Anthony Davis is special - Can he set the NCAA single season record for blocked shots??

by ukcris on Jan 12, 2012 7:32 PM EST

We've all witnessed Anthony Davis working his magic in the paint for our Wildcats. Davis is very talented offensively and defensively but just how special are Davis' talents when it comes to blocking shots? Obviously, Davis will shatter the UK record (83) currently held by Andre Riddick. Through the Auburn game, Davis has 78 blocks for the season. He leads the nation, and Kentucky leads the nation as a team, in blocked shots. He averages 4.6 blocks per game. At that pace, and if Kentucky makes it to the Elite 8 (and well they should), Anthony Davis will have about 170 blocks putting him in a class with some of the greatest players ever to play the game.

1985-86 was the first year that official records for blocked shots were kept. However, there were several players before that time that were prolific shot blockers. This article from The Bleacher Report brought back several memories for me. Shaquille O'neal averaged 4.58 blocks per game for his career at LSU and recorded 6 triple doubles along the way. O'Neal's block record held until Jarvis Varnado set the D1 record with 564 blocks over 4 years. But the leader for blocks in a single season still belongs to The Admiral, David Robinson, with 207 blocks in 1985. Here is a link to the single season block record.

My thinking is that Davis would have more blocks if he had played more minutes during the "cupcake" part of the schedule. Now that we are fully in to the SEC part of the schedule, Davis will get more minutes and more blocks. I feel like his block average will increase and if he has a few breakout games he could be right there with Robinson or at least close. There is no question that we are witnessing one of the greatest shot blockers of all time. Thanks Anthony Davis for making this a special year for UK fans and GO CATS!!!

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If he needs more than five blocks

for us to win at UT, I hope he gets them. But I really would love to see him break the record in front of the home crowd.

Making waves in a sea of blue.

by kywineman on Jan 13, 2012 9:24 AM EST reply actions

I was hoping that UK, Coach Cal, booster club ... ASOB - or somebody

would make it special for him …. I kind of felt like when Jodie Meeks set his records (54 points against UT and most 3’s in a season – 117) it was kind of a ho – hum thing for Jodie because Gillispie really didn’t make that big of a deal about it. Just hope its somehow different for Davis.

by ukcris on Jan 13, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

I would love for Davis to grab the record

He’ll need some 10+ block games to do it, and the SEC has a number of teams that are pretty good at avoiding getting their shots blocked which will make things tough.

LSU, Arkansas, and South Carolina are the games to keep eyes on in the future – those are the 3 SEC teams who get their shots blocked the most (per kenpom).

Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith

by JLeverenz on Jan 13, 2012 10:15 AM EST reply actions

I know it will take an extraordinary effort ... but even he falls short, he will be in some very elite company.

The thing about some of these players is that shot blocking was there specialty and not much more – I don’t think Varnado is on an NBA roster today – but Davis has so much more to offer. He is a very special player. I’m glad he chose UK and I have my fingers crossed …

by ukcris on Jan 13, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

the Admiral had his full growth..

Robinson had grown to 7 foot and was a Junior I think when he set the season record. AD is just a growing baby, but as long as it doesn’t distract from the bigger picture Iwish him all the best in breaking the record. Certainly a privilege to watch, and only greater that he is wearing the only “proper” shade of Blue.

Can only imagine what it is like for opponents to sit watching a scouting video on AD, especially when he seems to erupt from ten feet away and make a block like he did at the end of the UNC game, on a player not noted for having his shots blocked.LOL Must be a few heads shaking after such a video session.

by blenheim bard on Jan 13, 2012 10:55 PM EST reply actions

He probably could get close.

He has only 72 now, roughly halfway through the season.

If he averages 7 blocks per game for the rest of the season, he winds up with 170 blocks. if he continues that average, he’ll have 205 blocks after the Final Four. If UK then goes to the title game, it’s hard to imagine he won’t make it.

So here it is: If he is averaging 5.5 blocks per game by the end of the regular season, and UK gets to the Final Four, I’d say he gets there, although it will be very close. If we get to the final game and the above is true, I’d say his chances are really decent.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Jan 14, 2012 1:02 AM EST reply actions