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Friday, March 2, 2001
Who needs a center with this five?




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.

User Choice Awards
  • ESPN.com wants to know who you think should win each of the following awards. Click to see our choice and vote for your favorite in each category:

    Player of Year
    Coach of Year
    Freshman of Year
    Newcomer of Year
    Defensive Player of Year
  • 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
    Jason
    Williams

    Duke
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Jamaal
    Tinsley

    Iowa State
    Senior
    Guard
    Joseph
    Forte

    North Carolina
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Troy
    Murphy

    Notre Dame
    Junior
    Forward
    Shane
    Battier

    Duke
    Senior
    Forward

    All-ESPN.com Second Team
    Troy
    Bell

    Boston College
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Frank
    Williams

    Illinois
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Casey
    Jacobsen

    Stanford
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Jason
    Richardson

    Michigan State
    Sophomore
    Forward
    Casey
    Calvary

    Gonzaga
    Senior
    Forward

    All-ESPN.com Third Team
    Gilbert
    Arenas

    Arizona
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Brett
    Nelson

    Florida
    Sophomore
    Guard
    Tayshaun
    Prince

    Kentucky
    Junior
    Guard
    Michael
    Bradley

    Villanova
    Junior
    Forward
    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