TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2005
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
7A
BIG 12 BASKETBALL
'Kansan' picks players for own honor roll
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BY KELLIE ROBINETT
krobinett@hansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWITTER
Arizona St.
lington 12,
5, Oregon
Now that the Big 12 Men's Basketball season is finished, it's time to hand out awards.
The University Daily Kdnsan doesn't have hardware to hand out, but we are honoring the conference's most deserving basketball
players by immortalizing their names in today's paper.
Men's basketball writers Miranda Lenning and Kellis Robinett, along with sports editor Bill Cross and associate sports editor Jonathan Kealing, voted on the teams.
Player of the year: Wayne Simien, Kansas
The senior forward led the Big 12 in scoring, rebounding and double doubles, but because of a mid-season injury he only locked up the league's top honor after his 32-point game against Oklahoma State. Newsmaker of the year Tai Gray
Gray, a junior college transfer, thrived this season. The junior forward topped the Big 12 in field goal percentage and blocked shots.
Newcomer of the year. 14) Gray,
Oklahoma
Freshman of the year: Daniel Gibson Texas
The Longhorns lost two starters early in the conference season, but still managed to finish with an above .500 league mark. Gibson, a guard, was the main reason. He averaged nearly 15 points a game, and had the best single game freshman performance by recording 27 points and 10 rebounds against Oklahoma State.
Coach of the year: Billy Gillispie,
Tennessee A&M
The job Gillispie did with the Aggies in his first year is remarkable. He took a team that went 0-16 in league play a year ago and turned it into an NIT team. Basketball has never been popular in College Station, Texas, but Reed Arena drew several sell out crowds this season. Gillispie may also be the national coach of the year.
When the Jayhawks needed a bucket, coach Bill Self gave the ball to Langford. His driving ability is difficult to stop, and he takes his game to a higher level
Sixth man of the years
Johnnie Gilbert, Oklahoma
when the game is on the line
The senior forward plays only 17 minutes a game, but he always seems to give the Sooners a spark. At 6-foot-8, 228 pounds, he gives Oklahoma a solid defender.
Clutch performer of the year:
Keith Langford, Kansas
Defensive player of the year: Kevin Bookout, Oklahoma A 259-pound senior forward, Bookout, doesn't fear fouls. With the confidence to take risks on
defense. Bookout has become a legitimate stopper.
Most surprising player of the year: Ronald Ross, Texas Tech
It was close, but Ross edged out Kansas junior forward Christian Moody. They were both recruited as walk-ons, but Ross is the leader for a Texas Tech team that defeated Kansas.
Most disappointing player of the year: J.R. Giddens, Kansas and P.J. Tucker, Texas
These players split the award for very different reasons. Giddens went into a shooting slump and failed to score against Oklahoma State last week. Tucker was ruled academically ineligible and sat out most of the conference season.
Player with best hairi leermiah Massev, Kansas State
Massey wins more by default than anything else.
What a surprise. Dub makes it on the Big 12's first team after winning player of the year. He was a unanimous selection.
2 John Lucas, Oklahoma State
Here's another unanimous first teamer. The senior guard led the Cowboys in assists, with just more than five a game, and also averaged 18 points a contest. He is quick and has good vision. He also shoots lights out.
1. Wayne Simien, Kansas
3. Joey Graham, Oklahoma State
AP BIG 12 BASKETBALL HONOR ROLL
First Team:
The last unanimous choice by the Kansan committee. The senior forward averaged nearly 18 points a game and made more than half his three-point attempts. He was also the Big 12's best free-throw shooter. 4 Antine Wright, Texas A&M
Wright finally showed the potential, which made him a blue chip high school recruit. He scored more than 17 points a game. His best game came at Colorado, where he scored 52 points and led Texas A&M to its first conference road win.
5. Aaron Miles, Kansas
NAMES
First Team:
♦ Wayne Simien
♦ Joey Graham
♦ John Lucas
♦ Ronald Ross
♦ Antoine Wright
The Associated Press All-Big 12 Conference teams:
POSITION
NAME
Forward
Forward
Guard
Guard
Forward
SCHOOL
Second Team:
Second team:
* Taj Gray
* Curtis Stinson
* Aaron Miles
* Jeremiah Massey
* Keith Lanford
Forward
Oklahoma
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Kansas
Kansas
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State
Texas Tech
Texas A&M
Third Team:
Guard
Guard
Forward
Forward
Forward
Forward
Guard
Guard
Forward
Guard
- Aaron Bruce
* Daniel Gibson
* Linas Kleiza
* Kevin Bookout
* Brad Buckman
Source: The Associated Press
HONDRABLE MENTION;
Jared Homan, Iowa State; Jarris Jackson, Texas Tech;
Richard Roby, Colorado; Joe McCray, Nebraska; Ivan
McFarlin, Oklahoma State; Joseph Jones, Texas A&M;
Terrell Everett, Oklahoma; Acie Law, Texas A&M.
Miles doesn't have the flashiest stats, other than his league leading seven assists per game, but he brings unmatched leadership to the court. He has been instrumental in several victories this season and made the key play in a victory against Oklahoma State.
Second Team:
1. Jeremiah Massey, Kansas State
The senior forward was constantly double-teamed, but he always managed to fight through it. He averaged 18 points and seven rebounds a contest. In a game against Colorado, he scored 28 points and pulled down 19 rebounds.
2 Tai Frey Oklahoma
The newcomer of the year finds himself on our second team, despite receiving a vote for first team honors.
3. Curtis Stinson. Iowa State
2. Taj Gray, Oklahoma
The sophomore guard had a breakout season. By averaging more than 17 points and three assists; he led the Cyclones to a possible tournament berth.
4. Keith Lanford, Kansas
3. Curtis Stinson, Iowa State
Easily the best second half player in the conference. Unfortunately, the senior guard didn't always tear it up in the first period. He averaged 15 points a game. F. Paulson Trauma Tech
Ross finished the year as the conference's leader in steals. He also finished eighth in scoring. He averaged 17 points and 5
. Ronald Ross, Texas Tech
rebounds per game. The senior guard was Tech's best player.
Third Team:
1. Daniel Gibson, Texas
Our freshman of the year found his way onto one of our grown-up teams as well.
2. Aaron Bruce, Bavlor
He finished league play as the second-best scorer. He averaged nearly 19 points a game. His 33-point effort against Oklahoma State was the highest single-game mark of the season.
3. Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech
By averaging more than 14 points a game the sophomore guard became a valuable asset. He came through for the Red Raiders in several games, and his 32-point game at Oklahoma earned him third team honors.
4. Acie Law, Texas A&M
Law's appearance on our third team is proof that long shots can come home. Law scored more than 20 points a few times this season, but his passing got the most attention. He finished behind only Miles in the assist column, and dished out a conference-high 14 assists against Missouri.
5. Terrell Everett, Oklahoma
CBSSportsline.com ranks the freshman as the third-best center in the country. Jared Homan, Iowa State
The junior guard finished the season second to Miles in assists, in conference. The Sooners aren't known for scoring, but Everett got the ball to his teammates.
Honorable Mention:
Joseph Jones, Texas A&M
The senior helped Iowa State to a seven game winning streak. Linas Kleiza, Missouri
Has the talent to be on one of
above teams, but was benched for part of the season because of disciplinary reasons. Jason Klotz, Texas
The senior forward was a solid low post presence. Richard Roby, Colorado
Averaged more than 17 points a game, and led team to four conference victories.
Kevin Bookout. Oklahoma
Our defensive player of the year couldn't quite make it on one of our top three teams.
Will Blalock, Iowa State
The sophomore is a solid defender who can also pass
Ivan McFarlin,
Oklahoma State
The guard averaged more than 12 points a game.
Aaron Bruce, Bayn
Freshmen Team:
1. Daniel Gibson, Texas
The only player honored three times by the Kansan. 2, Aaron Bruce, Baylor
3. Joe McCray, Nebraska
5. JamesOn Curry, Oklahoma State
Bruce also makes all freshmen team. Joe McCray.
Opponents are already wishing North Carolina kept him.
No honorable mention this time. Roby is one of the league's five best freshmen.
Averaged more than 15 points a game for the Huskers.
Jayhawk Killers:
1. Curtis Stinson, Iowa State
4. Richard Roby,
Colorado
Hit the game-winner against Kansas, along with 29 points.
2. Decor Dora Texas Tech
2. Darryl Dora, Texas Tech
Jimmy McKinney, Missouri
John Lucas, Oklahoma State
Made a fade away three pointer that sent Kansas into a three game tail spin.
2. John Lucas, Oklahoma State
4. Joe McCray, Nebraska
Made three-pointers to give Missouri first home victory against Kansas in four years.
Only missed two shots in a 22-point effort against the Jayhawks.
All Seymour Butts Team
His 19 points and seven rebounds nearly gave Nebraska an upset victory at Allen Fieldhouse.
5. Jimmy McKinney, Missouri
(Players with the best names):
1. Mamadou Diene, Baylor
2. Guy kipha, Oklahoma State
3. Roscoe Biggers, Baylor
4. Longar Longar, Oklahoma
5. Moulaye Niang, Kansas