Introducing our first-, second- and third-team selections.
Marcus Smart, 6-5 sophomore PG, Oklahoma State
Points: 17.8 Rebounds: 5.4 Assists: 4.1
Why he’s here: The season has gotten a bit quiet for Smart since he declared his intentions to own 2013-14 with his overwhelming performance in a nonconference home victory over Memphis. Smart threw in 39 points and added five steals and four assists against the Tigers. It was not his only masterful performance—30 points against Purdue, plus 22 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists at West Virginia—but Smart hasn’t had quite the same stage lately. Don’t worry: OK State is scheduled for a nationally-televised Saturday afternoon visit to Kansas and Allen Fieldhouse this week.
Nick Johnson, 6-3 junior SG, Arizona
Points: 16.5 Rebounds: 3.5 FG pct.: 48.9
Why he’s here: Johnson has been the best player on the best team in college basketball. He defends the other team’s best guard, takes over the point when starter T.J. McConnell needs a break, serves as a punishing finisher on the fast break and as an important deep shooting option for a team that lags a bit in that department. He has been at his best in most of the Wildcats’ biggest games: 23 points at San Diego State; 22 at UCLA; 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and defense that held Michigan star Nik Stauskas to 4-of-11 shooting. His experience and leadership have been essential to a young team with a freshman starter and a transfer point guard.
Doug McDermott, 6-8 senior PF, Creighton
Points: 25.0 Rebounds: 7.3 3-point FG: 42.6
Why he’s here: Moving up to the Big East Conference hasn’t made much of a difference to McDermott, other than his scoring outbursts might be taken a bit more seriously. He hit Xavier for 35 points, and the Jays needed those points to win. He scored 30 on San Diego State’s excellent defense and has five 30-point games, including four against major opponents. He’s not racking up empty stats when Creighton plays low-majors. McDermott is on course to become one of the NCAA’s all-time career scoring leaders, with a shot at reaching the rarified air of the 3,000-point club by the Big East Tournament. If he can continue his production as he encounters more of the Big East’s best defenses, he will be difficult to beat as national player of the year.
Jabari Parker, 6-8 freshman PF, Duke
Points: 18.8 Rebounds: 7.3 3-point FG: 39.1
Why he’s here: A recent dip in production hasn’t diminished the amazing start to his college career. He leads the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Parker is a natural small forward who fits the college “stretch-4” prototype—a player who can rebound and defend as a power forward, but also make perimeter shots—but he has spent a lot of the time operating at center because the team lacks a big man coach Mike Krzyzewski trusts. Parker hit Kansas for 27 points in his second college game and got 22 against UCLA, but he began ACC play with a 5-of-20 3-point shooting slump. He remains among the most versatile and dynamic college players.
Kyle Anderson, 6-9 sophomore PG, UCLA
Points: 15.3 Rebounds: 9.3 Assists: 6.6
Why he’s here: When Magic Johnson was the game’s preeminent star in the late 70s/early 80s, every player his size wanted to be the next Magic. Then Michael Jordan came along, and passing no longer was cool. So Magic’s natural successors have been limited to Penny Hardaway in the 90s and, now, Anderson. Though he is not a great defender, Anderson impacts the game as a scorer, passer and, perhaps most amazingly, as a rebounder. He does spend some of his time at power forward and rebounds from there, but the majority of his time is spent running the Bruins’ offense. He produced a triple-double against Morehead State and eight double-doubles, including 17 points and 13-rebounds in a one-sided win over Arizona State.
SECOND TEAM
Keith Appling, senior PG, Michigan State Julius Randle, freshman PF, Kentucky Andrew Wiggins, freshman SF, Kansas Russ Smith, senior PG, Louisville C.J. Fair, senior SF, Syracuse
THIRD TEAM
Cleanthony Early, senior PF, Wichita State Aaron Gordon, freshman SF, Arizona Aaron Craft, senior PG, Ohio State DeAndre Kane, senior PG, Iowa State Tyler Ennis, freshman PG, Syracuse
For analysis on the second- and third-team selections, visit SportingNews.com.
