ESPN.com - NCB - Feedback: Rewarding the SEC's best

The early ecstasy of March Madness always energizes the college basketball world. But it also overshadows the end of the regular season and the individual accomplishments of the players and coaches.

Not here. Not at ESPN.com. Here's your choices for the SEC Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Surprise of the Year:

Prince (ly) performances
Tayshaun Prince has consistently put up MVP-type numbers against everybody in the SEC. Look at the games against Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, etc. The most important reason he should be Player of the Year is because his team has the best record in the SEC.

Brian Sellers
Charlotte, N.C.

His game down the stretch has been unreal. He has carried a YOUNG Kentucky team back to the national spotlight.

Brad Reefer
San Diego, Calif.

Tayshaun Prince should recieve the SEC Player of the Year award. He may have gotten off to a slow start, but he has proven time and again that he is the player you want when the game is on the line.

David Puckett
Winchester, Ky.

Tayshaun Prince is undoubtably more valuable to his team than any other player – except maybe Teddy Dupay of Florida. He's led the 'Cats with poise and grace and will continue to do so throughtout the NCAA tourney.

Shane Sams
Kentucky

Nelson for MVP
Brett Nelson has consistently filled it up from the inside and outside (as accurate at home as on the road) and has also played excellent defense for Billy Donovan.

Elton Thomas
Columbus, Miss.

Tayshaun Prince has been awesome for Kentucky, but Brett Nelson has kept the Gators alive with all the injuries. His numbers are at the the top of most major SEC categories, so there is no doubt who deserves the award.

Heath Miller
Tifton, Ga.

Haslem deserves mention
Udonis Haslem is the heart and soul of the Gators. When he has been in foul trouble in a couple of games, we were not the same team, but when he is on, we are almost unbeatable!

Chad Parrish
Clewistion, Fla.

Udonis Haslem has been able to lead a team full of stars and leaders by making his presence felt as the rock that holds the Gators together.

John Olesky
Gainesville, Fla.

Lockhart holds the key
Rahim Lockhart. No question he's the heart and soul of the Ole Miss basketball team. His leadership and ability out on the court makes the Rebels a serious threat to beat any top ten team in the country.

Kip Russell
Raleigh, N.C.


	Billy Donovan received many users votes as Coach of the Year after leading the Gators through an injury-filled season.

Donovan all the way
Coach Billy Donovan gets my vote. With three KEY starters hurt most of the year and to still be ranked in the top 10 for the majority of the year is incredible. He's taken Matt Bonner and made him into a force in the SEC because of Wright's injuries.

Marshall Crane
Boston, Mass.

He has once again shown what a great coach he is by keeping his team in the winning spirit while having some of his best players go down with injuries.

Pete Tanner
Gainesville, Fla.

No coach works harder, makes adjustments and better prepares and motivates his players than Billy D.

Brian D.H. Williams
Gainesville, Fla.

Votes for Harrick
Hands down it's Jim Harrick. Most prognosticators picked Georgia to be sixth in the East and they will finish third with a shot at the NCAA Tourney. Now THAT is coaching!!

Corbitt Mizell
Macon, Ga.

Faced with the distinction of having the nation's toughest schedule, Harrick has kept his squad positive and focused on an NCAA tournament bid, which is now certainly a strong possibility.

Brian Kang
Staten Island, N.Y.

Nobody does it better than Tubby
This award must go to Tubby Smith. His superb coaching ability to blend in the newcomers and to have them play with the established veterans in Bogans and Prince can't be overlooked.

Kurt Ebert
Lexington, Ky.

Tubby Smith turned around his team after a 3-5 start and being knocked out of the top 25 to lead the SEC. Along the way, Kentucky has upset numerous top 10 teams on the road and at home, and put confidence back in his players at a time when they needed it the most.

Greg Hengel
St. Louis, Mo.

Barnes all the way
I think the Coach of the Year should be Mississippi's Rod Barnes. I don't think anybody expected them to be as good as they have been. They are only one of two teams in the SEC to beat Kentucky.

Brian Sellers
Charlotte, N.C.

Rod Barnes hands down. He takes a team picked last in their division to a division title, and he did it with a 6'8' center and a roster loaded with underclassmen. He also does it all with class and humility.

John Cook
Jackson, Miss.

Can we say underachievers?
What happened to the Vols??? At one point in the season, there was no doubt that they were the best team in the country. They have some of the best talent in the nation, and hopefully they will start playing like it.

Bill Frederick
Lexington Ky.

Their overall record for the year has been good, but they have struggled over the past month. Where has Tony Harris gone? Tennessee players need to learn that there is no "I" in "TEAM".

Steve Risner
Casselberry, Fla.

UT's total collapse is a definite surprise. They are a very selfish team that has the most talent in the SEC, but they aren't playing like it.

Robert Ray
Stafford, Va.

How 'bout them Rebels?
Mississippi's near-invincibility is a surprise. I'd like to say Tennessee's late-season implosion, but SEC fans are used to seeing that almost every season.

David
Bowling Green, Ky.

From being a preseason pick to finish last in the SEC to 12th in the nation is a pretty nice surprise. The Rebels really dont have an abundance of talent, but they play defense and play with confidence, and they have heart.

Kyle Urmann

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