Kemba Walker named Naismith Award finalist

by Andrew Porter on Mar 20, 2011 6:24 PM EDT in UConn Huskies Basketball

Kemba Walker, one of four Naismith finalists.

Kemba Walker is one of the four finalists for the Naismith Award, which is given to the top player in college basketball. He is joined by BYU's Jimmer Fredette, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and Duke's Nolan Smith. The four finalists were announced today during halftime of the Ohio St. vs. George Mason game.

Fredette is the overwhelming favorite to win the award and the statistics lean his way. One could argue though that the lack of a supporting cast around Kemba should work in his favor. Alternatively, in a dream world where defense mattered for awards like this Kemba would stand a much better chance.

The winner will be announced in two weeks during the Final Four.

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Any news on his wrist?

Haven’t been able to find any updates.

by Bryan_ on Mar 20, 2011 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

I haven't seen anything either

and it didn’t even get a glancing mention in the horde reports I read, so I wouldn’t worry too much. The fact that he had tape on it that almost immediately came off tells me it probably just needed to be “walked off.” Kemba also went 14-14 from the line so it did not seem like whatever it was affected him much.

TheUConnBlog.com

by Andrew Porter on Mar 20, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a feeling that his hip

will be hurting for the next few days. Getting a knee right in that spot is killer. But Kemba is a warrior and will likely battle through any pain as we saw against Cincinnati.

"The worst thing you can do, at least this is what my friends tell me, is to come after me," Calhoun said. "I'm usually better at coming out of the corner than I am up on the pedestal. I haven't been on many pedestals, by the way. I'm a natural underdog, I guess -- sometimes for no apparent reason. And if I can't be the underdog, I'll make myself the underdog, somehow or other."

by uconncountry on Mar 20, 2011 8:22 PM EDT reply actions