2012-13 Major All Conference Awards…..So Far

If you are talking about right now, than I think you have to have Richard Howell over Lorenzo Brown for NC State. I know Lorenzo is still putting up numbers, his shooting has been incredibly inconsistent, though. As I guess you are talking about the end of the season, still have a few changes I might make:

ACC: Looks pretty good. Still have a feeling that James Michael McAdoo could make this list, call me crazy. Just feel he might do well in conference, but right now everyone on your list is probably more deserving (Again, Lorenzo Brown getting thoroughly outplayed a few times might make me reluctant, though I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he will probably be better around conference play)

Big Ten: Aaron Craft does seem like a perennial favorite to get All-Conference 1st Team honors, though I have been impressed with the early play of Keith Appling. If they do well in conference, could see Appling getting honors over Craft.

SEC: Well, I might have said Boynton as well at the beginning of the year, but unless Florida full out dominates the conference, will be damned if I know what he has done much better than Archie Goodwin right now. Even Nerlens Noel’s early play leads one to believe he could have a chance at POY honors (certainly defensively). Would easily take Laurence Bowers or Alex Poythress over Mike Rosario as well. Florida could win the conference, but Kenny Boynton does little to lead me to believe he will be more impressive than a Goodwin, Noel, Bowers or Flip Pressey in conference play for the POY honors.

Big 12: Guess you are giving the freshman of the year award to someone besides the POY, though Marcus Smart is indeed a frosh. Also think that McLemore will be in conference POY contention as well, as a redshirt freshman. No major gripes besides that, though I will say that if Myck Kabongo gets his eligibility granted could see him making some definite noise in Big 12 play.

Mountain West: They are pretty solid this year. Franklin is the reigning POY, though I think it could be a battle between he and Bennett if he remains healthy. Think that Moser is out of it after that dislocated shoulder, might not be back until a few weeks after the new year. Not to mention, Bennett has completely stolen his thunder and Moser had not made a smooth transition to being more wing oriented. Old running joke here, but I think AI’s brother Colton might be up for a possible spot. Colorado State should be tough once again and gun for a tourney spot, he is leading the way and has looked pretty solid which should carry over to conference play. Plus think Deonte Burton definitely has to be in the running as well, would take him for Moser’s spot.

Big East: First team looks dead on, well done. This is a deep conference but I do not see anyone more deserving than the 5 guys you listed unless someone really steps up once league play begins. Have to say that while I am not as down on Adams as many, think that Jakarr Sampson has to be the favorite for freshman of the year. He may not be Moe Harkless, but he looks like he should win the Big East Freshman award much like Moe did last year.

West Coast: No major issues with the teams and have to believe that Harris looks like Gonzaga’s most likely to win the POY, plus they should dominate conference. Anthony Ireland is shooting lights out and Brandon Davies is playing really well right now, think they deserve consideration. One other guy to watch for is Kelly Olynyk, has looked quite good early on and should do very well in conference play.

Pac 12: Allen Crabbe has looked really good early on and should be among POY faves. Plus while I think Dinwiddie has been great, Andre Roberson is still the life blood of that Colorado team. Those guys are probably my two early favorites as well as Shabazz for POY. Solomon Hill is definitely in the running as well as I do believe Zona will be the best team in the conference, just think that their may be better POY candidates. Can’t wait to see Zona play Florida next weekend. If we are going off of early play, Jahii Carson should be in the conversation for freshman of the year. Have a lot of confidence in Shabazz and still expect UCLA to be a much better team in conference than ASU, but Carson has been fantastic. Think that Shabazz will be the best freshman on his team once conference play roles around, just also have to say Jordan Adams has helped UCLA bail out of a couple jams early on and seems like a top freshman as well, especially with UCLA having very little depth right now.