A panel of more than 30 writers weighed in on the 2008 College Basketball Bleachers, our inaugural year-end awards.
All-American Team
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Kevin Love, UCLA
Stephen Curry, Davidson
DJ Augustin, Texas
Also receiving multiple nominations: Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Luke Harangody, Brandon Rush, Richard Hendrix, OJ Mayo, Brook Lopez.
Freshman of the Year
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
He was the third leading scorer and top rebounder in the country in his first, and only, season in Manhattan. Now Beasley heads to the NBA, where he is certain to be the #1 overall selection.
Also receiving multiple nominations: Kevin Love, OJ Mayo
Standout Senior
Roy Hibbert, Georgetown
A two time first-teamer in the Big East, Hibbert led the Hoyas to a regular season conference title, averaging 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots per game. He also shot better than 60% from the floor.
Also receiving multiple nominations: DJ White, Chris Lofton, Joey Dorsey, Shan Foster, Drew Lavender.
Coach of the Year
John Calipari, Memphis
In his 8th season at Memphis, Calipari is back in the Final Four for the first time since he took UMass to the final weekend in 1996. He has sold college basketball concepts to NBA talent. As a result, his Tigers (37-1) have only one blemish on the year and are just two wins away from a national championship.
Also receiving multiple nominations: Bob McKillop, Bob Huggins, Keno Davis, Roy Williams, Ben Howland
Conference of the Year
Big East
Eight teams in the dance. Three in the Sweet 16. But for the fourth year in a row, the Seimens Trophy has eluded the Big East.
Also receiving multiple nominations: Pac 10, Big 12, ACC
Cinderella Story
Davidson
A 10-seed. A bona fide star who averaged 32 points in four tournament games. A free trip to Detroit for 300 devoted student-fans. Davidson is the new George Mason.
Also receiving multiple nominations: Villanova
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3 months ago
I got to fill out a ballot for this and its cool to see how the results panned out. No love for James Harden though?? haha oh well...
3 months ago
Big freakin' surprise. A casual fan could of figured this out. It's Carolina's Tournament to loose. They just have better athletes period. When you try to run with them- its like watching a hyundai versus a Ferrari. They are throwing football passes down court! There defense is good not great but pretty good.
WE ALL WANT TO SEE LOVE VERSUS HANSBROUGH- right?
Caroina 83
UCLA 69
Roy Williams so damn nice it pisses you off.
from 2 months ago
Except for everything you said, this was a good prediction.
3 months ago
I am all for College Experience to be a mandatory two years..Hey kids why you an hurry to grow up? This way when you blow out your knee and say a Pat Riley cuts you...your two ears away from really doing something with your life. Games are games. Life is no game. Get your smarts LOPEZ, the other one.
I mean why go to Freakin Stanford? Could went to CAL then spilt..lol
oh yeah his mamma made him do it.Kidz these days.
3 months ago
Agree with Ian, I like the awards. It's pretty cool.
BTW - Richard Hendrix is the most overlooked college basketball player because he plays on a team that freakin sucked it up this year - thanks Gottfired. The guy's a beast - averaged a double-double for the season. Nice to see that he at least got a few votes.
3 months ago
I had a vote and agree with most. However, Coach Calipari for Coach of the Year? He's got so much talent, I don't think he really coaches at all- just lets them do what they want. If Drake didn't lose first round, maybe Keno Davis would have won...
Besides that- the Big East as the best conference?? Maybe the best Over-rated conference...
3 months ago
Full disclosure... here was my ballot. You all are welcome to publish yours as well.
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Freshman of the Year
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Standout Senior
David Padgett, Louisville
Coach of the Year
Bo Ryan, Wisconsin
Conference of the Year
Big East
Cinderella Story
Davidson
3 months ago
Where's the 'Player of the Year' award?? I'm really interested to hear who people choose between Beasley and Hansbrough. Personally, I don't think that Tyler Hansbrough is as good a player as Michael Beasley, but does have one huge advantage: he plays for one of if not the greatest program in college basketball history, and they are on their way to the National Championship. So, who is the Player of the Year?
from 3 months ago
Good question, I didn't make that clear. The All-American team is listed in order of vote totals. Beasley received 5 more than Hansbrough, so he's your P.O.Y.
3 months ago
My Ballot:
Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
D.J. Augustin, Texas
Kevin Love, UCLA
Freshman of the Year
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Standout Senior
Roy Hibbert, Georgetown
Coach of the Year
John Calipari, Memphis
Conference of the Year
Pac-10
Cinderella Story
Davidson
2 months ago
Calipari deserves all the credit he gets. No way would Memphis have the players on this team without Calipari recruiting them.
After his last two games Derrick Rose has proven he IS the freshman of the year.
2 months ago
Yeah I was upset. As I filled out my survey for this article I accidentally hit enter instead of tab. Thus causing the survey to be submitted with almost everything ommitted. The only part I had filled in was Tyler Hansbrough for All-American. And I am a Duke fan so that wasn't the only person I wanted to submit! Oh well there is always next year. Great idea for an aritcle though Trey!
2 months ago
i hate oj mayo. i hated losing to k-state but wow beasley won me over during that game.
2 months ago
My Stuff:
All-American Team
D.J. Augustin, Texas
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Darren Collison, UCLA
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Kevin Love, UCLA
Freshman of the Year
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Kevin Love, UCLA
Derrick Rose, Memphis
Standout Senior
Roy Hibbert, Georgetown
Chris Lofton, Tennessee
D.J. White, Indiana
Coach of the Year
John Calipari, Memphis
Roy Williams, North Carolina
Ben Howland, UCLA
Conference of the Year
Big East
ACC
Big 12
Cinderella Story
Davidson
Western Kentucky
2 months ago
My .02:
All-American Selection (Name, Team)
Michael Beasley, Kansas State
All-American Selection (Name, Team) DJ Augustin, Texas
All-American Selection (Name, Team) Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
All-American Selection (Name, Team) Kevin Love, UCLA
All-American Selection (Name, Team) Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
Freshman of the Year (Name, Team) Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Standout Senior (Name, Team) Joey Dorsey, Memphis
Coach of the Year (Name, Team) John Calapari, Memphis
Conference of the Year
Pac-10
Cinderella Story
Davidson
2 months ago
I was the only one on this site to write an article predicting Kansas winning it all before the championship game... I believe I deserve a T-shirt... nah bro I'm just jokin... it's still kinda fun to brag though. I just found the E-mail allowing me to fill out a ballot for this in my spam folder, I can't say I would've said anything overtly original however, so i guess it doesn't matter all that much.
Keep up the great work everyone and to all a good night
2 months ago
I didn't even see this until now, but how did Roy Hibbert get so many votes? He's probably one of the biggest underachievers I have EVER seen in college basketball. He's 7'2 and averaged 6 rebounds a game. That's pathetic. Especially for a big man from Georgetown. They groom centers there. I figured it was going to be Chris Lofton without a shadow of a doubt. Hibbert is a good player, but he's lost millions of dollars in draft stock after his senior season. Good article though, it's pretty cool.
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