MSU's Vivians Named To Naismith Early Season Watch List
December 10, 2015 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Victoria Vivians finds herself on another player of the year watch list, as she was selected to the Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List by the Atlanta Tipoff Club Thursday.
She adds Thursday's selection to watch list nods for both the Wooden Award and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.
"I am blessed to be considered with so many great players for this award," Vivians said. "The Naismith Trophy is such a prestigious award, and to be considered for it is a tremendous honor. I wouldn't be in this position without some great teammates and coaches, and I just want to do what I can to support them and help our team achieve our goals."
Vivians has sparked the Bulldogs to a 6-1 record and a pair of Top 10 national rankings, leading the team with a 17.9 average that is fourth in the SEC.
The Carthage, Miss., native, a preseason first team All-SEC selection by media and coaches, has scored double figures in six-straight games.
She collected her fourth 20-point game in that stretch with 22 last Sunday against Tennessee State. Vivians became the first Bulldog to have four 20-plus point games in the opening seven games since Tan White to start the 2004-05 season.
Vivians has been efficient from the floor for Vic Schaefer's Bulldogs, knocking down 44.8 percent of her attempts. She rates second in the SEC with 2.6 3-pointers per game on 37.5 percent shooting.
The sophomore guard has stepped up on the defensive end as well, tying for third with 1.43 steals per game for a Bulldog squad that leads the nation in turnovers forced and turnover margin.
Vivians is one of nine SEC players selected to the list. She joins Alaina Coates (South Carolina), Diamond DeShields (Tennessee), Makayla Epps (Kentucky), Bashaara Graves (Tennessee), Tiffany Mitchell (South Carolina), Courtney Walker (Texas A&M), Courtney Williams (Texas A&M) and A'ja Wilson (South Carolina).
