DURR ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK, NAMED TO WOODEN LATE SEASON TOP 20.
On Monday, she was named the ACC Player of the Week and also named to the John R.Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 list.
I know, there are a ton of college basketball awards out there. These are two of the bigger ones, though, and the prestige and honor that goes with them is note-worthy and quite the accomplishment.
ACC PLAYER OF THE WEEK.
It's the fourth time that Durr has been selected for the Player of the Week. She averaged 24 points per game in Louisville's road wins at Virginia and Syracuse.
It's been a remarkable season for "Nite-Nite".
She ranks second in the ACC in scoring with 20 points per game. Her 46.6 shooting percentage is tops in the ACC and fifth in the nation in three-pointers.
I firmly believe she is the best player in the country. The Cards can help push that agenda by progressing forward and winning the ACC and advancing to the Final Four.
I also think our illustrious mayor of Louisville should proclaim an Asia Durr Day here in our fair city and encourage everyone to display the number "25" in some form or fashion.
JOHN R. WOODEN AWARD
Durr joins nineteen women's college basketball players on the award list for the top basketball player in DI. The award is chosen by a poll of national college basketball experts based on the players' performances during the year. It is narrowed to 20 after the first half of the season.
She has some stellar company on the list of twenty.
Joining Durr from the ACC are Lexie Brown (Duke), Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame) and Shakayla Thomas (FSU). The AAC has four on the list, all from UConn, in Napheesa Collier, Kia Nurse, Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams. The SEC is well-represented with four contestants in Sophie Cunningham (Missouri), Teaira McCowan (Mississippi St.) Victoria Vivians (Mississippi St.) and A'ja Wilson (South Carolina). The PAC-12 has three student-athletes in the top 20 with Kristine Anigwe (Cal), Jordin Canada (UCLA) and Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon). So does the Big Ten with Megan Gustafson (Iowa), Katelynn Flaherty (Michigan) and Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio St.) The Big 12 roundds out the list with two players in Ariel Atkins (Texas) and Kalani Brown (Baylor).
Overall, 16 schools are represented in the top 20 list and six conferences . Ten of the players are seniors, nine juniors and one is a sophomore.
Here's a couple of questions for you, our readers.So, can one make an argument for senior Myisha Hines-Allen being on the list? I think you can. She averages a double-double with 14.4 ppg and 10.3 rebounds. She was on the pres-season All-ACC teams and has been named ACC player of the Week once. Four UConn players is maybe overkill and the only other team with two players on the list in Mississippi State. I'll take charge here and put her 21st.
Is Asia Durr the best player in women's college basketball? I say "Yes". Her accomplishments this season are out of this world.
- Over 1500 points in her career
- Has over 70 made three-pointers
- Naismith Trophy Watch List
- 47 points against Ohio State, a school record
- Preseason All conference and all-american
And, that's just a few of the accolades for #25.
Durr, predictably, would point to her teammates for her achievements. And, that's the beautiful thing about this team. They're in it together. Individual awards are great but team success is goal #1. She has become that "first name only needed" player at UofL, along with Shoni and Angel. There are troubles and controversy galore on campus, with the men's basketball team and blah, blah, blah but there is a sense of pride, acknowledgement and love for the dozen student-athletes that gather in the Little YUM! to do work for Coach Walz and his staff. Coach Walz is holding a press conference this afternoon, presumably to talk about Durr, the wins and Clemson.
Do you have a question for Coach Walz ? Leave it in the comments section or e-mail it to me at cardinalcouple@twc.com by noon today and I'll toss it out. That goes for Durr as well if she's present.
A heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Durr for these spectacular accomplishments and keep 'em coming!
(Speaking of Asia's...congratulations to Asia Taylor, who has been re-signed by the Washington Mystics. We see ya, #31.)
Paulie
xxxxx
Yes and yes, Paulie. Are Sophie Cunningham and Megan Gustafson better than DOOO-BLAY. Hell, no.
ReplyDeleteThe NCAA and the Wooden Award committee screwed up.
Blue Lou
lol dont u know you gotta have a couple of corn fed white girls from the midwest in there this select committee that makes these lists wont give it to myisha because uofl is hated nationwide because of pitino postel and the scandals i am surprised Durr made it.
DeleteStrictly off topic but I've noticed you haven't been on Howie's show lately Paulie. What's up with that?
ReplyDeleteDon't know. I've heard they seldom mention women's sports anymore on his show. I've haven't been listening.
DeletePaulie
i quit that morning show months ago. All Howie does is talk, talk talk and about stupid stuff,. He gives UofL women's sports zero mention and would rather talk about filling his face and buying diamonds for his wife last I heard.
DeletePersonally, I think Howie is a great guy and a solid voice for UofL Athletics. As is often the case, sadly, men's sports take priority and gather the most ratings. And, commercial radio is all about your ratings. Maybe I didn't boost the ratings? Which I fully understand. Maybe he's just forgetful. Maybe he expects me to call him instead of them calling me.
DeleteIt is what it is. Whatever it is.
Paulie
That show has gotten bad. His guests are not relevant. All Katie does is complain. All Howie does is sell stuff and talk about nonsense. Matt is really the only rational voice on there and Howie always talks over him. I switched to Drew Deener months ago. Got tired of hearing Howie talk about himself or what he is trying to peddle.
DeleteWhile I agree that, sadly, race does play a factor in perception of talent, I don't think UofL scandals are keeping a second UofL player off the list. The team and Walz have good reps and I don't think the men's team scandals have tarnished that significantly. MHA deserves and I hope continued good showing earns her a spot on the list before voting starts.
ReplyDeleteI am not trying to down play the mess at Louisville. It is a poop show for sure. I just don't see it manifesting in hate for this team.
Who is the select committee?
Deletewooden was white the committee probably white and five white girls out of twenty on that list let me asks you something when you seen five white girls on any basketball team unless it be a private institution or from the midwest or ivy league but it dont matter myisha will laugh all the way to the bank when she go to the wnba and europe to get paid
DeleteThat's just crazy. Like I said, I think race does influence perceptions. I think Dana's talent was discounted in the Miss Indiana basketball last year. I think Myisha should be on the list but you are saying that white women can't play ball at an elite level is ridiculous.
DeleteOK. Hold on just one daggone minute here (as Quick Draw use to say) Let's not play the race card here. We all know how good Samuelson is and she deserves to be there. Ioneescu is the lone sophomore and a star for a very good Oregon squad (and won't she just love having Erin Boley on her team next year?) Flaherty has been the Big 10 MVP twice, I think she belongs. Gustafson has been the Big 10 Player of the week SEVEN times this season. She's earned a spot. Cunningham is putting up incredible numbers at Mizzou and is definitely one of the best small forwards in college WBB. All five belong on the list. All five are white. Big deal! If you can play, you belong.
ReplyDeleteI think Myisha deserves a spot on the team and I have to question two California players in Canada and Anigwe on the list on a team that is 15-8 and been blown out in their last three by PAC opponents by a total of 72 points.
Paulie
Well Played. The race comments were totally out of line and say more about the commenter than the kids who made the list. Further if someone is going to make ignorant, uninformed posts they should put up their name with them instead of doing the anonymous thing.
DeleteFirst time I've seen a comment like this in the years I've been following. Not Good.
I loved Quickdraw McGraw/El Kabong and even had a cat named Baba Looey, though in honor of Louisville I spelled it Louie ��
DeleteI don't agree at all w/the initial anonymous' viewpoints on white players. The players on that list, white and black, didn't choose themselves, and aren't IMO pawns for a committee looking for further ways to divide. This list isn't some master plot to elevate white players over black players, and it's unfair and inaccurate for the poster to assume so. I do take a little exception, and exception may be the wrong word because I don't think you meant anything by it, with the use Paulie of the phrase "race card." It implies that race in general is part of some gamesmanship, when although it was applied in the instance of the original posters comments totally totally wrong and out of place and out of context, is very much an issue impacting society today.
DeleteAgain, this is not an admonishment at all because I don't agree with what was originally said, but just added commentary for thought. Thanks!
2nd anonymous, I appreciate your thoughts on the term race card. Good good for thought.
DeleteOk MHA is totally getting ripped! IMH0! They must have missed the ACC player of the week as she has had not only like an unbelievable amount of double doubles...let's look at the assists,blocks,steals etc. In the other categories she does it all and yet she was over looked again! She has more steals,assist and rebounds... what's a player have to do? Disappointed in JERSEY!
ReplyDeleteI agree she should be on that list, IMHO too many Uconn players on the list this is just my opinion.
DeleteSMDH
Go Cards!
Agree with Burn. Anonymous says more about him/herself with those comments. I'd take Samuelson and/or Ionescu on my squad anyday. Also Syracuse's point guard. Skin color has NOTHING to do with whether you're an elite player.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSince we have established that it is not her race, what do you think it is that keeps her from being in the discussion of this award? Not stirring the pot, I truly want to hear what people think.
ReplyDeleteIs it Asia's stardom? Is it her blue collar game? (As in solid not flashy) is it her selflessness? Is it lack of promotion by UofL? Something else? Just curious
Maybe over shadowed a bit by Durr but she is a tough kid and believe me that won't slow her down any.She will plays hard no matter what.Her points are hard earned and gets two per bucket..Asia shoots the three and obviously accumulation of points is quicker...awesome player and I'm not taking away from her. But I'm going to say MHA gets it done on both ends of the court..She plays unselfish basketball
Deleteand funny being a forward she actually has more assists then a guard..and when she is not scoring she is killing it rebounding...And just as many steals give or take... Flashy play no...just get it done kind of play. Oh well good luck tomorrow Cards!
I did go to the Walz presser today. He is baffled by it as well (the Hines-Allen exclusion) and not so happy about the slight. He said Myisha is taking it in stride, though.
ReplyDeleteI also ran into Howie Lindsey and he came out apologizing for the lack of "Paulie on Louisville First". Said he re-did his schedule a couple of weeks ago and basically forgot to add me. I guess that makes me the "player to be named later" but he assured me I'll be back in the saddle next Wednesday.
Interesting afternoon!
Paulie
Obvious UConn bias. 4 nominated. Samuelson is legit, but Myeisha could, imo, easily be ahead of the other three. At least two of them.
ReplyDelete...no "e" in Myisha...
DeleteAs I have said, all comments are welcome here unless you're trying to spam advertise, obscene or profane.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say TUESDAY above instead of Wednesday. I'm working on the months of the year and major holidays next making progress. So far, I'm encouraged by the results.
On the "race card"....I was referring to the anonymous comment. Those who know me know that I have no racial bias or prejudices whatsoever. Just not a big fan of opera.
Sue me. LOL
Paulie
I don't think anyone was saying that Paulie. I just found 2nd Anonymous' opinion of the term enlightening. Not accusatory. Like most people using the term Lady Cards having no ill will, just a lack of understanding the team is not called that or why the school chose to ditch it. (One of my favorite Jurich decisions btw - because he wanted parity)
ReplyDeleteHappy and sad to know coach is baffled too because I feel less stupid about it, but sad because if he knew why we could lobby and showcase her for the final list.
Sorry about The Patriots CJW, but fly Eagles fly.
ReplyDeleteGo Card's!lol
MLW
u got your take and i got mine and we leave it there i read paulie a lot and think he one of the best in wbb but bird lady u got zero smarts and know nothing about the game by the way my name is larry davis and not afraid to tell the truth and not skip around what is real
ReplyDeleteCan't we all just get along?! Good Lord. We are adults right? There is enough hatred and nastiness in the world..LETS ENJOY THE PLAYERS AND THE GAME!
ReplyDeleteAgree!Q Stopthe trashing, innuendo and name-calling RIGHT NOW! We're Cardinal fans here (mostly) and let's stay on that topic.
DeletePaulie