2011-12 College Basketball: All-Conference Team Projections for the Big Six

When it comes to preseason and postseason all-conference honors, each league does things a bit differently regarding the total amount of all-conference teams selected and the total amount of players selected to each team.

Taking a deeper look into the bevy of talent within the six power conferences, I've put together five teams per conference: First, Second, Third, Honorable Mention and Freshman.

I like to get an early gauge on the strength level of each conference in terms of overall talent, now that we're to that point in the offseason where the draft deadline has passed, and teams are wrapping up on recruiting for the upcoming season's roster.

Keep in mind, selections are based on projected talent and production for the 2011-2012 season, not necessarily a team that could be put together on the court. For example, you may see a team with mostly guards or mostly forwards.

Here are my all-conference team projections for the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Big East, Pac-12 and SEC.

Atlantic Coast Conference

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Harrison Barnes #40 and Kendall Marshall #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react in the second half while taking on the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable

FIRST TEAM

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Austin Rivers, Duke

Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

John Henson, North Carolina

Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

SECOND TEAM

Reggie Johnson, Miami

James McAdoo, North Carolina

Durand Scott, Miami

Mike Scott, Virginia

Bernard James, Florida State

THIRD TEAM

Malcolm Grant, Miami

Travis McKie, Wake Forest

Mason Plumlee, Duke

Dorenzo Hudson, Virginia Tech

C.J. Leslie, North Carolina State

HONORABLE MENTION

Glen Rice Jr., Georgia Tech

P.J. Hairston, North Carolina

Terrell Stoglin, Maryland

Andre Young, Clemson

Seth Curry, Duke

Michael Snaer, Florida State

Scott Wood, North Carolina State

FRESHMAN TEAM

Austin Rivers, Duke

James McAdoo, North Carolina

P.J. Hairston, North Carolina

Dorian Finney-Smith, Virginia Tech

Quinn Cook, Duke

Player of the Year – Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Coach of the Year – Roy Williams, North Carolina

Newcomer of the Year – Brandon Reed, Georgia Tech

Freshman of the Year – Austin Rivers, Duke

Most Improved – Michael Snaer, Florida State

Defensive Player of the Year – Bernard James, Florida State

It's championship or bust in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina is not only the most talented team in the ACC, but in the country. With four of the top returning players in conference and two of the more heralded freshmen in the 2011 class, expectations for the Heels are as high as they were in the preseason for Williams' 2008-2009 national championship squad.

Newly acuired head coach Jim Larranaga inherits a strong nucleus at Miami and could have the Canes dancing in his first year at the helm if he can get the players to buy into his system.

The Austin Rivers era at Duke is right around the corner as Rivals' No. 2 ranked prospect in the country inherits a team that loses Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving.

Big East Conference

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Connecticut Huskies dunks the ball against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Tex

FIRST TEAM

Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh

Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame

Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette

Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut

SECOND TEAM

Kris Joseph, Syracuse

Jae Crowder, Marquette

Maalik Wayns, Villanova

Kevin Jones, West Virginia

Cleveland Melvin, DePaul

THIRD TEAM

Peyton Siva, Louisville

Scoop Jardine, Syracuse

Yancy Gates, Cincinnati

Nasir Robinson, Pittsburgh

Jason Clark, Georgetown

HONORABLE MENTION

DeAndre Daniels, Connecticut

Brandon Triche, Syracuse

Kyle Kuric, Louisville

Khem Birch, Pittsburgh

Hollis Thompson, Georgetown

Augustus Gilchrist, South Florida

Gilvydas Biruta, Rutgers

FRESHMAN TEAM

DeAndre Daniels, Connecticut

Khem Birch, Pittsburgh

Chane Behanan, Louisville

Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse

Norvel Pelle, St. John’s

Player of the Year – Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Coach of the Year – Rick Pitino, Louisville

Newcomer of the Year – God's Gift Achiuwa, St. John's

Freshman of the Year – DeAndre Daniels, Connecticut

Most Improved – Dominic Cheek, Villanova

Defensive Player of the Year – Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb steps out of Kemba Walker's shadow and into the spotlight as the sophomore-to-be wing tries to repeat last season's national title run. With the recent arrival of 6-foot-8 forward DeAndre Daniels, it's certainly not out of question.

One word comes to mind after scanning through the Big East—Parity.

The conference looks to be up for grabs this upcoming season and don't be surprised if Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Marquette are running neck and neck down the stretch of conference play.

Big Ten Conference

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 18: Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in the second half while taking on the Tennessee Volunteers during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 18, 2011

FIRST TEAM

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin

William Buford, Ohio State

Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota

John Shurna, Northwestern

SECOND TEAM

Robbie Hummel, Purdue

Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan

Christian Watford, Indiana

Aaron Craft, Ohio State

Draymond Green, Michigan State

THIRD TEAM

Cody Zeller, Indiana

Jordan Morgan, Michigan

Melsahn Basabe, Iowa

Lewis Jackson, Purdue

Ralph Sampson III, Minnesota

HONORABLE MENTION

Zack Novak, Michigan

Jorge Brian Diaz, Nebraska

Keaton Nankivil, Wisconsin

Branden Dawson, Michigan State

Jordan Hulls, Indiana

Brandon Wood, Michigan State

Drew Crawford, Northwestern

FRESHMAN TEAM

Cody Zeller, Indiana

Branden Dawson, Michigan State

Mycheal Henry, Illinois

LaQuinton Ross, Ohio State

Sam Thompson, Ohio State

Player of the Year – Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Coach of the Year – John Beilein, Michigan

Newcomer of the Year – Brandon Wood, Michigan State

Freshman of the Year – Cody Zeller, Indiana

Most Improved – Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State

Defensive Player of the Year – Aaron Craft, Ohio State

Sullinger's surprise return to the Buckeyes makes Ohio State the favorite to sit atop the conference standings. He'll join William Buford to form the Big Ten's most productive scoring tandem with Aaron Craft setting the table.

Darius Morris keeping his name in the draft delivered a blow to Michigan's high hopes in 2011-12, but don't count out Beilein just yet as he returns the trio of Tim Hardaway Jr., Jordan Morgan and Zack Novak.

Keep an eye out on Indiana 6-foot-11 incoming freshman power forward Cody Zeller, ranked No. 15 overall in the 2011 class by Rivals and Michigan State transfer guard Brandon Wood, who averaged 16.7 points per game during his junior season for Valparaiso. Both players should make immediate impacts in the Big Ten.

Keep in mind Nebraska joins the Big Ten at the beginning of July.

Big 12 Conference

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HOUSTON - MARCH 28: Forward Quincy Acy #4 of the Baylor Bears reacts after making a slam dunk against the Duke Blue Devils during the south regional final of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium on March 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas

FIRST TEAM

Perry Jones, Baylor

Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas

Khris Middleton, Texas A&M

Marcus Denmon, Missouri

Quincy Miller, Baylor

SECOND TEAM

Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Rodney McGruder, Kansas State

LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State

Quincy Acy, Baylor

Myck Kabongo, Texas

THIRD TEAM

Laurence Bowers, Missouri

J’Covan Brown, Texas

Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri

David Loubeau, Texas A&M

Andrew Fitzgerald, Oklahoma

HONORABLE MENTION

Scott Christopherson, Iowa State

Keiton Page, Oklahoma State

A.J. Walton, Baylor

Melvin Ejim, Iowa State

Cameron Clark, Oklahoma

Anthony Jones, Baylor

Chris Allen, Iowa State

FRESHMAN TEAM

Quincy Miller, Baylor

LeBryan Nash, Oklahoma State

Myck Kabongo, Texas

Ben McLemore, Kansas

Deuce Bello, Baylor

Player of the Year – Perry Jones, Baylor

Coach of the Year – Scott Drew, Baylor

Newcomer of the Year – Chris Allen, Iowa State

Freshman of the Year – Quincy Miller, Baylor

Most Improved – J'Covan Brown, Texas

Defensive Player of the Year – Laurence Bowers, Missouri

With Kansas and Texas having their rosters revamped due to a handful of early NBA exits, teams like Baylor, Missouri, Texas A&M and Iowa State will look to strike while the iron is hot.

Baylor received great news when 6-foot-11 forward Perry Jones decided on returning to school and things got even better when highly-rated high school teammates Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello committed to the Bears.

Miller, ranked No. 7 overall by Rivals, is arguably the most versatile player in the 2011 class and puts Baylor into national title contention.

Look for Oklahoma State incoming freshman small forward LeBryan Nash and incoming Texas freshman point guard Myck Kabongo to make big splashes in the Big 12.

Pac-12 Conference

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LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 02: Reeves Nelson #22 of the UCLA Bruins in action during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on December 2, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

FIRST TEAM

Reeves Nelson, UCLA

Jorge Gutierrez, California

Josh Smith, UCLA

Allen Crabbe, California

Trent Lockett, Arizona State

SECOND TEAM

Jared Cunningham, Oregon State

Harper Kamp, California

Josiah Turner, Arizona

Abdul Gaddy, Washington

Faisal Aden, Washington State

THIRD TEAM

Solomon Hill, Arizona

Jio Fontan, USC

E.J. Singler, Oregon

Josh Owens, Stanford

Lazeric Jones, UCLA

HONORABLE MENTION

Scott Suggs, Washington

Nick Johnson, Arizona

Terrence Ross, Washington

Kevin Parrom, Arizona

Carlon Brown, Colorado

Richard Solomon, California

Maurice Jones, USC

FRESHMAN TEAM

Josiah Turner, Arizona

Nick Johnson, Arizona

Jabari Brown, Oregon

Tony Wroten, Washington

Jahii Carson, Arizona State

Player of the Year – Reeves Nelson, UCLA

Coach of the Year – Mike Montgomery, California

Newcomer of the Year – Carlon Brown, Colorado

Freshman of the Year – Josiah Turner, Arizona

Most Improved – Richard Solomon, California

Defensive Player of the Year – Jorge Gutierrez, California

The conference endured it's largest draining of talent since 2008 after several underclassmen opted to keep their names in the 2011 draft.

Pac-12 newcomers Utah and Colorado are likely to finish somewhere around the cellar this upcoming season.

UCLA, Washington, Arizona and California appear to be the four top teams in conference, but neither one currently stands a cut above the other.

Cal returns the Pac-12's best wing tandem in Allen Crabbe and Jorge Gutierrez and UCLA returns the best frontcourt tandem in Reeves Nelson and Josh Smith.

Given the drastic drop-off in talent, the Pac-12 looks up for grabs in 2011-12.

Southeastern Conference

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 22: Terrence Jones #3 and Doron Lamb #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate during the game against the Winthrop Eagles on December 22, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 89-52. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

FIRST TEAM

John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Anthony Davis, Kentucky

JaMychal Green, Alabama

Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Doron Lamb, Kentucky

SECOND TEAM

Tony Mitchell, Alabama

Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

Dee Bost, Mississippi State

THIRD TEAM

Bradley Beal, Florida

Darius Miller, Kentucky

Erving Walker, Florida

Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas

Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State

HONORABLE MENTION

Michael Gilchrist, Kentucky

Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Marshawn Powell, Arkansas

Kenny Boynton, Florida

Gerald Robinson, Georgia

Brad Tinsley, Vanderbilt

Trevor Releford, Alabama

FRESHMAN TEAM

Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Bradley Beal, Florida

Michael Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia

Player of the Year – John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Coach of the Year – John Calipari, Kentucky

Newcomer of the Year – Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Freshman of the Year – Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Most Improved – Patric Young, Florida

Defensive Player of the Year – Reginald Buckner, Ole Miss

Kentucky reloads with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country that includes four players in Rivals' top 25, three of whom were in the top 10. And with the return of Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb, the Cats are once again national title contenders.

Vanderbilt will challenge Kentucky as the Commodores return all five starters from last season, including three of the top players in conference (Jenkins, Taylor and Ezeli).

Anthony Grant brings in the No. 5 ranked recruiting class to Tuscaloosa, according to Rivals. Alabama returns two of the top forwards in conference (Green, Mitchell) and an emerging point guard (Releford), making the Tide an SEC contender.

Keep an eye out on UTEP transfer Arnett Moultrie for Mississippi State. The 6-foot-11 power forward could help propel the Bulldogs into the postseason.