Certainly difficult since several players represent essential components responsible for the teams success. The point guard sets the tone for the entire offensive mechanism of the team. With that having been said there can be no denial of the importance of Ennis to the team thus far. CJ is undeniably a focal point of our opponents defensive efforts and his steady play, calm demeanor, and leadership through example has made him the anchor of the team. That having been said, we did still manage quite well while he was on the bench with 4 fouls vs. IU but Jerami Grant is certainly not "interchangeable" with CJ, he brings a similar yet different skillset. Since Ennis and CJ would seem to be 2 of the 3 who would likely be considered as "YDTMVP" (Year to date MVP) the other player is Trevor.
Gun to head, have to choose one, I pick Trevor Cooney. If there was a player that I could hold up to other people as an example of what this team is about, or what I'd like to believe it's about, it would be TC. He is emblematic of the struggle to rise up and overcome adversity through hard work, mettle, and focused determination all strung together by a commitment to "team above self". When Trevor hits a couple 3's the entire team is suddenly transformed and seemingly ratchets up to another level. We've all heard the worn out meme of how we are not as long at the guard positions , yada, yada, yada. But the intensity of TC has arguably made up for any deficiency in size from last year and it's Trevor's play which is giving birth to a different yet still highly effective defensive characteristic of the zone. The steals and turnovers are starting to come in bunches and many are at the hands of TC's defensive intensity.
For myself, there is something special about a kid who is GMAC's first true protégé and it's hard not to watch TC play and not be harkened back to the play of GMAC and how much he was the heart and soul of the Syracuse program and had major accomplishments even at times when he didn't have much of a supporting cast.
Any kid who seemingly always has the ability to make a dollar out of 75 cents always gets my vote. When news first surfaced about the kid from Delaware that had some GMAC like qualities I was excited and intrigued by the prospect of him playing for Syracuse. Watching him since he arrived and having recently read the accounts of how hard he has worked and dedicated himself to being the best he could be when he suits up in Orange, I can't help but give him my vote. We are very, very fortunate to have Trevor Cooney wearing the Syracuse Uniform.
