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Friday, March 2, 2001
Who needs a center with this five?
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
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Where is Kenyon Martin when you need him?
Martin made it simple last year. He was the player of the year, the consensus first-team all-American. There was no true competition. Iowa State's Marcus Fizer was a distant second to the Cincinnati forward.
But there are too many choices this year, too many deserving players. The decisions weren't easy and are easily open for debate. That's why we want your input on college basketball's player of the year plus your vote for the top coach, freshman, newcomer and defensive player as well.
Not even the first-team all-American list was a slam dunk. The backcourt is hard to debate with North Carolina's Joseph Forte the top shooting guard in the country. His even-keeled approach led the Tar Heels to a No. 1 ranking and to a top-two standing in the ACC and a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State's Jamaal Tinsley and Duke's Jason Williams share the backcourt with Forte. They could coexist if we had to play a game with this threesome. Tinsley and Williams could both shoot 3s, break their opponent down and would be almost impossible to press.
Tinsley almost single-handedly brought the Cyclones to the top of the Big 12 despite losing Fizer. Williams will be in Maryland's nightmares for years to come with his comeback of two 3s against the Terps in Cole Field House. He has been such a lock to score in the clutch that trying to stop him has almost become a moot point.
Duke's Shane Battier has had better offensive years but this is his most complete season. Battier's defense is once again tops at his position, let alone in the nation. But Battier's overall presence on the floor helps this team. He's not only a worthy small forward who can hit the 3-pointer or score in the post, but he's also a winner. He leads by his play and his words. Having him on the team gives this squad a chance.
The last spot was the hardest to fill.
Notre Dame's Troy Murphy answered the call as one of the top forwards in the nation. While having Oklahoma transfer Ryan Humphrey on the team helped him, Murphy still had to come up with the double-doubles. He did and led the Irish to the top of the Big East West Division. His transformation from simply scorer and rebounder to leader makes him a good choice for the fifth spot on the ESPN.com all-American team.
Now, you might be wondering how we can put out our team in the final week of the regular season for most teams. The reason is this: It shouldn't come down to just one or two more games. The grind will begin next week with Championship Week and the timing was right to get your take and give ours on the best in the game this season.
All-ESPN.com First Team
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Jason Williams
Duke
Sophomore
Guard
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Jamaal Tinsley
Iowa State
Senior
Guard
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Joseph Forte
North Carolina
Sophomore
Guard
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Troy Murphy
Notre Dame
Junior
Forward
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Shane Battier
Duke
Senior
Forward
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All-ESPN.com Second Team
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Troy Bell
Boston College
Sophomore
Guard
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Frank Williams
Illinois
Sophomore
Guard
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Casey Jacobsen
Stanford
Sophomore
Guard
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Jason Richardson
Michigan State
Sophomore
Forward
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Casey Calvary
Gonzaga
Senior
Forward
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All-ESPN.com Third Team
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Gilbert Arenas
Arizona
Sophomore
Guard
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Brett Nelson
Florida
Sophomore
Guard
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Tayshaun Prince
Kentucky
Junior
Guard
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Michael Bradley
Villanova
Junior
Forward
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Michael Wright
Arizona
Junior
Forward
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ALSO SEE
Doyel: Tough choices in East
Graney: Best out West
Potrykus: Point of emphasis in Midwest
Forde: Prince of the South
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