College Basketball's Midseason Awards
Going into the weekend with a little more than halfway through the season, it seems fitting to hand out awards to the best players and coaches in the country. Some of these players you have heard of because of their monster seasons, but some are still flying under the radar and they still deserve to be recognized. While the players may not continue to play as they have, they should be applauded for their work so far. I have included who I would give my awards to on a nationwide scale, in each of the big six conferences and the best of the rest if the season ended today.
ACC
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1st Team:
G - Nolan Smith, Duke
G - Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech
G - Reggie Jackson, Boston College
F - Chris Singleton, Florida State
F - Jordan Williams, Maryland
2nd Team:
G - Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech
G - Durand Scott, Miami (FL)
F - Joe Trapani, Boston College
F - Kyle Singler, Duke
F, Tyler Zeller North Carolina
ACC
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Player Of The Year: Nolan Smith, Duke
Smith has been outstanding for Duke this season, especially since the loss of point guard Kyrie Irving. Leading the ACC in scoring and assists is no easy task, but Smith has done both while helping Duke stay in the Top 5 and amongst the favorites for a title. His draft stock has dramatically increased as well throughout the season as he proved that he was one of the best players in the country.
Runners-Up: Reggie Jackson, BC; Jordan Williams, Maryland
Freshman Of The Year: Travis McKie, Wake Forest
It's hard to believe that there is anything positive coming out of Winston-Salem this season as the Demon Deacons are plain bad. However, every cloud has its silver lining and Wake Forest's is freshman Travis McKie. McKie is leading Wake in scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.0) as well and is well on his way to a great career in the conference.
Runners-Up: Ryan Harrow, NC State; Kendall Marshall, UNC
ACC
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Coach Of The Year: Steve Donahue, Boston College
If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that Boston College would be tied for first place with Duke and Florida State in the ACC, well you know. Usually a new coach and a new system take some time to implement themselves, but the Eagles hit the ground running and have beaten teams like Maryland and now No. 10 Texas A&M. Donahue has done a fantastic job with a team that didn't have a lot to work with.
Runners-Up: Leonard Hamilton, Florida State; Mike Krzyzewski, Duke
Defensive Player of The Year: Chris SIngleton, Florida State
Singleton is the defending recipient of this award and he deserves to win it again. He is the head man on the Seminoles tenacious defense that already upset No. 1 Duke this season. Singleton is sixth in the ACC in blocks and second in steals, averaging over two of each per game.
Runners-Up: Jerai Grant, Clemson; Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech
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Big East
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1st Team:
G - Kemba Walker - Connecticut
G - Corey Fisher - Villanova
G - Marshon Brooks - Providence
F - Tim Abromaitis - Notre Dame
F - Rick Jackson - Syracuse
2nd Team:
G - Austin Freeman - Georgetown
G - Preston Knowles - Louisville
G - Brad Wannamaker - Pittsburgh
G - Scoop Jardine - Syracuse
F - Jimmy Butler - West Virginia
Big East
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Player Of The Year: Kemba Walker, Connecticut
If you've been watching sports at all this season, you've heard of the spectacular job that Kemba Walker has done in the UCONN system. His emergence as one of the best players in the country has made Connecticut a legitimate threat in the Big East once again. His speed is almost unmatched and he's playing like his life depended on it. He's second in the country in scoring and second in the conference in steals. Although his average is slowly going down as teams learn to defend him, the Huskies are continuing to play well.
Runners-Up: Marshon Brooks, Providence; Corey Fisher, Villanova
Freshman Of The Year: Cleveland Melvin, DePaul
If you can bear the fact that a member of DePaul's team can win anything this season, then Melvin is the best choice for this award. Although there are plenty of other freshman talents in the Big East, none are playing at the level of Melvin. He's putting up 14.5 points per game and pulling down almost five rebounds per game. Plus he's making 55% of his shots from the field. None of these are spectacular numbers, but the Big East is currently a league full of vets, so it's difficult for the freshman to break through on a large scale.
Runners-Up: Brandon Young, DePaul; Vander Blue, Marquette
Big East
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Coach Of The Year: Jim Calhoun, Connecticut
It's easy to say that the success of the Huskies is entirely on the shoulders of Kemba Walker. But let's not forget the constant in Storrs: Jim Calhoun. Calhoun took a team that was troubled and inconsistent last year (partly due to his limited time with the team) and taught them how to win basketball games. Yes, his strategy is mainly let Kemba do work, but the rest of the team looks comfortable in their role players spots and it obviously works.
Runners-Up: Steve Lavin, St. John's; Mike Bray, Notre Dame
Defensive Player Of The Year: Rick Jackson, Syracuse
Jackson has established himself as one of the premier rebounders and shot blockers in the country. He has taken his position in the center of the feared 2-3 defense and made it extremely difficult to finish around the basket. Not only does he block many of the shots that come his way, but he also rebounds almost everything. His presence makes it even more difficult to break Syracuse's well-coached defense.
Runners-Up: Kemba Walker, Connecticut; Peyton Siva, Lousiville
Big Ten
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1st Team:
G - E'Twaun Moore, Purdue
G - Talor Battle, Penn State
F - Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
F - Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
F - JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
2nd Team:
G - Demetri McCamey, Illinois
G - Darius Morris, Michigan
G - Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
F - John Shurna, Northwestern
F - Christian Watford, Indiana
Big Ten
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Player Of The Year: JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
Johnson is one of the few that has lived up to his preseason All-American status. He's in the top 5 in the conference for scoring (20.3 ppg, 1st), rebounding (8.1 rpg, 4th) and blocks (2.3, 2nd). Johnson has also showcased his other areas of play as well. He is shooting just over 50% from the field and is hitting 30% of his three-point shots as well. More importantly, the center has helped keep the Boilermakers afloat without their leader Robbie Hummel. Johnson has the Boilermakers on the right track for the postseason.
Runners-Up: Talor Battle, Penn State; Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Freshman Of The Year: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Sullinger was a highly touted recruit coming in, but he has exceeded expectations. The big man has become one of the best big man in the country. With the ability to power through just about anyone, Sullinger has developed his low post game into an exact science and he executes with amazing efficiency. He's second in the conference in rebounding and he's already put up a forty point game this season. It will be difficult to move Sullinger away from this award at this point.
Runners-Up: Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan; Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Big Ten
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Coach Of The Year: Tubby Smith, Minnesota
Tubby has done it all in his career in his head coach, but he's lead a team full of role players to prominence this season. With the same players as they've had in the past, the credit should go to Smith for developing these players into legitimate threats on offense and defense.
Runners-Up: Matt Painter, Purdue; Thad Matta, Ohio State
Defensive Player Of The Year: Draymond Green, Michigan State
Draymond Green is one of the most amazing players in the country. At only 6'6" Green plays the power forward spot for the Spartans and matches up against players that are taller than him. However, Green makes up for his lack of height in his bulldog attitude. Despite his larger matchups, Green has still managed to record around a block and a half per game and is in second in the conference in steals per game. He also manages to pull down the third most rebounds per game in the Big Ten with 8.7.
Runners-Up: Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota; Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Big 12
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1st Team:
G - LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
G - Alec Burks, Colorado
G - Diante Garrett, Iowa State
F - Jordan Hamilton, Texas
F - Marshall Moses, Oklahoma State
2nd Team:
G - Marcus Denmon, Missouri
G - Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
F - Khris Middleton, Texas A&M
F - Marcus Morris, Kansas
F - Tristan Thompson, Texas
Big 12
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Player Of The Year: Jordan Hamilton, Texas
Sophmore sensation Jordan Hamilton has practically taken over the Big 12. He's become the Longhorns' go to guy and their best player. Averaging almost 20 points per game and over 7 rebounds, Hamilton is amongst the Top 10 in both categories and has also improved his outside shooting, shooting over 42% from beyond the arc.
Runners-Up: Marshall Moses, Oklahoma State; Alec Burks, Colorado
Freshman Of The Year: Tristan Thompson, Texas
Thompson has emerged as one of the best young big men in the country. The 6'8" forward is not only second on the team in scoring (only to Hamilton), but leads the longhorns in rebounding and blocks as well. In those respective categories he ranks 4th and 2nd in the Big 12 and it seems that he is just getting better as the season progresses.
Runners-Up: Perry Jones, Baylor; Cory Joseph, Texas
Big 12
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Coach Of The Year: Mike Anderson, Missouri
Mike Anderson has worked some magic in Columbia. His guard-heavy team is one of the best in the nation due to some great fundamental work. The things that Mizzou players do very well are the fundamentals. They box out, they pass the ball extremely well and they shoot extremely well from the field. The Tigers also play a very disruptive defense that results in a lot of run and gun offense, where the guards are well-versed in good decision making. Mike Anderson has had time to fill his roster with great players and he's taught them how to play well as a team. This season it is finally paying off.
Runners-Up: Rick Barnes, Texas; Bill Self, Kansas
Defensive Player Of The Year: Tristan Thompson, Texas
As I've already mentioned, Thompson is a beast. His 2.3 blocks per game are just a fraction below first place in the conference and he also averages 1.2 steals per game. His rebounding skills are also unsurpassed as he has a firm grasp on fundamental positioning and boxing-out. He's also solid with the intangibles on defense like reading passes and knowing where the ball is going, which help make him a great defensive player.
Runners-Up: Laurence Bowers, Missouri; A.J. Walton, Baylor
SEC
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1st Team
G - Brandon Knight, Kentucky
G - Chris Warren, Mississippi
G - John Jenkins, Vaderbilt
F - Terrence Jones, Kentucky
F - Trey Thompkins, Georgia
2nd Team
G - Scotty Hopson, Tennessee
G - Ravern Johnson, Mississippi State
F - Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt
F - Tony Mitchell, Alabama
F - Tobias Harris, Tennessee
SEC
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Player Of The Year/Freshman Of The Year: Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Jones is having a John Wall-esque year, to put it in perspective. He's been the best player on Kentucky (only by a bit though) and has terrorized most who face him. His 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game are good for 2nd in the SEC for both categories. He's also sixth in the conference in blocks per game and he's shooting 34% from three-point range. His athleticism has allowed him to take control of the paint in most games, but he has a solid enough game around the perimeter that he can slash and drive to the basket when he needs to. While he may not be the most consistent player in the country, he is definitely one of the best.
Runners-Up (POY): Trey Thompkins, Georgia; Brandon Knight, Kentucky
Runners-Up (FOY): Brandon Knight, Kentucky; Tobias Harris, Tennessee
SEC
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Coach Of The Year: John Calipari, Kentucky
As much as you can criticize Calipari, you have to recognize that he has created a remarkable system. Obviously being a pro coach has given him insight on quick coaching because he has been recruiting one-and-dones for a long time now, but he still manages to win. Somehow, he convinces all of these talented young players to give him 100% effort for a single year and they win. They all buy in and work well together. Granted, they would probably be much better if they stayed all four years and could keep improving, but Calipari has created a system that works and it needs to be recognized as such.
Runners-Up: Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt; Mark Fox, Georgia
Defensive Player Of The Year: Delvon Johnson, Arkansas
Johnson gets in the game to get rebounds and blocks. The 6'9" senior does average 10 points per game, but compared to his defensive contribution, that really is a footnote. Johnson leads the SEC in blocks and is fourth in rebounds. He's a tremendous athlete and has worked to become one of the top defenders in the country.
Runners-Up: Tony Mitchell, Alabama; Sam Muldrow, South Carolina
Pac-10
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1st Team
G - Isaiah Thomas, Washington
G - Klay Thompson, Washington State
F - Derrick Williams, Arizona
F - Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Washington
F - Nikola Vucevic, USC
2nd Team
G - Jared Cunningham, Oregon State
G - Faisel Aden, Washington
F - Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
F - Reeves Nelson, UCLA
F - Joevon Catron, Oregon
Pac-10
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Player Of The Year: Derrick Williams, Arizona
Williams is the winner of a very close contest between three players, but at the end of the day the deciding factor was that he wins basketball games. His stats are almost unmatched and he is good at most things and great at the others. He's averaging almost 20 points per game (2nd in the conference) and averages 7.3 rebounds as well. But the scary part is how he well he shoots from the field. He is 65% shooter from the field and he's made 17 out of 24 threes that he's attempted, which turns out to be 70%, as a forward. He is one of the most efficient players in the country and that's what gives him the edge in a very tight race.
Runners-Up: Klay Thompson, Washington State; Isaiah Thomas, Washington
Freshman Of The Year: Allen Crabbe, California
Much like the Big East, the Pac-10 is a league dominated by veterans. There are very few freshmen who have made an impact on their teams, but Allen Crabbe is one of them. His 11.4 points per game and 5.6 rebounds are good enough for 2nd and 3rd respectively on the team. Although not the best numbers by far, it's superior to any other freshman in the conference.
Runners-Up: Joshua Smith, UCLA; Maurice Jones, USC
Pac-10
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Coach Of The Year: Sean Miller, Arizona
the Pac-10 isn't the conference it once was and the teams nowadays look much weaker. There were really no standout teams in the conference besides Washington at the beginning of the season, but Arizona has emerged as one of the few teams that may challenge the Huskies for a conference title (never mind Thursday's blowout). Along with the help of star forward Derrick Williams, Coach Miller has made this team competitive and a scary looking sleeper team to be wary of come March.
Runners-Up: Kevin O'Neill, USC; Lorenzo Romar, Washington
Defensive Player Of The Year: Jared Cunningham, Oregon State
Cunningham's 3.2 steals per game is one of the best averages in the nation, as well as being best in the Pac-10 by far. Along with his crafty thievery, he's an excellent perimeter defender than rarely gets beat on the drive and is a menace to whomever he's guarding.
Runners-Up: Nikola Vucevic, USC; Tyler Honeycutt, UCLA
Best Of The Rest
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1st Team:
G - Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
G - Andrew Goudelock, Charleston
F - Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State
F - Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
F - Ryan Rossiter, Siena
2nd Team:
G - Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
G - Adrian Oliver, San Jose State
G - Norris Cole, Cleveland State
F - Brandon Bowdry, Eastern Michigan
F - Vlad Moldoveanu, American
Best Of The Rest
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Player Of The Year: Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
It should be pretty obvious that Fredette is the best player outside of the Big 6. He's leading the country in scoring and any night can turn into a huge performance. He can shoot, drive, pass, rebound and play defense; he's about as solid as a guard as you'll find, plus he can hit the big shots. Along with his 25.8 points per game, he's also putting up 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game as a 6'2" guard. Fredette is special; keep you're eyes peeled for more big time games from him.
Runners-Up: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State; Ryan Rossiter, Siena
Freshman Of The Year: Trey Zeigler, Central Michigan
Zeigler was a highly touted recruit last season, claiming a spot in the ESPNU 100, but people doubted his decision to go and play for his father Ernie. However it has apparently worked out for Trey as he is averaging the second most points among freshman in the entire country along with 5.5 rebounds per game. Too bad it didn't translate into wins though; the Chippewas are 5-12 on the season.
Runners-Up: Ray McCallum Jr., Detroit; Juwan Staten, Dayton
Best Of The Rest
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Coach Of The Year: Steve Fisher, San Diego State
The Aztecs were identified as a possible sleeper for this season, but I don't know of anyone who predicted they would be one of the four undefeated teams left in the season halfway through the season. Fisher is no beginner though; he led the Michigan Wolverines to consecutive championship games back in the early 90's with Chris Webber and the Fab Five. Behind the spectacular play of Kawhi Leonard, Fisher's Aztecs are slowly sneaking their way into consideration for a number one seed.
Runners-Up: Mick Cronin, Cincinnati; Donnie Jones, Central Florida
Defensive Player Of The Year: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
Faried is one of the most athletic players in the country, but doesn't get enough recognition playing for Morehead State. He leads the country in rebounding, most of them on the defensive end of the ball and also dominates defensively. He blocks two shots on average per game and pulls in 2.3 steals per game. He's a force that doesn't yield to anyone and is leading the Eagles on a path that could take them to the NCAA tournament come March.
Runners-Up: William Mosley, Northwestern State; Anthony Nelson, Niagara
NCAA
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1st Team All-American:
G - Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
G - Kemba Walker, Connecticut
G - Nolan Smith, Duke
F - Derrick Williams, Arizona
F - JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
2nd Team All-American
G - Klay Thompson, Washington
G - Marshon Brooks, Providence
F - Jordan Hamilton, Texas
F - Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
F - Terrence Jones, Kentucky
NCAA
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NCAA All-Freshman Team:
G - Brandon Knight, Kentucky
F - Perry Jones, Baylor
F - Tristan Thompson, Texas
F - Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
F - Terrence Jones, Kentucky
NCAA All-Defensive Team:
G - Jared Cunningham, Oregon State
G - Kemba Walker, Connecticut
F - Chris Singleton, Florida State
F - Rick Jackson, Syracuse
F - Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
NCAA
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NCAA Player Of The Year: Kemba Walker, Connecticut
Ultimately, this award came down to who played better competition. Both Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker have played fantastic basketball thus far and we may see one separate from the other down the stretch, but Walker plays in the most competitive conference in the country, guarding some of the most athletic and dynamic players in the country so I give him the edge at this point in time.
Runners-Up: Jimmer Fredette, BYU; Nolan Smith, Duke
NCAA Freshman Of The Year: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Once again, this came down to whose conference is better conference. I think that the Big Ten is more competitive than the SEC and is also a much more physical conference. Sullinger has earned his place among the best big men by banging down low against the big farm boys of the Midwest. While Terrence Jones has had to showcase his versatility in the super-athletic SEC, he hasn't been consistent enough to win the national award.
Runners-Up: Terrence Jones, Kentucky; Tristan Thompson, Texas; Brandon Knight, Kentucky
NCAA
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NCAA Coach Of The Year: Steve Fisher, San Diego State
Runners-Up: Jim Calhoun, Connecticut; Steve Donahue, Boston College
NCAA Defensive Player Of The Year: Chris Singleton, Florida State
Runners-Up: Kenneth Faried, Morehead State; Rick Jackson, Syracuse
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