Iggy named to Wooden Award late season top 20 (one of three freshman)

Submitted by maceo_blastin' on February 4th, 2019 at 11:13 PM

Impressive achievement for the young man. He has been one of the more consistent players on the team so far. 

outsidethebox

February 5th, 2019 at 7:29 AM ^

I agree with Iggy being on such a list. That he does not get much of this kind of an assessment from the local media and fan base is very telling-they don't know the game. This kid is really good. 

outsidethebox

February 5th, 2019 at 8:22 AM ^

I guess if the shoe fits-wear it. If the truth hurts-don't be a whiner-listen and learn. Basketball is an incredibly nuanced game. I do not fault those who do not know but they should not hold sway in the conversation. I am just surprised when a player who is not a highlight reel and does not have an over-the-top stat sheet gets recognition for all the little things he brings to the game. Iggy gets very little recognition on this board-I believe my comment was most valid-whether you like it or not.

ijohnb

February 5th, 2019 at 9:20 AM ^

I agree that Iggy Brazdekis is a very impressive freshman, but I think his inclusion on this list is as much of reflection of the lack of depth of superstar talent than a reflection of how impressive or dominant his play has been.  He has played very well at times and struggled notably at others.  He has a well rounded individual offensive game and can score in a variety of ways.  He knows how to score, for sure.  However, he is almost incapable of passing the ball once he initiates his own offense, and he forces a lot of shots when there are players at the arc that are hand-wavingly open for really good looks.  Despite his size and ability to shoot over the top of players, this is one of the primary reasons that he is not used as a zone buster to flash and kick at the free throw line against a 2-3.  He has tunnel vision.  That needs to improve drastically both at this level and the next. 

It is odd that you seem to think of yourself as somehow more informed than any other posters with absolutely no discernible reason to believe that.  You're not the only person on here who knows basketball.  Iggy is a very impressive talent and seems like a great kid, but I think he has a few notable areas of improvement to become a really high caliber NBA prospect. 

MGlobules

February 5th, 2019 at 9:49 AM ^

"I do not fault those who do not know but they should not hold sway in the conversation."

So far, sillypants, you're arguing against yourself, and unlike ijohnb below, just blowing hot air. There's not a single insight about Iggy or his game in your two posts so far. But--please--tell us more about your credentials!

 Try dropping some actual knowledge and we'll consider it, despite your obvious lack of social skills. 

East Quad

February 5th, 2019 at 8:04 AM ^

Love Iggy.  Congrats for the recognition.  Hope he can hit his shots at an outstanding pace for the rest of the season, finishing with both hands at the rim and swishing those three pointers!

Ibow

February 5th, 2019 at 8:31 AM ^

I love Iggy and for a Freshman, he’s pretty amazing but I have to admit, ever since that last second shot against Houston, I love watching Poole. The kid just seems like he’s got an enthusiasm for the game that’s infectious.

Go Blue!

Mike Damone

February 5th, 2019 at 8:37 AM ^

Nice for Iggy to get some recognition.  He is a terrific young player. 

ESPN may also want to give Iggy some attention, but they are too busy reporting on how Zion likes walking around the Duke campus with his bookbag, and how he enjoys the dorm food.  Or having him rank his dunks.  They are wearing out their knee pads with Zion...

darkstar

February 5th, 2019 at 9:31 AM ^

Yup. Probably my biggest complaint about ESPN and big reason I cancelled most of my cable subscription - the fixation and idolization of singular individuals in any/all sports. Granted they are usually among if not the best athletes in their particular sport but there are dozens of other players at all levels worthy of some amount of coverage. But it's all about eyeballs and clicks nowadays so let's skip the Ja Morant highlights to show another 360 dunk by Zion.

MGlobules

February 5th, 2019 at 9:56 AM ^

Clearly there are still deficiencies in Iggy's game, and they are of course magnified for fans who closely scrutinize the team. But his D has gotten much better in a short time--both Beilein and Jon Sanderson have praised his embrace of that still-underdeveloped part of his game--and despite his difficulties in seeing the court once he begins to drive (higher order skill for a guy who WAS the offense in previous incarnations) he has, let's face it, sometimes been the guy who can get buckets when the offense sputters. 

It's always healthy to note how others see the team from outside. Michigan loses a game and we think the sky is falling; similarly, some will be surprised Iggy's on the list. Surely he also has to be in consideration for some freshman of the year awards, no? Who else is up there with him in the conference? I think of Langford, but he's been wildly inconsistent.