The college basketball season is about to end, and March Madness is in full swing. This means that it is time for the end-of-season awards. This season’s women’s basketball was filled with some great displays.
It would not be fair to say that any one player stood out. It was pretty evenly matched. Some of the best players competed and still are in the NCAA tournament.
UConn duo Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, South Carolina’s Raven Johnson, LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, etc., have all been at their best.
These are just some of the names who had their moments throughout this season. Four of these stars have been deemed worthy of becoming the finalists for the Naismith Women’s College Defensive Player of the Year. Although all four deserved to be there, the absence of SEC Defensive Player of the Year Raven Johnson pinched fans.
“Defense at its highest level! Introducing the Naismith Women’s College Defensive Player of the Year, Presented by @moleculesleep, Finalists,” the post was captioned, as Lauren Betts, Jordan Harrison, Hannah Hidalgo, and Sarah Strong made up the four finalists.
Fans React as Raven Johnson Excluded From DPOY Finalists
It was clear that the fans online were not happy about South Carolina star’s absence from the finalists of the NCAA’s defensive honor.
“Not including the Defensive Player of the Year from the most physical, toughest conference in the country is certainly a choice. But we know who should be on this list too,” one fan claimed.
“There’s no way raven isn’t on this list…,” one expressed shock.
“Every award seems to be heading to the weakest conf in WCBB this season. Y’all just killing college ball atp. SEC disrespect is crazy. Bunch of idiots,” another commented.
“BS y’all robbed Raven,” one fan accused.
“No Raven Johnson? She guards positions 1-5. How many coaches can put their point guard on Clara Strack? Smh” another wondered.
Raven Johnson averaged 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks. In comparison to other finalists, Lauren Betts averaged 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks. Jordan Harrison had 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 steals. Hannah Hidalgo averaged 6.7 rebounds and 5.6 steals. Last but not least, Sarah Strong averaged 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Did Raven Johnson deserve inclusion? If so, then in whose place?
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