Time for my brief MWC tournament preview. I know y'all have been looking forward to it.
First, the year end awards.
Player of the Year: Probably Darington Hobson from UNM, but I can see them giving co-POYs to him and Jimmer Fredette from BYU. Both players were the best in conference, although Jimmer had a better non-conference run than Hobson. Tre'von Willis gets an honorable mention, but he may just have to wait until next year.
Defensive Player: This is not so obvious to me. If he hadn't gotten hurt, Derrick Jasper could have made a run at this award with good games vs. UNM, SDSU and Utah but his injury set him back. Utah has two great shot-alterers in David Foster and Jason Washburn, but since Foster averages more than 3 blocks a game, it is probably his to lose. Honorable mention to Jackson Emery from BYU who was able to lead the conference in steals.
Newcomer of the Year: The preseason pick was Jasper but I think Hobson gets this one without a doubt.
Coach of the Year: Again, I could see a co-COY for this recognition as well. Dave Rose's story is too inspiring, given all he has had to handle (and it is admirable) and Alford's job of bringing together a talented bunch that was still picked fifth in preseason to the Top 10 and possible 2-seed in the Dance is also very hard to see them recognizing.
First Team:
Hobson, Fredette, Willis are the no brainers. Dairese Gary is also probably worthy as is Kawhi Leonard who is only a freshman. Hard to see Leonard making first team though. From there you have a bunch more great second team candidates. Ronnie Moss from TCU deserves some recognition as well but first team may not be within his grasp. Oscar Bellfield led the league in turnover ratio and assists but probably did not score enough to get attention. D.J. Gay from SDSU was tough to defend and Zvonko Buljan from TCU lacked the consistency he showed from last year. Chace Stanback was another foe opponents hated preparing for. Tavernari is definitely the sixth man but could also make a second team, maybe first.
Other stuff:
The tournament's semifinals should be pretty entertaining. UNM and BYU have locked in for the Dance, while UNLV needs to get by Utah to clinch their invite. SDSU is win if they make the tourney finals, but an earlier exit before then could doom them to the NIT (again). The potential second round of UNM-SDSU and BYU-UNLV makes must see basketball action. By far they are the best teams of the season and deserve to be there. However, there always seem to upsets and I think UNLV is vulnerable as Utah upended them in both matchups this year. I really don't think CSU can give the Aztecs a game, but if they get hot, it could be possible. I like a BYU-UNM rematch in the final, but since both teams are eyeing Top 4 regional seeds, they could be distracted enough to get upset during the tournament.
The Rebs have good momentum and confidence after burying their last 4 opponents following a three game losing streak. My worry is if they get into a close game, they may not be able to execute under pressure and finish off their opponent. I think if they get by Utah, a big if, they should be able to get BYU since they have a hard time winning on this court. I'm hoping for a UNM-UNLV final with Jasper making the championship clinching block on Hobson. We'll see what happens.
More to come later,
laters
cvz
Rebels by 10
