Feb. 27 | Cincinnati @ West Virginia
It’s that time of year, kids, when we give kudos to the deserving. So without further delay, let’s get the SLAMMY AWARDS going.
Player of the Year Candidates:
Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Dominique Jones, South Florida
Da’Sean Butler, West Virginia
>>And the SLAMMY goes to … Scottie Reynolds!
Reynolds has always been known as a scorer, but in previous years you could argue he was a “volume shooter.” Not in 2010, though. While leading Villanova to an impressive season—in which they have been at or near the top of conference standings and national polls—Reynolds has managed to improve his field goal percentage to 49 percent overall and 40 percent from beyond the arc. On the year, Reynolds is averaging 19 points per game and doing it while being guarded by the opponents’ best defenders.
Freshman of the Year Candidates:
Maalik Wayns, Villanova
Dane Miller, Rutgers
Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati
>>And the SLAMMY goes to … Lance Stephenson!
Stephenson arrived in Cincinnati with much fanfare, and he hasn’t disappointed. Stephenson leads the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game, and has also shown an impressive ability to pass the rock. Stephenson has suggested that he will be back for his sophomore season, news that gives Mick Cronin and Cincy fans reason to cheer.
Defensive Player of the Year Candidates:
Hamady N’Diaye, Rutgers
Lazar Hayward, Marquette
Andy Rautins, Syracuse
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
>>And the SLAMMY goes to … Andy Rautins!
Who would have guessed that one of the leagues most prolific three-point shooters would also end the season as its best defender. There are certainly some great candidates in this class, including some fine interior defenders. But Rautins is playing on the best defensive team in the conference (Syracuse), and he anchors it with his play out on top of that vaunted 2-3 zone.
Sixth Man of the Year Candidates:
Gavin Edwards, Uconn
Dwight Hardy, St. John’s
>>And the SLAMMY goes to… Gavin Edwards!
I was tempted to make this a one-person race since Edwards is so far out of the pack as it relates to bench players, but I wanted to give a little love to Dwight Hardy, too; he’s one of the more promising unknown players in the league. Anyway, back to Edwards, who leads not only the conference, but also the nation in minutes played off the bench (30-plus per game) and he has shown that he’s also perhaps Jim Calhoun’s most consistent player. Edwards also averages 2.25 blocks per game, a stat that nearly put him in contention for Defensive Player of the Year.
Most Improved Player Candidates:
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh
Gavin Edwards, UConn
Jimmy Butler, Marquette
>>And the SLAMMY goes to… Ashton Gibbs!
Calling someone “improved” can be misleading since it’s hard to say what any of the above players would have done if given the chance last year. As it was, they all played on extremely good teams last year and were stuck behind players that coaches just couldn’t afford to take off the floor. Gibbs, however, wins my vote given his impressive play for a team (Pitt) that many felt would fall flat this year. He’s been their leader, he’s handled the ball, he’s taken too many big shots to recount, and he’s done it all while staying humble and embracing the “Pitt” way of playing.
Coach of the Year Candidates:
Buzz Williams, Marquette
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh
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>And the SLAMMY goes to… Jim Boeheim!
This might be the toughest race to pick from as all three coaches far exceeded expectations with their respective clubs. My vote goes to Boeheim, though, as he has his team currently on top of the league standings and playing like a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. In fact, Boeheim might not just win Big East Coach of the Year, it’s hard to find a more deserving candidate for National Coach of the Year as well; shockingly, that’s an award he’s yet to win in his legendary career.
