Big 12 Honors & Awards

With Kansas bounced from the NCAA tourney at the hands of upstart VCU, the Big 12 season has reached its end. And that means it's time to take a look at the conference's top performers. Honors and awards take into account the entirety of the season, rather than just Big 12 conference play.

All-Big 12

Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
#0 Senior Guard 6-1 200
20.2 ppg 3.7 apg 1.6 spg

Alec Burks, Colorado
#10 Sophomore Guard 6-6 195
20.5 ppg 6.5 rpg 1.1 spg

Jordan Hamilton, Texas
#3 Sophomore Forward 6-7 220
18.6 ppg 7.7 rpg 2.1 apg

Marcus Morris, Kansas
#22 Junior Forward 6-9 235
17.2 ppg 7.6 rpg .570 FG%

Markieff Morris, Kansas
#21 Junior Forward 6-10 245
13.6 ppg 8.3 rpg 1.1 bpg


Player of the Year: Marcus Morris, Kansas
He tended to drift out to the perimeter a little too often on the offensive end, but this was a complete performance by one of the nation's best.

All-Defense

Dogus Balbay, Texas
#4 Senior Guard 6-1 175

Lance Jeter, Nebraska
#34 Senior Guard 6-3 220

Laurence Bowers, Missouri
#21 Junior Forward 6-8 210

Tristan Thompson, Texas
#13 Freshman Forward 6-8 225

Markieff Morris, Kansas
#21 Junior Forward 6-10 245


Defensive Player of the Year: Tristan Thompson, Texas
In today's era of the one-and-done freshman phenom, we have become accustomed to freshmen putting up big offensive numbers, but Thompson, who averaged 2.4 blocks per game, is that rare first-year player who dominates on the defensive end of the floor.

Freshman of the Year: Tristan Thompson, Texas
While he was a stud on the defensive end, Thompson wasn't too shabby with the ball in his hands - averaging a solid 13.1 points per contest while shooting .546 from the field.

Coach of the Year: Bill Self, Kansas
While Self guided the Jayhawks, picked to finish second in the conference, to a two-loss regular season, the Big 12 regular season and conference tourney titles and an appearance in the Elite Eight, another upset loss in the tourney has overshadowed what was a superb season in Lawrence.

And now for some regionally appropriate hip-hop.

Freshman Power Rankings 3.0

1. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, 6-9 280
Buckeye frosh is nation's most dominant player and a huge reason why Thad Matta's squad is ranked number one in the country.
previous rank: 1

2. Terrence Jones, Kentucky, 6-8 245
Versatile big brings to mind Tim Thomas.
previous rank: 3

3. Brandon Knight, Kentucky, 6-3 185
The kid's a lottery pick, and the whole country would realize how fantastic he's been if we weren't so busy comparing him to John Wall.
previous rank: 5

4. Tristan Thompson, Texas, 6-8 225
Thompson, who plays bigger than his measurements would suggest, more than held his own against the Morris twins in the Longhorns' victory at the Phog.
previous rank: 7

5. Tobias Harris, Tennessee, 6-8 220
With all due respect to Scotty Hopson, Tobias Harris is the Vols' best player, and he needs more touches.
previous rank: 4

6. Cory Joseph, Texas, 6-3 185
Joseph's heady play at the point is the biggest reason Texas has bounced back from last year's mess of a season.
previous rank: NR

7. Bruce Ellington, South Carolina, 5-9, 195
While Ellington isn't quite Devan Downey at this early stage of his career, he's doing his best impression.
previous rank: NR

8. Perry Jones, Baylor, 6-10 220
Scott Drew's prized recruit is putting up nice numbers for an underachieving team, but we're getting close to over-hyped territory with young Perry.
previous rank: 6

9. Josh Selby, Kansas, 6-2 185
Selby is still working out the kinks after missing the first nine games of the season, but his explosiveness is evident.
previous rank: NR

10. Doron Lamb, Kentucky, 6-4 195
That the sweet-shooting New York product is the tenth best freshman in the country and only the third best freshman in Lexington is a testament to Coach Cal's recruiting prowess.
previous rank: NR

Exits: Kyrie Irving (Duke), J.T. Terrell (Wake Forest), Harrison Barnes (North Carolina), DeShaun Thomas (Ohio State)

Freshman Power Rankings 2.0

1. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, 6-8 260
Would have retained the top spot even if he hadn't exploded for 40 points against IUPUI.
previous rank: 1

2. Kyrie Irving, Duke, 6-2 175
If reports that Irving will miss the rest of the season with a toe injury are true, we've been robbed of the chance to watch a very special point guard play at the college level.
previous rank: 9

3. Terrence Jones, Kentucky, 6-8 245
Jones, averaging 20 and 10 for the Wildcats, is tougher and plays with more heart than I expected.
previous rank: NR

4. Tobias Harris, Tennessee, 6-8 220
Harris has replaced Tyler Smith and J.P. Prince as the Vols' point-forward.
previous rank: 5

5. Brandon Knight, Kentucky, 6-3 185
Knight has had some early struggles running the Wildcat offense but has no problem scoring.
previous rank: 3

6. Perry Jones, Baylor, 6-10 220
Versatile big man has talent scouts salivating.
previous rank: NR

7. Tristan Thompson, Texas, 6-9 240
Longhorn frosh is second on team in scoring, tied for lead in rebounding, averages 2.4 blocks per contest, and has a ton of upside.
previous rank: 6

8. J.T. Terrell, Wake Forest, 6-4 175
Fearless two-guard leads Demon Deacons in scoring and is doing his best to keep a program teetering on the brink of decline respectable.
previous rank: NR

9. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina, 6-7 210
Most hyped freshman in the land disappears for stretches and has been altogether underwhelming.
previous rank: 2

10. Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, 6-6 230
Fort Wayne-product is super-efficient on offensive end and would be ranked even higher if not for lackluster outings against Florida State and IUPUI.
previous rank: NR

Exits: Joe Jackson (Memphis), Josh Selby (Kansas), Adreian Payne (Michigan State), Reggie Bullock (North Carolina)

2010-11 Outlook: Big 12

Projected Order of Finish

1. Kansas - Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins, and Xavier Henry are now lacing them up in the Association, but the Big 12 championship still goes through Lawrence.

2. Kansas State - Jacob Pullen's beard and a deep frontcourt return, but will Crazy Frank Martin's squad recapture the magic of last year's 29-win season?

3. Missouri - Top recruit Tony Mitchell is ineligible (questions remain as to whether he will ever suit up for the Tigers), and defensive aficionados everywhere mourn having lost the chance to see Mitchell in Mike Anderson's 40 Minutes of Hell defense.

4. Texas - After a year of underachieving and disappointment, the question is whether the Longhorns have found a semblance of chemistry.

5. Baylor - Lots of length and athleticism, but I'm not sure the Bears have a point guard to run the show.

6. Texas A&M - Expect a breakout season from junior forward David Loubeau.

7. Texas Tech - Seniors John Roberson and Mike Singletary will make the Red Raiders competitive, but Pat Knight will most likely find a way to mess things up in Lubbock.

8. Oklahoma State - As usual, depth will be a problem for the seemingly always undermanned Cowboys.

9. Colorado - Senior Cory Higgins and sophomore Alec Burks are two of the country's best kept secrets, but they don't have much help.

10. Oklahoma - The rebuilding begins now for the Sooners, as Willie Warren turned pro after an unimpressive sophomore campaign, and former McDonald's All-Americans Tiny Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin lasted all of one season in Norman.

11. Iowa State - Cyclones have no way of replacing Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap.

12. Nebraska - Do they still play basketball at Tyronn Lue University?

All-Conference

John Roberson, Texas Tech, sr, guard
Jacob Pullen, Kansas State, sr, guard
J'Covan Brown, Texas, soph, guard
LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor, sr, guard
Marcus Morris, Kansas, jr, forward

Player of the Year

Jacob Pullen, Kansas State - It will be interesting to see if Pullen can pile up the points with the opposition no longer having to worry about backcourt mate Denis Clemente.

Top Freshman

Tristan Thompson, Texas - Nice body and smooth moves around the rim.

Top Defender

Dogus Balbay, Texas - Hailing from Istanbul, Balbay is relentless on the defensive end and an excellent on-ball defender.

Freshman Power Rankings 1.0

1. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, 6-8 260
Burly big man reminds me of Elton Brand and may end up the most dominant player in all of college basketball.

2. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina, 6-7 210
Has all the tools, but can he help the Heels rebound from an embarrassing 2009-10 season?

3. Brandon Knight, Kentucky, 6-3 185
Cerebral point follows in footsteps of Rose, Evans, and Wall.

4. Joe Jackson, Memphis, 5-11 160
There's some Iverson in this waterbug's game.

5. Tobias Harris, Tennessee, 6-8 220
Do-it-all big will be the best player on Bruce Pearl's roster from day one.

6. Tristan Thompson, Texas, 6-9 240
Think LaMarcus Aldridge with some Ed Davis sprinkled in.

7. Josh Selby, Kansas, 6-2 185
Explosive combo guard with ability to take over needs to be a team player on ultra-talented Jayhawks squad.

8. Adreian Payne, Michigan State, 6-10 215
Izzo's most talented post player since Zach Randolph.

9. Kyrie Irving, Duke, 6-2 175
In unique position of starting at point guard for defending champion expecting to repeat.

10. Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, 6-5 190
Big, athletic two-guard with tons of upside.