It’s time to put on the black ties and start the orchestra as we present midseason honors to college basketball’s top superstars.
It’s been a tremendous start to the season and the freshmen’s return to the national spotlight has been refreshing to watch. What Duke freshman Cooper Flagg (19.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 3.9 APG) this year is absolutely sensational, as we saw on Saturday when he scored 42 points on 11 of 14 shooting from the floor and 16 of 17 on throw franc. line to finish with seven assists and six rebounds in victory Notre Dame.
We also have people like John Broome and No. 1 Auburn, the return of Brad Smith of a national vice-champion Purdue team, and a few other freshmen like Dylan Harper And Ace Bailey has Rutgers And Illinois come out Kasparas Jakucioniswhich has been a lot of fun to watch this season.
Without further ado, let’s get to our FOX College Hoops Midseason First, Second, and Third Team All-Americans!
Midseason first-team All-Americans:
John Broome, Auburn (National Mid-Season Player of the Year)
Although he is out indefinitely with an ankle injury that does not require surgery, which is good news, the best player all season on the team’s No. 1 country currently receives my highest honor in college basketball. Broome averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor and being the focal point of the nation’s No. 1 offense, according to KenPom. He’s scored over 20 points in 10 games this season and has been just as dominant on the glass. THE Tigers“The fifth-year senior big man has been spectacular this year.
Cooper Flagg, Duke (National Mid-Season Freshman of the Year)
Projected No. 1 pick in 2025 NBA Draft could raise the Blue Devils to their first national championship in a decade because Flagg is an outstanding athlete, defender and winner. He attacks the rim viciously and his perimeter shooting is now producing more consistent results. In his first 10 college games, he shot just 22 percent from 3-point territory. Over the last six contests, Flagg has shot 12 of 22 from 3-point land.
He means as much to his team as any American player, averaging 20 points and more than six assists per game for seventh. Golden Eagles. Shaka Smart said in the preseason that America is about to find out how good a passer Jones is with Tyler Kolek went to the NBA. Well, Smart called it and more. Jones averaged 103 assists to 25 turnovers this season. In the EvanMiya.com metric system, Jones is the seventh-best point guard in college basketball. Shooting over 50 percent from the floor is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s why Jones and the Golden Eagles can make a deep run again in March.
He is the best point guard in America because he is relentless on both ends of the floor and simply wants the Boilermakers to victories. The junior managed to improve further during the offseason and currently ranks third in the country with 9.2 assists per game while averaging 15 points and 4.6 rebounds. In two wins against Nebraska and Rutgers last week, Smith totaled 28 assists and five turnovers – yes, ONLY two games! Having to guard him is almost impossible because he is a flawless offensive player who also shoots 42% from 3-point territory.
The Tigers are in the top 20 in the country thanks to redshirt sophomore and Tulsa transfer. Last season, while playing for the Golden HurricaneHaggerty became only the second Division I freshman in the last 30 years to average at least 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in a season. This year, he is averaging 22.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 50% from the floor and 42% from 3-point range. He sent Memphis on an incredible run at the Maui Invitational and gives Penny Hardaway’s team a real chance to be a Final Four dark horse.
Midseason Second Team All-Americans:
The country’s top scorer highlights our second team. Dixon, who averages 25.3 points per game while shooting 50% from the floor and 47% from 3-point territory, can be best described as By Paul head coach Chris Holtmann:
“He’s been the biggest matchup problem in college basketball for at least five years because his versatility is limitless.”
The level of production and shot-making from a 6-foot-8, 265-pound big man is incredible at times and he gives Villanova a chance against anyone because of how much he can fill up.
He’s had as much impact as any transfer in college basketball, which is a familiar sight in Knoxville after Dalton Knecht dominated for the Volunteers and would have been named national player of the year last season without Zach Edey historic campaign. Lanier, a 6-4 guard transferred from North Floridais averaging 19 points per game on the season while shooting 46% from the floor and 45% from 3-point territory. He has scored 20 or more points in seven games this season.
THE Alligators are a legitimate national title contender because the 6-3 senior guard and Alijah Martin are one of the best backcourt duos in the country. Clayton is averaging 17.2 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game for Florida while shooting 45% from the floor and 36% from 3-point territory. He has five performances this season of 25 or more points, including 33 against Kentucky on Jan. 4 in Lexington.
This is no surprise as he was a second-team All-American last season while leading the league. Crimson Tide to their first Final Four in school history. That said, the fifth-year senior is super steady and such a gifted offensive player. The 6-1 guard, now in his third year in Tuscaloosa after transferring from Ohio, is averaging 19.1 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game with a clutch shooting gene who is up there with the best of them. Thanks to Sears, Alabama has the second-ranked offense in America, according to KenPom.
I’m a firm believer in the idea that team success breeds individual success and that’s why the 6-4 senior guard rounds out my list of the top 10 players in men’s college basketball. Gilbert does a lot for the second Cyclones in the State of Iowaaveraging 16.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 52% from the floor and forcing nearly two steals per game. Only two teams can say they are in the top 10 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency: Duke and Iowa State. Gilbert does so much on both ends, making TJ Otzelberger’s team one of the best in America.
Midseason third-team All-Americans:
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers sports in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta.
(Want great stories delivered straight to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.)
Get more from college basketball Follow your favorites for gaming information, news, and more.