It seems imperative that we conclude 2011 with some sort of cliched wrap-up. It just wouldn’t be the holidays without some kind of superlatives, a top 10 list or summary of the year. So, this is our SEC version. Without further ado, here are the mid-season All-SEC Rush The Court teams and awards:
First team All-SEC:
- C Anthony Davis (Kentucky) – 11.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.5 BPG, 1.6 SPG
- F Arnett Moultrie (Mississippi State) – 17.1 PPG, 11.4 RPG
- G Kenny Boynton (Florida) – 18.7 PPG, 3.0 APG, 46.6% 3FG
- G John Jenkins (Vanderbilt) – 20.6 PPG, 43.8% 3FG
- G Dee Bost (Mississippi State) – 18.0 PPG, 4.5 APG, 2.3 SPG
Analysis: This is the who’s who of SEC performers. The numbers speak for themselves as these guys have stuffed the stat sheets all season long. Moultrie and Bost have elevated Mississippi State into the Top 25 with their solid play. Davis is the lone freshman on the list. He does a little bit of everything for Kentucky, and his impact is felt in every game. Boynton’s offensive game is much improved from last year, as he is taking better shots and looking more controlled on offense. Finally, Jenkins has been able to put up over 20 points per game without a post presence in the Commodores’ frontcourt.
Second team All-SEC:
- F JaMychal Green (Alabama) – 15.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.3 BPG
- F Tony Mitchell (Alabama) – 15.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG
- F Jeffery Taylor (Vanderbilt) – 17.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG
- G Doron Lamb (Kentucky) – 16.7 PPG, 52.0% 3FG
- G Erving Walker (Florida) – 14.5 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.5 RPG, 38.1% 3FG
Analysis: Any one of these guys could play their way on to the first team by season’s end. Green and Mitchell have Alabama moving forward. Lamb has taken his offensive game to a new level this year, with an astounding 52.3% 3FG. More of a spot-up shooter last year, Lamb has added the ability to take his man off the dribble to his repertoire this year. Walker is a bit inconsistent at times, but he knows how to light it up. His biggest improvement has been his ability to distribute the ball, as evidenced by his 5.0 assists per game. Taylor continues to put up solid numbers night-in and night-out, but lacks the aggressiveness to elevate himself to the top tier.
Third team All-SEC:
- C Patric Young (Florida) – 11.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 BPG
- F Terrence Jones (Kentucky) – 12.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG
- F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky) – 12.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG
- G Bradley Beal (Florida) – 15.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG
- G Trae Golden (Tennessee) – 13.5 PPG, 5.7 APG
Analysis: The first name that pops out at this level is Jones. When looking at the numbers, he just doesn’t deserve anything more than third team honors. Jones has struggled with a team full of offensive threats for the Wildcats. Young should be a much bigger offensive threat for the Gators, but is overshadowed by an abundance of stars in Florida’s backcourt. Golden’s play for Tennessee could put the Vols on the rise once SEC play begins. Kidd-Gilchrist hustles on every single play, and is the glue that makes Kentucky one of the best teams in the nation. His impact on Kentucky’s team cannot be overstated. Beal is another talented freshman who has made a name for himself in a crowded backcourt. His 6.3 rebounds per game is quite possibly the most surprising aspect of his game, considering he is only a 6’3″ guard.
Honorable Mention:
- Jeronne Maymon (Tennessee) – 12.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG
- Murphy Holloway (Ole Miss) – 9.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG
- BJ Young (Arkansas) – 15.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG
- Gerald Robinson (Georgia) – 13.6 PPG, 3.3 APG
- Marquis Teague (Kentucky) – 11.1 PPG, 4.6 APG
- Trevor Releford (Alabama) – 11.5 PPG, 3.3 APG
- Justin Hamilton (LSU) – 11.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG
Player of the Year: Arnett Moultrie (Mississippi State) – Moultrie’s motor is always going. He leads the SEC in rebounding and is fifth in scoring. He is the most valuable player on the most surprising team in the SEC. He has yet to receive the national recognition that other players in the conference have gotten, but he is deserving of it. Moultrie has been incredibly consistent this year, as he has seven double-doubles on the year. He can even step out and hit a three pointer (3-4 3FG). We all know the troubles Mississippi State experienced last year on its way to a 17-14 record. Add Moultrie to the mix this year, and the Bulldogs are 11-1. That is the kind of impact a Player of the Year can have.
Honorable Mention: John Jenkins (Vanderbilt) – Jenkins comes off a screen for a catch and release better than anybody in the game. He is a pure shooter, and has the ability to score in bunches. However, he has become somewhat one-dimensional in his offensive game. He rarely attacks off the dribble, and hardly ever sets up teammates as evidenced by his puny 1.1 assists per game. Jenkins is the reigning SEC Player of the Year, and is in the running once again. He always gets his points, but he just doesn’t do enough of the other little things to earn our POY honors.
Freshman of the year: Anthony Davis (Kentucky) – Anthony Davis is likely the top freshman in the country and the number one draft pick in next year’s NBA draft. Davis has been a defensive stopper for the Cats, altering shots from all over the court. The long and athletic center is averaging 4.5 blocks per game in helping Kentucky to become the fifth ranked team in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency. Davis’ effect on defense helped directly secure a victory against North Carolina, and indirectly has and will win many other games. He is still developing on offense, but is talented enough to make a difference by shooting 64% from the field. Davis averages 3.0 offensive rebounds per game, giving Kentucky that many extra chances to lob it his way for an easy dunk.
- Honorable mention: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky) – Kidd-Gilchrist finds a way to get the job done. His hustle and work ethic has repeatedly drawn the praise of his coach and has won over the admiration of the Big Blue fan base. Kidd-Gilchrist has had a solid season, but he has really come along in the last five games. After struggling with only five points against St. John’s, MKG has averaged 15.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game since.
Most improved player: Kenny Boynton (Florida) – Boynton has increased his field goal shooting percentage from 38.5% (2010-11) to 48.7% (2011-12), his three point shooting percentage from 33.1% to 44.3% and his scoring average from 14.2 PPG to 18.3 PPG. Boynton’s improvements can be seen by looking at more than the numbers. His shot selection has improved tremendously, and he is playing with more control and confidence in the backcourt. With the addition of Beal and incoming transfer Mike Rosario, one might assume that fewer shots would be available, but Boynton has established himself as a go-to option within Florida’s offense. Boynton put up plenty of points last year, but this year he has a more complete game and the look of a star player.
- Honorable mention: Patric Young (Florida) – Young wasn’t a top option for the Gators last year when he averaged 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game coming off the bench. This year, as the starting center for Florida, Young is the main man in the middle and his numbers have improved drastically. He is averaging 11 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and could probably average more if he received additional touches. Young looks like an All-SEC talent, just one year after being a role player coming off the bench for an Elite Eight team.
Player to watch out for: Terrence Jones (Kentucky) – The preseason All American can’t stay down on the third team All-SEC team for long. Jones has been inconsistent this year on a Kentucky team loaded with offensive talent. His numbers have gone down in every category — Jones’ averages are down in points (12.4 PPG down from 15.7 PPG), rebounds (6.2 RPG down from 8.8 RPG) and minutes (28.3 MPG down from 31.5 MPG), yet his field goal and three point shooting percentages are up. He hasn’t reached double figures in rebounds yet this year. But it just can’t last. Jones will get healthy, and his numbers will steadily climb.
- Honorable mention: Marquis Teague (Kentucky) – Teague turned the ball over 18 times in Kentucky’s first four games sparking many to claim he is not prepared to run the Wildcats’ high octane offense. In the eight games since that point, Teague has committed only 17 turnovers. He has increased his other statistics in that span as well, averaging 11.0 points and 5.4 assists per game (an increase from just 2.8 assists per game in his first four games). As Teague continues to grow, look for him to be one of the best guards in the conference by March.