Pac 12 Honors (too many Beavs to fit in the thread title)

And they don't have a category across the Pac-12, but I expect Orum will win "most improved player" in the team awards later this season.....
Many players did really step up their game, and Rueck his coaching.
Well, would be hard to say we didn't (for once) get the respect we deserved in the conference awards.

Go Beavs!

I don't think he fell short last year, he just was perceived (in my opinion, by media) to have more to work with last year.
I was surprised the 1000 hit wonder didn't win it (and maybe even had a case for doing so).
He took a team that the pundits declared would finish 5th and created a juggernaut (modulo the stumbles against the LA schools).
I think Wiese played up to her billing.
Bre was actually highly rated out of high school and played like a blue-chipper finally getting plenty of minutes (one more year!).
Gabby had some shooting woes, but found ways to hit the big shot and shut down the other team's big shots.
Gulich showed flashes last year, but really brought it this year. I think she will be even more consistent next year.
Pivec and Tudor came in highly rated, played like it, and they have very high ceilings yet to hit.

The real surprise was Kolbie. Quite honestly I did not see this level of contribution coming based on watching her past three years.

SR "stepped up" his coaching by extracting so many significant contributions from so many different players and created a cohesive team. He stepped up his coaching by taking a team that lost three starters of the highest order (POTY, DPOTY, rebounding juggernaut) and not losing a beat. In what I would say was at least as strong if not a stronger Pac-12.

What intrigues me is his system - don't need flashy steal artists on D, just a team effort to force the other team into "uncomfortable" shots, and then a post oriented, three point oriented inside-out/outside-in offence that solid shooters thrive in....and I love his calm demeanor - what a great example.....

If Aleah Goodman is the "steal of the signing class" as Sopak describes, the 6'8" Polish hammer shoots 60% now for a reason, and Taya Corosdale turns in a Pivec-like first year, we will be an upper echelon team once again next year. Would help if Bre returns. I think Washington and Thropay have potential (Maddie certainly showed her motor in spot minutes this year) and I hope we can find a way to use Taylor "instant offense" Kalmer. I suspect replacing Sydney will not be easy because of the intangibles, however. 

But I am getting ahead of myself - still about 8 more games to enjoy with this team *this* season!

Go Beavs!