Who is the MVC Player of the Year?

[Da Coach]

A friend asked me who I thought will be the MVC Player of the Year. After some thought, I was still unable to answer.

The Preseason POY Osiris Eldridge, has not had a great season. Despite playing more minutes than last year, his numbers are all down this year, he is not among the top 5 in any major category, and I would say he is not the best or most valuable player on his own team.

Runners up in the preseason POY voting--
Josh Young has seen his numbers fall off more than Osiris Eldridge's. He is shooting more, but scoring less than last year. He is only 33% from three.
P'Allen Stinnett has had some nice games, and is 8th in the MVC in scoring. But Creighton, the preseason consensus #1 team has underachieved, and a lot of that has to do with Stinnett's inconsistency. And he is not even close to being the MVP of his own team- Woodfox clearly is the POY for Creighton so far..

Booker Woodfox of Creighton looks like the best offensive player in the league. He is averaging 16.3 ppg, and is shooting a league-best 48.5% from three, and has almost single-handedly kept Creighton in several games this year. But he is somewhat one-dimensional, and does little else for Creighton but score, though that's not a bad thing.
And Shy Ely appears to be having the best overall individual season for Evansville. He leads the league in scoring at 17.5 ppg, and averages 6.6 rpg -5th in the MVC and tops as a guard. But Evansville is likely to finish no higher than 5th or 6th in the MVC.

Maybe this would have been Andrew Warren's year to take the POY award if he had been healthy?

Like Drake last year, UNI is the surprise team running away with the MVC this year. So there is a good chance that the POY might be the best player on that UNI team. But that is a tough call. They have 5 players averaging between 9.5 ppg and 11.5 ppg. None are near the league leaders in any category. Their leading scorer is Adam Koch, who probably won't get much consideration for Valley POY. Their best scorers are freshman Johnny Moran and juco transfer Ali Farokhmanesh. But probably their most valuable player has been sophomore point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe. I think he will get some consideration, like Adam Emmenecker did for Drake last year, despite the fact that he is not among the league leaders in anything.

Here are the MVC sortable stats.
Who do you think will be the Player of the Year?-

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/stats/bycategory?cat=Fielding&sort=25&conference_id=21

By the way- Ben Jacobson was asked who the MVP is for UNI, and he wasn't able to answer-
MVC Notebook: Hard for Jacobson to pick an MVP

http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2009/02/05/sports/28040010.txt

[lefty]

Just like last year I think it'll go to one of the players on the top team....and again like last year when Adam Emmenecker's stats weren't all that impressive,
I think the MVP will go to a guy whose stats are not the impressive part.
My prediction...UNI's team leader Kwadzo Ahelegbe

I thought Kwadzo was the key to their win here. When the ball was in his hands good things seem to happen. He had 7 assists and one TO

[lefty]

don't feel compelled to correct speeling errors lefty, I misspeel all the time

\
Now that is funny........I just saw the edit.

[Da Coach]

What about Theron Wilson? He is having great year. He is 7th in scoring and 3rd in rebounding. I personallly don't think he'll get many votes since Bradley now is falling out of contention for the lead, but he has carried Bradley and is one of the top few players in the league.

[Dubl R 1]

Just like last year I think it'll go to one of the players on the top team....and again like last year when Adam Emmenecker's stats weren't all that impressive,
I think the MVP will go to a guy whose stats are not the impressive part.
My prediction...UNI's team leader Kwadzo Ahelegbe

BTW....did anyone else notice that announcers get Kwadzo's name wrong...

His first name is pronounced "ka-joe" not "kwad-zo"
and his last name is "uh-helig-buh" not "a-leg-huh-buh" (from their media guide)

They also used to always get Creighton's Pierce Hibma's name wrong and said
"him-ba" instead of "hib-ma"

I agree that he should be given thought to for player of the year. He is to UNI this year, almost exactly what Emmenecker was to Drake last year.

I thought Kwadzo was the key to their win here. When the ball was in his hands good things seem to happen. He had 7 assists and one TO

I agree Lefty. When Ahelegbe went out of the game for a stint with 3 fouls, UNI's offense fell apart. They had a couple turnovers including a shot clock violation, and really didn't get any quality shots during that stretch.

Even though he was key in the victory here, I think you almost have to force Ahelegbe to be a scorer to beat UNI. Especially towards the end of the game here, we were up 6, with under 2 minutes left, and UNI sets a ball screen for Ahelegbe at the top of the key, he goes left, inside the 3 point arc, and a BU player who is guarding #5 on UNI in the corner flies at Ahelegbe as if he's Larry Bird coming off a screen to double team him. Of course, Ahelegbe(like Emmenecker) had no intention of shooting the ball, but clearly wanting to drive and kick, so we accomodate him by running a help defender at him off the ball screen, he promptly passes to their best 3pt shooter for a wide open 3 ball in the corner. Now I ask, and I stated before this possession, why wouldn't you stay home on #5 and Moran, and force Ahelegbe to shoot it.

I would make Ahelegbe have to score 30 points to beat me. I don't think he could score consistently for 1, but alson UNI is nowhere near as good if you don't let their balanced attack get going, and he is the key to that attack. It's almost like the Phoenix Suns of a couple years ago, make Nash score 30pts or better, but don't let him get everyone else involved, because then you are in trouble.

[Braves4Life]

But probably their most valuable player has been sophomore point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe. I think he will get some consideration

Yes, I really like this guy and think he has a BCS-type body for a point guard. BUT HIS STATS ARE NO BETTER THAN SAM MANISCALCO's! Let's not forget to give our man Sammy a little love. He's the MVP on our team, IMO.

And, my vote for Valley MVP would go to either Oguchi or King O. This is currently the best tandem in the valley and these two guys each have the talent and explosiveness to single handedly lead their team to victory when they get hot. In fact, they are probably two of the most athletic and gifted athletes in the league. (And you'd better believe that it REALLY pains me to admit this about an ISU player )

[it's boogie time]

Let's not forget to give our man Sammy a little love. He's the MVP on our team, IMO.

I can't agree with that at all.

[doug shank's crossover]

POY is Woodfox's to lose at this point. On a team that was built around the P'over hyped Stinnet, he emerged as the most effective player on that team. A bit of a cinderella story. He's less skillful than Eldridge or Stinnett, but more effective because of his ability to come off screens to score AND create his own shot. Young, from Drake is the runner up IMO.

[shaunguth]

POY is Woodfox's to lose at this point. On a team that was built around the P'over hyped Stinnet, he emerged as the most effective player on that team. A bit of a cinderella story. He's less skillful than Eldridge or Stinnett, but more effective because of his ability to come off screens to score AND create his own shot. Young, from Drake is the runner up IMO.

That's what the Prouty Ratings say as well....

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=115938&postcount=15

[Da Coach]

Your post got me thinking...and I didn't have time to look into it at work.. but I do now...

While it may appear O's numbers are down... they are actually better or the same then last year...

The main reason he is scoring less, is because he is taking less shots. He averaged 13 shots/game last year... only 10.9 this year. And he is shooting the exact same percentage (43%). This accounts for the lower scoring average. He did not have Champ, Lloyd, and Holloway to take his shots away last year. They average 6 more shots per game then Boo, Dom, Slack and Holloway combined for last year.

O is also grabbing 0.5 more rebounds/game, 0.5 more assists/game, 0.2 more steals/game, and only 0.1 more turnovers/game. He is averaging 3 more mins a game so that accounts for some of it.

His defense has gotten 100x better as well. He is our best lock down defender this year.

Now I am not saying he should be the POY or anything... just refuting the fact that numbers are "down".

Edit: He is also 5th in the league is scoring... forgot that...

I looked up his numbers before I posted that "his numbers are down", so I was surprised to see you trying to refute that.
Here is a page showing Osiris Eldridge's exact numbers for his 3 years at ISU--

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/players/61299

Last year he averaged 15.8 ppg and this year he is averaging 13.9 ppg. That is down no matter how you spin it. And you forgot to mention that he is playing significantly more minutes this year, 34.7 mpg, compared to 31.0 mpg last year. So if you consider his scoring averages per minute played, they are way down from last year.

Last year he averaged 43.2% shooting percentage, and this year it is 43.0%, and on threes, last year was 38.5%, this year is 38.4%, again though they are close, they are not "exactly the same". They are down, not up.

I was not trying to say OE doesn't deserve consideration, but I stand by my statement that his numbers are down, and I do not think he has been the MVP of his own team, I think Oguchi has been. Oguchi is averaging more than a point per game more than Eldridge, and has played significantly fewer minutes.--

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/iag/stats

Also, you are also wrong with your last statement "he is also 5th in the league in scoring".
He is 6th, just as I stated in my original post. He is not in the top 5 in scoring.
Osiris Eldridge's average is 13.91 ppg, just slightly behind the 5th place scorer Harry Marshall who is at 13.92 ppg.--

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/stats/bycategory?cat=Fielding&conference_id=21

[scout4126]

My All-MVC teams

First Team-
Osiris Eldridge, IllSU
Josh Young, DU
Booker Woodfox, CU
Shy Ely, EU
Theron Wilson, BU

Second Team-
Bryan Mullins, SIU
Champ Oguchi, IllSU
Jonathon Cox, DU
P'Allen Stinnett, CU
Adam Koch, UNI

Honorable Mention-
Kevin Dillard, SIU
Dinma Odiakosa, IllSU
Harry Marshall, InSU
Kwadzo Ahelegbe, UNI
Sam Maniscalco, BU / Dodie Dunson, BU

Newcomers-
Champ Oguchi, IllSU (NOY)
Kevin Dillard, SIU
Dodie Dunson, BU
Justin Carter, CU
Ali Farokhmanesh, UNI / Lloyd Phillips, ISU

Freshmen-
Kevin Dillard, SIU (FOY)
Toure' Murray, WSU
John Moran, UNI
Kyle Weems, MSU
Eddren McCain, BU

These players are listed in no particular order. I'm not completely sure about the all defensive team but you can bet that Bryan Mullins and DD will be on it. Likely Emmanuel Holloway as well.

As far as player of the year goes, I think it depends on how everyone finishes out. My guess is that it will come down to Osiris and Woodfox.

Again, these are just my personal opinion.

[shaunguth]

First Team-
Osiris Eldridge, IllSU
Josh Young, DU
Booker Woodfox, CU
Shy Ely, EU
Theron Wilson, BU

Second Team-
Bryan Mullins, SIU
Champ Oguchi, IllSU
Jonathon Cox, DU
P'Allen Stinnett, CU
Adam Koch, UNI

Honorable Mention-
Kevin Dillard, SIU
Dinma Odiakosa, IllSU
Harry Marshall, InSU
Kwadzo Ahelegbe, UNI
Sam Maniscalco, BU / Dodie Dunson, BU

Newcomers-
Champ Oguchi, IllSU (NOY)
Kevin Dillard, SIU
Dodie Dunson, BU
Justin Carter, CU
Ali Farokhmanesh, UNI / Lloyd Phillips, ISU

Freshmen-
Kevin Dillard, SIU (FOY)
Toure' Murray, WSU
John Moran, UNI
Kyle Weems, MSU
Eddren McCain, BU

These players are listed in no particular order. I'm not completely sure about the all defensive team but you can bet that Bryan Mullins and DD will be on it. Likely Emmanuel Holloway as well.

As far as player of the year goes, I think it depends on how everyone finishes out. My guess is that it will come down to Osiris and Woodfox.

Again, these are just my personal opinion.

I'm surprised Eglseder is nowhere to be found in that entire post.

[DUBulldog]

First Team-
Osiris Eldridge, IllSU
Josh Young, DU
Booker Woodfox, CU
Shy Ely, EU
Theron Wilson, BU

Josh Young certainly hasn't played like a 1st-teamer in the last month....maybe he'll get it based on reputation.

[jeffsu]

Freshmen-
Kevin Dillard, SIU (FOY)
Toure' Murray, WSU
John Moran, UNI
Kyle Weems, MSU
Eddren McCain, BU

I think Evansville's Kaylon Williams will make a potential appearance on this list, too...

[scout4126]

I think Williams and EM will fight for that last spot on the list with Carl Richard right behind.