With the regular season officially in the books, Corey and I decided to put together our All-Conference selections. Not that we weren't already aware, but it's amazing how many talented underclassmen the conference has to offer. Typically, the media and coaches are a little hesitant to heap honors on freshmen but they may not have a choice this season. The BigTen Network will announce the coaches All-Conference selections at 6pm during Big Ten Tonight.
Starting with the major individual awards, those were a slam dunk for both of us:
- Player of the Year: DJ White
- Coach of the Year: Matt Painter
- Freshman of the Year: Eric Gordon
Painter and White were obvious choices. Painter's Boilers ooze confidence and chemistry and you gotta give him credit for that considering their youth while White has been unstoppable down low playing with a passion we hadn't seen until this season. We like Gordon for FOY but there's no doubt legit arguments could be made for Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore and Manny Harris.
Moving on to the All-Conference 1st and 2nd teams, we start to see some variations.
| Chris | Corey |
|---|---|
| Drew Neitzel, Michigan State | Manny Harris, Michigan |
| Jamar Butler, Ohio State | Jamar Butler, Ohio State |
| Eric Gordon, Indiana | Eric Gordon, Indiana |
| Kosta Koufos, Ohio State | Brian Butch, Wisconsin |
| DJ White, Indiana | DJ White, Indiana |
I know I'll take some heat for putting Koufos on my first team while Corey went with Brian Butch but it's not just me homering out. Koufos averaged slightly more points, rebounds and blocks in addition to shooting a better percentage from the floor, downtown and the charity stripe. On the flip side, Butch is a beast serving as the leading scorer and rebounder on the conference's best team.
At the point, Corey took Harris over Neitzel for the same reasons I took Koufos over Butch. Harris has the slight edge in numbers and did an admirable job of carrying the scoring load while running the offense for the undermanned Wolverines. I just can't overlook the intangibles Neitzel brings and his ability to carry the Spartans when he gets hot. Plus, I've had a man crush on him ever since the two incredible games he had against the Buckeyes in 2007. Dude's been a horse for Izzo.
Moving on, our Second Team looks like this:
| Chris | Corey |
|---|---|
| Raymar Morgan, Michigan State | Raymar Morgan, Michigan State |
| E'Twaun Moore, Purdue | E'Twaun Moore, Purdue |
| Robbie Hummel, Purdue | Robbie Hummel, Purdue |
| Kevin Coble, Northwestern | Kevin Coble, Northwestern |
| Brian Butch, Wisconsin | Kosta Koufos, Ohio State |
Our All-Conference Second Team's are exactly the same with the exception of the previously discussed Koufos/Butch variation. The two kids from Purdue have been large, Morgan's an underrated player for Sparty and we threw Coble a bone for his steady production albeit on a horrific team.
Next up, the All-Freshman 1st Team has a lot of familiar names considering five made our 1st or 2nd team all-conference rosters. We're more than a little perimeter heavy on the 2nd team but we're content to play small ball with that group. One thing's for sure, the future of the conference looks bright with all these kids playing significant roles on their respective teams.
| 1st Team | 2nd Team |
|---|---|
| Manny Harris, Michigan | Kalin Lucas, Michigan State |
| E'Twaun Moore, Purdue | Talor Battle, Penn State |
| Robbie Hummel, Purdue | Michael Thompson, Northwestern |
| Eric Gordon, Indiana | Evan Turner, Ohio State |
| Kosta Koufos, Ohio State | Blake Hoffarber, Minnesota |
I'm sure you guys have your own thoughts so where'd we screw up? And don't say Matt Terwilliger for Player of the Year.
Comments
There is no way anyone leaves little drew neitzel off of the first team. He's a senior and MSU's whole team he'll be there.
You can't put Koufos there. Not over Butch.
I agree with the criticism of Chris' Koufos selection. I thought he got better as the year went on, and I might be able to see an argument for a second-team selection, but not on the first team.
He's definitely making my freshman team, of course.
Rick -- I couldn't help myself. KK's numbers are better and somebody had to stick up for the big greek since nobody else will...
Joseole-
First of all, I love your frozen beef tacos. Second, I know Neitzel is a senior and that is the problem I had with him. MSU was picked to win the Big Ten, but Neitzel struggled a good bit of the conference season and I felt this is why MSU as a whole struggled, similar to OSU's late season swoon when Butler started to lose his way. Neitzel also had his lowest assists total since his freshman year, plus after watching yesterday, Raymar Morgan is the best player on that team.
1st team all heart-Koufos, Hunter, Turner, Lighty, Butler, and Diebler as 6th man of the year.
1st team all head-Neitzel, Butler, Gordon, Butch, and White
KK was among the most disappointing players on this team, and yet he's 1st team BT material?
Lies, damned Lies, and Statistics.
Nice pick, Chris!
Can't believe you all hate on KK so much...The disappointment is based on the hype you believed and fed into but looking at his numbers, I don't see how implausible it could be for him to be on 1st team...Do I think my choice was a stretch? Yes. Do I think he's no worse than 2nd team? Yes.
Who's a better 4 man in the conference other than Butch?
Maybe they're hating 'cuz they don't want him going pro which is sound thinking and he should be removed from 1st/2nd/frosh teams. I think he's going bye-bye unless Obie gives him a hundred thousand dollar handshake.
Here's the coaches and media selections:
http://bigtennetwork.com/sport...
Media had Butler on 1st team but not the coaches. Also found it a bit surprising that Hummel made both media and coaches 1st team and the 2nd teams for both media and coaches are all perimeter players with the exception of Marcus Landry making 2nd team on coaches. I dont think he's better than Koufos either but I'm sure you all disagree...koufos was 3rd team for both...
How does Neitzel make it over Butler? That's a shame.
Because Neitzel lead his team to a better record....and Chris, you're absolutely right! KK is a 1st teamer, the problem is that people wanted him to be a #1 PICK like Oden. I hope he doesn't leave....but seeing how the NBA drafts on potential...he would be a 1st round pick.
Neitzel makes it because of the drama that went on with Butler. Coaches don't like those things.
3rd team for Koufos is about right. It took him a lot longer to adjust to the college game than it did for Hummel.
I said Butch over Koufos, I would not have a problem with KK on the 2nd team. And I had no expectations for Kosta being a first round pick this year. I don't think KK came to OSU with even a third of the expectations of Oden, so get off that horse.
No horse - I just think a lot of the folks disappointed with Koufos had unrealistic expectations...that doesnt mean I'm comparing the expecations for him to be anywhere near the expectations Oden came in with...
Sorry Chris, that was more directed at Wil...