Collins Semi-Finalist For Naismith COTY

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
21,326
1,501
113
One of 10 semi-finalists. Great recognition. Should be between him and the Florida coach. Everyone else is doing what they usually do.

Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalists
Chris Collins, Northwestern
Scott Drew, Baylor
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Bob Huggins, West Virginia
Tim Jankovich, SMU
Sean Miller, Arizona
Rick Pitino, Louisville
Bill Self, Kansas
Mike White, Florida,
Jay Wright, Villanova

http://www.nusports.com/news/2017/3...werner-ladder-naismith-coach-of-the-year.aspx
 
Last edited:

PURPLECAT88

Senior
Feb 4, 2003
7,672
716
113
I hope it's not Drew. I'd hate to see anything good happen at Baylor right now. And for many years forward.
 

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
21,326
1,501
113
I was referring to willycat's comment on Big Ten coach of the year

Sorry.

I realize these are different awards voted on by different voters, but how can CCC NOT be the BTCOTY if he is the only Big 10 coach in the Naismith?
 

PURPLECAT88

Senior
Feb 4, 2003
7,672
716
113
Sorry.

I realize these are different awards voted on by different voters, but how can CCC NOT be the BTCOTY if he is the only Big 10 coach in the Naismith?
The national voters don't follow the B1G like we do. Collins and NU are the story nationally coming out of the B1G, but what the weasely little guy has taken a team that was much worse than we were last year and has them playing the best ball in the conference right now. And he's playing a bunch of Freshmen. I'd probably squint through my purple glasses and vote for CCC, but it's a hard one to justify.
 

Eurocat

Senior
May 29, 2001
18,049
843
113
It's gotta be Pitino.

23 losses last year.

23 wins this year (and counting).
 

Windy City Cat Fan

Sophomore
May 29, 2001
4,894
184
0
Sorry.

I realize these are different awards voted on by different voters, but how can CCC NOT be the BTCOTY if he is the only Big 10 coach in the Naismith?
How can you name finalists before the season is even done? I've always hated that these awards seemingly don't even consider the most important games of the year. What if Illinois or Minnesota stays hot, wins the BTT and makes it to the sweet 16 or further - how could they not be bigten or even national coach of the year?
 

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
21,326
1,501
113
The national voters don't follow the B1G like we do. Collins and NU are the story nationally coming out of the B1G, but what the weasely little guy has taken a team that was much worse than we were last year and has them playing the best ball in the conference right now. And he's playing a bunch of Freshmen. I'd probably squint through my purple glasses and vote for CCC, but it's a hard one to justify.

Here is my counter argument. Playing a bunch of Freshmen? Not really. Just 2 Freshmen are getting significant time, although Coffey could be Freshman of the year. Starter Springs is a grad transfer, and Mason, Lynch and Konate are Juniors. Last year Minny were decimated by injuries and suspensions, they really weren't as bad as their record indicated. Minny has been healthy all season, while Collins lost 2 4* players for the full season, his starting center for 8 games, and his best player for 3 weeks. Minny played a weaer OOC schedule than did Collins and NU.

Both coaches have had excellent years and should be finalists for the Big 10 award. I give it to Collins on the basis that he did more with less during an injury riddled season.
 

NUCats

Redshirt
Sep 2, 2004
69
4
0
Here is my counter argument. Playing a bunch of Freshmen? Not really. Just 2 Freshmen are getting significant time, although Coffey could be Freshman of the year. Starter Springs is a grad transfer, and Mason, Lynch and Konate are Juniors. Last year Minny were decimated by injuries and suspensions, they really weren't as bad as their record indicated. Minny has been healthy all season, while Collins lost 2 4* players for the full season, his starting center for 8 games, and his best player for 3 weeks. Minny played a weaer OOC schedule than did Collins and NU.

Both coaches have had excellent years and should be finalists for the Big 10 award. I give it to Collins on the basis that he did more with less during an injury riddled season.

I agree. Collins navigated a much tougher path than junior, and it was his coaching that has placed us in this position.

Even many of our most diehard fans, thought we would have to "wait 'til next year" with the injuries we had to overcome.