SEC hoops season awards
John Wall has elevated the play of his Kentucky teammates this season.
The Associated PressPublished: Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.
It's been an exciting Southeastern Conference basketball season, with Kentucky emerging as a national title contender and two other teams in the east division (Vanderbilt, Tennessee) capable of making a Sweet 16 run.
With the season winding down, here's a look at some of the best the league had to offer this season:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The choice: John Wall, Kentucky
Worthy of consideration: DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky; Devan Downey, South Carolina
Analysis: Give Wall the nod over Cousins because he came up with the biggest plays and biggest shots in crunch time during the course of the season. Remember, Wall's block of Vanderbilt freshman guard John Jenkins sealed UK's 58-56 crucial second win against the Commodores. Downey was lights out for South Carolina early before an ankle injury slowed him in the second half of the season.
COACH OF THE YEAR
The choice: John Calipari, Kentucky
Worthy of consideration: Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt; Bruce Pearl, Tennessee
Analysis: Did Calipari merely do what was expected with the talent he had, or do you give him credit for assembling the talent? It's never easy to satisfy Big Blue Nation and play three freshmen in the starting lineup, but Calipari has done both in his first season with the Wildcats while installing his dribble-drive offense. Pearl deserves credit for winning 10 or more games in the league without arguably his best player, senior power forward Tyler Smith.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
The choice: Chandler Parsons, Florida
Worthy of consideration: Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas; Travis Leslie, Georgia
Analysis: Parsons gets the close nod over Leslie because he's transformed his game this season, attacking the basket more and crashing the glass for offensive rebounds. Parsons also has come up with clutch shots to win games against South Carolina and North Carolina State. Leslie has harnessed his athletic talent for Georgia in his sophomore season and is one of the best defenders in the league.
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
The choice: Jermaine Beal, Vanderbilt
Worthy of consideration: Trey Thompkins, Georgia; DeWayne Reed, Auburn
Analysis: Beal is one of the steadiest point guards in college basketball, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than two to one (91 to 44). His floor leadership is a big reason why Vanderbilt has remained in contention with Kentucky for the SEC overall title. Thompkins is second in the SEC in scoring (17.6 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (8.0 rpg).
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
The choice: John Wall, Kentucky
Worthy of consideration: DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky; Marshawn Powell, Arkansas
Analysis: Again, give the nod to Wall, who leads the league in assists at 6.2 per game and makes everyone around him better. Cousins has been a brute around the basket this season with 18 double-doubles, a UK freshman record.
With the season winding down, here's a look at some of the best the league had to offer this season:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The choice: John Wall, Kentucky
Worthy of consideration: DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky; Devan Downey, South Carolina
Analysis: Give Wall the nod over Cousins because he came up with the biggest plays and biggest shots in crunch time during the course of the season. Remember, Wall's block of Vanderbilt freshman guard John Jenkins sealed UK's 58-56 crucial second win against the Commodores. Downey was lights out for South Carolina early before an ankle injury slowed him in the second half of the season.
COACH OF THE YEAR
The choice: John Calipari, Kentucky
Worthy of consideration: Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt; Bruce Pearl, Tennessee
Analysis: Did Calipari merely do what was expected with the talent he had, or do you give him credit for assembling the talent? It's never easy to satisfy Big Blue Nation and play three freshmen in the starting lineup, but Calipari has done both in his first season with the Wildcats while installing his dribble-drive offense. Pearl deserves credit for winning 10 or more games in the league without arguably his best player, senior power forward Tyler Smith.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
The choice: Chandler Parsons, Florida
Worthy of consideration: Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas; Travis Leslie, Georgia
Analysis: Parsons gets the close nod over Leslie because he's transformed his game this season, attacking the basket more and crashing the glass for offensive rebounds. Parsons also has come up with clutch shots to win games against South Carolina and North Carolina State. Leslie has harnessed his athletic talent for Georgia in his sophomore season and is one of the best defenders in the league.
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
The choice: Jermaine Beal, Vanderbilt
Worthy of consideration: Trey Thompkins, Georgia; DeWayne Reed, Auburn
Analysis: Beal is one of the steadiest point guards in college basketball, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than two to one (91 to 44). His floor leadership is a big reason why Vanderbilt has remained in contention with Kentucky for the SEC overall title. Thompkins is second in the SEC in scoring (17.6 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (8.0 rpg).
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
The choice: John Wall, Kentucky
Worthy of consideration: DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky; Marshawn Powell, Arkansas
Analysis: Again, give the nod to Wall, who leads the league in assists at 6.2 per game and makes everyone around him better. Cousins has been a brute around the basket this season with 18 double-doubles, a UK freshman record.
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