MAC Awards

[Quickzips]

I know everyone has one more game left, and for us it is a huge one, but thought it was still an appropriate time to bring up the Post-season awards. What are everyones predictions?For me:Player of the Year: David Kool-Western Michigan-I know this award usually goes to the best player on the top, or one of the top teams, and that Western is clearly not a top team, but you can't discount what Kool brings to that team. Without him, I'm not sure they are capable of beating Toledo. He leads the league in scoring, FT%, is fifth in steals, fifth in minutes played and top 15 in 3pt/game and 3pt%. Western is in store for a big drop off when he leaves.All Conference First Team:G-David Kool-Western Michigan-See aboveG-Rodney Pierce-Buffalo-Best player on one of the top teams in the East. Third in the league in scoring, 10th in assists, 7th in FT%, 10th in steals, 12th in 3pt%, 6th in 3pt/game, 9th in assist/to ratio.G-Carlos Medlock-EMU-Fourth in the league in scoring, 5th in assists, 9th in FT%, 8th in steals, 4th in 3pt/game, 13th in assist/to ratio. Good to see him have a strong senior year after all the injuries.F-Chris Singletary-Can't-It pains me to do this, but the thugs combination of scoring, steals and assists from the SF position makes him one of the most unique players in the league. He is difficult to game plan for. Honestly, you take him off that team and I think the Zips already have the #1 seed wrapped up for the tournament.F-Brandon Bowdry-EMU-I know what you are thinking, two players from EMU make first team all-MAC? But it is tough to keep the guy who is 4th in the league in scoring and leads the league in rebounding by a wide margin off the list. Also in the top 10 in FG% and offensive boards. Also, I honestly don't think there is anyone on the Zips worthy of first team All-MAC. It has been noted over and over again that this team doesn't have a go to guy but has a lot of depth. Brett McKnight and maybe Conyers will be in the running for 2nd team or honorable mention, but even though we are one of the top teams, we just don't have that first team All-MAC caliber player.Rookie of the Year: DJ Cooper-Ohio-No disrespect to Zeke or any of the other talented freshman in the conference, but Cooper has been that good. To show you how good he is, as a freshman he is leading the league in minutes, assists and steals, and is in the top 15 in Assist/TO ration, 3pt/game, scoring and FT%. Cooper is going to be a handful in this conference for a long time to come.Coach of the Year: Keith Dambrot-Akron-KD has never won the award, and this year it really comes down to him and Geno Ford for Can't. I honestly think Dambrot gets it due to his ability to manage a team that doesn't have a go to guy. For Can't, they know where their bread is buttered. When things get tight, the ball runs through Singletary. For the Zips.... Yet, they have identical records and have both been the class of the MAC all year. I might also be willing to give consideration to Coach Ramsey from EMU if they can close out the MAC West this weekend.Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Conyers-Akron-This one was tough for me. In the end, you have to look at the stats for the guys that Jimmy matches up with. Conyers just doesn't give up big games to opposing 3's. Combining that with his leading the Zips in rebounding from the 3 position, I have to give it to Jimmy. Calvin Betts is a consideration, but you look at how he fairs against the better competition in this league and you have to take him out of it, even though it is damn impressive for a 6'2" G/F to lead his team in rebounding.