If McDermott wins NPOY where will he rank in Big East lore?

[Bluejay]

Where will Doug rank against one and done guys, since that is essentially what he is as far as the Big East is concerned?

[WaitingPatiently]

That his development could have been slowed or hindered is certainly a logical argument. But so is the argument his numbers could have been similar. The only illogical argument is that you know for certain and anything else is wrong.

[Randy]

That his development could have been slowed or hindered is certainly a logical argument. But so is the argument his numbers could have been similar. The only illogical argument is that you know for certain and anything else is wrong.

This. I won't be convinced his numbers would have been any worse. Other people won't be convinced he would have performed at the same level. Its an argument where its impossible to get the correct answer. Its a silly topic, really. He will be the wooden award winner this year, good enough for me.

[handdownmandown]

Where will Doug rank against one and done guys, since that is essentially what he is as far as the Big East is concerned?

That will be determined by CU's NCAA performance. However I tend to think Doug gets some additional love for doing this during a critical time for the nBE. His pub has been a boon to the whole league.

[Sumdumguy]

I think the fundamental problem with this argument is the use of the word 'lore'. Lore would imply that the body of work is relevant. So, to CU fans, Doug's body of work is one that ranks amongst the best that college basketball has ever seen. But to a BE fan his body of work started when he started playing in the BE. We can run circles around each other saying that Doug never accomplished certain things that other BE players have accomplished. None of them are wrong and none of them are right. Doug is the exception to the rule. He is a phenomenal player who switched conferences right before his senior year. To discount his prior accomplishments due to speculation that he wouldn't put up the same numbers in the OBE is useless, so is arguing that he would have put up similar numbers if he was in the OBE. Doug is the best basketball player i have ever seen, but that is my opinion. Others have seen some great players come through their programs. We can argue for decades on who the best is, but no one will be right.

I know I will remember Doug fondly. Who he is or was better than, I don't know. Argue all you want but Doug, Ewing and Mullins were all great players for different reasons. And they will be remembered for those reasons.

[redmen9194]

Not a doubt he is a great player in his own right. No need to try to compare him to others. He is going to be the National Player of the year unless there is what would be one of the sports crimes of the century. It has been great having both the Jays and McDermott in the BE, especially in year one of it's newest incarnation. When he wins the Wooden Award, he will be the third Big East Player to win the award and the fourth player to win a national player of the year (Mullin and Berry won Woodens, Ewing won a Naismith). Great accomplishment for a great player. Hopefully he can cap off his career with a run in the NCAAs

[Omaha1]

Worth pointing out that McDermott moved into 10th place on the NCAA All-time scoring last today.

[ArmyVet]

I haven't been here in a while, but I posed this original question so I thought I'd chime back in. I think McDermott's play is on a level with some of the Big East greats, but because the media masses in the major markets only saw this year, he will eventually fall short of the others. That is, unless he takes Creighton on a magical NCAA run. I haven't enjoyed watching a kid play as much in quite some time.

[stever20]

I haven't been here in a while, but I posed this original question so I thought I'd chime back in. I think McDermott's play is on a level with some of the Big East greats, but because the media masses in the major markets only saw this year, he will eventually fall short of the others. That is, unless he takes Creighton on a magical NCAA run. I haven't enjoyed watching a kid play as much in quite some time.

I think if they won it all, he'd be remembered maybe a smidge higher than Carmelo Anthony. I think there's a pretty big difference between playing in the conference for 1 year like him or Anthony, and the guys that were there for 3-4 years like Ewing, Mullin, Pickney, etc.

I do think the point about if Creighton had been in the BE all of his years- that if he was as good 1st 3 years as he was in the MVC- that he would have turned pro and wouldn't have been here this year- is very valid. I don't think he sticks around this season at all in that scenario.

[billyjack]

McDermott is perfect this year for the Big East. Perfect timing. He kicks off the new Big East by putting a National Player of the Year trophy on our shelves. Huge. Creighton has Final Four and National Title potential. Mention POY to BE critics and it shuts them up. He's the ultimate argument ender. McDermott and Creighton are now household names back East. I've decided on that football site to update McDermott's point total after each game, to keep Creighton and the Big East in college football fans' minds.