As conference play nears its boiling point, we take a look around the country and into some of the most notable conferences to provide a glimpse into the contenders for conference awards, like Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.
Starting in the American Athletic Conference, there’s another UConn lead guard who has a chance to turn in a special season for the Huskies. This time, it’s Ryan Boatright. The senior averages 17.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and four assists per game while shooting the ball at career high clips from the field and free throw line. Temple’s Fran Dunphy should be a viable candidate for Coach of the Year if the Owls continue their recent play.
In the Big East, a conference lacking the same star power of year’s passed, look for the St. Johnnies to make their presence yet again felt. In particular, look for D’Angelo Harrison to turn in a sensational season, one that could earn him POY honors. In the coaching race, I look at Butler’s Chris Holtmann, who just hours after publishing had his interim tag removed by the University.
Loaded again, the ACC have stars in uniform and roaming the sidelines. Jahlil Okafor, freshman center at Duke, is the biggest of them all and is the front runner for POY. Virginia’s Tony Bennett surely has to be the odds on favorite to bring home hardware for the Coach of the Year.
Down South, it looks like a Big Blue sweep, as we’ve got Willie Cauley-Stein and his coach, John Calipari, taking home both honors for the SEC. The same can be said for the Big Ten, where Frank Kaminsky and Bo Ryan of Wisconsin look like good bets to sweep their own conference awards. While the Big 12 has contenders for both awards on what feels like every team, it’s the Iowa State Cyclones that add another sweep to the board.
Out West, I continue my praise for Cal’s lead guard, Tyrone Wallace, while giving some love to a coach that turned around one of the worst high-major basketball teams in history from just a few years ago. Then, in the WCC, MWC and MVC, it feels like old hat for award season.
