Z named Naismaith Defensive POY semifinalist - 1 of 10

Submitted by KennyHiggins on February 21st, 2019 at 1:33 PM

Love this kid.  Dictates the game, and gets most out of his teammates.  Should win this award hands down.

Beilein 4 Life

February 21st, 2019 at 5:00 PM ^

You said MSU was a tougher team to beat now that Tillman is in instead of Ward, so Winston obviously isn’t that big of a factor in the game.

the outcome of these two games will dictate the award winner as much as any other game that anyone on the list plays against good players, like when Kentucky  plays Tennessee 

ijohnb

February 21st, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^

Yes, I believe this is a tougher game as currently constituted than it was before Ward got injured.  Sports are not one giant statistic.  If you can’t grasp how the MSU game may have become a more difficult scenario for Michigan when Ward went down I can’t help you.  An injured animal can be the most dangerous.  Yes, I felt more comfortable about the MSU game before Ward went down.

Beilein 4 Life

February 21st, 2019 at 6:52 PM ^

I didn’t say it was meaningless. I said they aren’t as big a deal as you make them out to be. Winston could score 30 in both games and Simpson could have 10 boards and 10 steals in both games. Simpson is on this list because of his defense so far and he hasn’t played Winston yet, so obviously the entire season is more important than two games, no matter who they are against.

and there was no sarcasm with my comment about Winston. Unless we are now saying being a wooden player of the year candidate means you aren’t in the discussion for best player in college basketball 

Naked Bootlegger

February 21st, 2019 at 1:41 PM ^

Well-deserved.   Any All-B1G defensive team needs to include him, Matthews, and Teske.   

What's more delightful?  He's receiving this adulation without the need to slap the floor to pronounce that he's about to play SERIOUS defense. 

Mike Damone

February 21st, 2019 at 1:44 PM ^

Of course, Zion Williamson also gets a nomination.  Imagine that...

For once - there is only one Z deserving of admiration in this category - and it ain't him. 

Hoping our leader gets the recognition he deserves and wins this award.

Quailman

February 21st, 2019 at 1:59 PM ^

Zion averages over 2 steals and almost 2 blocks a game and his block and steal rates are really high. He's in a select list nationally of players with those numbers. He's good off ball and in traps. And he's 4th in the country in Defensive rating (teske is 2nd fwiw). 

I get that people are sick of hearing about him, but in this instance its deserved. 

outsidethebox

February 21st, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^

Pretty impressive. This brings back good old Pinckney HS memories. Jesse Campbell was a HS All-American from Stockbridge...he was about 6'11". A teammate of mine thought he was wide open for a nice 18' jumper from the baseline. Jesse "approached" him in a similar manner and sent the ball whizzing past Vern's ear at about 100 mph. We laughed about it later-Vern never did think it was very funny!!!

Michigan4Life

February 21st, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^

Zavier is a great defender but I might be in the minority that I think Charles Matthews is Michigan's best defender. It's a shame that he wasn't among the semifinalist for his defensive effort.

Michigan4Life

February 21st, 2019 at 2:21 PM ^

It's worth noting that Zavier pretty much make PG's life a lot more difficult with his defense which disrupt the flow of the offense. He has a strong case to be included in this list.

But when I see Charles Matthews, he is tasked with guarding the team's best offensive player and pretty much shut them down with his defense. His athleticism, effort level and instincts are what makes him an elite defender. Like you said, his ability to defend guards and forwards are invaluable for Michigan's defense. His defense is NBA level and will be valuable for NBA teams in a switching scheme.

mgoaggie

February 21st, 2019 at 2:00 PM ^

It's still unbelievable to me that after the offensive juggernauts of the 2010's, this and last year's team now have DPOY contenders (if not front-runners). Nicely done, X.

GoBlueSean

February 21st, 2019 at 3:23 PM ^

This is perfect timing... Cash just scored 28 in the come from behind win against the Rutger... When Z shuts him down on National TV Sunday it will boost his chances... Given this is his only personal accolade that he desires (B1G DPOY actually is per article from the one we do not mention) I really hope he wins it... Dude is a great leader and has worked is ass off...

stephenrjking

February 21st, 2019 at 4:15 PM ^

This is deserved, though the absence of Matthews is a clear indication that this contest significantly weighs popularity and reputation.

As such, it's a credit to Z's deserved rep that he's on this list anyway. Making a national final on defense will do that.