Early Season College Basketball Rewards

With finals weeks going on throughout the country, we are about at the quarter point of the college basketball season. With that come my quarter season rewards. Many of these may change as the season unfolds, but here are my thoughts on college basketball at this point:

Best Team: Indiana

They started the season ranked first and they have lived up to the billing. They boast the nations best offense and have become a top 10 defensive team as well (says Ken Pomeroy). They have an elite big man in Cody Zeller, defender in Victor Oladipo, shooter in Jordan Hulls, passer in Yogi Ferrell, sixth man in Will Sheehey, and X-Factor in Christian Watford. They have a great coach and tremendous depth as well.

Also considered: Duke, Michigan

Best Resume: Duke

Indiana is a better team, but the Blue Devils would be ranked #1 overall if we were seeding the NCAA Tournament. Neutral court wins over Kentucky, Louisville, VCU, and Minnesota are impressive. They have also beaten Ohio State and Temple. Nobody has had a better first quarter than this team.

Also considered: Nobody

Surprise Team: Illinois

The 10-0 Fighting Illini are looking great early on. Winning the Maui Invitational was impressive, but backing that up with a win in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and beating Gonzaga on the road were huge statements. This team is for real and they are led by one of the best backcourts in the country.

Also considered: Cincinnati, New Mexico, Oklahoma State

Most Disappointing Team: UCLA

I picked the Bruins to make the Final Four this year and they haven't even looked like a top 25 team. Three losses already isn't what I envisioned, especially when one of them was a home loss to Cal Poly. Shabazz Muhammed and Kyle Anderson haven't dominated like most thought they would; plus, two impact players announced their intent to transfer, one of those being ultra-talented Josh Smith. He may go down as the most disappointing Bruin of all time.

Also considered: Wisconsin, Kentucky

Player of the Year: Michael Carter-Williams

I wasn't that high on the Orangemen this year until I saw how Carter-Williams was playing. He has turned them into a National Title Contender for sure. He is so versatile and is a threat for a triple-double every night. His averages are 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 10.4 assists (best in country), 3.8 steals (third in country), and 1 block per game. His play will fuel a deep March run and he has turned himself into a lottery pick.

Also considered: Cody Zeller, Doug McDermott, Mason Plumlee

Freshman of the Year: Anthony Bennett

UNLV may have just lost Mike Moser to injury yesterday, but Bennett has been their best player to date. He is a force in the paint and I'm just thankful he didn't end up at Kentucky (sorry, little biased). He is averaging 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and an assist and steal in every game. He becomes even more important now due to that Moser injury.

Also considered: Marcus Smart

Defensive Player of the Year: Jeff Withey

The main thing you need to know about Withey is 5.6 blocks per game. That's crazy! Anthony Davis averaged 4.7 last year and people thought he was God of blocking shots. We'll see if he can continue that pace through the conference season but he can get a hand on anything. His ability to alter shots when opponents gets in the lane is a big reason why Kansas is a team to reckon with.

Also considered: Aaron Craft, Victor Oladipo

Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo

Michael Carter-Williams is another no-brainer here but since he won POY, I went in this direction. Oladipo is arguably the best perimeter defender in the game and he brings tremendous energy every night. His offense has improved too as his 12.7 points per game is good for second in the Hoosiers balanced attack (behind Zeller). I would go as far to say that if he was taken off of Indiana's team, they wouldn't have a chance to win it all this season.

Also considered: Michael Carter-Williams, Andre Hollins, Alex Len

Most Disappointing Player: Trevor Mbakwe

First off, his start to the year really doesn't matter because Minnesota is a great team regardless. Also, he is coming off major surgery which is why he is a bit lackluster so far. But for a guy people predicted as an All-Big Ten Team player and even an All-American, his play has been suspect. He can't even earn back his starting job and his off the court troubles have been well publicized. His averages of 8.7 points and 6.5 rebounds sound better than what they really are. The Golden Gophers will be a tourney team, but to become elite, they need the old Trevor back.

Also considered: Derrick Nix, Ian Miller

Coach of the Year: John Groce

Groce is not just doing a great job, but he is doing it all in his first year at Illinois. He changed how they play and is working with a team that I think isn't near as talented as their 10-0 record indicates. But he is simply getting the best out of his players, and is making all the right decisions in their big games. Keeping them focused and motivated was something he did well coming home from Maui.

Also considered: Tom Crean, Mike Krzyzewski, John Beilein

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

By: Andrew Miller