Kansas Jayhawks big man Marcus Morris is your Big 12 player of the year. He beats out widely assumed candidates such as Colorado Buffaloes' Alec Burks and Kansas State Wildcats' Jacob Pullen. Any of those players would have been a great choice but it's hard to argue with Morris.
While we usually talk about the Morris twins, it was Marcus who established himself as the premier player throughout the season. Clearly, KU head coach Bill Self, Big 12 coach of the year, agrees.
"I am very proud any time our players get named to a postseason award,"Self said. "I am especially proud of Marcus for being consistent this year and being the premier performer in our league. It certainly is a compliment to him but also to his teammates to allow him to do what he does."
Morris averaged 17.3 points and seven boards per game as the Jayhawks wetn 29-2 on the year and 14-2 in the Big 12. There were only two games all year in which Marcus didn't hit double digits in points. Kansas was the most efficient offense in the country and they were lead by Marcus, who hit on nearly 60 percent of his shots.
"I'm happy," Marcus Morris said. "I give all the credit to my teammates. Without them there is no way I would have been selected. We've had a great season so far but we still have a lot of work to do heading into the Big 12 tournament and the NCAAs."
He'll be a first round pick if he comes out but, as you can guess, most KU fans are hoping he comes back. After the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA tournament, we'll find out what he wants to do -- try for a repeat of the Big 12 player of the year or head to the NBA.