The Southeastern Conference gave out awards to their best basketball players and coaches today, including the naming of the All-SEC team, Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
Here is the final verdict on these honors:
Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt, G-F, 6-7, Sr.
Al Horford, Florida, F-C, 6-10, Jr.
Chris Lofton, Tennessee, G, 6-2, Jr.
Glen Davis, LSU, F, 6-9, Jr.
Tre' Kelley, South Carolina, G, 6-0, Sr.
SECOND TEAM
Richard Hendrix, Alabama, F, 6-8, So.
Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State, G-F, 6-4, So.
Joakim Noah, Florida, F-C, 6-11, Jr.
Corey Brewer, Florida, F, 6-9, Jr.
Clarence Sanders, Mississippi, G, 6-1, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Todd Abernethy, Mississippi, G, 6-1, Sr.; Jermareo Davidson, Alabama, F, 6-10, Sr.; Shan Foster, Vanderbilt, G-F, 6-6, Jr.; Sundiata Gaines, Georgia, G, 6-1, Jr.; Taurean Green, Florida, G, 6-0, Jr.; Randolph Morris, Kentucky, F-C, 6-11, Jr.; Brandon Wallace, South Carolina, F, 6-9, Sr.
Player of the Year: Chris Lofton, Tennessee
Coach of the Year: Andy Kennedy, Mississippi
Newcomer of the Year: Patrick Beverly, Arkansas
I tend to agree with a lot of this, although I think that Taurean Green should have been on at least the Second Team. It's definitely hard to complain about "no love" when there are already three Gators making the First and Second team, but I do think that Taurean was at least one of the four best guards in the league this season.
I think in Florida's case you could put any of the 0-Fours (Noah, Horford, Brewer, Green) on at least the second team -- they've all played their parts and brought different things to this team individually.
My player of the year would be Derrick Byars, although I have no problem seeing Lofton get the honor. Byars averaged more assists and rebounds per game, but Lofton is leading the league in scoring -- so it's a tossup -- Although I think Byars has done more to help his team overachieve than Lofton. But again, I'm not complaining.
Anyways, could you imagine that First Team out on the court together? That would make one heck of a basketball team.
Go Gators!