All-Conference Team

by **Wufan** » January 12th, 2014, 3:34 pm

It's early and things can change, however, am I crazy to think that WSU will get three players on the First Team All-Conference? Let's suppose that WSU wins the conference with a 16-2 or better record and that second place is 13-5 or worse. Currently, the Shocker big three look like this:

Cleanthony Early - 16.6 ppg, 6.9 rebounds per game. He's ranked 5th and 4th in the conference respectively. I think he's a shoe in for first team and still the front-runner for MVC POY.
Fred VanVleet - 12.2 ppg, 5.4 assists and 1.2 TOs per game. 3.5 rebounds and shooting 43% from three. He's #1 in assists and A:TO in the MVC. He's also tied for 5th in steals.
Ron Baker - 13.1 ppg, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a 2.5:1 A:TO ratio. Baker is 11th in scoring and 20th in rebounding, but is top 10 in assists, A:TO, steals, and blocks.

I think that if WSU continues to perform as a top 10 team, then it is totally realistic that these three COULD make first team. Here's some of the competition:

DJ Ballentine - 22.4 ppg (#1) and 4.0 assists per game (4th). Probably on a Thursday night team.
Desmar Jackson - 20.7 ppg (2nd) and 4.9 rebounds. Definitely on a Thursday night team.
Richard Carter - 17.9 ppg (3rd), 3.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds.
Walt Lemon - 17.1 ppg (4th), 3.2 assists (5th) and 3.2 TOs. Bad attitude makes team worse.
Milton Doyle - 14.6 ppg (6th), 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.4 TOs. FOY, but not first team.
Marcus Marshall - 14.3 ppg (7th). Not much else.
Christian Thomas - 14.1 ppg (8th), 6.8 rebounds (5th). LUC is Likely a Thurs team and he is likely 2nd team.
Jamar Gulley - 13.8 ppg (9th), 5.6 rpg (7th). Possible First team (liked what I saw last night).
Deon Mitchell - 13.3 ppg (10th), 3.5 apt (7th). He's looking pretty good!
Jake Odum - 13.0 ppg, 4.9 assists (2nd), 2.5:1 A:TO, 4.6 rebounds. I'd be surprised if he's not first team.
Seth Tuttle - 12.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg (1st).
Tyshon Pickett - 12.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg (2nd).

Illinois state has several good players that will make a strong bid for NCOY, but no stand outs for first team. Nobody in the top 20 in scoring or rebounds and no one in the top 10 for assists. Also, little name recognition.

Based on current stats and performance, I'd go:

Early
VanVleet
Odum
Gulley
Baker

**Sponsor**

by **AndShock** » January 12th, 2014, 3:38 pm

I'm a bit disappointed that Tekele will never make 1st team All-Conference when he just might be our most important player. On the plus side, I don't think he gets snubbed on the defensive awards this year.

by **jturner38** » January 13th, 2014, 12:48 pm

It's hard to predict. I think Baker wont make it bc this is his first go around of a full season and the grind of the conference might wear on him a lil toward the end. But he seems like a tough kid so maybe not. I feel like Early (obviously) and FV get on. Then Odum, maybe Tuttle replaces Baker, and then possibly Gulley. POY I think it would look like this in my opinion as of right now. Early, Odum, FV (He may have just passed up Baker with the way he has stepped up his game), and then Baker. Honestly they are the only 4 I see who could win it, but Early clearly #1 unless his production slips toward the end.

by **achrist70** » January 13th, 2014, 1:10 pm

1st Team
Early
VanVleet
Odum
Tuttle
Gulley

2nd Team
Carter
Baker
Ballentine
Lemon
Mitchell/Arop

With this I am assuming that Wichita wins the conference, Indiana St./UNI is 2nd, Missouri State is 4th.

Personally I don't think you will see a team get 3 on the 1st team, and honestly it may be hard for Wichita to get 3 on 1st or 2nd team. I always go with the teams who win over players with great stats on a poor team.

by **jturner38** » January 13th, 2014, 1:30 pm

achrist70 wrote:1st Team
Early
VanVleet
Odum
Tuttle
Gulley

2nd Team
Carter
Baker
Ballentine
Lemon
Mitchell/Arop

With this I am assuming that Wichita wins the conference, Indiana St./UNI is 2nd, Missouri State is 4th.

Personally I don't think you will see a team get 3 on the 1st team, and honestly it may be hard for Wichita to get 3 on 1st or 2nd team. I always go with the teams who win over players with great stats on a poor team.

I agree with you. Desmar Jackson I feel like can be on 2nd team as well. Its hard to predict Desmar and Walt bc they are 2 good players on really BAD teams. Walt is turnover prone though which could give the edge to Desmar. I don't think anybody will argue with the 1st team picks with the exception of Baker (He has a case for now)

by **PantherSigEp** » January 13th, 2014, 1:45 pm

jturner38 wrote:
achrist70 wrote:1st Team
Early
VanVleet
Odum
Tuttle
Gulley

2nd Team
Carter
Baker
Ballentine
Lemon
Mitchell/Arop

With this I am assuming that Wichita wins the conference, Indiana St./UNI is 2nd, Missouri State is 4th.

Personally I don't think you will see a team get 3 on the 1st team, and honestly it may be hard for Wichita to get 3 on 1st or 2nd team. I always go with the teams who win over players with great stats on a poor team.

I agree with you. Desmar Jackson I feel like can be on 2nd team as well. Its hard to predict Desmar and Walt bc they are 2 good players on really BAD teams. Walt is turnover prone though which could give the edge to Desmar. I don't think anybody will argue with the 1st team picks with the exception of Baker (He has a case for now)

The way it's playing out Desmar is going to be the prettiest girl in the ugliest brothel. I guess Bradley isn't too far ahead but I'd give Lemon edge simply because we all know just how good of a player he is capable of being. Perhaps others will take the opposite view on that outlook and penalize him for playing his way straight out of POY contention, much less 1st team honors. I would understand the reasons for either argument.

by **achrist70** » January 13th, 2014, 2:16 pm

Desmar is deserving but SIU has to win for him to get on there

Player of the Year

Anthony

Freshman of the Year

Doyle

Defensive Player of the Year

Odum

6th Man of the Year

Buss

Coach of the Year

Marshall

by **jturner38** » January 13th, 2014, 2:32 pm

achrist70 wrote:Desmar is deserving but SIU has to win for him to get on there

Player of the Year

Anthony

Freshman of the Year

Doyle

Defensive Player of the Year

Odum/Cotton

6th Man of the Year

Buss/K. Smith

Coach of the Year

Marshall/Lansing (Only if he gets the Sycamores to snag the title away from Wichita St)

by **saluki762** » January 13th, 2014, 2:44 pm

achrist70 wrote:Desmar is deserving but SIU has to win for him to get on there

Past history doesn't suggest this. Player of the Year and Coach of the Year always go to winners. Plenty of losers on the Valley All Conference teams.

by **UNIFanSince1983** » January 13th, 2014, 3:44 pm

If anyone from UNI gets on first team it should be Mitchell. He has been our best and most consistent player all year long. He has really stepped up this year when we have needed him. I really think it has helped him having Wes in the backcourt with him and not always having the pressure of being the one ball handler.

I am not sure if we end up with anyone on first team, but Mitchell would be my pick for us.