Midseason College Awards

Conference season is well under way, as we are now about halfway through the year. A lot has changed since I handed out awards last time, but so much is the same. Let’s take a look:

Best Team: Arizona

Arizona is here because they are equally good on both sides of the ball. They have great versatility, speed, and size, which helps them play great team defense and maintain a balanced offense. Nick Johnson has emerged as a special player.

Previously: Arizona

Also considered: Syracuse, Michigan State

Best Resume: Arizona

The most important number here is 0, which is the number of losses they have. They also win on the road with ease, already winning at San Diego State, Michigan, and UCLA. They also have a neutral court win over Duke. They have another 5 wins against the RPI Top 100, and that doesn’t include a win over UNLV.

Previously: Wisconsin

Also considered: Syracuse, Michigan State

Surprise Team: San Diego State

It was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but the Aztecs are a Top 10 team with a solo loss to Arizona. They play great team basketball and are now the heavy favorite in the Mountain West.

Previously: Massachusetts

Also considered: UMASS, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Oklahoma

Most Disappointing Team: Marquette

They are just brutal. They were ranked in every poll to start the year and they have stunk it up. Their record is 10-8, which means they are barely eligible right now for the NIT.

Previously: Michigan

Also considered: Indiana, UNC, VCU, Notre Dame

Player of the Year: Doug McDermott

There are plenty of candidates, many I didn’t list, but Doug is averaging about 25 points per game this year. Insane considering he’s playing in a legit conference now and teams simply cannot stop him. It’s clearly his award to lose.

Previously: Shabazz Napier

Also considered: Nick Johnson, CJ Fair

Freshman of the Year: Jabari Parker

This was a tough call, as Ennis nearly claimed this award, Embiid is coming on strong, Randle is carrying the Wildcats, and Gordon stars for Arizona (undefeated and #1). But Parker is still putting up over 19 points per game and leads Duke in rebounding (7.3) from the forward spot.

Previously: Jabari Parker

Also considered: Tyler Ennis, Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Craft

Craft plays against the best players in the country and simply gets it done. He also spearheads the best defensive team in the country, and does so despite so much responsibility on offense that drains him. He deserves this reward.

Previously: Chris Obekpa

Also considered: Jordan Bachynski, Chris Obekpa, Briante Weber

Most Improved Player: Casey Prather

There are a lot of players that improved a lot over the last offseason. But Prather went from a 6.2 points per game player to a guy carrying Florida by scoring over 17 a game. It’s been a great transformation, and he’s a big reason why they are a Final Four threat.

Previously: Trevor Cooney

Also considered: Trevor Cooney, Nick Johnson

Most Disappointing Player: Mitch McGary

Unfair to put him here because he’s injured, but after his run in the NCAA Tourney last year I expected him to be crazy good this season. Never happened.

Previously: Rasheed Sulaimon

Also considered: Isaiah Austin, Laquinton Ross, Will Sheehey

Coach of the Year: Sean Miller

Everyone expected Arizona to be good, but Miller has gotten his team to play at an exceptional level, fully deserving of a #1 ranking. He has a young team too, which makes this even more impressive.

Previously: Sean Miller

Also considered: Jim Boeheim

Coach Now on the Hotseat: Nobody

I’m close now to putting some names here, but still a bit too early.

Previously: None

Also considered: None

Best Conference: Big Ten

Five ranked teams, another handful with NCAA tournament potential, but with bottom feeders that are capable of beating anyone (and they have). Like last year, this is a special conference.

Previously: Big Ten

Also considered: None

Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Voice your opinion in our comment section below. Later!

By: The Sports Guys