Calhoun's case for Thabeet
The setup: Connecticut’s ranked No. 1. The Huskies (21-1) just dismantled No. 5 Louisville on the road, prompting some to wonder if the merry-go-round atop the rankings is over. They’re balanced, experienced, efficient on offense and defense and figure to a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.
The question: If UConn is the nation’s best team, should its best player garner Player of the Year talk?
Coach Jim Calhoun said as much about center Hasheem Thabeet after UConn’s win against Louisville, and reiterated his stance later.
"No one would ever consider that maybe on a team that's 21-1 there's a guy in the middle who has a lot to do with that," Calhoun said.
It’s a fair argument, too. (And usually works when discussing the Heisman candidates.) We can focus on Thabeet’s less-than-impressive stats – 13 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4 blocks a game – or look at his impact to UConn’s defense.
He’s like most great shot blockers – even if he doesn’t swat the shot, he intimidates foes, alters shots, forces opponents into bad decisions or turnovers, etc. Against Louisville, Thabeet didn’t allow a point when he was the primary defender.
I’d say that’s worth Player of the Year discussion.
(Of course, it helps to have a guy like Jeff Adrien to do a lot of the muscle work. They make a dandy low-post tandem.)
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