Big Sky Player of the Year

[jon]

Hey all, wrote up a post looking at what I see as the top candidates for the Player of the Year in the Big Sky. With Cherry's injury, it seems like it is a race with a lot of candidates and no clear favorite.

http://www.bigskybball.com/2013/03/candidates-for-big-sky-player-of-year.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would love to hear your thoughts.

My top 3 right now:
1. Kareem Jamar
2. Derrick Barden
3. Troy Huff

Would probably have Bamforth/Berry as 4th and 5th

Thoughts?

 

[YellowFin]

This is a joke, Right? :rofl:

Jamar is not even the best player on his team.

 

[ClarkWGrizwald]

This is a joke, Right? :rofl:

Jamar is not even the best player on his team.

Ummm....what now?

 

[jon]

After thinking more about it and hearing arguments, I may be underrating Berry by some in my initial top 3, and he should probably be in the top two, battling with Jamar for the top spot.

Jamar has absolutely been the best player on Montana. If Cherry had been this yearfully healthy he may get the nod... but he wasn't obviously, and he wasn't fully himself all year either as he was coming back. Ward is solid but far more limited than Jamar.

 

[WILDCAT]

In my opinio Jamar has done more for his team this year than Cherry, my vote goes to Kareem Jamar.

 

[oldrunner]

If UM wins it outright, then Jamar gets it hands down. If UM slips and it ends in a tie, Jamar still gets it. If UM were to really slip, and lose two, then I think Berry gets it. Nobody else is close.

 

[WeberSki]

In the biggest game of the year Jamar's line was:
4 pts
5 fouls
4 turnovers
0 steal
1 block
1 Assist

Lillard never had a game like that as a Freshman, let alone as a junior

 

[jon]

Kareem Jamar is no Damian Lillard, obviously. But neither is anyone else in the Big Sky. But one bad game does not define a season.

 

[ClarkWGrizwald]

In the biggest game of the year Jamar's line was:
4 pts
5 fouls
4 turnovers
0 steal
1 block
1 Assist

Lillard never had a game like that as a Freshman, let alone as a junior

One could argue that it was because of that poor showing that Weber was able to beat Montana. If Jamar puts up his normal numbers, it's a different ballgame.

To me, he's been the most consistent, well-rounded player in the league. And what he's done after Cherry and Ward went out has been spectacular. When they were playing, he was more of a role-player. Since they've been out, he's been the man. I've watched a lot of BSC basketball this year, and I haven't seen anyone with the ability to flat-out take over a game like KJ.

 

[SWeberCat02]

I've watched a lot of BSC basketball this year, and I haven't seen anyone with the ability to flat-out take over a game like KJ.

Berry did just that Sat at NAU. Without him Weber loses that game, and probably by double digits.

 

[n.ogdencat]

In the biggest game of the year Jamar's line was:
4 pts
5 fouls
4 turnovers
0 steal
1 block
1 Assist

Lillard never had a game like that as a Freshman, let alone as a junior

One could argue that it was because of that poor showing that Weber was able to beat Montana. If Jamar puts up his normal numbers, it's a different ballgame.

To me, he's been the most consistent, well-rounded player in the league. And what he's done after Cherry and Ward went out has been spectacular. When they were playing, he was more of a role-player. Since they've been out, he's been the man. I've watched a lot of BSC basketball this year, and I haven't seen anyone with the ability to flat-out take over a game like KJ.

I agree with ya Everett...OH MY HAS HELL FROZEN OVER AND CATCATS LEARN TO FLY? :rofl: I also think Jamar is the leading candidate for player of the year honors. However, Davion Berry and to a lesser extent Troy Huff both can take over games pretty quickly. We have also seen how Gabe Rogers can take over a game. Too bad Gabe settles for 3pointers when he has the speed to penetrate and get to the rim if he wants to, but rarely does. He settles mostly for 3's.

Jon?!? Seriously Barden? I know you have watched a lot of UNCO basketball this year, but lets have some perspective here. Yes, he is a good player, but I doubt he even gets 2nd team recognition. Maybe next year. Tate Unruh is the leader of the cubbies, and he will barely make 2nd team.

 

[jon]

Yeah, I agree I overrated Barden and underrated Berry here, and would flip those guys if I could go back and do it again. Disagree about the rest of your statement though... I think he is still a first-team guy. During conference play he's been the best rebounder in the conference, and a top 10 scorer (14.8 PPG) shooting 56%. He's taken over games with his offensive rebounding (such as Montana, Sac State). He's probably their best defender as well (which is not always saying much on UNC). Unruh is a really nice player but Barden is the difference for them having 9 wins right now and having 6-7, in my opinion.

 

[ajwildcat]

If Montana hosts, the MVP will be Cherry
IF WSU hosts the MVP will be Berry

I'm not saying that Cherry is the best player by any means but I do think that the Big Sky coaches will vote Cherry as MVP.

 

[WSUfan1]

Jon, I along with everyone enjoys your write-ups. However, I believe that you are looking too far into MVP candidates. The plain simple truth is that 90% of the time the honor goes to the top player for the host team. I think you are putting way too much thought into stats that dont really matter. Rebounding for example. This will never determine a MVP winner. Defense also will not win you a MVP. If you are good at rebounding and defense, then you probably will win a Defensive award, not MVP. But what Tal said, it will be one of two players: Berry or Jamar. Whichever team host, the MVP comes from that team.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I just can't believe you said barden...I know I should give it a rest, but looking over stats throughout the Sky he isn't even the best PF. Aaron Moore, granted plays for PSU, is as good or better, Venky Jois, Mook Otis, heavens John Dickson are all on par with Barden.

I know why you like him, but, in my opinion, he hasn't been consistent throughout the season and is just, now, starting to realize and live up to his potential, and look what has happened with UNCO lately. If Hill could get more from Osborne or Addo along with Barden and find a PG, then I think UNCO could really become something special next year. Right now...Barden is the second best player on his team behind Tate Unruh, who will barely get a 2nd team nod. Without Unruh, they wouldn't have any wins. Barden is the big the cubbies needed to get over the hump and start winning close games, since Addo and Osborne have been practical no shows for most of the season.

Okay...I'm done ranting. I highly respect you and your opinions. Thank you for your blog and your attention to the details. Those should be factors correlating to post-season awards, but...

 

[weberwildcat]

no player from any team besides weber or um even has a chance. weber and griz are 6 games head of 3rd place. point being weber and griz are WAY better than everyone this yr.

the mvp will come from the best player from the team that hosts. since there is no unanimous favorite that is how it should end up.

0% chance the MVP comes from a team with an overall losing record. :thumbdown:

 

[PURPLEFORLIFE]

Jamar or Berry. No one else even qualifies.

 

[jon]

You guys are right, that the award will go to someone on UM or WSU, which basically means either Jamar or Berry. You are totally right about that. I think what I was trying to do is see who has been the best player, regardless of how good their team has been. But ultimately you guys are right on.

Tal, I love your opinions and I just wish there were a lot more fans of the Big Sky that could spout off with detail the guys on other teams. Much like you think I am way off on Barden, I think you are way off

Compared to other PFs:
Aaron Moore - Moore is really good. You could make the argument here, but I still think Barden is a better offensive player and rebounder. But no doubt Moore is really good.
Venky Jois - Jois was great earlier in the year but has dropped off since his injury. His shooting is down, and he hasn't had a double digit rebounding game since January. Gets a nice boost from his shot blocking.
Frank Otis - Otis has been super efficient, but isn't the rebounder Barden is and plays a lot less minutes. Plus, he has a lot of other guys to take the attention off him. Think he benefits from being maybe their 4th option.
John Dickson - Dickson's not even close to the top tier of PFs. He shoots 45% on twos, takes a lot of 3s and doesn't shoot them that well, and is not the rebounder of any of the other guys.

Also, just can't get behind the argument that Unruh is better than Barden. He is a great shooter, rivaling Bamforth for the best in the conference... but that is the only thing he does really well. He shoots 47% on twos which is average, is not a very good defender, average ballhandler. Don't get me wrong, he's a really good player, but Barden just does so many more things for them.

Last, I don't think UNC has started to win just because Barden was inconsistent earlier in the year and is now playing consistently. They are winning more because their schedule got a lot easier. By my count, in his first 10 confernce games he had 14.1 PPG/10.2 RPG. Last 9 he had 15.7 PPG/9.2 RPG. His two worst games of the year have come against Weber State... but I suspect that's true for a lot of people this year since WSU has been easily the best defensive team in the Big Sky.

 

[Webergrad02]

Tal, I love your opinions and I just wish there were a lot more fans of the Big Sky that could spout off with detail the guys on other teams. Much like you think I am way off on Barden, I think you are way off

I agree with Tal. I think you have some bias in seeing Barden more than the others. In your original post you had him as the #2 player in the conference. He may be the best PF in the league, but I think that is even arguable. I think he has had success because the league is not very deep at PF. Weber has depth at PF and he has struggled.

I love reading your blog Jon. I think most times you give a pretty deep and fair analysis of a conference that no one really writes about. But I think your wrong about Barden on this one.

1. He is not a great free throw shooter at 68%
2. He did not play well against Weber 1-14 from the fielld. But he had two of his better games against Montana.

 

[jon]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I agree that even though I try my hardest not to be biased, I definitely could have a some bias there because I see UNC in person much more than anyone else in the Big Sky. That is why I love reading what you guys to say... it has already made me realize that my originally putting Barden #2 was too high!

Also, good point about the fact that he could be having as much success because of the relative weakness of big men in the Big Sky. Other than probably Bolomboy (who is still a role player), there isn't a 4 man in the conference with his athletic ability.