Ejim as POY as of now.
ICYMT: My All-@Big12Conference Team: Melvin Ejim, Juwan Staten, Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Smart, DeAndre Kane.
Favor Ejim as POY as of now.
Eh, Wiggins was not Preseason Big 12 POY. Smart Leads Preseason All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Honors - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site