Now that every team has reached the mid point of their regular season, and while conference time has begun for some, I can think of no better time than this to name some meaningless mid season All-American teams. The few selected have proven to be the most valuable players so far during the first two months of the season. Only time, and conference play, will tell if any of these players will remain on the list come season’s end. Till then, see (and mock) my mid season All-Americans below.
1st Team
Doug McDermott – Creighton (So 6’-7 F) 23.9 ppg 8.4 reb 1.2 ast
The Bluejays of Creighton, out of the Missouri Valley Conference, would be on the good side of the bubble if the NCAA selection show were held today thanks to the three wins over BIG 10 opponents so far, and the play of Doug McDermott. McDermott, the second leading scorer in the country, has been one of the biggest surprises this year in college basketball, and by March, everyone will know this name.
Anthony Davis – Kentucky (Fr 6’-10 C) 12.7 ppg 10.6 reb 4.5 blk
No one in college basketball can alter the other team’s offensive game plan more than the lengthy Davis. His ability to alter shots from anywhere on the floor leads teams to play outside of their game plan. Teams like Louisville and Kansas, that have guards that can get to the basket, took less chances at the rim due to the the length and savvy of Davis. Regarded as the consensus overall number one pick in next year’s NBA draft based on potential, Davis is proving that the future is now. His offensive game is secondary at this point, but his impact on the defensive end lands him on this list.
Thomas Robinson – Kansas (Jr 6-10 F) 17.7 ppg 12.2 reb 2 ast
Perhaps the most valuable player in college basketball to his team thus far has been Robinson. His energy ignites his team, his leadership guides his team, and his play has lead his team to a 11-3 record. This is not your father’s Kansas Jayhawk team, or your older brother’s for that matter, but Robinson’s play throughout the first half of the season is one reason Bill Self’s squad has a legitimate shot to win their 8th straight conference title with less talent than ever before. His 30 points and 21 rebounds against North Dakota might have been the best performance we have seen this season by anyone in college basketball.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Kentucky (Fr 6’-7 F) 13.9 ppg 8 reb 2 ast
If you would have asked anyone at the beginning of the year who would be considered the leader of the prohibitive favorite to win the National Title Kentucky Wildcats, you could have thought of three or four names before you got to the freshman from Somerdale, New Jersey. Terrance Jones and Doron Lamb were returning from a Final Four run last year and were showered with preseason awards, Anthony Davis came into the season with as much hype as anyone I can remember since the last guy that came into Kentucky, and we were told that senior Darius Miller was all set to step into the role Patrick Patterson played on the young Wildcat team that lost only three games two years ago. However, Kidd-Gilchrist has brought the energy from day one, and took over the leadership role shortly thereafter. While Michael doesn’t put up the stats that others on this list do, there is no question that he is the main spark that has led to UK living up to expectations thus far at 14-1.
Jeremy Lamb – Connecticut (So 6’-5 G/F) 18.9 ppg 4.2 reb 2 st
Lamb’s season began right where it left off last year. As a surprise complimentary part to Kemba Walker’s National Championship Huskies, Lamb ended the year putting up huge numbers and has carried over the confidence in his game to this year’s much more talented, but less experienced team. The added pressure of being “the guy” at a program like Connecticut, especially following Walker, hasn’t hampered Lamb’s play at all. Lamb has embraced the leadership role on a team that has several future NBA players, and with his past performance on the biggest of stages, look for Connecticut to have another deep run in March.
2nd Team
Draymond Green – Michigan State (Sr 6’-7 F) 15.6 ppg 10 reb 3.3 ast
Harrison Barnes – North Carolina (So 6’-8 F) 17.1 ppg 4.8 reb 1.2 ast
Jared Sullinger – Ohio State (So 6’-9 F) 16.4 ppg 9.7 reb 1.1 ast
Kenny Boynton – Florida (Jr 6’-2 G) 19.5 ppg 2.5 reb 3.1 ast
Marcus Denmon – Missouri (Sr 6’-3 G) 18.8 ppg 4.9 reb 2.3 ast
Honorable Mention
Austin Rivers – Duke
Jason Clark – Georgetown
Tim Hardaway Jr. – Michigan
Isaiah Canann – Murray State
Damian Lillard – Weber State
