[jcmanson]

Over the last 6 games he is averaging 19 ppg and 5 rpg while shooting 58.97% from the field and 33.33% from 3.

[Hold My Own]

Yeah, he's been scoring...I really dont use points per game but...I'd like to find anyone say he's been the POY thus far, theres just no way anyone could say that up to this point. I think he's finally getting confidence so that's great and hopefully good things will come from it.

[SuperJon]

Jeff Barber turned around to me at Winthrop and said Ant was starting to play like a POY.

He's turned it on big time the past couple of games and I really don't see how you could say otherwise. At the beginning of the season, yes, but not lately. His steal in the Winthrop game was one of the most athletic plays I've seen in a while.

[Hold My Own]

Jeff Barber turned around to me at Winthrop and said Ant was starting to play like a POY.

your saying what I'm saying...I wasnt there to see the game so I wasnt able to see the level of confidence and aggressivenesss...but up until this point I havent seen it yet although I've seen signs that it could be coming the last couple of games, but before WU and games I've seen live or TV he hasnt shown POY status...hopefully WU was the turning point for him

[SuperJon]

I think Depaul in the 2nd half was the starting point for him. He had 11 points after the half that game. He's followed that with 21, 23, 21, 10, and 24.

[Cider Jim]

His steal in the Winthrop game was one of the most athletic plays I've seen in a while.

Was that the last play of the game where he was fouled & McKay said it should have been called intentional with 2 shots & the ball?

[SuperJon]

No. It was in the first half. We were running that half court trap and Winthrop went for a pass and Smitty jumped up, grabbed the pass with one hand and brought it down to start a fast break. It basically looked like a wide receiver going up for a pass that was too high and grabbing it one handed to bring it down.

[olldflame]

By the time we have played VMI twice, Smitty will be averaging 21-22ppg. Statistically, he is off to a better start this year than last; up in scoring and rebounding. The only thing that is down is his 3pt%.

[kingaling42]

Keep in mind for in the (albeit, very premature) talks of POY, regardless of preseason picks, etc.. conference stats are pretty much all that matter for voting.. A. Smith is already averaging 21.3 pts #5, isn't even top 20 in rebounds, #10 in FG% at 52.3% , #13 in FT % at 52.4%, tied for 6th in steals at 2.0.. but there again we're talking 3 whole conference games to this point..

source: http://www.bigsouthsports.com/fls/4800/ ... M#conf.wki

He seems to be playing better & getting used to sharing the scoring load with Curry though which is what you want to see.. Good luck tonight vs the Blue Hose..

[LUconn]

do you really think that's how POY will be judged? Because of VMI's yearly stat skew players, I really think the voters in this conference are going to start looking at it like MVP. Weighing more heavily on "intangibles" than you otherwise normally would. It's stupid but hypothetically a last place VMI team could have a guy #1 in points, rebounds and steals. I doubt that guy would get the award.

[kingaling42]

I personally don't think stats are everything- not at all- but had I mentioned LU's current conference record as I strongly feel that team performance also comes into play- there are some folks here who would take that badly coming from a UNCA guy...so I stuck to stats alone.. POY should be awarded to the guy who not only performs but elevates his team to the top tier of the conference- unless there is a players stats that are just bananas!!

[Hold My Own]

Good game out of Ant...it would have been nice to win it but he did everything he could have

[LUconn]

he could have made the game winning shot instead of missing it.

[sweetnahmah1]

he should have

[Hold My Own]

Yeah, I guess that would have been a POY type shot but it sounded like he got it from a loose ball and didnt get to set up all the way....if he missed by that much while getting setup then I'll be disappointed...however listening to JE and trying to get details is like asking a deaf person repeat everything you say

[SuperJon]

There was no way Anthony could've made that last shot. It would've been an ESPN Top Ten if he did. Those last nine seconds were very poor execution.

[jcmanson]

Ant is still the man, and I take full responsibility for his clutch performance last night

[paradox]

Here's a nice poll for the

Anthony Smith tallied his 1,000 career point on Feb. 16, making him the 20th player in Liberty program history to do so. Who is your favorite duo of teammates to reach the milestone?
Anthony Smith & Larry Blair
Matt Hildebrand & Julius Nwosu
Karl Hess & Mark Chafin
Bailey Alston & Mike Coleman
Other

http://www.libertyflames.com/

Right now, I'd easily go with Hildebrand & Aluma.



Curry-Smith has a chance to be special as does Curry-JCS.

[Hold My Own]

Hilldo/Juice hands down...I mean they came within minutes of taking down one of the better UNC teams of all time in the NCAA tourny

[olldflame]

Hilldo/Juice hands down...I mean they came within minutes of taking down one of the better UNC teams of all time in the NCAA tourny

Julius wasn't on that team.


However....................... I agree with your choice. Juice and Hildo played together 3 years and engineered some big wins (beat VT at Cassell). Aluma and Hildo only played together 1 year. I don't think that's long enough for something like this, regardless of the total body of work of the 2 players combined. Hess and Vickers also played together 3 years and put up very impressive numbers, but at a lower level of competition.

[Hold My Own]

That's my bad...Peter was

[paradox]

One year is not enough? Why not? Hildo & Pete is by far the most significant 1K scoring tandem.

Blair and Martin only played together for one very memorable year as well. I wouldn't want to minimize what they accomplished by any means. They were both great players at different stages of their careers, but like Pete & Hildo, led LU to the NCAA's.

[Cider Jim]

Curry-JCS.

JCS? Jesse's little brother--John Caleb Sanders?

[olldflame]

John Caleb Sanders. Still 2 years away. Real speculation here, but I have a feeling by the time they have both finished they will have a ton of points between them.

[olldflame]

There weren't any specific criteria set for this little opinion-fest dox, other than they be a "duo of teammates" who have scored 1000 career points. Since I'm giving MY opinion, I set my own. The one year Hildo and Aluma played together, Matt was a Senior star and team leader all year and Peter was a skinny Freshman who averaged about 7 points a game for the season and then erupted for an MVP performance in the conference tournament.

Blair/Martin would not qualify. Gabe "only" scored 890 points in his 2 year LU career.