KU places two on First Team All Big 12
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The official All-Big 12 awards are selected by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.
Michael Beasley, a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team choice, set numerous conference records in his inaugural campaign. He leads the nation in rebounding (12.6 rpg) and is in the top five nationally in scoring (26.5 ppg). He set a Big 12 season record for double-doubles with 26, a total that is also a NCAA freshman record. The Washington, D.C. native posted 13 games with 30 points or more, a Big 12 season record and Kansas State career mark. He owns 27 school freshman, single-season and career marks and 13 Big 12 single-game and single-season records. His combined point and rebound average overall is 39.0, which would also set a Big 12 record.
Marcus Dove is known as one of the Big 12's best defenders and becomes the second player in Big 12 history to win a major conference award on two occasions (Raef LaFrentz, KU - Player of the Year, 1997-98). Dove frequently draws the role of stopping the opponents' top scorer and has recorded 53 steals this season, tied for the fourth-best total in the league. He is also in the top 10 in the conference for blocks with 34, including 21 in league play.
DeMarre Carroll is the second consecutive Missouri player (Stefhon Hannah) to garner newcomer recognition. The junior forward, a transfer from Vanderbilt, has scored in double digits in 21 outings this season, while grabbing double-figure rebounds on six occasions. He ranks fourth in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.539) and is among the top 15 in scoring (13.1 ppg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg). He has shot 50 percent or better in a game 22 times in 2007-08.
Sherron Collins has been an offensive spark off the bench for the Jayhawks, averaging 14.6 points in his last three outings. He has posted 10 points or more in 11 games this season, while recording 15 assists in his last four contests. The sophomore guard has made at least one 3-pointer in 22 of 29 outings and has recorded three or more assists 14 times. He is the first KU player to win this honor.
Rick Barnes wins his third Big 12 coaching accolade after leading the Longhorns to a 26-5 regular season record. Despite losing National Player of the Year Kevin Durant from last season's roster, he has had UT in the top five of the rankings for a good part of the year. He led Texas to a share of its second Big 12 crown in the last three years and third overall. The 26 wins for the Longhorns are also the most in regular season competition in school history. Barnes is the first coach to be named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times.
The All-Big 12 First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention teams were also announced, while conference coaches also selected All-Defensive and All-Rookie Teams. Kansas junior Brandon Rush becomes just the second player in Big 12 history to be a three-time All-Big 12 First Team choice (Andre Emmett, Texas Tech, 2002-04).
Fellow Jayhawks Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers are part of the All-Defensive Team for the third straight season, while Dove is on the defensive squad for the second year in a row.
2007-08 PHILLIPS 66 ALL-BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Michael Beasley, Kansas State, F, Fr., 6-10, 235, Washington, D.C./Notre Dame Prep [Mass.]
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Marcus Dove, Oklahoma State, G/F, Sr., 6-9, 215, Long Beach, Calif./Millikan
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
DeMarre Carroll, Missouri, F, Jr., 6-8, 225, Birmingham, Ala./John Carroll/Vanderbilt
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Michael Beasley, Kansas State, F, Fr., 6-10, 235, Washington, D.C./Notre Dame Prep [Mass.]
SIXTH MAN AWARD
Sherron Collins, Kansas, G, So., 5-11, 200, Chicago, Ill./Crane
COACH OF THE YEAR
Rick Barnes, Texas [Career: 444-225, 21st season; At UT: 242-91, 10th season]
All-Big 12 First Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Curtis Jerrells, Baylor G 6-1 200 Jr. Austin, Texas/Del Valle
Darrell Arthur, Kansas F 6-9 230 So. Dallas, Texas/South Oak Cliff
Brandon Rush, Kansas G 6-6 210 Jr. Kansas City, Mo./Mt. Zion Academy [N.C.]
Michael Beasley, Kansas State** F 6-10 235 Fr. Washington, D.C./Notre Dame Prep [Mass.]
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma F 6-10 243 Fr. Oklahoma City, Okla./Oklahoma Christian School
D.J. Augustin, Texas** G 6-0 180 So. New Orleans, La./Brother Martin
All-Big 12 Second Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Mario Chalmers, Kansas G 6-1 195 Jr. Anchorage, Alaska/Bartlett
Aleks Maric, Nebraska C 6-11 275 Sr. Sydney, Australia/Australian Institute for Sport/Life Center [N.J.]
A.J. Abrams, Texas G 5-11 155 Jr. Round Rock, Texas/McNeil
Damion James, Texas F 6-7 230 So. Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches
Martin Zeno, Texas Tech G 6-5 208 Sr. Sulphur, La./Sulphur
All-Big 12 Third Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Richard Roby, Colorado G 6-6 200 Sr. San Bernardino, Calif./Lawrence Academy [Mass.]
Jiri Hubalek, Iowa State C 6-11 240 Sr. Prague, Czech Republic/Marshalltown CC
Darnell Jackson, Kansas F 6-8 250 Sr. Oklahoma City, Okla./Midwest City
Bill Walker, Kansas State F 6-6 220 Fr. Huntington, W. Va./North College Hill [Ohio]
Byron Eaton, Oklahoma State G 5-11 215 Jr. Dallas, Texas/Lincoln
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Listed alphabetically by school)
Henry Dugat (Baylor), Kevin Rogers (Baylor), Wesley Johnson (Iowa State), DeMarre Carroll (Missouri), James Anderson (Oklahoma State),
Marcus Dove (Oklahoma State), Josh Carter (Texas A&M), Joseph Jones (Texas A&M)
Big 12 All-Defensive Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Rahshon Clark, Iowa State F 6-6 210 Sr. Queens, N.Y./Beach Channel/Bridgton Academy [Maine]
Mario Chalmers, Kansas G 6-1 195 Jr. Anchorage, Alaska/Bartlett
Russell Robinson, Kansas G 6-1 200 Sr. New York, N.Y./Rice
Marcus Dove, Oklahoma State** G/F 6-9 215 Sr. Long Beach, Calif./Millikan
Justin Mason, Texas G 6-2 198 So. Amarillo, Texas/Palo Duro
Big 12 All-Rookie Team Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School(s)
Michael Beasley, Kansas State** F 6-10 235 Fr. Washington, D.C./Notre Dame Prep [Mass.]
Bill Walker, Kansas State F 6-6 220 Fr. Huntington, W. Va./North College Hill [Ohio]
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma F 6-10 243 Fr. Oklahoma City, Okla./Oklahoma Christian School
James Anderson, Oklahoma State G/F 6-6 195 Fr. Junction City, Ark./Junction City
DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M F 7-0 255 Fr. Houston, Texas/Christian Life Center
** - Unanimous Selection Ties in the voting created an additional spot on the first team