2009 BIAH All-Americans

The USBWA (United States Basketball Writers Association) has named their all-american team. Have a looksie:

First Team
DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh, F, 6-7, 265, So., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Stephen Curry, Davidson, G, 6-3, 185, Jr., Charlotte, N.C.
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, F, 6-10, 251, So., Oklahoma City, Okla.
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, F, 6-9, 250, Sr., Poplar Bluff, Mo.
James Harden, Arizona State, G, 6-5, 218, So., Los Angeles, Calif.

Second Team
Sherron Collins, Kansas, G, 5-11, 200, Jr., Chicago, Ill.
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, F, 6-8, 255, Jr., Schererville, Ind.
Jodie Meeks, Kentucky, G, 6-4, 208, Jr., Norcross, Ga.
Jeff Teague, Wake Forest, G, 6-2, 180, So., Indianapolis, Ind.
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, 7-3, 263, Jr., Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

I don't know about you, but I have a couple major issues with these teams. First of all, why is Tyler Hansbrough a first teamer? I understand that he has had a legendary career, but this is not a lifetime achievement award. Explain this to me: Hansbrough is on the first team, but teammate and ACC player of the year Ty Lawson isn't any team? They even voted Jeff Teague onto the second team over Lawson (for the record, Teague deserved second team, but Lawson should be on there). That just doesn't make sense.

Other than that, I have no qualms with the first team. The second team is a different story.

Luke Harangody and Jodie Meeks. Both are great players who had fantastic individual seasons in which they put up phenomenal numbers.

In fact, they both averaged more points per game than the number of games their teams won en route to the NIT. They were stars on two of the most disappointing teams in the country. So since 'Gody led a team that was in the preseason top 10 to the Not Invited Tournament, he is one of the ten best players in the country? Why not put a guy like Terrence Williams on that list, who is the most important player on the best team in the country? How about throwing a workhorse like Jon Brockman some love, a senior who anchored a Washington team that came from nowhere to win the Pac-10? I think both of those guys are more deserving than Gody.

While I know it sounds like it, my intention is not to take away from Meeks or Gody. Like I said, they are both great players who had great individual seasons. I'm simply saying that there are players that are more deserving of being recognized as an all-american. Maybe I am old school, but I value a player that can score while leading his team to wins than a guy that averages 25 for an NIT team.

If that is the criteria, than shouldn't Lester Hudson be in the mix? He averaged a ridiculous 27.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg (as a 6'3" lead guard), 4.1 apg, 2.4 spg and made 100 threes.

For the record, I know I am going to be a bit hypocritical with my selection of Steph Curry, but let me explain. We all knew how good Curry was after last season (1st teamer), and he put up better numbers this year playing out of position for a team that lost a guy that was almost as valuable as Curry. And he faced double teams, box-and-1's, and even box-and-2's (both on him) all season long.

The exception that proves the rule, if you will.

So with that in mind, here are your BIAH All-American Teams:

1st Team
- Blake Griffin, Oklahoma (POY)
- DeJuan Blair, Pitt
- Jerel McNeal, Marquette
- James Harden, Arizona State
- Steph Curry, Davidson
- Ty Lawson, North Carolina

2nd Team
- Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
- Terrence Williams, Louisville
- Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
- Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
- Jonny Flynn, Syracuse

3rd Team
- Gerald Henderson, Duke
- Jon Brockman, Washington
- Jordan Hill, Arizona
- Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
- Sherron Collins, Kansas

I wish there were more spots for (in no order at all): Luke Harangody, Notre Dame; Trevor Booker, Clemson; Willie Warren, Oklahoma; Marcus Thornton, LSU; Darren Collison, UCLA; Taylor Rochestie, Washington State; Talor Battle, Penn State; Kalin Lucas, Michigan State; Sam Young, Pitt; Levance Fields, Pitt; Wesley Matthews, Marquette; Eric Maynor, VCU; AJ Abrams, Texas; Booker Woodfox, Creighton; Nick Calathes, Florida; Luke Nevill, Utah; Ahmad Nivins, St. Joe's.

Did I miss anyone?

All-Freshman Team
- Tyreke Evans, Memphis (FOY)
- Al-Faroug Aminu, Wake Forest
- Gordon Hayward, Butler
- Greg Monroe, Georgetown
- Isaiah Thomas, Washington
- Willie Warren, Oklahoma