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Just a couple of hours ago, Aneesah Morrow carved her name in NCAA Division I basketball history, standing alongside Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris. Despite LSU falling short against Ole Miss with an 85-77 loss, Morrow recorded her 100th career double-double. She put up a dominant performance with 28 points and 12 rebounds. It was this level of excellence that led many to believe the SEC Player of the Year honor belonged to her. But those hopes were shattered when the accolade went to her Texas rival instead. However, fans aren’t letting it slide too easily!

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And why should they? Morrow’s numbers speak for themselves. She leads the country with 14 rebounds per game. Out of her historic 100 career double-doubles, 26 came this season alone. “Double-double machine,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey called her after LSU’s 91-64 win over Seton Hall. She has consistently managed to battle against taller opponents and win crucial battles under the rim. “It’s an honor to coach that kid,” Mulkey added.

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Even defensively, Morrow has been a force, averaging 2.5 steals per game with quick hands and sharp instincts that disrupt opposing offenses. These efforts earned her the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award from USA TODAY and a spot on the All-SEC Defensive Team. Yet, when it came to the most prestigious individual honor, the SEC went in another direction.

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That direction led straight to Madison Booker, the Texas standout who has also had a stellar season. A sophomore, Booker has been a key leader for the Longhorns, guiding them to a 29-2 record while averaging 16 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

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There’s no denying her impact—Texas has dominated top-ranked teams, including No. 2 South Carolina and No. 5 LSU. But for many fans, her numbers and overall contributions don’t quite match up to Morrow’s sheer dominance. What else would you expect? Spectators flooded the comment section, backing up LSU’s star.

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Fans rally behind Aneesah Morrow after the controversial snub

As usual, social media erupted with LSU fans voicing their frustrations. Many believed that Morrow’s historic season was unfairly overlooked. “Aneesah got snubbed. There’s no way a player averaging a double-double in every game loses SEC POTY to a player averaging 16 PPG inefficiently,” one user wrote.

Well, they might have a point. Statistically, Morrow is outperforming Booker. LSU’s standout is averaging 18.2 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Meanwhile, Booker averages 16 points and 6.5 rebounds and has a lower field goal percentage of 46.4%.

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“I’m a South Carolina fan all day, but that was horse shit. Morrow definitely should have gotten that award,” another user wrote on X.

Even when it comes to contributions toward the team’s success, Morrow is no less impactful. As part of LSU’s “Big Three,” alongside Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, Morrow has helped the trio average a combined 54.6 points per game. Their dominance made LSU the only team with multiple First-Team All-SEC selections this season.

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“Coming from a South Carolina fan, I 100% agree! Morrow was a beast this year—CONSISTENTLY!” one user wrote. “What do you mean by inefficiently? Before you get wound up, I agree Aneesah should’ve won the award,” added another. Still, despite Morrow surpassing career milestones of 2,500 points and 420 rebounds, it seems like it wasn’t enough for her to take home either the POTY or DPOTY title.

However, giving the award to Booker isn’t entirely unjustified. Just one year after winning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Booker has done it again—this time in the SEC. And why not? She has played a crucial role in the Longhorns’ success, helping them secure 13 straight wins. Her all-around dominance on the floor has been instrumental in Texas achieving a 29-2 regular season record before tournament play.

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Her leadership, even as a sophomore, has elevated Texas to an elite level. That’s why not everyone is completely against the SEC’s decision. Some even believe the conference made a valid point.

One has played different positions all year (1-4), the other plays just one position. Being an all-around player and versatile transcends the college game. Being 6’1” in the WNBA and playing in the post will shorten your career. Being 6’1” and a shooter from all three levels? That’s ELITE,” a user penned.

For now, one thing is clear—Aneesah Morrow’s impact on the court is undeniable. While she may not have the SEC Player of the Year title, she has already cemented her place in NCAA history. And come tournament time, she’ll have the perfect opportunity to remind everyone why she deserved the honor. But if it were up to you, who would you crown as POTY or DPOTY?

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Written by

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Yashika Dutta

2,141 Articles

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops. Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

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Shreya Singh

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