| 04 January 2012
The Hoops Manifesto has teamed up with the best hoops writers in cyberspace to vote on our 2011/12 NCAA All-American teams. These teams will be updated monthly going forward until the end of the college hoops season next spring. So, after two months of action, here are the fifteen best players in the nation based on our not-so-humble opinion.
Voters: Jeff Fox from The Hoops Manifesto, Perry Missner from College Fantasy Hoops Insider, Kevin Cacabelos of Seatown Sports, Ray Bala who writes The Can Ball Report on Raptors HQ, and Cub Buenning from SLAM.
First Team All-Americans
Marcus Denmon - Guard - Missouri - Senior
18.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 spg, 39-87 3Pts
Jeremy Lamb - Guard/Forward - Connecticut - Sophomore
18.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, 36-87 3Pts
Anthony Davis - Forward - Kentucky - Freshman
12.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 4.5 bpg, 1.4 spg
Thomas Robinson - Forward - Kansas - Junior
17.7 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 1.4 spg
Jared Sullinger - Forward - Ohio State - Sophomore
16.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.2 spg
Synopsis: Jared Sullinger might have had a tough December, but apparently in the eyes of our voting panel he is still the front runner for Player of the Year honours. Speaking of POY, Kansas's Thomas Robinson really should be given serious consideration for the award, if he can keep up his current pace. 30 points and 21 boards his last game, albeit against North Daktota. Ridiculous. Look out SEC - Anthony Davis seems to be getting better and better with each game, which is a scary proposition for opponents. Meanwhile, Jeremy Lamb continues to excel in his role as lead dog for the Huskies and, in the process, improve his NBA draft stock. And welcome to the All-American First Team, Marcus Denmon - you (and Mizzou) have been lights out this season so far.
Second Team All-Americans
Austin Rivers - Guard - Duke - Freshman
15.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg
William Buford - Guard - Ohio State - Senior
15.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.6 apg, 12-23 3Pts
Doug McDermott - Forward - Creighton - Sophomore
23.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 29-50 3Pts
Harrison Barnes - Forward - North Carolina - Sophomore
17.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 19-39 3Pts
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - Forward - Kentucky - Freshman
13.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg
Synopsis: After back-to-back dud performances in mid-December, Harrison Barnes has started to turn it on again, just in time for ACC play. There is no such thing as a dud performance for Creighton's Doug McDermott, who continues to have an amazing sophomore campaign and has propelled the Bluejays into the national rankings. Freshman forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (who is only 6'7") had 24 points and 19 rebounds versus Louisville. 'Nuff said. While he has been a lightning rod for criticism, the truth of the matter is Austin Rivers has been a very efficient scorer for Duke, especially for a freshman. The Buckeyes need senior leader William Buford to regain his shooting touch (he is 0-7 from deep in his last two games) if they are to survive in the Big Ten this year.
Third Team All-Americans
Shabazz Napier - Guard - Connecticut - Sophomore
14.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.4 apg, 2.0 spg
Will Barton - Guard - Memphis - Sophomore
19.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.1 bpg
Kevin Jones - Forward - West Virginia - Senior
20.0 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg
Draymond Green - Forward - Michigan State - Senior
15.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.3 bpg
John Henson - Forward - North Carolina - Junior
15.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.2 bpg
Synopsis: John Henson is having by far his best season of his collegiate career. Now if he could only hit a free throw. Draymond Green's stat sheet stuffing ways has spurred the Spartans onto 14-straight wins and into the group of elite teams in the nation. Sophomore Shabazz Napier is putting up ridiculous numbers this season for the Huskies. Kemba who? Kevin Jones has been dominant for West Virginia this season and hardly comes off the floor - he is average 37 minutes a game. You read those stats right for Will Barton - the 175lb guard is grabbing over nine boards a night for the Tigers.
Check back with The Hoops Manifesto every second Sunday as we unveil our Fab Four Plus One: the four best teams in the NCAA right now, plus the best non-BCS team in the nation.
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