Way-to-Early All-Conference & Awards Predictions

[hawkssb04]

With only a few games left to play in the regular season, I thought I'd take a stab at it.

MVP:
Jerrick Harding, Weber State
OR
Bogdan Bliznyuk, Eastern Washington

Newcomer of Year:
Andre Spight, Northern Colorado

Defensive Player of Year:
Michael Oguine, Montana

Freshman of Year:
Harald Frey, Montana State

TOP RESERVE:
Dusty Baker, Weber State

Coach of Year:
Travis DeCuire, Montana

FIRST TEAM:
Jerrick Harding, Weber State
Bogdan Bliznyuk, Eastern Washington
Andre Spight, Northern Colorado
Victor Sanders, Idaho
Ahmaad Rorie, Montana

SECOND TEAM:
Tyler Hall, Montana State
Zach Braxton, Weber State
Michael Oguine, Montana
Geno Crandall, North Dakota
Brayon Blake, Idaho

THIRD TEAM:
Justin Strings, Sacramento State
Jamar Akoh, Montana
Bryce Canda, Portland State
Jared Stutzman, Idaho State
Ryan Richardson, Weber State

 

[n.ogdencat]

Looks good to me, but wasn't Frey the FOY last year?

 

[oldrunner]

I don't think that Spight can be newcomer of the year, due to already playing a year in the league.
I think that the MVP award will go to the best player on the best team. At least that is how it usually goes.

I'm not sure that any of our players are a lock to be first team and that is okay by me. Jerrick, maybe, but he is only a sophomore and there are a lot of top level guards in our league. Many of the top guards are upper classmen

 

[Vandal03]

I think Brayon Blake should be first team. He looks like the best player on the court each night and is leading the conference in rebounds. I am looking forward to Saturday’s game and wish Idaho and Weber State we’re playing each other twice instead of once.

 

[oldrunner]

I am looking forward to Saturday’s game and wish Idaho and Weber State we’re playing each other twice instead of once.

I agree, this unballanced schedule is crap. That and Reno have hurt our league, not helped in any way.

 

[hawkssb04]

I don't think that Spight can be newcomer of the year, due to already playing a year in the league.
I think that the MVP award will go to the best player on the best team. At least that is how it usually goes.

I'm not sure that any of our players are a lock to be first team and that is okay by me. Jerrick, maybe, but he is only a sophomore and there are a lot of top level guards in our league. Many of the top guards are upper classmen

Spight didn't play in the Big Sky last year. He redshirted. As far as MVP goes, that trend hasn't necessarily held true over the past 6 or 7 seasons. Jake "The Ringer" Wiley won last year, even though EWU finished 2nd. Mikh McKinney won despite, Sac finishing third in 14-15. Dame won MVP when we took 2nd.

 

[hawkssb04]

Looks good to me, but wasn't Frey the FOY last year?

Correct. Not sure why I had it in my head that he was a freshman. In that case, I'll go with Holland Woods from Portland State for Freshman of the Year.

 

[hawkssb04]

I think Brayon Blake should be first team. He looks like the best player on the court each night and is leading the conference in rebounds. I am looking forward to Saturday’s game and wish Idaho and Weber State we’re playing each other twice instead of once.

Perhaps. Would you put him in over Sanders? Idaho won't get two first-teamers.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Looks good to me, but wasn't Frey the FOY last year?

Correct. Not sure why I had it in my head that he was a freshman. In that case, I'll go with Holland Woods from Portland State for Freshman of the Year.

Will go to Woods or Jalen Sanders from UNC

 

[oldrunner]

I don't think that Spight can be newcomer of the year, due to already playing a year in the league.
I think that the MVP award will go to the best player on the best team. At least that is how it usually goes.

I'm not sure that any of our players are a lock to be first team and that is okay by me. Jerrick, maybe, but he is only a sophomore and there are a lot of top level guards in our league. Many of the top guards are upper classmen

Spight didn't play in the Big Sky last year. He redshirted. As far as MVP goes, that trend hasn't necessarily held true over the past 6 or 7 seasons. Jake "The Ringer" Wiley won last year, even though EWU finished 2nd. Mikh McKinney won despite, Sac finishing third in 14-15. Dame won MVP when we took 2nd.

I could be wrong but I thought he played the year before and then sat out last year. He isn't a newcomer. Akoh would get my vote.

 

[Vandal03]

I think Brayon Blake should be first team. He looks like the best player on the court each night and is leading the conference in rebounds. I am looking forward to Saturday’s game and wish Idaho and Weber State we’re playing each other twice instead of once.

Perhaps. Would you put him in over Sanders? Idaho won't get two first-teamers.

When wearing my silver and gold glasses I see Idaho winning out and both making first team! When I try to look at it objectively I think Blake is more deserving of first team and I understand this league has so many great players that it will be difficult for one team to have two first team era. The BSC has many very talented guards. I have not seen anyone in the league who can do what Blake can do. If Sanders makes first team over Blake it is because the voters will consider his amazing career. He is the second best player I have watched in the 17 years that I have been a Vandal and Blake is the best.

 

[oldrunner]

Looks good to me, but wasn't Frey the FOY last year?

Correct. Not sure why I had it in my head that he was a freshman. In that case, I'll go with Holland Woods from Portland State for Freshman of the Year.

Woods would get my vote. That kid is good. If he stays at PSU, it will be big for PSU and him. :thumb:

 

[Skippy]

I don't think that Spight can be newcomer of the year, due to already playing a year in the league.
I think that the MVP award will go to the best player on the best team. At least that is how it usually goes.

I'm not sure that any of our players are a lock to be first team and that is okay by me. Jerrick, maybe, but he is only a sophomore and there are a lot of top level guards in our league. Many of the top guards are upper classmen

Spight didn't play in the Big Sky last year. He redshirted. As far as MVP goes, that trend hasn't necessarily held true over the past 6 or 7 seasons. Jake "The Ringer" Wiley won last year, even though EWU finished 2nd. Mikh McKinney won despite, Sac finishing third in 14-15. Dame won MVP when we took 2nd.

I could be wrong but I thought he played the year before and then sat out last year. He isn't a newcomer. Akoh would get my vote.

You are wrong Olds. Spight sat out last year after transferring from ASU. He is a newcomer. I see it as a three-person race between him, Akoh and Stutzman.

As far as MVP, I see it coming down to Blake and Harding. I’d vote for Blake, he’s the “unicorn” power player in a guard’s league.

 

[oldrunner]

I don't think that Spight can be newcomer of the year, due to already playing a year in the league.
I think that the MVP award will go to the best player on the best team. At least that is how it usually goes.

I'm not sure that any of our players are a lock to be first team and that is okay by me. Jerrick, maybe, but he is only a sophomore and there are a lot of top level guards in our league. Many of the top guards are upper classmen

Spight didn't play in the Big Sky last year. He redshirted. As far as MVP goes, that trend hasn't necessarily held true over the past 6 or 7 seasons. Jake "The Ringer" Wiley won last year, even though EWU finished 2nd. Mikh McKinney won despite, Sac finishing third in 14-15. Dame won MVP when we took 2nd.

I could be wrong but I thought he played the year before and then sat out last year. He isn't a newcomer. Akoh would get my vote.

You are wrong Olds. Spight sat out last year after transferring from ASU. He is a newcomer. I see it as a three-person race between him, Akoh and Stutzman.

As far as MVP, I see it coming down to Blake and Harding. I’d vote for Blake, he’s the “unicorn” power player in a guard’s league.

I hadn't even thought about Stutzman, but you are right. He very well could be the newcomer of the year. He has had a huge impact on ISU basketball. Plus, he will only get better for you guys. Coach can definately build around him.

As far as Blake, I really haven't seen that much of him. I do think that the MVP will come from one of those three teams, WSU, UI, or UM. It's hard to make a case for a MVP candidate if they are not on a top team. Yes, it happens from time to time, but MVPs are seldome from a lower teer team.

 

[weberwildcat]

coach:
griz coach for sure. from 6th last yr to 13-0 this yr. wow. even if griz somehow get 2nd place i still think it should go to griz.

mvp:
would harding be unanimous if weber are champs or co-champs?

also, all of the griz players on this last and most of the weber players are to return.

 

[oldrunner]

coach:
griz coach for sure. from 6th last yr to 13-0 this yr. wow. even if griz somehow get 2nd place i still think it should go to griz.

mvp:
would harding be unanimous if weber are champs or co-champs?

also, all of the griz players on this last and most of the weber players are to return.

The Griz lose one senior starter and we lose one starter and our sixth man. Next year, the two teams will be quite similar, with the exception of any newcomers or transfers. Red shirting players may also have an impact. Still, I would expect UM and WSU to be at the top of the Sky next year. It seems like that is how it should always be.

 

[SWeberCat02]

http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2018/3/3/mens-basketball-ewus-bliznyuk-tabbed-bigskymbb-most-valuable-player-to-headline-all-conference-teams.aspx

Bliznyuk, MVP
Spight, Newcomer
Woods, Freshman
Oquine, Defensive
Boyd, Reserve

1st Team: Bliznyuk (Unanimous), Spight (Unanimous), Harding (Unanimous), Rorie, Blake

3rd Team: Braxton, Richardson