The Best of the Best

I’m not going to play games. I’m not going to make excuses and dance around the subject. I suck. This was supposed to be my big year. This was supposed to be my coming out party. I even bought the streamers, kazoos, and party hats. I was supposed to uphold a prestigious college basketball blog that would be fun to write, read, and score me points for future job opportunities. Well, fail, fail, and definitely fail. I guess I underestimated how hard junior year is, but at the same time I underestimated how lazy I am, and just really expected too much out of myself. No more disappointment though; I am going to salvage what is left of this college basketball season and write the hell out of this blog. “Hold on to your long johns, Bobby!!!”

First Team All-Americans

James Harden, Guard, Arizona State- Of the five positions on the first team, this is certainly the most debatable and up-for-grabs spot. The other four have been for the most part a given, but for me this is a lock too. There is no question it should be Harden. He does it all for the Sun Devils. He leads the Pac-10 in scoring at 20.8 per contest, and is second on his team in rebounding and assists. Let’s face it, most college basketball fans can’t even name another player on the team, yet Harden has kept the Sun Devils in the Top 25 all season. He’s always been a slashy-scorer type who can put points up in many ways, and he’s put his weakness to bed by shooting 37.6% from distance this year.

Stephen Curry, Guard, Davidson- Obvious choice here. Despite being the sole focus of every single team Davidson plays defensively, Curry still manages a measly 28.4 ppg, only good enough to lead the nation. And there’s no excuse that he is doing so well because he plays subpar competition; 44 points at Oklahoma, 44 against NC St., 27 and 10 assists against West Virginia, and 29 and 8 boards at Duke. He’s proven himself more than just a shooter. He has adapted his game to how defenses play him and he has become better off the dribble, and a better passer (6.4 apg). The kid’s a gamer and he belongs on this team.

Blake Griffin, Forward, Oklahoma- Another no-brainer. Griffin is a man amongst boys when he steps on the court. He’s faster, stronger, and more athletic than everyone he goes up against. The guy gets 22 and 14 a night. He’s the LeBron James of the college game (no disrespect to LeBron, I’m not making a legit comparison here). He has kept OU in the top 5 all season and has made everyone around him better. They are a definite title contender, although they don’t seem to have that rep. But trust me, with Griffin, they are.

Luke Harangody, Forward, Notre Dame- Shrek is in baby. I don’t care that his team has been more disappointing this year than the Asian kid’s performance when Clint Eastwood locks him in the basement at the end of Gran Torino, numbers don’t lie. In the toughest conference in the nation, a conference filled to the brim with talented big men, he’s going to lead the Big East in scoring again, and he’s only half a rebound per game behind Dejaun Blair in that category. It may look like he has less control over where his shot goes than Rick Ankiel did over his pitches, but somehow he’s a sniper.
And not only is he on my first team, he’s getting a nomination for the All-Ugly team (release date TBD).

Tyler Hansbrough, Forward, North Carolina- I’m glad that he’s making the most of his game right now in college, because I don’t think he’ll last more than a couple years in the NBA. His ability to make ridiculous shots with contact is mind-blowing, but at the next level that’s not even going to be an issue. He’s going to eat his own shot every time he tries to get it off. But I’m not a hater; I completely respect his work ethic and determination. That’s what college basketball is all about, and that’s how he gets 21 and 8 every game against guys that may be bigger and more talented.

Second Team

Jeff Teague, Guard, Wake Forest- He’s the go-to-guy for the Baby Deacons averaging 19.6 ppg, and he’s turned Wake into a legitimate Final Four contender in my opinion. His posterization of Dave Neal cemented his spot on this team ahead of Sherron Collins and Nick Calathes.

Jerel McNeal, Guard, Marquette- In a league dominated by bruisers down low, Marquette has held their own with three outstanding guards, the best being McNeal. He’s their leading scorers at 19.8 per, and he’s one of the best defenders in the conference. They’ll need even more out of him now down the stretch without James though.

Jodie Meeks, Guard, Kentucky- “Oh, hey, what’s up Jodie? Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” That’s what everyone is saying to Meeks right about now. I had no idea this guy was going to erupt for 25 ppg and be the fifth leading scorer in the nation. He’s just a flat out scorer. My apologies for not noticing your talent before.

Sam Young, Forward, Pittsburgh- I love this guy’s game because he is a mismatch nightmare. He can score inside against smaller defenders or shoot over the top of them outside, and he can blow by bigger, slower defenders. Fields and Blair are a huge reason for Pitt’s success, but Young is the heart.

Hasheem Thabeet, Center, Connecticut- He doesn’t have the stats that Blair and Patterson have, but neither of them, actually no one, affects the game like Thabeet does. Teams have to change their entire game plan when they play UConn because this 7’3” monster roams the paint like no one else with 4.5 blocks per. The best way I can describe is to think of Big Foot in Munchkin Land.

Third Team

Sherron Collins, Guard, Kansas
Nick Calathes, Guard, Florida
Tyler Smith, Forward, Tennessee
Patrick Patterson, Forward, Kentucky
Dejuan Blair, Forward, Pittsburgh


Player of the Year

Blake Griffin- My heart says Curry, but my mind says Griffin. He’s just too damn consistent and too damn beastly. You know he’s going to get his numbers every night, and there’s nothing you can do to stop him.