Kansas junior Wayne Simien and Texas Tech’s Andre Emmett, the conference’s all-time scoring leader, are unanimous choices to The Associated Press All-Big 12 team for 2003-2004.
KU’s Keith Langford was named to the Big 12 second team, and point guard Aaron Miles was named to the third team.
Joining Simien and Emmett on the first team were Tony Allen and point guard John Lucas, the key members of Oklahoma State’s first conference champion since 1965, and Brandon Mouton, the top scorer on one of the best senior classes in Texas history.
The team was picked by a panel of media representatives who regularly cover the Big 12.
Langford, Colorado 7-footer David Harrison and Missouri seniors Rickey Paulding and Arthur Johnson – the Tigers’ career leader in rebounds and blocked shots – head the second team. Also selected was Colorado senior Michel Morandais.
Emmett, a 6-foot-5 native of Dallas, broke the Big 12 career scoring record of former Kansas star Nick Collison this year and goes into the conference tournament with 2,179 total points.
Able to battle with the musclemen underneath as well as drill baseline jumpers, the rugged senior has led the Red Raiders to three straight 20-win seasons for the first time in their history.
His 14 field goals against Southern Methodist were the most by any Big 12 player this year. Another league best was his 20.8 points per game scoring average.
“He’s a man out there,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew. “When the game’s on the line or a big play needs to be made, he makes it. He has the physical stature and toughness that he’s able to impose his will, getting to loose balls, getting to the basket. I’ve just been thoroughly impressed.”
The 5-11 Lucas is the smallest man on the first, second or third team. Allowed to transfer from scandal-plagued Baylor without sitting out a year, his impact was immediate and dramatic.
“He’s very unselfish. He’s a team player,” said coach Eddie Sutton, who admits this team exceeded even his own expectations. “His teammates recognized that from the start.”
The son of former NBA star John Lucas II averaged almost 15 points and was second in the league in assists. Instinctive floor leadership and thread-the-needle passing are his greatest gifts.
“He’s just a tireless worker in practice,” Sutton said. “He’s been a joy to coach because he takes coaching so well.”
The 6-9 Simien delighted Kansas fans last week when he announced that he would stay in school for his senior year. If he remains healthy, he could be a leading contender for national honors.
Even though a groin injury forced him to sit out practice until the day before each game, Simien was second in the Big 12 in both scoring (17.6 points) and rebounding (nine). He and Harrison were the only players to rank in the top five in both.
“The greatest compliment you can pay a player is how he influences winning,” said Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson.
“A lot of talented guys don’t influence winning the game. Wayne Simien influences winning the game. When he was a freshman, you could tell he was one of those special kids.”
Many believe the hoopla surrounding Lucas during Oklahoma State’s storybook season unfairly stole much of the spotlight from Allen. The 6-4 senior was the AP newcomer of the year last season after averaging almost 15 points a game, and this year he improved to 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds. He led the conference in steals and there may not be a better perimeter defender in the Big 12.
“Lucas has definitely been a difference-maker. But Tony Allen’s been equally important,” said Texas assistant coach Frank Haith. “He’s a tough matchup.”
When asked to name the best player in the conference, excluding anyone on his own team, Kansas coach Bill Self did not hesitate.
“Tony Allen,” he said.
The 6-4 Mouton is the highest-scoring member of one of the finest classes in Texas history. He and his three fellow senior starters have rung up 94 victories in four years.
He averaged a team-high 13.4 points this year and goes into his final postseason tenth on the Texas all-time scoring list. Going back to Feb. 4 2003, he has posted double-digit points in 32 of 42 games.
Curtis Stinson, Iowa State’s 21-year-old freshman, heads the third team, joined by Miles, the conference assists leader, Iowa State’s Jackson Vroman, the Big 12’s top rebounder, Royal Ivey of Texas and Terrance Thomas of Baylor.
