50 in 50 is a feature here at RCT counting down until the Jayhawks kick off the 2011 basketball season on November first. Got an idea for something you'd like to see featured here? tweet @rockchalktalk or @fetch9 or email me at fetch9 at gmail dot com.
Last week the Big 12 released their official All Big 12 teams (just a first team and honorable mention), and today I am going to offer up my take on the All Big 12 teams before I have to offer up my official picks for Rush The Court. As always, I am open to suggestions. Oh, and Freshmen aren't eligible for my teams, so lo siento LeBryan Nash, Deuce Bello, etc.
1st Team
G - Marcus Denmon, Missouri
Denmon is definitely the best guard in the league statistically. Though his assist rate is relatively paltry, his turnover rate of 8.2% was the best in the entire country. Dixon also shoots 54.4%/44.8%/75.8% (2/3/FT), which is excellent, and he does so while taking more shots than anyone else on the Tigers.
G - Rodney McGruder, Kansas State
The main issue with McGruder's inclusion on this list is a usage one, as his usage rate of 16.7% is a bit low. Still, he is maybe the most unheralded player in the league. His 15.4% defensive rebounding rate is pretty darn good for a guard, and he is quite a shooter: he shot nearly 50% from two and over 40% from three.
F - Perry Jones, Baylor
Jones is the most talented player in the league. He took quite a few shots and put up a 55.3% eFG, despite attempting only 10 threes all year. He was also the 2nd best offensive rebounder on the team last year. From an all around perspective he has some work to do, but he's one of the most talented players in the country and a near lock to be a top 5 pick in the next NBA draft.
F - Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Robinson has been chronicled ad nauseam here, but while he doesn't have the lengthiest resume (I can't figure out how to do the accented e, so just pretend it's there), Robinson, if he follows the Aldrich-Morris plan, will be one of the best big men in the whole country this year.
F - Khris Middleton, Texas A&M
The main reason why some people have picked A&M to pick the league (which is hilarious), Middleton is a potential beast. Despite standing 6'7", he shot 36% from three and led the Aggies in assist rate. He's just an OK scorer from an efficiency standpoint, and with A&M losing 3 starters I do wonder how that can improve.
2nd team
Anthony Jones, Baylor
Jones has the same problem as McGruder, a low usage rate, but he was excellent in nearly everything. His defensive rebounding rate was good (15.5%), he shot well from two (60%), three (39.4%) and the line (81.8%)
J'Covan Brown, Texas
Brown's talent is ahead of his production right now. He had just a 48.7% eFG last year and his assist and turnover rates were identical. Still, he shot nearly 40% from three and was part of one of the best defensive teams in the country, so perhaps shooting a few fewer twos is the key to success.
Robert Lewandowski, Texas Tech
Perhaps a suspect pick, given how awful Tech was and should be again this year, but Lewandowski quietly had a really good year last year. He had a 55.4% eFG last year and a 17.6% defensive rebounding rate. He didn't get to the line much, but converted nearly 75% of his attempts.
Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas
Like TRob, we have discussed Tyshawn quite a bit. His flaws are apparent (high turnover rate, suspect shooting), but at his best Taylor is a guy who can get into the lane at will (and hopefully find Robinson and Withey for a lot of dump off dunks), and he did shoot 38% from three, even though it was only in 50 attempts.
Michael Dixon, Missouri
Dixon only played in half of Missouri's minutes (but seriously there is a shocking lack of quality in the Big 12 this year), but he made them count. He led the team with a 27.4% assist rate, shot 39% from three and 82.5% from the line.