Morning Brew: Big 12 basketball awards

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By Asher Fusco

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

With the nonconference schedule and nearly half of the Big 12 Conference season behind us, it’s high time for a midseason awards briefing.

Big 12 Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma forward

This one is a no-brainer. Griffin is Michael Beasley, minus a reliable jumper, plus a will to compete. Griffin is easily the conference’s best rebounder and among its most efficient scorers.

Runner up: Cole Aldrich, Kansas center

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year: Denis Clemente, Kansas State guard

The crop of incoming transfers is thin this season in the Big 12. So much so that Kansas forward Mario Little (12 minutes per game) might have snagged this one if not for Clemente’s 44-point explosion this past weekend in a Kansas State victory at Texas. The Miami transfer is Kansas State’s best scorer and best perimeter defender.

Runner up: Mario Little, Kansas forward

Big 12 Freshman of the Year: Willie Warren, Oklahoma guard

Warren’s transition from high school stud to starter at Oklahoma hasn’t been consistently smooth, but the rugged 6-foot-4 wing is improving by the game. Warren is hard to stop when he drives and he gets plenty of open outside shots when defenses double-team Griffin.

Runner up: Jamar Samuels, Kansas State forward

Midseason All-Big 12 team:

Sherron Collins, Kansas guard — The Jayhawks would have a few more in the loss column if not for Collins’ heroics.

Obi Muonelo, Oklahoma State guard — Chronically overlooked, Muonelo is a 41 percent three-point shooter who grabs nine rebounds per game.

Craig Brackins, Iowa State forward — Kansas fans saw Brackins at his versatile best two weekends ago when he dropped 42 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort.

Blake Griffin, Oklahoma forward — He’s a force of nature around the basket.

Cole Aldrich, Kansas center — Aldrich could be the nation’s most improved player. He’s come from eight minutes per game as a freshman to being the second most productive player in the Big 12.

Honorable mention:

Cory Higgins, Colorado guard; James Anderson, Oklahoma State guard; Curtis Jerrells, Baylor guard; DeMarre Carrol, Missouri forward; Damion James, Texas forward.

Women’s Midseason All-Big 12 team:

Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State guard — The Cowgirls have disappointed a bit, but Riley averages 24 points per game.

Shalee Lehning, Kansas State guard — Lehning is a threat to record a triple-double every time out.

Danielle McCray, Kansas guard — McCray carries Kansas night in and night out.

Danielle Wilson, Baylor forward — Top 10 in the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding.

Courtney Paris, Oklahoma forward — A double-double machine.

— — Edited by Susan Melgren

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