WRNL Predicts the 2015-16 Season: Part II

Big 12 Player of the Year

RevDizz

Frank Mason. I think this Jayhawk team takes a lot of shots over the course of the year, and with all the tools that Self has, Mason might be the most important... if they manage to win their 1,842nd title in a row. If roles are reversed and ISU takes the title, give me Morris for POY and First Team team over Mason, but until I see it, I'll predict the former.

KFitzy87

Buddy Hield. He's going to continue putting up amazing numbers in Oklahoma's up-tempo offense.

AustinNarber

Perry Ellis. I think Raef LaFrentz was the last guy to win back-to-back Big 12 Player of the Year awards, so the odds aren't really in Buddy Hield's favor there. Look for those 2014-15 numbers to regress a bit in his final season — a season many believe he shouldn't even be spending in college. I'll go relatively conservative and pick the senior leader on yet another ultra-talented Kansas squad. I badly want to take Taurean Prince here. Super duper close second.

FiftyShadesOfGray

Buddy Hield. An obvious pick, for obvious reasons. We haven't seen them play yet, but I expect Oklahoma to utilize him to the max. He'll go through a slump midway through conference play but finish strong and propel the Sooners to a Big 12 Tournament title.

Cy's Pecker

Monte Morris. Fact: Steve Prohm is a PG guy. Fact: Monte Morris is a PG. I believe Morris has a slow start to the season, but he comes around and has an unbelievable conference season, leading Iowa State in points, assists and steals. Niang and McKay will force a ton of defenders to zero in on each of them, giving Morris a ton of different moves he can make.

CyHawk

​Monte Morris should get it, which means it's totally going Cheick Diallo, because Iowa State and furthermore such as. The "Fire Prohm" contingent uses this as further ammunition in their stupid message board arguments and tweets.

CYHusker

Monte Morris. More than likely, someone else wins this award, and that someone else could even be Georges Niang. But after an offseason of hard work and even more chips added to the shoulders of the already motivated, tough-nosed kid from Flint, I don't possibly see how he can be ignored by the national media or Big 12 any longer. If Morris picks up his scoring, maintains or improves his three-point percentage and keeps piling up assists, how can you not put him here? Point guard guru Steve Prohm, once again, will turn a good point guard into a superstar floor general (who probably takes his talents to the NBA following the season).

DShirbs

Buddy Hield. All-American honors are also in his future.

graphikdeCYner

Monte Morris. Monte finally gets the recognition he earned his freshman year. Prohm's PG coaching abilities push Monte to an assist-dishing, monster facilitator that leaves him setting Iowa State, Big 12, and NCAA records for assists and steals. He breaks his own record for assist-to-turnover ratio. All of this, along with the encouragement from Prohm, leads Monte to declare for the NBA Draft, where he is picked a minimum of five spots ahead of Buddy Hield, who should have absolutely 100% declared last year.

BJSwanny

Georges Niang. Personally, I see this award coming down to the last night of the season in Lawrence, Kansas. If Iowa State has already clinched or clinches the Big 12 championship against Kansas in the final regular season game, Georges Niang is crowned king. If it's Kansas, Perry Ellis is awarded the "Best Player on the Best Team Who Also Happens to be a Senior P.S. Stay In School, Kids" award. Buddy Hield may carry Oklahoma and have the best statistical season, but back-to-back is boring.

ClonesJer

Georges Niang. Georges is awarded Player of the Year and blows a kiss to the rest of the conference. He is simultaneously awarded an ever-standing offer to come back and become the next legendary player to head coach anytime he would like from an adoring fanbase.

jwillyISU

Georges Niang. Basically whomever wins the KU/ISU matchup at end of the year will win this lifetime achievement award (Niang or Ellis). I think it's a two-team race throughout the entire season.

NickWilder

Perry Ellis. I'm picking Kansas to finish first in the Big 12 and Ellis will lead the way. He averaged 13.8 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game last season, and I see those numbers jumping to 16 and 8. He'll be the best player on the best team.