The 2011 All-Big 12 teams are out and we've posted on the first, second and third teams. Now, though, it's time for the All-Big 12 defensive team. This one is a little harder to judge. Here are the big winners:
Kansas Jayhawks G Brady Morningstar, Kansas State G Jacob Pullen, Missouri F Laurence Bowers, Texas G Dogus Balbay and Texas F Tristan Thompson.
The other teams, which are based more on offense, were filled with a lot of underclassmen. This team, though, is senior heavy with Morningstar, Pullen and Balbay. Bowers is a junior and Thompson is the only freshman on the list.
Morningstar, especially late in the season, was key for the Jayhawks on defense as was Pullen for the Wildcats during their six-game winning streak. Bowers is lanky but knows how to block a shot averaging nearly two a game. Thompson, as a freshman, averaged over two blocks per game.
For more on the local guys, check out Rock M Nation, Rock Chalk Talk and Bring On The Cats.