COTY 2008 First Round: #5 June Daugherty vs. #12 Aron Baynes
by Grady Clapp on Jan 7, 2009 7:05 PM PST
in Coug of the Year
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PrintAh, the 5/12 matchup. On any given year you can see two or three of these, at least, go to the lower seed. That's how it is in the NCAA tourney, anyway. For Coug of the Year, it's up to your votes.
This matchup is intriguing, and I wouldn't be shocked if it goes to the underdog. In one corner, a women's coach who left the dark side for a chance at redemption at WSU. In the other corner, a 6'10" center from the land down under who has been dominating.
You better run. You better take cover.
#5 June Daugherty
Came back from a heart attack last year to reel in a Top 25 recruiting class, and build a team that has actually played up to par with the men. Question is: Can the Cougar women finally make it to the postseason, after years of absolutely horrific basketball?
#12 Aron Baynes
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"Where the Baynes Train Happens"
Totally agree. I think June is at a distinct disadvantage here.
But, I’d like to put in a nice word for June. For a year at the Tacoma News Tribune, I was the UW women’s basketball beat writer. It was the worst season I have ever had the misfortune to witness — the team was 8-22 overall, 4-14 in the Pac-10. They figured out ways to lose. It was painful to cover.
It was the first losing season in the program’s history, and even then there were grumblings that the Huskies were not completely satisfied with her performance. Just like anyone who coaches the football team will be measured against Don James, anyone who coaches that women’s basketball program will be measured against Chris Gobrecht, who’s a demigod in those parts.
Anyway, to make a long story short(er), June was wonderful through it all. She always made time for me, always made her players available to me, and she and her players were some of the nicest people I ever met or worked with in sports journalism. She even got me a nice little gift with a hand-written card thanking ME for covering the team that year. (Can you imagine a coach doing that?) Of course, the gift was a UW t-shirt, which I promptly gave my dad, but it was the thought that counts.
Anyway, June Daugherty really is an awesome person. I have a feeling she’s probably going to get upset, given our soft spot for the big Aussie, but I thought I’d throw in a good word for her.
Oh, and the year after that miserable campaign? She took basically the same squad to the Elite Eight, losing to Jackie Stiles and Southwest Missouri State.
Is everyone sexist?
While I love Baynes, getting Coach Daugherty was HUGE. Our woman’s team sucked for a long time and she’s turned it around on a dime. Unbelievable recruiting class this past year and the future looks very bright. Add to the fact she was a Fusky for so long and then ended up here because of their classless act is another positive factor. Her community work, cute kids, Associate Coach husband and #5 should beat the Aaron the Man, in my book!
I don't know about sexist....
But I voted for her because she was willing to come to WSU and rebuild the program after so many years with the Huskies. She’s also a class act, a wonderful person and completely giving of her time wherever she’s needed/wanted. Remember the story of her helping Paul Wulff with visiting recruits’ moms? Yup… got my vote.
Sexist
I said that sort of tongue in cheek. I just think she wins this round hands down.
I was surprised to see how tilted the voting was
I wanted to vote for June, but I just couldn’t yet. If we are talking about accompishments I think that she is still one year out. This is nothing to take away from what a stellar person of character she is, but her accomplishments as a Coug have just missed what I’ve seen out of this beast of a center the men’s team has.
When you look at the massive improvements that this kid made over the course of his college career, and especially this past year (which is what we are basing this on, right?), one couldn’t help but be amazed by his progression. He is not even the same player, and is truly the best player on the current team.
June may be the front runner for ‘09, but if I’m voting on ‘08 accomplishments, it has to go to Baynes. Here’s a vegemite sandwich for you, brother.
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