by Aargh » October 18th, 2010, 10:11 pm
I voted for Stutz. Weems is probably the guy who should get it, but MSU isn't likely to either overachieve compared to expectations or win the league, so I doubt he'll get it.
Murry is a good all-around player who hits every area of the stats, but would need a breakout year compared to last year, and I don't think that's going to happen. Durley isn't on the list or I would have voted for him. If he would decide to take it, it would be his. He's got the athleticism and skills to earn it and to be the actual most valuable player in the league instead of just for WSU. The issues with Durley (in my opinion) are that he has to believe he can be that good and then he would have to want to be that good very badly.
Now that I've seen Stutz, he could be in for a breakout year. Stutz is moving smoothly, he's making decisions and moves quickly, he's able to hang down low and push instead of getting pushed - and he's practicing against a guy his size. Orukpe (252 lbs.) is probably stronger than Stutz (256 lbs.), and definitely quicker and more athletic.
It's easier for a 7' guy to get noticed and get media attention, and Stutz looks like he's going to give the media plenty to get excited about. Stutz could match Murry's scoring this year, get maybe 7 or 8 boards, a bunch of blocks, and plenty of highlight reels. Put WSU in the top 25 - which needs to happen both for WSU and the Valley, and Stutz will be seen on ESPN more than Murry.
Nobody said MVC PoY was fair or a true evaluation. I think Stutz is going to show huge improvement this year and get a lot of attention. If that happens and WSU wins the Valley - it's his - unless Durley decides it's his - but I don't think that's going to happen.